MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Angel Diaz, a PGA professional and retired Navy veteran, has been named Director of Project Golf, a Myrtle Beach-based grow the game initiative.
Project Golf is dedicated to increasing access to the sport, including quality instruction, with an emphasis on junior golfers, military veterans and prospective players who previously may not have felt comfortable at a golf course. While raising interest and increasing play are Project Golf’s top priorities, they are not the organization’s only missions.
Project Golf has raised money to help members of the local golf community in need and is actively reaching out to disabled veterans, using golf as a means of therapy.
Diaz is an ideal candidate to run the ascending program, combining his background in the golf business with the organizational and leadership skills he developed during 22 years of service in the United States Navy.
“We are thrilled to have Angel join the Project Golf team,” said Bill Golden, CEO of Golf Tourism Solutions, the company that launched Project Golf. “As a PGA member and a retired Navy veteran, he is uniquely qualified to lead Project Golf forward. His understanding of the game, creativity and leadership skills will help us continue to expand the reach of Project Golf here in Myrtle Beach and beyond.”
“There is something for everyone in the Project Golf community,” Diaz said. “Learning and playing the game of golf parallels an individual’s life journey. One must have the motivation to start, and the desire to achieve. The rest falls into place when you have fun along the way. I look forward to growing the game of golf in the Myrtle Beach area.”
After retiring from the Navy, Diaz, who also has a Bachelor’s degree, graduated from the Golf Academy of America and worked for eight years as a PGA professional in the Myrtle Beach area. Diaz worked at True Blue Golf Club, TPC Myrtle Beach and he was the lead assistant at Wachesaw Plantation Club, a private Tom Fazio design, just prior to joining the Project Golf team.
Project Golf provides new players a path to sustained enjoyment of the game, bringing people to the sport for a lifetime. Project Golf hosts clinics for juniors, military veterans, and anyone with an interest in taking up golf.
Each series of clinics lasts six weeks and helps introduce players to the game in a supportive environment that teaches participants everything from how to book a tee time to golf course etiquette and swing fundamentals. Most importantly, Project Golf connects new players with people of similar ability levels, allowing them to find playing partners they are immediately comfortable with. Crucially, the organization also follows up with players after their initial series of clinics are over, helping encourage them to stay connected to the game.
For more information, visit ProjectGolf.org.
