Collaborative effort results in completion of new home for local resident

JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. – The PGA of America and Kiawah Island Golf Resort, in partnership with Sea Island Habitat for Humanity, celebrated the completion of a team effort to build a new home for a local resident on Sunday. A ribbon-cutting ceremony featured PGA of America President Allen Wronowski, and Roger Warren, PGA Past President and President of Kiawah Island (S.C.) Golf Resort.

The construction project precedes the 94th PGA Championship at The Ocean Course in Kiawah Island, S.C., which will be held August 6-12.

The collaborative effort involved more than 240 volunteers working more than 325 shifts from June 23 to July 7, 2012. PGA Championship volunteers and staff, Kiawah Island Golf Resort employees, Kiawah Island homeowners, Sea Island Habitat for Humanity volunteers and staff, and many others in the community gave their time, talent and hard work to complete the construction of the new home. The PGA of America and Kiawah Island Golf Resort worked to solicit the 200-plus volunteers, provided PGA Championship Build tee shirts for all volunteers, and made a $50,000 financial contribution to help fund the build.

Each volunteer earned a complimentary ticket to the PGA Championship Practice Round on Tuesday, August 7, and an invitation to attend an Appreciation Breakfast in the PGA of America Chalet at The Ocean Course.

"I am proud that our major golf championship could act as a catalyst to bring people together and do good for the local community," said Wronowski. "Leaving a lasting legacy in areas where we conduct our events, is very important to The PGA and we will be forever grateful to the many individuals who gave their time and heart to complete this worthy project."

Warren, who also is General Chairman for the PGA Championship, praised the relationship that Kiawah Island Golf Resort has developed with Sea Island Habitat for Humanity through the years. "What I am most proud about is that this is a very tangible way that we were able to give back to the community as part of the PGA Championship," said Warren. "Something very special happened here when we all worked together."

Established in 1978, Sea Island Habitat for Humanity is closing in on the completion of their 300th home and has provided much-needed repair work to another 20, under their new Critical Repair Initiative.

"It was a true pleasure to partner with The PGA of America and Kiawah Island Golf Resort," said Greg Thomas, Executive Director of Sea Island Habitat for Humanity. "This project is a terrific example of how businesses can use their resources and power of persuasion to accomplish amazing things in a community."

Whirlpool, parent company of KitchenAid, the Official Home Appliance Brand of The PGA of America, donates a range and Energy Star-qualified refrigerator for every Habitat for Humanity home built in North America. Since 1999, Whirlpool has helped 71,000 families achieve their dream of home ownership.

About Sea Island Habitat for Humanity
Sea Island Habitat for Humanity, the third-oldest Habitat for Humanity affiliate in the world, is an ecumenical, Christian housing ministry open to all. The mission of Sea Island Habitat is to eliminate poverty housing on the sea islands of South Carolina, and to make decent housing a matter of conscience in our community. Established in 1978, Sea Island Habitat for Humanity has built almost 300 homes serving more than 1,200 children and adults and now builds to EarthCraft and LEED home energy standards.

About The PGA of America
Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, The PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry. By creating and delivering world-class championships and innovative programs, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. As The PGA nears its centennial, the PGA brand represents the very best in golf.

About Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Kiawah Island Golf Resort is a pristine coastal setting near Charleston, S.C., with legendary golf on five resort courses. Play The Ocean Course by Pete Dye (site of 1991 Ryder Cup, the 2007 Senior PGA Championship, as well as the 2012 PGA Championship), plus courses by Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, Gary Player and Clyde Johnston. Guests of Kiawah Island Golf Resort enjoy luxurious oceanfront accommodations at the Forbes Five-Star Sanctuary Hotel, 500 rental villas and homes, plus a Five-Star Spa, tennis and recreation. Kiawah Island Real Estate, the only on island broker with three office locations, offers a wide variety of ownership opportunities from one-bedroom villas to oceanfront family estates. Kiawah Island homeowners have access to exceptional private club amenities and two top-rated courses by Fazio and Tom Watson.