Pierce Terrance of Buffalo, from the Western New York Section will participate in the inaugural Ryder Cup Junior Golf Academy, which was developed in response to recommendations from past United States Ryder Cup Team Captains, and was part of the 2010 Ryder Cup Outreach program. The Academy is set to begin its first session, June 6-12, at the PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

This new initiative, designed to expand the outreach of the Ryder Cup and provide aspiring young players an opportunity to experience an elite player development academy, while targeting those who may not have the resources or means to attend, will also offer the juniors expert instruction from award-winning PGA Professionals. It also puts a strong emphasis on playing and competing in both stroke- and match-play formats.

The second Academy session will also be hosted at the PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance, July11-17. The primary focus of the program will be playing and competing in both stroke- and match-play formats. “The attendees of the Ryder Cup Junior Academy will experience a true once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from golf legends, as well as top PGA Professionals from across the country,” said PGA of America President Allen Wronowski. “We are excited to host these junior golfers, as it is a point of pride to share our
expertise with the future of the game.”

As part of the 2010 United States Ryder Cup Team’s charitable commitment—which has already impacted U.S-based charitable organizations and students at colleges and universities nationwide—the team designated $50,000 each to create and support the Ryder Cup Junior Golf Academy. Each of the 41 PGA Sections nationwide had the opportunity to nominate one boy and one girl each, with the remainder of the juniors selected through an at-large process. A total of 69 juniors were selected to
participate in the inaugural year.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Terrance works with local PGA Pro Don Schroeder of Dick’s Sporting Goods, Amherst, New York.