News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Sonya Beckley
PR Specialist
260.497.0208
World Golf Hall of Famer and Eight-Time Major Champion Tom Watson to be Keynote Speaker at 2011 Junior PGA Championship Presented by Under Armour
FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Nov. 19, 2010—Tom Watson, winner of eight major championships and a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, will be the keynote speaker at the players’ welcome reception to kick off the 2011 Junior PGA Championship presented by Under Armour.
The Championship will be held for a second consecutive year at renowned Sycamore Hills Golf Club in Fort Wayne, Aug. 2-5, and will be free and open to the public.
“As a professional golfer, I am honored to be in Fort Wayne for one of the junior majors,” said Watson. “These are tomorrow’s professionals and avid golfers, and I am happy to participate in a sport that is truly life long and encourages honesty, integrity and sportsmanship.”
Watson has been one of the leading golfers over the last 30 years, and his famous rivalry with Jack Nicklaus in the 1970s and 80s increased awareness and viewership of golf across the country and around the world.
In 2009, at age 59, Watson made international headlines, becoming the oldest man to hold the lead after any round in a major when he was tied for the lead after the second round and held the lead alone following the third round of the Open Championship. Watson ended up losing in a four-hole playoff with Stewart Cink.
Among other notable accomplishments, Watson has been named PGA Player of the Year six times, won the Vardon Trophy for lowest scoring average three times and was a member of four United States Ryder Cup Teams. In 1993, Watson served as captain of the last U.S. team to win a Ryder Cup outside the United States.
About Sycamore Hills
The Jack Nicklaus-designed Sycamore Hills Golf Club opened in 1989 and is one of the Midwest’s preeminent golfing venues. It has been named one of America’s top 100 courses more than 10 times by Golf Digest magazine, which has also twice named it the top course in Indiana. You can learn more about Sycamore Hills Golf Club at www.sycamorehillsgolfclub.com.
About The PGA of America
Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold: 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 Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry. By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf 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 brand represents the very best in golf. Visit www.pga.com or www.PlayGolfAmerica.com to learn more.
###