Orlando, Florida (March 8, 2006) – The Spirit of Golf Foundation (SGF) is pleased to announce that renowned golf legend Arnold Palmer, an honorary SGF board member, will present the inaugural SGF Coach of the Year Award to Eddie Merrins, Golf Professional Emeritus of the Bel-Air Country Club, Los Angeles, California. The presentation will take place on Friday, March 10, 2006 at 9:00 am at the Bay Hill Golf Club in Orlando, Florida.
Named after Mr. Merrins, the SGF Coach of the Year Award (The Eddie Merrins Award) in future years will be awarded to an SGF Certified Coach who most closely aligns their professional and personal attributes to the guidelines Mr. Merrins himself has lived by during his most prestigious career. Playing golf at the highest amateur level leading to a stellar career as a professional golfer, Mr. Merrins was the men’s golf coach at UCLA for 14 years, teaching and mentoring such future stars as Corey Pavin and Duffy Waldorf. Known as "Golf’s Finest Gentleman," Mr. Merrins’ humble and gracious demeanor and sincere interest in and love for young people has elevated him above his peers in the industry. For the past 40 years, Mr. Merrins has been the Head Golf Professional at the Bel-Air Country Club, Los Angeles, California, instructing many thousands of golfers from movie stars to heads of state.
"We are honored to be able to name the Coach of the Year Award after Mr. Merrins. By his example he has shown how mentoring young golfers can develop in them intrinsic values found in the game: integrity, honesty, sportsmanship and consideration for others. This is the main thrust of SGF and its program to train high school golf coaches (and others who introduce boys and girls to the game) as mentors to their team members. We are thrilled that Mr. Palmer, with his busy schedule, is able to be a part of this first presentation to the award’s namesake," said Bill Madonna, SGF Director.
The Spirit of Golf Foundation, an Orlando, Florida-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was founded in 1996 to foster professional development among coaches and instructors who teach golf to young people. SGF was formed to create a niche specifically for secondary academic golf team coaches and physical education teachers or organizational counselors who wish to participate in a national professional coaching association and to benefit from its offerings. Educational conferences as well as local certification workshops are part of the offerings to SGF members.
For more information about SGF, call toll-free 1-888-466-2423 or go to the website at www.spiritofgolffoundation.org.
Contact:
N. Long
(telephone) 407-354-1295
(e-mail) info@spiritofgolffoundation.org