UK College of Education Holding Golf Expo

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 6, 2009) − With the football season in full swing and the basketball season on the horizon, golf might not be one of the things most people are thinking about. However, the sport is at the "fore"front of the University of Kentucky College of Education’s Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion’s (KHP) plans.

On Tuesday, Oct. 6, KHP will present a Golf Expo at Stoll Field on the UK campus. The event, which is supported in part by a grant from the Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA) through its Play Golf America University (PGAU) Program, will offer students the opportunity to test their golf skills and learn basics of the game for free.

"KHP is so pleased to be able to offer the golf expo with the funds provided by the PGA," said Melody Nolan, professor and chair of the department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion. "This will be a wonderful, fun activity that is designed to promote the game of golf. We hope people of all ages take advantage of this unique event."

Activities being offered include golf ball hitting stations, putting and chipping contests, lessons from PGA Professional Tennye Ohr from Man O' War Golf, and an on-campus course. For the Expo, almostGOLF™ balls will be used. These golf balls are a campus-safe, reduced flight ball that can be used on fields, quads or other open areas on campus.

In addition to the Expo, students also will have the opportunity to play for a chance to showcase their skills at the Collegiate Golf Alliances' National Collegiate Golf Championship (NCGC). On Saturday, Oct. 17, an NCGC two-person scramble local qualifier will be held at Picadome Golf Club, with the winning team earning a trip to Las Vegas for the national tournament. The entry fee is $25 per person, and students can get more information about this tournament at the Expo.

Partial funding for this event is coming from a $90,000 grant the College of Education received from the PGA as part of the PGAU program thanks to a designation made by College of Education alumnus and 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup Team member J.B. Holmes. PGAU is designed to teach and engage students in the game of golf through PGA professional instruction and other golf programs. PGAU’s goal is to teach students to play golf and help them understand how golf can be employed as a business tool as they enter the professional world. Part of this funding also has been used to enhance the number of golf instruction courses offered by KHP.

For more information about the Golf Expo or the NCGC tournament, contact Nick DeMarchi at (859) 257-6584.