On Tuesday, Bainbridge Rotary members said “goodbye” to one of their long-term members, Willis Berry, and presented his wife Karen, as a Paul Harris Fellow.
The Berrys will be moving to Albuquerque, N. Mex. to live near their son’s family.
Willis Berry has been an active member of the Bainbridge club for 26 years and was designated as a Paul Harris Fellow, plus 1. He chose to have his wife presented with the second award.
Rotarians who donate $1000 or more to the annual fund, Polio Plus or the approved Foundation grant are recognized as Paul Harris Fellows. The honor is named after the Chicago attorney who founded Rotary International. Multiple donors are referenced with the numerical designation of their donation, or they can designate it go to another person.
Also receiving Paul Harris awards were Dean Free, a PHF+8 and Dr. Don Robinson, a PHF+7.
The two new sponsors for the Bainbridge State College Rotaract Club were introduced. They are Dr. Steven Hougland and Collett Galivan.
The program was given by Rob McRae, who is working to establish a PGA Jr. League locally.
PGA Jr. Leagues introduce and teach the sport of golf in a team concept, similar to that of little league baseball. It is for youth age 6 to 13.
McRae, who grew up in Augusta, is very familiar with the concept and is himself a leading golfer. He said the advantage to the team approach is that golf can be very time consuming and frustrating for a young person trying to learn it as an individual. They may just give up on the sport.
McRae said an ideal team would have 12 players, with varying degrees of experience, who are matched—a less experienced player with a more experienced.— to increase competitiveness. The play would be a scramble format.
He said the concept is very popular in Europe, but has been slow to catch on in Southwest Georgia.
His goal is to establish a league that includes teams from Thomasville and Tallahassee, as well as Bainbridge, with team play to begin next summer.
Golf is often thought of as an expensive sport, but McRae said the minimum cost for each player would be $75 for the year.
If he is successful in putting this league together it will bring a little league atmosphere to the world of golf here in Southwest Georgia beginning next summer.