Chris Haarlow grew up in Southern Pines and took his first golf lesson from Peggy Kirk Bell at Pine Needles. From the beginning, Haarlow developed a deep love for the game and an abiding affection and respect for his teacher.
“Peggy has been a spark for many thousands of people,” Haarlow says. “She gave me a spark. She was positive. She said, ‘You can do this, you can play this game.’ The passion and spark she gave me for the game is still there. She’s done that for so many people.”
Haarlow went on a successful competitive career at Guilford College (being named All-America three years running from 1989-91) and then followed his mentor into the golf instruction arena. He is a Class A PGA Professional and has been teaching out of the Precision Golf School in Greensboro for more than two decades. In 2000, Haarlow was instrumental in obtaining a USGA start-up grant for $80,000 to initiate the Triad Youth Golf Foundation, a program offering golf instruction to area kids in a structured mentoring program.
Robert Linville, a longtime Greensboro-based instructor and founder of the Precision Golf School, had the idea in 2006 to launch a series of tournaments for girls. He and Precision GM Mike Parker worked out the details of a tour that would utilize innovative yardage-based divisions instead of the traditional age-based format and provide girls with the same kind of quality competitive environment boys had long enjoyed.
When Haarlow heard of the idea, he suggested they approach Peggy Bell with the idea of lending her name, support and vision to the new venture. She was excited by the concept from the beginning, and thus the Peggy Kirk Bell Girls Golf Tour was launched in 2007.
“Peggy instilled in me the idea of providing for someone else, passing the game along to others and the opportunities it’s given me,” Haarlow says. “That’s what we’ve tried to do with the tour.”
PKBGT Alumni currently compete at the highest levels, and among LPGA Tour players past and present have been Katherine Perry Hamski, Jennifer Chang, Lauren Coughlin and Allison Emrey. Additionally, more than two dozen golfers have evolved from the PKBGT to the LPGA Symetra Tour, the proving ground for those looking to make the LPGA. In the first 14 years of the tour, over 1,400 PKBGT members went on to play women’s collegiate golf.
“Our goal was to provide a tour that proudly carries on Peggy’s legacy in the game of golf,” Linville says. “We have given more girls access to high-caliber, fun-filled, golf tournaments that are designed strictly for girls. We have helped develop the playing potential for up and coming players of all ability levels. Our concept helps the girls stay in golf and play more golf after college. There have been so many benefits. I think Peggy would be proud of where the tour is today.”