MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Phil Pendergrass of Golf Academy of America (GAA) has been selected by the Carolinas Section of The PGA of America as the recipient of the 2008 Horton Smith Trophy. Pendergrass was honored as the top golf educator in the two Carolinas for 2008.
Serving as the president of The PGA of America from 1952-54 and representing the United States on seven Ryder Cup teams, Horton Smith devoted much of his time to improving educational programs.
Pendergrass is a professor at GAA: The Carolinas in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and has served five years as an instructor in the Professional Golf Management program at Coastal Carolina University. While there, he created and conducted a survey to assess PGM students’ setbacks in acquiring their Class A status, then developed methods for employers and apprentices to aid students in achieving their career goals.
“I was excited and just felt honored having been in the Carolinas Section so long and working toward education of golf professionals – it just makes you feel good that someone notices what you’ve been doing. It has always been my goal to give the kids a head start and get them prepared for their future careers as PGA professionals,” says Pendergrass about the recognition he has received.
The Carolinas PGA strives to improve the quality of the game for the golfers using their member facilities. This section alone of the PGA conducts more than 200 tournaments each year. To learn more, please visit http://carolinas.pga.com.
Offering a 16-month program of golf instruction and golf business management, the Golf Academy of America provides graduates with the education required to get the golf job they desire.
The Golf Academy of America leads the industry in golf education and features four campuses in major golf markets – Phoenix, Myrtle Beach, Orlando and San Diego. The GAA was founded in 1974 and is today accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), a national advocate and institutional voice for self-regulation of academic quality through accreditation.
For more information on the Golf Academy of America, please call 800.342.7342, or visit www.golfacademy.edu.
Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the Golf Academy of America is the oldest and largest two-year golf college in the world. GAA’s 16-month program balances classroom studies, practical experience and comprehensive understanding of the business of golf. For more information, call 800.342.7342 or visit www.golfacademy.edu.
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