Former Masters Champion Claude Harmon Sr. and legendary PGA Teaching Professional Harvey Penick among eight to be enshrined May 5
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – PGA Honorary President Brian Whitcomb of Bend, Ore., and past PGA Golf Professionals of the Year Jim Manthis of Coon Rapids, Minn., and Brent Krause of Montgomery, Ala., head an eight-member 2009 class of inductees that features former Masters Champion Claude Harmon Sr. and legendary teaching professional Harvey Penick, all of whom will be enshrined in the PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame.
They are joined in this year’s Hall of Fame class by former UCLA Coach and renowned teaching professional Eddie Merrins of Los Angeles; former PGA of America Rules Committee Chairman Don Essig III of Indianapolis, Ind.; and Harry “Cotton” Berrier of Pigeon Forge, Tenn., a three-time PGA of America Board member and one of the founders of the Tennessee PGA Section.
The inductees will be honored in a ceremony, Tuesday, May 5, in conjunction with the PGA Leadership Conference, at the PGA Education Center at PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Whitcomb was the 35th president of The PGA of America, while Manthis was the 2006 PGA Golf Professional of the Year, and Krause was the 2007 recipient of The PGA of America’s highest honor to a member professional.
The late Harmon was the patriarch of perhaps the most famed golf teaching family in the sport while Penick’s imprint upon the game transcended a long line of major champions to the amateur player who eagerly followed his written advice in books long after his death.
“It is with a great deal of pride that The PGA of America welcomes eight individuals who have dedicated their careers to the betterment of the game of golf in addition to becoming leaders in the profession,” said PGA President Jim Remy. “This class features both world-class instructors and outstanding contributors to the game. The eight inductees have been among the pioneers and premier ambassadors that our sport has ever produced.
“These eight PGA Professionals now will have their names forever inscribed in the PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame for having been leaders in making golf the greatest game.”
A closer look at the 2009 inductees:
. HARRY “COTTON” BERRIER – One of the co-founders of the Tennessee PGA Section, Berrier has been perhaps that Section’s most celebrated and active members over three decades. Nicknamed “Cotton” by his father for having “a full head of hair,” Berrier began caddying in Knoxville and was soon hooked on the game. After attending the University of Tennessee for less than a year, Berrier entered the Air Force and became a staff sergeant in service in Japan. Upon discharge he entered the golf professional business at Oak Ridge (Tenn.) Country Club (1953-55). In 1955, Berrier arrived at Gatlinburg Country Club, which is a public course in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., and just a half mile west of Dollywood Resort. Berrier remained 44 years as the club’s PGA head professional and retired in 1999. Among his accomplishments include forming the country’s first golf camp (1973-74) at Fall Creek Falls State Park near Crossville, Tenn. The second president in Tennessee PGA Section history, Berrier has served on the PGA national Board of Directors as District 3 Director three times (1974-76, 1983-86 and 1991-94). He is a two-time Tennessee PGA Golf Professional of the Year honoree (1971 and 1985). According to the History of Tennessee Golf (1894-2001), author Gene Pearce hailed Berrier’s leadership in building a bond between the Tennessee Golf Association and the Tennessee PGA Section, which Pearce said was regarded as “the most important step in Tennessee Golf.” He was elected to PGA membership in 1956 and was the 23rd inductee into the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame. Berrier and his wife, Sarah Rudolph, are the parents of daughters, Harriet, a school principal; and Katherine, an employee of the Footjoy Company.
. DON ESSIG III – A native of Warrensburg, Mo., but who called Indianapolis, Ind., home since age 7, Essig is a PGA Master Professional, a PGA director of golf at South Grove Golf Course in Indianapolis, Ind., and an officer of Essig Golf Management. A 1961 graduate of Louisiana State University, Essig enjoyed a prolific amateur golf career before becoming one of this country’s most respected and well-traveled PGA Rules officials. He has officiated at more than 300 events, including all of golf’s major championships and five Ryder Cups – as chief referee in 2004. Among his many amateur titles was winning the 1957 U.S. Public Links Championship before trying his skills on the PGA Tour (1962-63). Elected to PGA membership in 1967, Essig actually issued his first decision as a Rules of Golf official in 1964, and also became a multi-talented professional in instruction, as a course owner, merchandiser and operations consultant. Essig was an Indiana PGA Section leader, instrumental in the formation of the Indiana Golf Office, a joint organization between the Indiana PGA and the Indiana Golf Association. He became a member of the PGA Rules Committee in 1974, served as vice chairman from 1995 through 2000, and was chairman from 2001 through 2004. In 1973, Essig developed, in partnership with IUPUI (Indiana University, Purdue University in Indianapolis) the largest adult player development program in the country, accommodating more than 900 participants annually during the 1980s. The program was hosted for 18 years (1973-90) at the former Hoosier Links of New Palestine, Ind., (now The Links). Essig and his wife, Josie, are the parents of a daughter, Peggi Rafferty, of Ridgeland, Miss., a son, Chip, and five grandchildren, Essig and his son are the only father-son combination to serve as Indiana PGA presidents and as members of the PGA Rules Committee.
