PGA Tour rookie Daniel Berger, 21, is off to a great start, earning more than $1.2 million so far in his first year. His recent runner-up finish at this year’s Honda Classic was a thrill for his fans, friends and family — and for Kevin Perkins, the PGA master professional who took Berger under his wing when he was just 10 years old.
“I had the privilege and blessing of getting Danny started in this great game,” said Perkins, who runs the nationally known Kevin Perkins Golf Academy at Binks Forest Golf Club in Wellington. “Danny’s dad, Jay Berger, brought Danny to me at my golf academy on Key Biscayne in the spring of 2003. Jay said to me, and I remember it very clearly, that Danny had tried tennis like his dad, and most recently soccer, and that Danny had not fallen in love with either. Jay, who loves golf, wanted to see if golf would be a good fit for Danny. Jay was hoping that Danny would really like golf.”
And he did. During that first lesson, Perkins also learned that Jay Berger was a former tennis pro who rose as high as seventh in world rankings. “So, naturally, my immediate thoughts were that Danny, coming from a world-class athletic dad, and someone who understood the developmental process of high achievement and all that it takes, might have a great chance to become a professional golfer. As you could imagine, I was very thrilled to have the chance to work with Danny,” Perkins said.
So, Perkins worked with the younger Berger at least once a week for the next three years.
“Jay, along with Danny’s mom Nadia, were amazing parents over that three-year period,” Perkins said. “They always attended his lessons, dropped him daily for his three-hour practice sessions. They were super in helping Danny and really supporting his desire to become a great player. I am so proud of Danny and feel very blessed to have played a role in his current success.”
For more information about the Kevin Perkins Golf Academy, visit www.kevinperkinsgolfacademy.com or call (561) 301-3783.
