Rob Akins, from Memphis, and Randy Smith, out of Dallas, were the featured instructors at the Camp, an outgrowth of the Tennessee PGA Junior Golf Academy, which began in 1973 and has over 8,500 graduates to date. (Academy graduates have gone on to win a multitude of tournaments and awards, including the PGA Championship and the U. S. Amateur.) The Players Camp is a specialty camp for exceptional young players who are committed to learning the game and developing their skills to the utmost.