|
Grammy Award Winning Artist Vince Gill Named Recipient Of 2003 Pga Distinguished Service Award Contact Julius Mason PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (April 22, 2003) - Grammy Award winning artist Vince Gill, whose passion for golf has evolved into being a key supporter of one of the nation's premier junior golf programs, has been named recipient of the 2003 PGA Distinguished Service Award. Gill, 46, will be honored Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 7 p.m. (EDT), at The Eastman Theatre in Rochester, N.Y. The ceremony is in conjunction with the 85th PGA Championship, Aug. 14-17, at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester. The PGA Distinguished Service Award, inaugurated in 1988, honors outstanding Americans who display leadership and humanitarian qualities, including integrity, sportsmanship and enthusiasm for the game of golf. It is The PGA of America's highest honor. In 1993, Gill founded the Vinny Pro-Celebrity Golf Invitational, which serves as the primary beneficiary for the Tennessee Golf Foundation. The event has generated nearly $3 million for junior golf, providing support and expanding junior golf programs as well as supporting an endowment fund to perpetuate the future of junior golf in Tennessee. In May 2001, the First Tee Facility at Nashville's Shelby Park was named The VinnyLinks in his honor. The chapter has attracted more than 200 juniors per year. Gill's support of the Tennessee Golf Foundation also resulted in some 1,300 junior golfers competing annually in 160 events on the Vince Gill Tennessee PGA Junior Tour, one of the country's finest junior circuits. "Vince Gill's love of the game of golf is surpassed only by his love for people," said PGA of America President M.G. Orender. "The game of golf is but one beneficiary of Vince's genuine concern for the welfare of future generations. Through Vince's generosity and bond with many PGA Professionals throughout Tennessee, many boys and girls can experience the enjoyment of the game and grasp its character-building values for a lifetime." Born in Norman, Okla., Gill began playing golf at age seven - but not before he had first picked up a guitar - a signal for a career that would make him one of the most beloved and prolific country music stars in history. He has won a record 15 Grammy Awards and 18 Country Music Association Awards, including two Entertainer of the Year and four Song of the Year honors, and has sold more than 22 million albums. Gill began playing competitive golf at age 10 and was breaking 80 by the time he entered junior high school. He once considered a Tour professional career, but committed himself to his other gift - music. From 2000-2002, Gill and his wife, Christian and pop music star Amy Grant, hosted the annual LPGA event in Nashville. A resident of Nashville, Gill is considered one of the finest celebrity golfers in the country, but prefers not to take exemptions into events that he said would be better used "by a golf professional who is struggling to build his own career." Gill plays to a 1 handicap and in 2000 posted a career-best 18-hole round of 62 in a member-guest event at GreyStone Golf Club in Dickson, Tenn. "It's amazing and humbling," said Gill of his being named The PGA Distinguished Service Award winner. "I have looked at the list of those who have won this award and I find it's scary. I don't see myself as an ambassador for the game of golf. I'm someone who loves it. What I have tried to do is help others get the opportunity to share in the enjoyment of golf. "The work of the Tennessee Golf Foundation and the programs it benefits is not to turn out the next Tiger (Woods). I think our goal is turn out people like the next Dick Horton (Tennessee PGA executive director) or the next club professional. I think we are seeing after 10 or 12 years, there are some very positive results of young people in our area making a success in golf. Most of the nationally-ranked women's golf team at Vanderbilt went through the program and are from middle Tennessee. I am very pleased that I am able to help as many youngsters as possible." Founded in 1916, The PGA of America is a not-for-profit organization composed of more than 27,000 men and women professionals who are dedicated to growing the game of golf. Past PGA Distinguished Service Award recipients: 1988 - Herb Graffis |