History

                                                                                Atlanta Pro Duffers History:

Pro-Duffers USA is now an organization of golfing groups consisting of 14 chapters with members covering 12 states and Washington D.C. The Atlanta Chapter of Pro-Duffers USA was founded at the urging of Johnny Thomas (a Pro-Duffer at large) and Ocie Irons following their attendance at the 1995 Pro-Duffers’ National Convention in Jamaica. The rationale for the formation of the Atlanta Chapter was to serve the members common interest in golf. In addition, the organizers felt there was a community need to involve underprivileged youth who may not otherwise be exposed to the game of golf.

C. C. Jones, a Memphis Pro-Duffer, formally installed the Atlanta Chapter of Pro-Duffers USA, on   January 19, 1996. The sponsor for the Atlanta Chapter was Pro-Duffers USA, South Memphis. The members from the Memphis and Dallas Chapters present were Dan Evans, Wilson Clayton, Foster Kidd, Leon Griffin, C. C. Jones, Charles Campbell, Clyde Saunders, Larry Colbert, Bill Terrell, and J. McClure.

Sixteen charter members were inducted into the Atlanta Pro-Duffers. They were Thomas Arnold, Mark Brinkley, Obie Clayton, Francis Davis, Carver Fortson, Earle Harris, Ocie Irons, James Johnson, Bobby G. Jordan, Wilbur Leaphart, Robert Manley, William Shropshire, Leo Smith, Johnny Thomas, Ira Turner, and Craig Williams.

Our initial members were a proud group of men looking forward to being a stalwart in Pro-Duffers USA. Initial play indicated otherwise. Our first club champion was a transplant from the Dallas Chapter. He left after the first year. Our next club championship had a first day leader by 18 strokes and lost by three. That same year we hosted the Nationals (1997) and were applauded as being great dressers but poor golfers. We have come a long way since the 1997 Nationals, as our chapter won the 2003, 2006, 2007, 2012, 2015, 2018 and 2019 National Club championships. In 2023 the Atlanta Pro Duffers hosted the National Meeting and Tournament in Saint Augustine, Florida. The National Tournament was hosted by the World Golf Village and play was conducted on the King & Bear and the Slammer & Squire Golf Courses. The Atlanta Pro Duffers won the 2023 National City Tournament Championship at this event.

The Atlanta Pro-Duffers Bylaws provides for four (4) general meetings three at the beginning of each year, the 2nd Saturday of January, February and March and one at the end of the year following our Club Championship Tournament. An Annual Awards Meeting is also authorized. Additional meetings may be scheduled as needed. The president presides over the general meetings following an approved agenda.

Applications for membership are considered in January, screened and introduced to the chapter for acceptance at the March meeting.

The Atlanta Pro-Duffers’ Annual Tournament is cosponsored with the Marriott Marquis Bell Staff in June. This tournament provides a percentage of the funding for our Atlanta Pro-Duffers Hook-A-Kid on Golf Program that we sponsor yearly.

Shortly after the Atlanta Pro-Duffers USA was formally installed, the Atlanta Pro-Duffers USA began sponsoring the annual “Hook-a-Kid on Golf Program.” Youngsters, ages 8-15, receive a week of golf instruction, a starter set of golf clubs, and other materials needed to help them learn the game. Clinics are highlighted by special talks about golf course maintenance, rules, and etiquette, as well as alcohol and drug awareness.  We also encourage the parents of these young people to continue to improve their golf skills through the First Tee Saturday Golf Academy. We have a history of supporting other community projects including the Metro Atlanta 1st Tee Program at John A. White Park and selected Atlanta Public Schools.