PGA of America Grants License to Disabled Man

All Ryan Ely ever asked for was a level playing field, and after persevering for nine often frustrating years, the PGA of America gave it to him.

Ely, a native of Ellicott City who lives in Orlando, was 24 when he entered the PGA's apprentice training program, usually a four-year process that eventually leads to a license as a trained teaching professional capable of giving instruction, running a pro-shop business or handling other administrative positions available to anyone with a Class A license.

Because of brain damage suffered in a breech delivery, Ely does not have the ability to use the entire left side of his body. Despite the disability, he taught himself to play golf, essentially one-handed, and got good enough to regularly shoot in the high 80s.

The PGA of America represents more than 25,000 golf professionals in the United States and runs the PGA Championship and Ryder Cup. The organization always has required new members to pass a 36-hole Player Ability Test, with a specific target score, usually requiring two rounds in the middle to high 70s. Ely's target score was 156, a score he knew to be unrealistic.

While he completed all of his classroom course work last year, he never was able to pass the PAT. The PGA said it would make some accommodations for him -- allow him to play a shorter course or break up the 36 holes into several days. But the target score remained the same. Ely kept petitioning the PGA to amend or even waive the PAT requirement, and last month he sent another letter to the board trying to speed up the process.

Much to his surprise, he received a telephone call three weeks ago from Brian Whitcomb, president of the PGA of America.

"I thought they were going to come back and change the target score, maybe make it 175 or 180," Ely said. "Instead, he told me the board had just voted unanimously to elect me to membership. Absolutely, I was totally surprised, and really just ecstatic. They finally said, 'You've done enough and showed us great determination, and you're going to make an awesome member.' "

Ely, 33, has been working as an unlicensed assistant professional at the Hawks Landing course at the Marriott World Center hotel in Orlando since 1998. He eventually would like to find a job where he can teach and have administrative responsibilities. His new license clearly will make him an even more attractive candidate.

Whitcomb, who made a five-minute presentation to the PGA board on Ely's behalf before the vote, said he was thrilled that Ely's perseverance finally paid off.

"This is the right thing to do," he said. "This is a remarkable young man, and he should be an inspiration to all of us. I don't know if I've been any prouder of anything I've done as president as I am about this. Our organization is better served with Ryan as a member. He's a pro's pro."

Lobbying for Montgomerie

Colin Montgomerie is 13th in the Ryder Cup standings for the European team, and the top 10 will make Captain Nick Faldo's team for the matches Sept. 19-21 in Louisville. On Monday, the day after he won his second straight British Open title, Irishman Padraig Harrington lobbied hard for Faldo to consider Montgomerie with one of his two captain's picks if he fails to qualify on points.

"I'm always prepared to give advice and always feel I have advice to give," Harrington said. "But in the Ryder Cup, I feel there are other people who get more out of that position. [Montgomerie] likes to be out front and leading. It still feels like it's Monty's job if he shows the form he has in the last couple of months. He is a great man for that position, and he certainly would be a pick of mine."

Montgomerie and Harrington partnered in the opening best-ball match at the 2004 Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills against the "dream team" of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. The Europeans prevailed in that match, 2 and 1, and set the tone for their Cup victory. Montgomerie has played in every Cup since 1991 and has won 20 matches, three short of Faldo's record of 23. Montgomerie also is undefeated in singles, winning six matches and tying two.

"He is a totally different man when it comes to the Ryder Cup," Harrington said. "Any player would want to tee it up . . . with him and go out there and take on anyone in the world."

Norman May Play in PGA

The PGA of America has extended an invitation to Greg Norman to play in the PGA Championship at Oakland Hills in the Detroit suburbs Aug. 7-10, and Norman said he will make a decision on whether to play by today.

Norman, 53, finished tied for third at the British Open at Royal Birkdale on Sunday and is playing in the Senior British Open this week at Royal Troon in Scotland.

"I'm going back to talk about it over dinner, so I have to make a decision," Norman said yesterday. "I don't want to hold up the PGA of America. It's a great honor to be thought of in that regard. I have to tell them in the next 24 hours."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.