Bubba's Place

The name Horton Smith may not ring a bell.  He was a golf professional and a professional golfer.  No, those two titles are not synonymous.  Tiger Woods is a professional golfer.  Horton Smith is a golf pro, a legendary one.  So legendary, the PGA named an award after him.  Enter:  John Rogers.

John Rogers is a PGA golf professional too, from Chambersburg, actually.  Basically, Rogers is a teacher…of teachers.  He helps people who want to help other people learn to golf.  He’s good at it too.  So good, the PGA of America awarded Rogers the 2011 Horton Smith Award for outstanding contributions to professional education. The Majestic Ridge Golf Pro says it’s “almost the pinnacle of one of the awards for the PGA.”  Rogers received the award on Thursday at the PGA Awards Show in Orlando.  It’s pretty much the Oscars of golf. The Golf Channel streamed the three-hour ceremony on their website, and Jimmy Roberts of NBC Sports hosted it.  Rogers continues to work at the Majestic Ridge Golf Course in Chambersburg.  To set up a tee time, call 717-267-3444. Check him out on SUTV News here.

- Brandon “Bubba” Smith

Dogs are sweet. Dr. Michelle Olexa, a Ship professor and psychologist at the Counseling Center, knows this.  When the going gets rough, she gets ruff.  Lots of ruff.  During finals week Dr. Olexa invites her four-legged friends from Chambersburg’s Kindly Canines to spend the day at Ship.  The service dogs and their handlers provide moral support for stressed students. 

Olexa says this “fur therapy” can lower blood pressure and cortisol levels, giving students a much-needed reprieve.  That’s paw-some. The group’s next scheduled visit is in April for Ship’s annual Health and Wellness Fair. Dogs aren’t the only animals offering free psychology visits. Dr. Olexa says horses may be galloping your way in the warmer months.  To learn more, email Dr. Olexa at MMOlex@ship.edu.  For more puppies, check out SUTV’s coverage of last year’s Health and Wellness fair here.

- Brandon “Bubba” Smith