February 21, 2007


PGA Golfer Gives Back to Wallace State

HANCEVILLE, Ala.-PGA golfer Brett Wetterich remembered his alma mater
with a $100,000 Ryder Cup donation to the Wallace State Future
Foundation recently.

The college received the donation and a PGA recognition plaque last
month.

 
"You guys gave me a chance," said Wetterich, who hails from Cincinnati,
Ohio. "It's a pleasure to be able to give something back."


In what could only be called a breakout year, Wetterich finished 10th on
the PGA Tour's money list with more than $3 million in earnings.


He played in 25 PGA Tour events in 2006, winning the Byron Nelson
Classic, finishing second in the Memorial Tournament and the Chrysler
Championship, and making the top 10 in three other events.


The win at the Nelson Classic was especially meaningful for Wetterich
because it was the last tournament the great Byron Nelson attended. It
also helped to secure his spot as one of four rookies on the 2006 U.S.
Ryder Cup Team. He and J.J. Henry, Vaughn Taylor and Zach Johnson played
alongside Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Stewart Cink, Scott
Verplank, David Toms and Chad Campbell over three days in September at
The K Club in Straffan, County Kildare, Ireland.


"There's no greater honor than playing for your country," Wetterich
said.


As one of the tour's top players last year, Wetterich was invited to
participate in the Tour Championship at East Lake Country Club in
Atlanta in November.

Upon learning that Wallace State President Vicki Hawsey wanted to thank
him in person for his donation, Wetterich invited Hawsey and golf coach
Dan York to be his guests at the tournament.


After his Pro-Am round, the three had a chance to visit.


"We are so grateful for your generosity," said Hawsey. "You are an
ambassador not only for Wallace State but for community college
education."

Wetterich's appearances in the spotlight have brought acclaim for
Wallace State to national television, national newspapers like USA Today
and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, golf magazines, and the Internet.


He's even been seen sporting Wallace State apparel.

Brett Wetterich in the team room at The K-Club in Straffan,
Ireland. Sunday, September 24, 2006. (photograph by The PGA of America).

Having played at Wallace State from 1993-94, Wetterich remembers fondly
his time as a Lion. He especially enjoyed hanging out with the guys on
the golf team and still sees Gary Christian (Eng.) and Ian Steele
(Scotland) from time to time when traveling. Frederick Jacobson (Swe.),
who also played at Wallace State in '93 and '94, is also on the PGA
Tour. 

 
"We had fun," Wetterich said. "Coach York was a good motivator-he knows
how to stir the team up."


Notoriety has not gone to Wetterich's head. The only special treatment
he expects when he visits Wallace State next is to be able to ride with
York rather than walk the hilly golf course where the Lions practice.



He learned of Wallace from road trips to play golf in Florida he made
with his dad, who doesn't fly. He liked the campus, the climate, the
coach, the team's reputation, and the scholarship opportunity the
college afforded him.


York remembers Wetterich as a player full of natural athletic ability.


"As a freshmen he was not the top player on our team, but playing
professionally was his dream and he was willing to work hard, believe in
himself and pay the price to get there."


The Wallace State team went on to finish second in the nation that year.


Under York's leadership Wallace State has advanced to the NJCAA National
Tournament as District Champion 15 of the last 19 years.


"Brett was a great team player, and he played his best when the
competition was the toughest," York said. He made several All-Tournament
teams at Wallace.


One of Wetterich's strong points, according to York, is his power off
the tee, and that combined with solid putting has helped to propel him
to the top.


When asked how the donation to Wallace should be used, Wetterich said,
"However you see fit to use it. You know much better than I do where the
money needs to go the most."


The donation, made on behalf of Wetterich by the PGA of America, will
help to promote golf education for adults.


Golf: For Business & Life is a PGA of America college initiative
designed to teach and improve the golf skill of college students through
instruction provided by PGA Professionals. It educates students,
regardless of their chosen career, on how they can use golf as a
business tool as they enter the professional world. Local business
leaders are invited to address students on how golf has enhanced their
business.


Celebrating its 90th anniversary, The PGA of America was founded in
1916, and is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of
golf, while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession.


As for Wetterich, he is back at work on Tour competing for the 2007
Federal Express Trophy. He will be battling for his first major in The
Master's Tournament at Augusta (Ga.) National Golf Club in April.


"I'd like to have several more years like 2006. I want to keep winning,
and have a chance to play for the Ryder Cup again," he said.

###
Notable WSCC Alums:

PGA Golfer Brett Wetterich

Miss Alabama Shannon Camper

Jimi Westbrook, lead singer of award winning country band Little Big
Town and Academy of Country Music nominee in 2006

Dr. Lance Nail, Chairman of the Department of Finance, Economics and
Quantitative Methods at UAB and winner of the 2006 Outstanding Alumni
Award

Olympic baseball players Craig Lewis and Gavin Fingleson

Olympic bronze medalist sprinter Calvin Davis

  Kristen Holmes
  Director, Communications and Marketing
  Wallace State Community College
  P.O. Box 2000
  Hanceville, AL 35077
  256/352-8118
  E-mail: Kristen.Holmes@WallaceState.edu