News        from ABAC

Michael D. Chason Director of Public Relations ABAC 30 -- 2802 Moore Highway Tifton, GA 31793-2601 Phone 229-391-5055 Fax 229-391-4781 mchason@abac.edu

IMMEDIATE April 23, 2009

Thanks to U.S. Ryder Cup team member and ABAC alumnus Boo Weekley, ABAC received a check for $15,000 from the PGA.  On hand for the presentation at ABAC’s Forest Lakes Golf Club were (l-r) ABAC President David Bridges, Michael Paull from the PGA, ABAC Foundation President Melvin Merrill, and ABAC Athletics Director Alan Kramer.

PGA Presents $15,000 Check To ABAC

TIFTON - Michael A. Paull from the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) recently presented Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College a $15,000 check thanks to professional golfer and ABAC alumnus Boo Weekley.

Weekley, an ABAC student in 1992-93, designated money to ABAC through the Play Golf America University. Paull serves as the Executive Director of the Georgia Section of PGA. Paull said the college is due to receive another $15,000 at a later date thanks to Weekley’s participation on the United States Ryder Cup team in 2008.

“I went to ABAC, and then I played college golf there, “Weekley said of ABAC when asked about his donation. “ I kind of learned a little bit about what I wanted to do in my life.”

“We certainly want to thank Boo for remembering his days at ABAC in this way,” ABAC President David Bridges said.  “We have enjoyed cheering him on through his successful golf career.”

Each member of the Ryder Cup team contributed $100,000 to the charity of his choice; $90,000 to the college/university of his choice for Play Golf America University programming; and $10,000 to the Folds of Honor Foundation to support scholarships for families of veterans who either perished or were wounded in the line of duty while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Play Golf America University, formerly GOLF: For Business and Life, is a PGA of America college and university golf program, designed to teach and engage students in the game of golf through PGA Professional instruction and other golf programs.

Since its inception, The PGA of America has distributed more than $6.1 million to 65 participating colleges and universities throughout the United States, including $4.9 million (through 2006) on behalf of members of the U.S. Ryder Cup Teams as a means to support this initiative. To date, PGA Professionals have provided instruction to more than 24,000 college students through this program. In 2008, The PGA of America expanded this program and renamed the initiative "Play Golf America University."

Weekley won the Verizon Heritage PGA tournament at Hilton Head, S.C., in 2007 and 2008. Weekley’s nickname, “Boo”, came from Yogi Bear’s sidekick, “Boo Boo.”

Besides the $30,000 designated to ABAC, Weekley also designated $30,000 for the University of West Florida and the University of Alabama. Weekley is a native of Milton, Fla.

###