College of Education offers golf for business and life program

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

PGA professional Pat Jenkins is coming to Stillwater in September to teach an eight-week course titled “Golf: For Business and Life.”

On behalf of the 2006 U.S. Ryder Cup Team member Scott Verplank, The PGA of America donated $100,000 to Oklahoma State University to help fund the “Golf: For Business & Life” program within the College of Education.

The class begins Sept. 15 and is open to OSU juniors, seniors and graduate students. The successful program educates students, regardless of their chosen career, on how to use golf as a business tool as they enter the professional world. Local business leaders are also asked to address students' concerns about how golf has enhanced their business.

As a bonus for those who register early for the course, the PGA will provide a limited number of tickets to see the PGA Championship Tournament in Tulsa on Aug. 6-12. There is also the opportunity to volunteer with the tournament. 

Jenkins, a certified national teacher and national club fitter, owns Patrick’s in Edmond, an indoor teaching facility that analyzes the golf swing using state-of-the-art software and video camcorders.

Additional golf professionals will also instruct students. Enrollment is limited to 24 students per section, and the estimated teacher-to-student ratio will be 8:1. 

Since “Golf: For Business and Life” was established in 1999, the PGA of America has distributed more than $5.8 million to colleges and universities throughout the United States on behalf of members of the U.S. Ryder Cup Team. The program is now in more than 59 universities nationwide, and more than 20,000 college students have participated.

For more information or to register, OSU students should contact the College of Education Outreach Office at 405-744-6254 or Dr. Donna Lindenmeier at 405-744-3700.