He may be coming off a tie for 26th place at The Memorial, and even better, earning a spot in the U.S. Open through a sectional Qualifier Playoff, but that is not stopping PGA Tour professional Jon Mills from taking some time to give back to the game. Even in the midst of these most exciting recent developments, Mills, a two-time winner on the Nationwide Tour, will be making his way back to his old stomping grounds in Belleville, Ontario, Canada on June 5th.
The occasion is the kick off of a new Junior Learn To Golf Program being hosted this year at the Bay of Quinte Golf & Country Club - the venerable championship layout where Mills was playing out of during his peak years as an amateur not long ago. The program, supported by Belleville's McDonald's Restaurant and Titleist will give children a chance to receive professional instruction through a series of clinics. And better yet, at no cost to them.
Mills will put on an exhibition to kick off the program, hitting a variety of shots for the attendees (admission is free), taking questions and then participating in a nine hole match accompanied by BOQ Director of Golf, Russ DaSilva, Jon's brother Jeff - a former Canadian Tour player and now CPGA Pro, and the winner of the club's men's opening day tournament.
I'll follow up in Flagstick to tell you more about the program and you can tune in here on the Blog for photos and stories on the day including details of an interview with Mills himself and his thoughts on tackling Torrey Pines next week and what lies ahead for him in 2008 as he works to push forward in the PGA Tour standings.
P.S. Next week I should have some good material to post as I will be joining a group of LPGA players including Morgan Pressel, Laura Diaz, Brittany Lincicombe, Lorie Kane, Alena Sharp, Dawn Coe-Jones, and Meg Mallon as they arrive in Ottawa for a sneak speak round at the Ottawa Golf & Hunt Club. The club hosts the LPGA this August 11-17th for the CN Canadian Women's Open. Flagstick will be producing an ample tournament preview in our August issue and we will be using the day with the players to gather images and material.
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