She is a mother, teacher, grandmother, astute businesswoman, witty conversationalist, inspiration to countless women golfers and a living legend in promoting golf education through her renowned "Golfari" schools at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines, N.C.

Bell, 85, continues to amaze new audiences daily with her boundless energy and ability to bring fun to learning a challenging game. Some 400 guests honored Bell on May 23 at The Sanctuary Hotel in Kiawah Island, and she responded with an acceptance speech that showcased her renowned sense of humor, affection for the game and a rare connection between generations in golf.

"I'm sort of choked up about this thing," said Bell. "I was very fortunate that I met so many great PGA Professionals as I grew up. They included my hometown pro, Leonard Schmutte, who traveled the country with Horton Smith (PGA of America president from 1952-54), who won the first Masters. I am really blessed with the fact that the game has taken me around the world, and that the game has given me so much."

Among the guests at the reception included LPGA Tour Commissioner Carolyn Bivens, golf course architect Pete Dye and his wife, Alice, the 2004 PGA First Lady of Golf; and Champions Tour Professional Craig Stadler, who was childhood friends with Bell's future son-in-law, Tour professional Pat McGowan.

Soon after Bell and her late husband, Warren, took ownership of Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in 1960, Peggy was called upon to give her first golf lesson. That story has been repeated many times and appeared often in print, but only Bell can add the proper spin.

"A person came into the pro shop, a lady, and asked for a golf lesson," said Bell. "My husband said, Just a minute, I'll get you a teacher." I was in the next room and Warren said, "This lady wants a lesson." I said, "I'm not a teacher, I'm a player. I don't know anything about teaching."

"Well, you know more than she does, go tell her something." So, we go out on the range and she began swinging, then took another swing. She tried again, and I said, 'Well, try this.' Every time she took a swing I'd try to tell her something else. I thought that she would hit one!

"After two hours, the woman finally said, 'I'm exhausted. Can we go?

"We sure can!" I said.

"I was so thrilled it was over," she admitted. "I'm sure that woman is not playing the game today."

A charter member of the LPGA, Bell traveled around the country with her peers, a group that included the legendary Babe Zaharias. When Bell decided to spend her career in teaching and not playing competitively, she was asked to appear at numerous clinics sponsored by Spalding around the country. She tired of the miles on the road and took flying lessons and purchased a small twin-engine airplane.

"One time I was flying and I was having some trouble," said Bell. "We ran into something called snow. If you have ever experienced on the road what heavy snow does to windshield wipers, you will understand what I was dealing with up in the air."

"I prayed to the Lord, 'If You get me home safely, I will sell that plane.' Well, I made it to the ground and I sold that plane. So, whenever I go near our swimming pool now, I look and that's where the $8,000 went. That was my airplane I was thinking about."

Bell was never afraid to laugh at herself, which made her even more popular with amateurs and her peers. In the 1960s, she was asked to host a clinic at Dunedin, Fla., the first Florida headquarters site of The PGA of America.

"I put on a clinic in front of all those PGA members, and I was so nervous," said Bell. "I began shanking the ball, then shanked again and shanked some more. Finally, the president of The PGA of America walked over to me and said, 'I think you've had enough.' I said, "I HAVE had enough."

Bell pointed out Stadler in the audience, who had met Bell's future son-in-law, Tour professional Pat McGowan, when they played in the junior and collegiate ranks. McGowan married Bell's daughter, Bonnie, and serves as director of instruction at Pine Needles.

"Craig Stadler, you know he's a lot of fun," said Bell, with a grin. "He slams that club on the ground, but he doesn't really mean it."

After the ceremony, Stadler said Bell's remarks were "vintage Peggy."

Bell said that as she and her family prepare to host their third U.S. Women's Open this summer, she recalled the words of Babe Zaharias.

"I asked Babe once about her experience in the Olympics," said Bell. "She told me, "Golf is my game; it puts me with nice people." Well, I agree with her, it has put me among so many great people. I will grab that trophy now and forever hold it with me."

The PGA of America is the world's largest working sports organization, comprised of 28,000 men and women golf Professionals who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf while serving millions of people throughout its 41 PGA Sections nationwide. Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position in a $62 billion-a-year industry by growing the game of golf through its premier spectator events, world-class education and training programs, significant philanthropic outreach initiatives, and award-winning golf promotions. Today's PGA Professional is the public's link to the game, serving an essential role in the operation of golf facilities throughout the country.

The PGA First Lady of Golf Award, inaugurated in 1998, is presented to a woman who has made significant contributions to the promotion of the game of golf. PGA First Lady of Golf recipients: 1998: Barbara Nicklaus 1999: Judy Rankin 2000: No recipient 2001: Judy Bell 2002: Nancy Lopez 2003: Renee Powell 2004: Alice Dye 2005: Carole Semple Thompson 2006: Kathy Whitworth 2007: Peggy Kirk Bell

The gift of golf: My life with a wonderful game Peggy's book can be found at Amazon.com

from Ladies Golf Journey - June 2007