Ryder Cup Captain Donates To 2 HBCUs

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Two Play Golf America University programs will host check presentations this week, including Spelman College and the University of San Diego.

Earnie Ellison, Director of Business and Community Relations for The PGA of America joins Georgia PGA Section Executive Director Michael A. Paull on Saturday (Feb. 19), to make the $25,000 presentation to Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, President of Spelman College on behalf of 2010 U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Corey Pavin. An All-American at UCLA, Pavin designated his $50,000 to Spelman College ($25,000) and Grambling State University ($25,000), two historically black colleges/universities.

The presentation at Spelman College will take place at halftime of the Spelman and Bennett College basketball game held in Read Hall Gymnasium.

On Wednesday (Feb. 16), PGA Professional Greg Prudham and Gary Becker, the University of San Diego’s Campus Recreation Director and local Play Golf America University Coordinator will take part in a $50,000 check presentation on behalf of Phil Mickelson at halftime of the San Diego and Saint Mary’s basketball game, which will be broadcast on ESPN2.

As part of the 2010 Ryder Cup Outreach Program, Ryder Cup Team members each received $50,000 to donate to colleges and universities of their choice and help support or start that school’s Play Golf America University program. Play Golf America University is a PGA of America college and university golf program, designed to teach and engage students in the game of golf through PGA Professional instruction and other golf programs.

About The PGA of America
Celebrating its 95th year, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission of its founders: 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 PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in a multi-billion dollar golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America bran represents the very best in golf.