. CLAUDE HARMON SR. – The winner of the 1955 Masters, Harmon was one of the finest playing PGA Professionals in history and patriarch of a family of nationally-renowned instructors. He won the 1948 Masters by five strokes, which also elevated his teaching reputation for generations. He posted 11 top-10 performances while competing in 56 majors. Harmon served as PGA head professional at two of the most premier golf facilities in the nation – Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y. (1945-77), and Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach, Fla. (1945-57), and concluded his career at Thunderbird Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif. (1950-77). Harmon was father to Claude Jr. (Butch) of Las Vegas, one of the most recognized teaching professionals in the game; Craig, the 2004 PGA Golf Professional of the Year, a 2005 PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame member and PGA head professional at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, N.Y.; the late Dick Harmon of Houston; and Billy Harmon of La Quinta, Calif. Harmon also had two daughters, Claudia and Allison. A member of the Metropolitan PGA Hall of Fame, Harmon was the consummate golf professional, who was devoted to teaching and mentoring young professionals including Eddie Merrins, Jack Burke Jr., Dave Marr, Al Mengert, Jack Lumpkin and Mike Souchak. He also taught five U.S. presidents, the King of Morocco, countless celebrities of stage and screen, as well as many of the foremost male and female tour professionals and leading amateurs. In 1969, the Harmon family was chosen the Family of the Year by the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association. Harmon was a major proponent of racial equality in the golf community and the entire golf industry.
. BRENT KRAUSE – The recipient of the 2007 PGA Golf Professional of the Year award, Brent Krause, PGA director of golf and general manager at Wynlakes Golf & Country Club in Montgomery, Ala., is a two-time PGA of America National Award honoree, having previously received the PGA Horton Smith Award in 2002. A native of Dalles, Ore., Krause attended Columbus (Ga.) College on a football scholarship, but was influenced by his college golf coach to forego the gridiron and focus on golf. Krause was elected to PGA membership in 1978 and has served two terms as District 3 Director on the PGA national Board, from 1994 through 1997 and 2003 through 2006. He also was Dixie PGA Section President from 1988-1989; and a member of various PGA Committees, including the PGA Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Task Force from 2005-2006, in which Krause’s leadership helped raise thousands of dollars to assist affected PGA Professionals. Throughout his career, Krause has been instrumental in player development. His facility is involved in Play Golf America programs including PGA Free Fitting & Trade-Up Month, PGA Free Lesson Month and Take Your Daughter to the Course Week. Interns from the Mississippi State PGA Golf Management program train under his guidance and some 10 PGA head professionals have been guided by Krause. Krause’s contributions to golf extend beyond The PGA of America as he has served on the Board of Directors of The First Tee of Montgomery since its charter was granted in 2004. Krause and his wife, Diane, are the parents of daughters, Carrie, and Jana.
. JIM MANTHIS – The recipient of the 2006 PGA Golf Professional of the Year award, Manthis is a PGA Master Professional at the University of Minnesota /Les Bolstad Golf Course in St. Paul, Minn. A native of Minneapolis and resident of Coon Rapids, Minn., Manthis was the third member of the Minnesota PGA Section to be so honored. Manthis’ career has been highlighted by his mentoring more than 250 caddies, including 37 who earned Chick Evans Scholarships to attend college. He also guided six assistants who went on to pursue professional golf careers. [One of his state’s most accomplished players, he has won tournaments in six different decades, the past five as a PGA Professional.] His victories include every major Minnesota golf event, including three top-10 performances in the Minnesota Public Links Championship, and in 1993 capturing the Senior Stroke and Match Play Championships. Manthis turned professional in 1964, and was elected to PGA membership in 1969, the same year that he founded the Assistants Association in the Minnesota PGA Section. For the next two decades, Manthis became one of the most active members of the Section. He served three terms on the Board of Directors from 1974 through 1994; as Section president from 1983-84; as District 8 Director on the PGA national Board (1987-90); as a member of the Board of Control (1993-97); and as a member of the PGA Membership Committee (2001-03). He founded the Section Junior Golf Academy and is co-author of the academy’s teaching manual. He is the father of three children: son, Ken, a PGA Professional at Brightwood Hills Golf Course in New Brighton, Minn.; daughter, Joan, a research psychologist; and son, Steve, a high school English instructor who also coaches golf and hockey.
. EDDIE MERRINS – Nicknamed “The Little Pro,” and recognized by his trademark Tam o’shanter cap, long-sleeve white shirt and tie, Merrins is one of only 16 members of the World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame. A 1955 graduate of Louisiana State University, Merrins has taught more than 48,000 lessons – to a group of students that span the Hollywood stars as well as many of today’s foremost Tour professionals during a 44-year term as PGA head professional at Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles. Merrins credited his career being ignited in 1957 by serving as an assistant professional at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa., which helped him advance to further positions and prominence in the golf professional community. He was elected to PGA membership in 1961. Merrins competed in more than 200 professional events, including six PGA Championships, eight U.S. Opens and six PGA Professional National Championships. During his term of service at Bel-Air Country Club, Merrins “moonlighted” for 14 seasons (1975-89) as head coach of the UCLA men’s golf team, guiding the Bruins to 60 tournament victories, some 30 individual titles, mentoring 16 NCAA All-Americans and capped by the Bruins winning the 1988 NCAA Championship. Among his students were current Ryder Cup Captain Corey Pavin and Tour professional Duffy Waldorf. He is the author of Swing the Handle, Not the Clubhead (1973), and Playing a Round with the Little Pro, A Life in the Game (2004). Merrins and his wife, Lisa, are the parents of a daughter, Randy, and two sons: Michael, an actor/producer; and Mason, who is in golf course development.
