More congratulations are in order for the venerable John Derr.

The International Network of Golf presented Derr with its Outstanding Achievement Award in the book category for his “My Place at the Table,” published last year. More than 230 authors were entered in the competition, and Derr was one of two so honored during the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla., last week.

John Feinstein, who has authored 26 books including “A Good Walk Spoiled,” won the Best New Book Award for “Moment of Glory.”

“The experience was rewarding,” Derr said, “and I thank each of you who voiced support. I hope you enjoyed the book; I did by writing it.”

Jr. Academy: Junior Golf AcademyOne is opening a second location at Beacon Ridge Golf and Country Club in West End. The academy will be under the local management of Golf Fore Kids in the Sandhills with LPGA member Kelly Cap and Mark Miller, a Titleist staff professional at Pinehurst Resort.

“Kelly and Mark are experienced golf instructors and players who share their love of the game to help juniors improve their skills through our Academy program,” said Academy co-founder Suzanne Strudwick. “Our program helps junior golfers develop sports-specific skills, learn golf-specific skills and, most importantly, create a love for the game. Pinehurst has such a storied history in golf, and we are excited to bring our innovative junior golf program to youth in the region.

“Having the opportunity to open a Junior Golf AcademyOne brings together both of my lifelong passions — golf and fitness,” said Cap. “I used fitness to develop my golf career and look forward to sharing this knowledge with the junior golfers in the greater Pinehurst area.”

Fay Column: Golf Digest has signed on former USGA Executive Director David Fay as a monthly columnist beginning in the April issue.

“David Fay has one of the brightest minds in sports, as his friends in golf have known for 30 years,” said Golf Digest Chairman and Editor-in-Chief Jerry Tarde. “He’s incisive, witty and opinionated. He understands the game at the highest level, from the perch of the U.S. Open and the lowest level, as a passionate golfer with a bag full of hybrids.

“He has participated in every major decision and event in golf for the last generation. And he brings to all this a democratizing sense of inclusion. It was no accident he’s known as the man who took the Open public. This kind of refreshing attitude and insight is what he’ll share with readers. In other words, don’t be fooled by the bow tie.”

Fay worked at the USGA for 32 years, retiring Dec. 31, with the last 21 as its executive director. His legacy as the association's sixth executive director includes not only his involvement with getting golf back into the Olympics, but in bringing the U.S. Open to true public courses (Bethpage in 2002 and 2009, Torrey Pines in 2008, Chambers Bay in 2015 and Erin Hills in 2017).

PGA Set Up: During the week of Aug. 1-7, Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s Ocean Course will be set up in the same conditions as it will the following year during the 2012 PGA Championship, including green speeds, rough lengths and rough lines with tees set at the PGA indicated length of a mind-numbing 7,606 yards.

This will give guests an opportunity to test their skills against what the PGA Tour players will face the following year and gives them a chance to win a great Kiawah Island Golf Resort golf vacation package.

There will be a low-net competition for players taking the challenge. The winner will receive a two-night stay in the resort’s Forbes Five Star/AAA Five Diamond oceanfront hotel, the Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, for a foursome, that includes two rounds of golf, including one on the Ocean Course.

Players must present proof of a certified USGA handicap and play the course with one of the resort’s caddies to verify the player’s score. In the event of a tie, a winner will be determined by a matching of the cards.

For further information on the PGA Challenge and golf packages, call (800) 576-1570 or visit the website www.kiawah resort.com.

Contact Howard Ward at howardward@att.net.