Thursday, March 20, 1997

Penn State hires McKeesport native as golf pro

By DOUGLAS STREET
Collegian Sports Writer

Penn State is hoping it hit a hole in one with its selection of a new head golf professional.

The University announced Monday that Doug Wert has been named the new head golf pro. He begins April 8.

Wert, a Class A member of the Professional Golfers' Association of America, has been the head golf professional at the Tournament Player's Championship Southwind in Memphis, Tenn., since 1994.

TPC Southwind was voted the "Most Improved TPC Facility" by TPC general managers in 1995 and was rated the fifth-best course in Tennessee by Golf Digest in 1996.

While at Southwind, Wert implemented a junior golf program that produced boys and girls state golf champions. Before Southwind, Wert was an assistant professional at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Verde, Fla., TPC Eagle Trace in Coral Springs, Fla., and at Kingwood Country Club in Kingwood, Texas.

Coming to Penn State is a homecoming of sorts for Wert, who was born in McKeesport and still has family in Harrisburg. He said he is looking forward to coming to Penn State.

"I'm really excited about being involved with one of the best universities in the country," Wert said. "It's a good opportunity to get into a university setting."

" I want to try to be a role model for future golf professionals. "

- Doug Wert
new head golf pro

Wert is a graduate of Mississippi State University with a bachelor of business administration degree in marketing and professional golf management. He said he is looking forward to getting highly involved in the same program at Penn State.

"I really want to be involved with the professional golf management program up there," Wert said. "I want to try to be a role model for future golf professionals."

Penn State Athletic Director Tim Curley said Wert will be a positive edition to Penn State.

"We were looking for leadership for our golf courses," he said, "and we feel that his personality will fit in well."

"He has a breadth of experience and a good professional golf management background," said Curley, who added Penn State is one of four schools with a professional golf management program.