The STATE of Golf Volume 4 - 2017 | Page 2

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A Letter from the Director...

In 2015 we celebrated the College of Business centennial, and in 2016 we celebrated the PGA of America centennial! We couldn’t have had a better year to celebrate the PGA centennial either, with golf returning to the Olympics and the United States Ryder Cup team winning in dramatic fashion at Hazeltine Golf Club! No doubt, 2016 was a year to remember, not only in golf, but for the MSU PGA Golf Management program as well.

As we look back over the year, the MSU PGA Golf Management program also had a great year! During the PGA Merchandise Show, students were able to provide the Folds of Honor Foundation with a $1,500 check to support the families of our fallen military personnel. It was truly a great moment seeing the students present this check to Tony Biata, and to see the excitement on their faces as Tony shared with them the impact they will have on the families of our country’s heroes.

Our annual Heritage Cup matches vs Sam Houston State University was conducted in early April, with Mississippi State winning its record setting seventh match, 14.5-7.5. The competition was highly contested, as it is every year, yet played with the spirit one would expect of future professionals. The

teams enjoyed the weekend and growing new networks, forming friendships that will last many years to come.

We hosted several events on campus over the fall semester, most notably our annual family weekend and our bi-annual alumni weekend in conjunction with the Ben Nelson World of Golf tailgate. Our family weekend was once again well attended with 200+ friends and family on campus for the festivities. We hosted a welcome reception on that Friday evening, giving families a chance to visit and bid on items in our silent auction. This year we added a live auction item - a chance to bid on me being a "caddy" for the lucky winner. It was safe to say a good time was had by all, especially our auctioneer, Adam Scott! Our alumni weekend was also well attended, with some 70 players for the golf tournament. We had even more graduates attend the tailgate and football game. Look for more information on the 2018 alumni weekend later this year.

The PGA of America hosted the PGA Jones Cup once again at the PGA Golf Club in Port Saint Lucie, FL. Students from all 19 University programs gathered for this national championship conducted by our very own, Mark Tschetschot. Mark and the PGA Tournament staff provide the participants with an experience only found on Tour! It is truly special to see the legacy of Dr. Jones celebrated in this fashion. Thank you to the PGA of America for hosting this special event!

In November, Sally Morgan, a senior from Georgia, was selected to attend the PGA Annual Meeting as the Mississippi State student representative. Sally was selected through a rigorous interview process, with 3 most deserving finalists in the running for attending the meeting. The 2016 meeting

Students deliver donation to Folds of Honor