2016 Michigan PGA Section Special Award Winners Announced

MI Golf Ball 52016 Michigan PGA Section Special Award Winners Announced

EAST LANSING, MI – Pat Croswell, a PGA Professional at Oakland Hills Country Club, has captured the 2016 Michigan PGA Section Golf Professional of the Year award. This prestigious honor is awarded to the professional that has demonstrated outstanding qualities of leadership and strong moral character. The individual must also maintain a substantial record of service to the Association and game of golf and be well-regarded as a model PGA Golf Professional. Pat was chosen by his peers for the award based on his overall performance as a Golf Professional, service to the Section and the Association, leadership ability, image and ability to inspire others and his promotion and growth of the game.

Jeff Goble, a PGA Professional at Fox Hills Learning Center and Fieldstone Golf Club, was awarded the 2016 Michigan PGA Section Teacher of the Year. Jeff was honored for his overall impact on teaching and coaching at his facilities along with his innovative and special teaching programs he implemented.

Mike Fay, Director of Instruction at Boyne USA Resorts, has been selected by the Michigan PGA Section as the 2016 recipient of the Player Development Award. Beginning in 2006, The PGA of America Board of Directors established a special award recognizing PGA Professionals at the Section and national level for extraordinary and exemplary contributions in Player Development, which support Play Golf America initiatives.

Heath Scott, Assistant Professional at Tullymore Golf Club, was named the 2016 Michigan PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year. Heath’s strengths as a player, teacher, merchandiser, tournament administration and overall golf professional all contributed to his success at his facility and the game of golf.

Aaron Waltz, Association Golf Administrator at Ferris State University’s PGA Golf Management Program, has been selected by the Michigan PGA Section of The PGA of America as the recipient of the 2016 Horton Smith Award.The Horton Smith Award is awarded annually to a PGA member for his outstanding contributions to professional education. Waltz reflects this commitment through his day-to-day activities in the Michigan PGA Section.

Ian Ziska, Head Professional at Katke Golf Course/Ferris State University, has been selected by as the 2016 recipient of the Bill Strausbaugh Award. Ziska was honored for his involvement and contribution through mentoring of fellow PGA Professionals, overall integrity and outstanding character. This award also recognizes him for his level of service to the Association, participation in community activities and contributions to building the image of the game of golf and the PGA professional.

Established in 1979, the Bill Strausbaugh Award is presented to a PGA Professional who by their day-to-day efforts, have distinguished themselves by mentoring their fellow PGA Professionals in improving their employment situations and through service to the community. The award reflects the characteristics and qualities of Strausbaugh, a Middle Atlantic PGA Master Professional who died in 1999.

Ziska was also selected by the Michigan PGA Section as the 2016 recipient of the Player Development Award. Beginning in 2006, The PGA of America Board of Directors established a special award recognizing PGA Professionals at the Section and national level for extraordinary and exemplary contributions in Player Development, which support Play Golf America initiatives.

The 2016 PGA Merchandiser of the Year for public golf facilities by the Michigan PGA Section of The PGA of America was also awarded to Ziska. This award recognizes excellence in business and merchandising at public golf facilities as well as innovation in displays, merchandizing techniques, staff training and overall success and growth.

Jeremy Lathwell, a Head Professional at Walnut Creek Country Club, has been named the 2016 PGA Merchandiser of the Year for private golf facilities and Zack Chapin, a PGA Professional at Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club, has been named the 2016 PGA Merchandiser of the Year for resort golf facilities by the Michigan PGA Section of The PGA of America.

Kevin McKinley, Golf Director at Treetops Resort, has been selected by Michigan PGA as the 2016 recipient of the Patriot Award. McKinley was honored for personifying patriotism through the game of golf and demonstrating unwavering commitment and dedication to the men and women who have valiantly served and protected the United States of America. The Patriot Award originated in 2008 following the inspiration of Patriot Day founder Major Dan Rooney, a PGA Professional from Broken Arrow, Okla.

Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, The PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry. By creating and delivering world-class championships and innovative programs, The PGA of America elevates the public’s interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. As The PGA nears its centennial, the PGA brand represents the very best in golf.

 

via Michigan PGA

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