Department of Parks
Kentucky PGA Section Honors Wasioto Winds Assistant Professional For Contributions To Youth

PINEVILLE, Ky. – For the second straight year, the Kentucky Section of the PGA has recognized a Kentucky State Park golf professional for his contributions to junior golfers.

Donnie Caldwell, PGA assistant golf professional at Wasioto Winds Golf Course at Pine Mountain State Resort Park at Pineville, was recognized Oct. 29 as the Junior Golf Leader by the Kentucky Section of the PGA.

Caldwell, a Harlan County native, conducts “The First Tee” program – a national youth development program that promotes values through the game of golf. He also uses the program to promote drug prevention.  Some 700 children from seven counties in Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia have attended The First Tee program at Wasioto, one of four programs in Kentucky.

Caldwell received the same award last year and in 2004 was named the state’s Assistant Professional of the Year.

Wasioto Winds is one of the state park system’s “Signature Series” courses and has been ranked as a top public course nationally by Golf Digest Magazine. 

“Donnie being recognized for the second year in a row confirms that with his direction and leadership, The First Tee program at Pine Mountain State Resort Park continues to be a flagship for youth golf,” said Parks PGA Director of Golf Dan Strohmeier. “State Parks is very fortunate to have a PGA golf professional of Donnie's caliber.”

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The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 53 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Commerce Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. Each year, Kentucky parks draw 7 million visitors and contribute $317 million to the economy. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov