The Professional Golfers’ Association has marked the conclusion of its Centenary Year by planting a series of oak trees at The DeVere Belfry. The trees have been grown from acorns gathered at the famous Oak Hill course in Rochester, New York, scene of the European Ryder Cup victory in 1995, which have been germinated and nurtured at Coventry Golf Club over the last six years.
A hundred oaks are being planted at clubs in the UK which have a strong connection with the PGA and have made a significant contribution to the game of golf in the last one hundred years.
A total of six oak trees were planted at the ceremony, which was attended by the Association’s most noted tutors and players including Dave Thomas, PGA Captain for the Centenary Year, four times Ryder Cup player and the Belfry’s course designer.
Oak Hill’s gift mirrors a similar presentation which was made to each member of the 1949 Walker Cup team, captained by the late PB ‘Laddie’ Lucas. These acorns were subsequently planted at each player’s club. Two have now matured into magnificent oak trees, one at the Wildernesse Golf Club near Sevenoaks in Kent and the other at Sandy Lodge Golf Club at Northwood in Middlessex.
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