PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. * Gary Schaal, the 28th president of The PGA of America, will become the 12th person recognized in the "Legends of The PGA"
program. Schaal will be honored in a ceremony Saturday, Nov.18, at 9:00 a.m., in conjunction with the 90th PGA Annual Meeting. The ceremony will be conducted at the Grand Lawn Pavilion at The Sanctuary in Kiawah Island, S.C.
Schaal, of Murrells Inlet, S.C., served from 1993-94 as PGA President, where he was instrumental in launching programs to enhance PGA Professional careers through merchandising, employment assessment and lifelong learning programs. He also steered the debut of PGA 2000, which served as the blueprint for The PGA of America’s action plan to lead the Association into the New Millennium.
Recently named "2006 Father of the Year" by the Executive Tournament Committee of The National Father & Son Team Classic, the 65-year-old Schaal is also co-owner of three golf courses located in Myrtle Beach’s famous Grand Strand: Diamond Back Golf Club, Indigo Creek Golf Club and Wicked Stick Golf Club.
A member of the PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame and a 1995 inductee into the Carolinas PGA Hall of Fame, Schaal has been a leader in South Carolina’s golf industry for more than 30 years. In 1973, he completed his tour in the U.S. Air Force, being honorably discharged as captain before becoming an assistant PGA Professional at Myrtle Beach National Golf Club. He became a full Carolinas Section PGA member in 1976, and won the Section’s PGA Golf Professional of the Year Award in 1985, and the Section’s Horton Smith Award in 1978 and 1980.
In 1988, Schaal was elected as national secretary of The PGA of America. Two years later, he would ascend to PGA Vice President and in 1992 became PGA President.
"It is with tremendous pride that The PGA of America recognizes Gary Schaal as a Legend of The PGA," said PGA President Roger Warren. "Gary’s contributions to the Association have been exemplified by his commitment to excellence in member education and in assisting aspiring PGA Professionals to build their careers. As PGA President, Gary led the Association to new heights, and we are all proud of his accomplishments."
Currently, both Schaal and former PGA Tour Commissioner Deane Beman are leading the construction of Cannon Ridge Golf Club, the first in a series of three courses in Virginia. Previously, Schaal was instrumental in the development of Black Lake Golf Club, in Onaway, Mich., and Dallas (Texas) National Golf Club.
The Legends of The PGA Program was established in 1995 to recognize PGA Past Presidents for their contributions to the Association and the golf industry.
Celebrating its 90th anniversary, The PGA of America was founded in 1916, and is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf, while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The Association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.
Contact:
Jamie Carbone
PGA of America
561-352-8963
jcarbone@pgahq.com
