Frisco, Texas, United States: The PGA of America has partnered with North Texas-based Nancy Lieberman Charities to provide an introduction and pathway to the game and business of golf for Dallas-Fort Worth youth and college students from diverse backgrounds.

The partnership includes PGA Coach-led golf instruction at the Nancy Lieberman & TJ Cline Basketball Camps, an inside look of the golf industry for 20 Dallas-based Paul Quinn College students at the Home of the PGA of America, and a donation to Nancy Lieberman Charities.

Hosted from July 17-19 and July 31-August 2 at Fieldhouse USA in Frisco, the Nancy Lieberman & TJ Cline Basketball Camps included each day an hour-long clinic from PGA of America Education Faculty Staff Members Richard Brown, a PGA Master Professional, and Eric Hogge, a PGA Certified Professional. They introduced golf fundamentals to over 400 youth between the ages of five and 17 during the camps.

“The game of golf promotes qualities of sportsmanship, honesty, etiquette and a healthy, active lifestyle,” said Sandy Cross, Chief People Officer at the PGA of America, an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

“These attributes align wonderfully with the values Nancy and her son TJ promote during their camps. Having PGA of America Coaches included is a great privilege and a tremendous opportunity to introduce the game of golf. We also invited Paul Quinn College students into the Home of the PGA of America, and introduced them to the career opportunities within the US$102 billion golf industry,” added Cross.

Lieberman said: “I’m really excited for Nancy Lieberman Charities and our PGA partnership. It’s our commitment to make the sport more accessible by bringing renowned golf experts to Dallas youth.

“There has been a lack of access and exposure of golf amongst young minorities. We are introducing youth not only to the sport, but also to the business with new mentorship relationships that will encourage them to pursue opportunities they may never have otherwise.”

As part of the partnership, 20 students from the Dallas-based Paul Quinn College – the oldest historically black college west of the Mississippi River and the nation’s first urban work college – were invited to the Home of the PGA of America to get an introduction to the golf industry.

The career-based event included a tour of the Home of the PGA of America, the PGA Coaching Centre and a panel discussion with Lieberman and PGA of America staff.

“Paul Quinn College is excited to continue their partnership with Nancy Lieberman, Nancy Lieberman Charities and now expanding to partner with PGA of America for our students,” said Dr Raphael Turner, Dean of Student Experience.

Nancy Lieberman Charities is celebrating 43 years of conducting summer basketball camps and clinics for children in the DFW Metroplex.

Basketball Hall of Famer and 1976 Olympic silver medallist Lieberman, alongside her son, Cline, a professional basketball player, lead each session including demonstrations of basketball skills and drills, while stressing the importance of sportsmanship, teamwork and goal-setting.

At these camps, basketball is used as a tool to teach students valuable lessons such as staying in school, leading a healthy lifestyle, saying ‘no’ to drugs and alcohol, making positive decisions to achieve goals, and building confidence and self-esteem.