"Best 10 Minutes of My Life"

No doubt, PGA pro Padraig Harrington has earned rock star status with 20 year-old Palm Harbor resident Tyler Whitehurst. And it appears as though Harrington is pretty impressed with Whitehurst, too.

Whitehurst is the 2011 Special Olympics gold medal winner for golf. He is also a student at Innisbrook's Extended Transitions Program.

Harrington heard about Whitehurst and wanted to meet him. So, he invited Whitehurst to his tee-off at Wednesday's Pro-Am at Innisbrook. Harrington gave Whitehurst a green shirt to wear Saturday for St. Patrick's Day. He also signed a red Wilson hat and a tournament flag, gave him a golf tip, and met Whitehurst's mother and teacher.

"It was the best 10 minutes of my life," said Whitehurst.

Whitehurst attends Pinellas County's Extended Transitions Program, which Innisbrook participates in. The program helps disabled students gain employment skills. Six students are enrolled in Innisbrook's Extended Transitions Program working in golf services, housekeeping, the conference center, the kitchen and Innisbrook's employee cafeteria.

Harrington is competing in the Transitions Championship at Innisbrook this week.