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Prince Edward Island was well represented at the Players Championship at Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, recently, when 28 second year students from Holland ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ's Golf Club Management program volunteered at the prestigious event during their annual study tour. The event was capped off when a Canadian, Stephen Ames, won the prestigious event for the first time in the history of the tournament.

While the tour has included Sawgrass TPC for a number of years, this is only the second year that Holland ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ students have actually worked at the event. Last year, the program's students made such a positive impression on the tournament's organizers that the Holland ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ instructors were invited to bring students to this year's tournament, too.

The students worked on the driving range, where they cleaned and sorted balls for players, set up their practice area, transported the players to the clubhouse and practice area and performed other duties as required; and in the two merchandising tents. Working on the driving range gave them the opportunity to see some of the world's best players up close, and even to meet some of them.

In the merchandising tents the students assisted TPC staff, helping customers and keeping the shelves and displays in order. The target for sales on the first day of the tournament was $150,000; but sales topped $175,000 in one tent alone.

Out on the driving range, Holland ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ students worked alongside volunteers from the US Navy and Florida State University.

Ryan McFarlane, 27, Woodstock, New Brunswick, recalls Nick Price approaching them on the driving range.

"He came over and thanked us for being there and said we were doing a great job," he recalls. "It was a little overwhelming."

Price went on to win more than $53,000 in the tournament.

Some of the students had the chance to talk to Canadian Mike Weir, who took home $76,800. They were also the subjects of a write up the Jacksonville Times-Union, a local newspaper.

In addition to volunteering at Sawgrass TPC, the students played at Grand Cypress, Champions Gate and visited the World Golf Hall of Fame. During these visits, students received presentations from the Director of Golf, Head Golf Professional and Food and Beverage Managers on topics relating to their facility operations.

Golf Program Coordinator Paul Murnaghan says the students represented the college and the region well.

"The students had a fantastic experience and enjoyed themselves immensely, but they also represented the college and the program well with their professional manner. On more than one occasion the supervisors from the TPC staff went out of their way to comment on the excellent job the students were doing. The experience and skills gained will be very valuable to their future careers."

The students returned to PEI to complete their program exhausted but exhilarated by their study tour, and are currently finishing their course work in preparation for graduation. In addition to Murnaghan, Blair MacPhail and Chris Irwin, CPGA professionals on staff at the college traveled with the 28 students.

Several students and instructors from Holland ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ's golf programs intend to volunteer at the Legends of Golf Tournament taking place June 19-20 at Dundrave golf course in Brudenell.

In this picture: Golf Club Management students (left to right) Jeff Hutt, Todd Magee, Brad MacMillan, and Mike Dimitroff check out the 17th hole at The Players Championship at Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, recently. The four were participating in the Golf Club Management second year students' study tour.