The FCA Golf Ministry History 1977 - Capt. Bill Lewis, first Director of the FCA Golf Ministry, helps found the LPGA Fellowship group. LPGA Tour Pros who provided leadership include Murle Breer, Beth Stone, and Joyce Benson. 1979 - First FCA Junior Golf Camp is held at Pine Needles Lodge & Country Club. "Bullet" & Peggy Kirk Bell, Tour Pro Larry Nelson, and Coach Conrad Rehling highlight the program for 28 junior golfers. 1980 - First FCA "Breakfast with the Pros" is held during the Memorial Tournament in Columbus, OH. Tour Pro Larry Nelson is the featured speaker for the 170 in attendance. 1985 - First FCA Chapel Service held Palm Sunday on the 18th Green at The Players Championship, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. - First FCA International Pro-Am is held at the Loxahatchee Club in Jupiter, FL. Over $75,000 is raised for the Golf Ministry. 1986 - Junior Golf Camps expand to 3 sites: Pine Needles, Indianapolis, and LaPaloma Resort, Tucson, AZ. - Golf Ministry hosts PGA Club Professional Conference in Orlando prior to PGA Merchandise Show. - Golf Ministry Endowment Fund is established to provide a financial foundation for the ministry's future operation. 1989 - Capt. John Dolaghan becomes Director of the FCA National Golf Ministry, having previously served as a church pastor and Navy chaplain. 1990 - FCA conducts Bible Study at the inaugural NIKE Tour tournament (then HOGAN Tour) in Bakersfield, CA. 1993 - International Pro-Am at Loxahatchee tops the $200,000 mark in funds raised for Junior Golf Camps and other Golf Ministry Programs. 1994 - Junior Golf Camps are held at 10 sites with more than 500 participants. 1995 - Easter service at the 18th green during the MCI Heritage Tournament draws a crowd of 2,000. South Carolina Governor David Beasley brings the message. 1997 - Golf Ministry has a display booth at the annual PGA Merchandise Show providing ministry exposure to more than 45,000 in the golf industry. A Sunday morning chapel service is also held. 1998 - Dean Bouzeos promoted to the position of Executive Director of the FCA Golf Ministry, having served on FCA staff for 14 years. 2000 - FCA Golf partners with Celebrity Players Tour to provide chapel services at CPT events. 2001 - The FCA National Scramble Championship features 70 teams from 33 states competing for titles in the gross and net categories. 2002 - Barbara and Jack Nicklaus are honored at the FCA International Pro-Am at the TPC at Sawgrass in Ponte Verdra Beach, FL. - Junior Golf Camp held at 18 sites throughout the U.S. 2003 - Initiated first ever coaches clinic. - Hosted first outreach event at Florida High School state tournament. - Participated in global sports ministry conference in Greece. - Expand National Scramble Championship to 54 holes and 90 plus teams. - PGA Tour Pro David Gossett serves as host to the FCA International Pro-Am. 2004 - FCA hosted first Elite Golf Camp. - FCA had more than 1,060 attendees at the TPC Breakfast. - In celebration of the 20th International Pro-Am, FCA Golf moved the location of the tournament to Orlando, FL. 2005 - Founder of the FCA Golf Ministry Captain Bill Lewis passed away. - Jim Esary named fourth Director of the Golf Ministry. - Junior Golf Camp held at 20 sites throughout the U.S. - Ministry and Bible study on the NGA/Hooters Tour. - First year for Mission 4:33 elite Huddle Leader training. 2006 - Jay Laffoon named Chaplain for the Nationwide Tour; Bible study attendance grew. - Held 20 Outreach events utilizing a Tour Pro to share about their personal relationship with Jesus Christ. 2007 - 30 years of FCA Golf! |