Southern California PGA named 2014 PGA of America Herb Graffis Recipient
September 05, 2014
For a record 12th time, the Southern California PGA Section (SCPGA) is the recipient of the Herb Graffis Award for extraordinary and exemplary contributions by a Section to grow the game of golf. Led by Section President Jeff Johnson and PGA Past President Tom Addis III, who serves as Section Executive Director and CEO, the Southern California PGA Section has hosted one of the largest and most successful youth golf programs in the country for six decades. The Section reaches more than 2,500 participants and conducts nearly 300 tournaments annually for players of various ability levels.
The Section’s “Neighborhood Golf” program brings the game to more than 1 million people annually across Southern California, including diverse populations that may not otherwise have been exposed to golf. The new “Golf in Schools” initiative, through a partnership with TGA, has reached six schools during its first year, will bring the game to 50 schools this fall, impacting nearly 1,000 students. To foster player development, the Section conducts numerous other growth-of-the-game programs year-round, such as: Get Golf Ready; PGA Junior League Golf; Drive, Chip & Putt Championship; Play Golf America Days; Play with the Professional; Girls Clinics; Golf Schools; Special Olympics; Adopt-a-Junior and the SCPGA Junior Tour including the popular JDL, Junior Development League.
“Before the beginning of the 20th century, Herb Graffis was destined to realize the importance of sharing enthusiasm for the game of golf. Among his storied list of accomplishments was the publication of a remarkable book which chronicled the history of the PGA of America. The Southern California Section of the PGA of America and its Members are so grateful to be acknowledged for having some future design on his great love and the game we all treasure. This award is, and will always be, the product of remarkable staff members, enthusiastic and single minded professionals and their dedication and commitment to helping people young and old to realize the great gift the game of golf might provide. On behalf of those dedicated colleagues and servants to the game, we say thanks for the light shining brightly on us, while shining on all PGA Golf Professionals that serve this great game while helping it evolve," said Jeff Johnson, Southern California PGA president.
The Southern California PGA will be presented this prestigious award at the 98th PGA Annual Meeting in Indianapolis on Nov. 20.