Sports

Local Golfer Takes part in PGA Academy

A Palm Desert junior golfer meets and plays with golf legends

MacKenzie Raim of Palm Desert was one of 84 junior golfers nationwide to take part in the 2012 Ryder Cup Junior Golf Academy last week at the PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance in Port St. Lucie, Florida. 

Raim, about to begin her junior year at Palm Desert High, has been one of outstanding players on the girls golf team; and has has had success in tournaments on the Southern Calfornia PGA Junior Tour.

“We had a tremendously successful first year of the Ryder Cup Junior Academy,” said PGA of America President Allen Wronowski. “I was able to see first-hand the impact this had on a special group of junior golfers from across the country. I am sure that this year will have the same positive impression on the future of our great game.”

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The Ryder Cup Junior Academy is a week-long program that emphasizes a variety of skills, including playing and competing in both stroke- and match-play formats, swing mechanics, competitive course management, as well as fitness and physical assessments.

The initiative is designed to expand the outreach of the Ryder Cup and provide aspiring young players an opportunity to experience an elite player development academy, while targeting those who may not have the resources or means to attend. It will also offer the juniors expert instruction from past U.S. Ryder Cup Captains and award-winning PGA Professionals.

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As part of the 2010 United States Ryder Cup Team’s charitable commitment—which has already impacted U.S-based charitable organizations and students at colleges and universities nationwide—the team designated a total of $650,000 to create and support the Ryder Cup Junior Golf Academy.

Each of the 41 PGA Sections nationwide were given the opportunity to nominate one boy and one girl each, with the remainder of the juniors selected through an at-large process. Also receiving invitations were boy and girl participants from the Notah Begay III Foundation, Lorena Ochoa Golf Foundation, Bill Dickey Scholarship Association, Pan-American Golf Association, and the AJGA Ace Grant Program.

 

 

 


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