‘Play Golf America’ Event Held at Eisenhower

The spirit of golf was in the air at on April 28.

The Metropolitan PGA held the 9th Annual PGA “Play Golf America” day during the morning, which let golfers get guidance from PGA professionals and test new equipment from on-site vendors.

Charles Robson, Executive Director of the Metropolitan PGA, said that “Play Golf America” enables PGA professionals to donate their time and give free lessons. The PGA professionals were made up of those from , as well as the top professionals from the area, he added.

“Everything is free – lessons, golf balls,” Robson continued. “They can hit the equipment. It’s our way of trying to promote the game of golf and introduce new golfers.”

Along with the Metropolitan PGA, the First Tee of Nassau County, BP Golf, and the United Athletes Foundation (UAF) hosted the "Get Golf Ready" Day in the afternoon. This provided clinics to golfers in order to let them to hit the course with the necessary skills.

Robson said that the “Get Golf Ready” clinics are for beginner golfers “under the expertise and the help of our PGA professionals.”

“We have a great turnout every year,” he said, adding that despite Saturday’s cool weather, people still came to the event. “What’s fun is seeing some of the same people come back every year, too.”

“There are a lot of people that have decided not to play – that are afraid to play,” said Mike Wade, who is the Director of Programs and Instruction for the Salisbury Golf and Learning Center, Long Island Golf Academy and First Tee of Nassau County. “We probably do more beginner golfers here. We have a little over 1,200 kids in our junior program, so we are really experts at getting new players to play. That’s what we are trying to do.”

Wade said that the turnout for the event was “pretty good” and golfers were giving a positive reaction about the program.

Lois Kim, a professional from Harbor Links Golf Course in Port Washington, said it was important to come out to help people learn more about golf because the sport is growing.

“To be honest, for me, if I go out to the range and I see people swinging and they don’t know what they are doing, I just want to go out there and help them,” she added.

Forrest Hamlin, also a professional from Harbor Links, said that the day provided a way to promote the game and get people involved in playing. “It’s been pretty positive,” he said.

Were you at this event? What did you think? Tell us in the comments.