TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Students at The University of Alabama who have not had the opportunity to learn the game of golf will soon be able to master the sport thanks to The PGA of America and the Ryder Cup Outreach Program.

UA has received $30,000 on behalf of Ryder Cup Team Member Boo Weekley for its Play Golf America University program, designed to teach and engage students in the game of golf.

Beginning in the fall of 2009, UA students can enroll in golf classes taught at Ol’ Colony Golf Course in Tuscaloosa through the UA Department of Kinesiology in the College of Education.

“Our main goals are to get more college students involved in the game of golf and to teach them how to play,” said Dr. Matt Curtner-Smith, head of the Kinesiology Department. “This goal is also to help students personally and professionally.”

The UA program will include these components:

–Instructional classes in how to play golf. At UA, the golf skills course (KIN 106-Beginning Golf) will be open to all students through the Department of Kinesiology’s basic PE program. Based on the PGA’s “First Swing” curriculum, students will all play a round of golf during the class, with instruction provided by a PGA Professional.

–A local intramural, two-person scramble golf tournament, with the winners receiving a trip to play in the Collegiate Golf Alliance national tournament in Las Vegas.

–A one-day “Golf Expo featuring hands-on golf skills activities with a local professional.

–Providing female students in the program with information from the Executive Women’s Golf Association.

In 2008, the victorious U.S. Ryder Cup Team and Captain Paul Azinger made a $2.6 million donation in support of charities and veteran’s families, including a $1.17 million donation to Play Golf America University programs.

To date, PGA Professionals have provided instruction to more than 24,000 college students in the program. For more information, visit playgolfamerica.com/pgau.

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