Press Releases

08/12/2008

PGA Professional Jim Estes Splits Time at a Major by Continuing a New Career Goal to Coach, Instruct the Physically Challenged Printer-friendly

BLOOM FIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Jim Estes of Germantown, Md., made his debut last week in the 90th PGA Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club, becoming what may be the first contestant to give a clinic on the eve of a major championship.

The 43-year-old PGA director of instruction at Olney Golf Park in Olney, Md., Estes was featured in a clinic, "Making Golf Fun for People with Physical Limitations," at the PGA Learning Center presented by American Express, positioned near the main spectator entrance at Oakland Hills.

Estes was one of several featured presenters at the PGA Learning Center, which attracted 18,450 spectators during the week of the PGA Championship. More than 3,600 golfers received instruction (including lessons and clinics) from some 100 PGA Professionals.

"It was a fabulous week, a great presentation and a great setting and I couldn't believe how many PGA Professionals were there," said Estes, who gave instruction to Army veterans David Cook of Havre de Grace, Md. and Ben Dellinger of Charlotte, N.C., who had each lost a left leg in combat.

Cook and Dellinger had flown from Washington, DC to be with their coach for the presentation, and later followed Estes for 18 holes in Thursday’s opening round of the PGA Championship.

"Jim has been a great help and I'm feeling that I can really drive the ball well now," said Dellinger.

Cook, who had received his prosthesis earlier in the year, said that establishing confidence and balance in his swing were the key tips he had received through Estes' guidance.

"I was hitting the ball long when I didn't have the prosthesis," said Cook. "But, I'm getting better adjusted now. Jim has been great to work with."

Estes was inspired in 2005 to serve America's veterans in an unprecedented program, and founded the Salute Military Golf Association (golfsalute.org), a non-profit organization that equips and encourages injured veterans to use golf as a means to overcome their physical limitations.

Conducting a clinic before playing in a major, Estes said, was not a problem in his preparation.

"To be honest, I had underestimated the difficulty of Oakland Hills," said Estes, who had competed in four previous U.S. Opens. "I didn't think the fairways would be that tight, and it was almost a U.S. Open for me. I was very honored to have had Ben and David following me around for 18 holes. They were in pain walking, but that was very special to me to see that support.

"I may have a bad day on the golf course, but there are a lot of guys like Ben and David where it would be one of their greatest days to be out on the golf course.

"My goal is to keep helping these guys and the many more veterans who want to find enjoyment through golf. My wife said once to me that playing full-time on the Tour wasn't in the cards, and now you have found a new mission in life. I believe that I have been able to help carry on a greater mission."

One of 20 PGA Club Professionals in the 156-player field at Oakland Hills Country Club, Estes has competed in four U.S. Open Championships, but never in a PGA Championship. He had earned a berth in the fall of 1995, after tying for seventh in The PGA Professional National Championship. But, he chose to give Tour golf a shot the following year and won the Nike Inland Empire Open on the former Nike Tour.

Over the past two years, Estes has conducted a free golf clinic for the soldiers every Saturday morning in the spring. A section of the range at the 21-acre Olney Golf Park is cordoned off for use by the men and women who make the 30-minute trip from Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Every week, in a more formal group session, Estes focuses on all aspects of the game of golf. He and other staff professionals also offer individual instruction for anyone who asks.

Estes turned professional in 1991 and earned PGA membership in 1993. He was the 1995 PGA Professional Player of the Year, while serving at Evanston Golf Club in Skokie, Ill. Last June, he tied for eighth in the 41st PGA Professional National Championship to earn his berth at Oakland Hills. Earlier this season, Estes was runner-up in the Maryland State Open.

His Tour credentials include competing in 31 events from 1994-98, earning $73,438, with best showing a T-16 in the 1998 Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic. He competed in 133 events on the Nationwide Tour from 1990 through 2001, earning $152,492.

But, it is Estes' time spent off the course and with his students that have given him more pleasure. While working with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Estes and his program were given support in acquiring golf equipment to train the veterans. During the past few years, Estes has witnessed the full spectrum of injuries to veterans, from the catastrophic to those that don't show outwardly any wounds, but carry them within – suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

All students who have come into the program at Olney Golf Park and have met Estes and his staff, have found their niche in some way on the practice range.

"You struggle to find ways to get people to play better golf," said Estes. "The veterans we see have many of the physical attributes needed to play golf before they arrive. They have balance, mobility, good hand-eye coordination and can think under pressure. Above all, they are not afraid to fail. You hear how discipline breeds in the military. That transfers over when you are teaching them."

Estes said that his father has used his medical knowledge to assist in a means of training tips for the wounded warriors.

"There are many things that my dad and I have discussed to help in instruction," said Estes. "It is so rewarding for me to see golf play a vital role in their recovery. Overall, I think that this has been the best year of my PGA life.

"When you can do things for other people, it comes back. We hope that the work we have been doing with the veterans will be replicated around the country. There are no limits to what golf can do when it comes to making these men and women find value in their lives."

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