Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie is spearheading a TV campaign that promotes the skill and coaching expertise of PGA professionals.
The campaign will run on Sky Sports during the build-up to the matches between Europe and the United States at Celtic Manor Resort on October 1-3.
The advertisement, which features Ryder Cup players past and present, sees Montgomerie highlighting the important role played by PGA pros as coaches at all levels of the game and urges golfers to let ‘PGA professionals show you the way’.
Some of the sport’s highest profile coaches, including Pete Cowen, Denis Pugh and Bob Torrance, are PGA Master Professionals and all three will be in demand at the Ryder Cup as they fine-tune the swings of some of Europe’s key players.
Cowen works with World No. 3 Lee Westwood while Pugh, from Surrey’s Wisley Golf Club, coaches Edoardo and Francesco Molinari both of whom will make their debuts in Wales. Torrance, meanwhile, has enjoyed a long-time relationship with triple Major winner Padraig Harrington.
Another man watching proceedings closely in south Wales next month will be Michael Bannon, PGA professional at Bangor Golf Club, who has coached Northern Irish sensation Rory McIlroy since he was 10 years old.
While these are some of the highest profile examples of PGA professional expertise, PGA members are heavily involved elsewhere, not least in local, regional and national initiatives such as the England Golf Partnership and clubgolf Scotland, playing a pivotal role in growing and promoting the game.
PGA chief executive Sandy Jones said: “The Ryder Cup is arguably the pinnacle of golf and, thanks to Colin Montgomerie’s support, this campaign highlights just what an important role PGA professionals play in the sport at all levels.
“The key message we want golfers to pick up is that coaching with a qualified PGA professional is the best way to play better golf and, more importantly, increase their enjoyment of this fantastic game.
“Whether it’s lessons for a beginner, improving your handicap or advice on selecting the right equipment, PGA professionals are the best-equipped to help golfers get the most of out their game.”
The PGA has established the world’s leading training programme for golf professionals at its Belfry headquarters with all its members undergoing a three year degree in golf studies. A key part of that is coaching and learning about the technical aspects of the game – from the swing through to equipment.
Members also undertake an ongoing continuous professional development programme to ensure skills and learning are as up to date as possible with an advanced category of membership rising up to PGA Master Professional.
PGA www.pga.info