November 2006; From PGA Magazine

Five-time PGA Champion Jack Nicklaus, whose philanthropic efforts include establishing the Barbara and Jack Nicklaus Junior Golf Endowment Fund, and elevating the role of PGA Professionals through First Tee teaching grants, will head a roster of seven inductees to be enshrined in the PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame.

Nicklaus is joined in the 2006 Hall of Fame class by PGA of America President Roger Warren of Kiawah Island, S.C., who will have completed his term as the 34th president of the Association in November. The inductees also include: 2005 PGA Golf Professional of the Year Bill Eschenbrenner of El Paso, Texas; 1958 PGA Champion DowFinsterwald of Colorado Springs, Colo.; 1986 PGA Teacher of the Year Manuel de la Torre of Milwaukee, Wis.; PGA Master Professional William Heald of Westchester, Ill.; and 1987 PGA Teacher of the Year Gary Wiren of North Palm Beach, Fla.

The inductees will be honored in a ceremony on Friday, Dec. 8, in conjunction with the 10th PGA Teaching and Coaching Summit, Dec. 6-10, at the PGA Learning Center at PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

"It is with a great deal of pride that The PGA of America welcomes seven individuals who have dedicated their careers to the betterment of the game of golf in addition to becoming leaders in the profession," says PGA Vice President Brian Whitcomb. "This is a class that features world-class instructors and outstanding contributors to golf, individuals who represent the best in the game and its possibilities for future generations.

"When you consider Jack Nicklaus’ career as a player, you also see how much emphasis he placed on contributing to the betterment of so many aspiring players and PGA Professionals." A closer look at the 2006 inductees follows...

Manuel de la Torre: Born in Madrid, Spain, and the son of Angel de la Torre, the first Spanish golf professional, Manuel de la Torre graduated from Northwestern University in 1947. He was elected to PGA membership in 1952. He became a premier golf instructor and was the recipient of the first PGA Teacher of the Year in 1986, and was inducted in 2005 into the World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame. A five-time Wisconsin PGA Section Champion, he also was the first to serve as president of the section (1955-57), and from 1959-61 was the PGA District 6 Director. During his 46 years as PGA head professional at Milwaukee Country Club, de la Torre taught more than 50,000 lessons. He has presented more than 100 seminars for 15 PGA Sections throughout his career. The winner of three section Horton Smith Awards, de la Torre has been an advocate of education throughout his career.