. HARVEY PENICK – A gentle, modest and unassuming man, Penick was one of the game’s legendary PGA teaching professionals. Penick (“Pea-nick”) made Austin (Texas) Country Club one of the country’s most recognized centers for golf instruction. He began his golf career as a caddie at Austin Country Club at age 8, and became the club’s assistant professional five years later. He was promoted to head professional in 1923, a role where he remained until 1973. Penick was recipient of the 1989 PGA Teacher of the Year, an honor coming after some 40 years of guiding players to championship caliber. In 2002, Penick was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. From 1931 to 1963, Penick was coach of the University of Texas golf team. Among his well-known pupils were Ed White, Betty Jameson, Betsy Rawls, Mickey Wright, all-time women’s professional golf victory leader Kathy Whitworth, former U.S. Open Champion Tom Kite, two-time Masters Champion Ben Crenshaw and Sandra Palmer. Collaborating with Austin writer Bud Shrake in the 1990s, the world learned more about the Texas golf instructor. Harvey authorized four golf instruction books with millions of copies in print. The Nos. 1 and 2 all-time sports best-sellers were Harvey Penick’s Little Red Book (1992) and his Little Green Book, and If You Play Golf, You’re My Friend (1993). His words also were published in For All Who Love the Game (1995), which was published the year of his death and The Game For a Lifetime (1996). Crenshaw won the 1995Masters less than a week after Penick’s death. He is survived by his son, Tinsley, a PGA Life member, and a daughter, Kathryn Lee Powell.
. BRIAN WHITCOMB – The 35th president of The PGA of America, Whitcomb is a multiple golf course builder and owner, and whose passion spread to connecting over the length of his term (2006-08) as one of the most popular leaders of the Association. Whitcomb attended Arizona State University from 1975-78, earning a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and competing as a member of the university golf team. He was a finalist in the National Long Drive competition in 1985 and ’86. Whitcomb championed the growth of the PGA Professional through innovative means of communication that utilized the best of new and old media alike. Among Whitcomb’s passion to connect PGA Professionals with their local community is the energy he channels through Patriot Golf Day, the chief fundraiser for the Folds of Honor Foundation. Whitcomb serves as secretary of the Foundation, which distributes scholarships to the children of veterans who either perished or were wounded in the line of duty. As PGA President, Whitcomb also instigated popular face-to-face Town Hall Meetings with PGA members to bring to the forefront the importance of one-on-one communication. All the while, he elevated the PGA member by ensuring they were positioned as the recognized experts in the game and business of golf during a historic rebranding of The PGA. Whitcomb steered the capital improvement program for Valhalla (Ky.) Golf Club, the host site of the dramatic 2008 Ryder Cup, as well as the restoration of all three Championship golf courses at the PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla. A PGA member since 1984, Whitcomb began his career in 1978, at the Arizona Biltmore Country Club in Phoenix. In 1981, he leased Paradise Valley Park Golf Course, also in Phoenix, and built an additional nine holes of golf. In 1989, he went on to design and build The 500 Club in Phoenix, which he operates with Tom Sneva, the winner of the 1983 Indianapolis 500; Club West in Phoenix, which he sold in 1998. In 1995, he designed and constructed Lost Tracks Golf Club in Bend, Ore. Whitcomb, who was the Southwest PGA Section President from 1995-97 and the Section’s 2001 Golf Professional of the Year, also has partnered with three of his former employees to build The Golf Club at Beardance in Castle Rock, Colo., the home of the Colorado PGA Section. Since 1999, Whitcomb has served on the national PGA Properties Board. He also was a member of the national PGA Board of Directors from 1998-01, representing District 14. Whitcomb and his wife, Stefanie, live in Bend, Ore., and have two children, Ryan and Megan.
About the PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame
Originated in 1940 at the suggestion of famed sportswriter Grantland Rice, the PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame was relocated in 2005 to the PGA Historical Center at PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Fla. The Hall of Fame recognizes all PGA members who have made significant and lasting contributions to the building of The PGA of America and the game of golf. The inductees include PGA Presidents, PGA Golf Professional of the Year award winners as well as those PGA Professionals who also distinguished themselves as competitors while in service to The PGA of America.
About The PGA of America
Since 1916, The PGA of America’s mission has been twofold: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.
By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry.
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Contact:
Julius Mason
The PGA of America
561/624-8444
jmason@pgahq.com
