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Harvey Penick's Name And Legacy Live On At East Austin Golf Campus The First Tee of Greater Austin Names Golf Facility After Legendary Teacher Contact Niki Bhattacharya AUSTIN, Texas (July 23, 2003) - The First Tee of Greater Austin today announced the naming of its east Austin golf facility: the Harvey Penick Golf Campus Home of The First Tee of Greater Austin at The East Communities YMCA. The campus, which will open this fall on the grounds of the East Communities YMCA on Ed Bluestein Blvd., will include a nine-hole golf course (The Penick Course), interactive learning center, three-hole short course, driving range, and practice putting and chipping greens. Additionally, the facility will include three baseball and three soccer fields. "When our board began planning for this facility, we unanimously agreed it should in some way honor one of Austin's greatest golf legends, Harvey Penick," said Jay Watson, founder and chairman of The First Tee of Greater Austin. "Harvey looked at the game of golf as a tool for teaching people of all ages about mastering the game of life. Ultimately, that is our fundamental mission at The First Tee of Greater Austin and with this campus." The First Tee of Greater Austin is a local organization committed to enriching young people's lives with lessons taught through the game of golf. The First Tee's extensive Life Skills program teaches self-reliance, self-control, and the ability to set goals and work to realize them. These values are also reflected in the teachings of Harvey Penick, who strongly believed that golf offered great life lessons. Tinsley Penick, Harvey's son and a golf professional in his own right, agreed that the naming opportunity was an appropriate way to honor his late father. "Nothing could possibly please my father more than to have his name associated with The First Tee of Greater Austin," said Tinsley. "The mission of introducing and teaching the game to youngsters and using the wonderful game of golf as a vehicle for ethical life skills would strike the highest chord in him for a worthwhile endeavor." "Harvey was always interested in the youth and wanted them to enjoy the game as well as improve their life skills. He was a great mentor and guided his students in so many ways," said Tom Kite, one of the world's top golfers and a favorite on the Champions Tour. "A youth golf school is good for Austin because it teaches kids values and discipline as well as a game they can play for a lifetime. 60 and 70 years from now many of these kids will be productive citizens and they will remember the start they received at The First Tee." Harvey Penick was a nationally respected golf pro who began his career at eight years of age as a caddie at the Austin Country Club. He went on to coach golf at the University of Texas for thirty years and at the country club where he got his start until his death in 1995. He was a golf teacher and mentor for many of the game's greatest, including Betsy Rawls, Ben Crenshaw, Tom Kite, Cindy Figg-Currier and Kathy Whitworth. "It is fitting that the First Tee of Greater Austin has chosen to honor Harvey Penick in this way," said Ben Crenshaw, a two-time Masters winner and friend and former student of Penick. "Harvey devoted his professional life to teaching the great game of golf and the life skills that the game brings. The First Tee of Greater Austin will carry that mission into the 21st century." "Naming the campus for Harvey Penick is important, because of his influence on golf, his love for the game - and especially for junior golfers. To me it's wonderful and would mean a lot to Harvey because of how many girls, as well as boys, the Campus will affect, and how many will become involved in the game," said Cindy Figg-Currier, LPGA Tour player and student of Harvey Penick. Mr. Penick was beloved by almost everyone he met. Hall of Fame Golfer Carol Mann said of Penick, "He was so clever and imaginative in his ways to get people to hit the ball or putt better. Harvey taught putting first to new golfers, out of concern to give them positive experiences. His contributions to players is exceeded by his contributions to PGA and LPGA teachers and those of us who read all of his incredibly successful books." Kathy Whitworth, former student and owner of 88 tournament titles, more than any other professional golfer in history, male or female, says that in addition to perfecting her grip, one of the most important things that Harvey taught her was that, "it is not important to think about what you did wrong while playing golf, but rather you should focus on what you need to do right the next time." About The First Tee The First Tee is an initiative of the World Golf Foundation dedicated to providing affordable and accessible golf facilities for those who would not otherwise have access to the game and its positive values. The First Tee has the active support of its Founding Partners, which include the PGA TOUR, PGA of America, USGA, LPGA and the Augusta National Golf Club. For more information about The First Tee of Greater Austin, visit the Web site at www.firstteeaustin.org. |