TOPICS NEWSLETTER - South Florida PGA Golf

education
Fall Education Seminar
On Monday, November 8th the South Florida PGA conducted the Fall
Education Seminar Supported by Flexor at Atlantis Country Club. This
seminar featured North Florida PGA Professional, Mike Bender, Director
of Instruction at the Mike Bender Golf Academy and PGA of America
2009 Teacher of the Year, along with support Sponsor Flexor. Over sixty
PGA Professionals attended the seminar and obtained valuable knowledge
about the golf swing, and teaching players of all skill levels.
South Florida PGA Education Chairperson, Chris Toulson stated that “Mike Bender’s enthusiasm, experience, and
knowledge was quite evident during his presentation to our members. It was a great pleasure having him down and we all
appreciate his time and willingness to share.”
Thank you to sponsor Flexor and featured speaker Mike Bender for making the event a success. Images: bottom left:
featured speaker Mike Bender, PGA. Bottom Right: Flexor Representative Scott Shepard.
Smiling Fore Life - Joe DiMaggio
Since May local PGA Professionals Dave Cunliffe, Chad Kurmel, and Don Law have
been visiting the Joe DiMaggio’s Children’s Hospital in Hollywood twice a month providing
golf to pediatric patients on the fourth floor.
This new program called “Smiling Fore Life” was created as a way of getting PGA Professionals
more involved in the community and growing the game of golf. Most of the
patients that our PGA Professionals work with at Joe DiMaggio are oncology patients
who cannot participate in other sport activities. Providing golf to them has given them
an opportunity to get their mind off of their struggles and learn a game that they can take
with them for life.
PGA Professional, Chad Kurmel says, “Being associated with the Joe DiMaggio Children’s
Hospital has been a wonderful experience. It allows us the opportunity to represent
the PGA and South Florida Section brand to the hospital, staff, families and visitors.
It is fulfilling to know that we can take the worries and stress away from the patients and
families for that one hour that we are there. It is a chance for some of them to learn the
game and others to reconnect to the game. It has been a privilege to teach golf at the
hospital and we look forward to continuing the program and working with the patients
and families.”
In early 2011 the Section desires to expand this program to the Miami Children’s Hospital,
St. Mary’s Children Hospital and the west coast. If anyone is interested
in getting involved please contact Meredith at the Section office at
561-729-0544.
Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital is a world-class hospital that has earned the distinction
of being the leading children’s hospital in Broward and Palm Beach counties.
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