With one local club pro noting that there are now only “a few kids who can break 40 [for nine holes]” in the region’s PGA section, clubs in the area are stepping up efforts to develop and promote academies, camps, clinics and parent-child tournaments.

Sprague, GM and Director of Golf at Malone (N.Y.) GC, had been Interim President since Ted Bishop was removed in October. Arnold Palmer accepted the inaugural Deacon Palmer award, named after his father and awarded to him posthumously as its first recipient.