Kendall, Brady, LaParl Inducted Into Michigan PGA Hall of Fame

Dave Kendall, Steve Brady and Ron LaParl were inducted this week into the 2013 Michigan PGA Hall of Fame.

Kendall is one of the nation’s top golf instructors. Kendall is the founder of the Kendall Golf Academy, which has branches all over the state. He has won two Michigan Senor Open Championships.

Brady is the Director of Instruction at Oakland Hills. A former All-American at Saginaw Valley State, he played on the Ben Hogan Tour, in two US Opens and in three PGA Championships. He won three Michigan Opens.

LaParl has been a member of the PGA of America since 1945. He was a competitive tournament player, and the 1989 Michigan PGA Teacher of the Year. He is retired from the Battle Creek Country Club.

Press release follows:

Bath, MI – Three new members have been inducted into the 2013 Class of the Michigan PGA Hall of Fame.  Steve Brady, Dave Kendall and Ron LaParl were announced at the Michigan Section PGA Spring Meeting, Monday at Eagle Eye Golf Club.

Steve Brady, 54, has been a dominant player in state play since graduating from Saginaw Valley State University where he made All-American in 1980. He was named to the SVSU Hall of Fame in 2010. Brady turned pro and played in 10 Buick Opens, played the Ben Hogan (now web.dotcom) Tour, played in two United States Opens and three PGA Championships. Brady always had family support – his wife, Judi, and parents and friends wore BRADY BUNCH shirts and always got gallery support. Brady became one of the state’s top players at a time when the competition included now current PGA Tour millionaire Tom Gillis, Jeff Roth and Jack Seltzer, both now in the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame and sure-to-be member Scott Hebert. He won three Michigan Opens, two PGA Championships, two Michigan Bell Showdowns at Grand Traverse Resort, one Assistant Professional championship and one Shanty Creek title, six Pro-Pro, two Senior-Junior one Pro-Am and one Pro-Assistant, all events sponsored by the Michigan PGA Section. Brady now is Director of Instruction at Oakland Hills Country Club, his home for 16 years. In addition to teaching club members, Brady gives back to the game. He is volunteer golf coach at Rochester Adams High School, is a CYO basketball and soccer coach, gives numerous free golf clinics and exhibitions to high school and elementary school students and is a volunteer at the Pontiac Soup Kitchen.

Dave Kendall is generally regarded as one of Michigan’s outstanding professionals. The recipient of the Michigan PGA’s 2010 Horton Smith Award for Contributions in PGA Professional Education. Dave was previously honored by the Michigan PGA as 2000 and 2004 Teacher of the year and 1990 and 2006 Golf Professional of the Year.  Dave has over 30 years of experience instructing players of all levels. In 2011, Golf Digest ranked Dave #8 in its list of top instructors in Michigan.  Golf Range Magazine has included Dave in its Top 50 Instructors in America for the past 8 years.  A Class A PGA member since 1981, he is also very highly regarded as a competitive player having won two Michigan Senior Open Championships.  In 2007, Dave won the Michigan Senior Open, Michigan Senior PGA Championship and the Michigan PGA Senior Player of the Year Award.  The insight he has gained through his many years of teaching experience along with his competitive background has given Dave a very practical approach to golf improvement.  Dave has served the Section on the Board of Directors as Secretary, Vice President, President (2008-2009) and Honorary President.  He currently serves the Michigan PGA Section as its Senior Organization President.

Ronald LaParl was elected to membership of the PGA of America on June 16, 1945 and was elected to the Half Century Club in 1995.  During his 60 plus years as a PGA Member Ron has been an active member participating in section and chapter events as well as dedicating his time to a variety of positions.  Ron has succeeded as a tournament player qualifying for the National PGA-3 times and the US Open-1 time. Ron was honored a Michigan PGA Golf Professional of the Year in 1969 and was awarded the Horton Smith award in 1980. Also, known for his love of teaching Ron was awarded the 1989 Michigan PGA Teacher of the Year. Ron may be best known for his work with the Veteran’s Administration Hospital and the VA Tournament for over 30 years.  Ron retired after 35 years at Battle Creek Country Club. Ron started a scholarship fund at Battle Creek CC that has awarded no less than two scholarships a year since the early 70’s.

The Michigan PGA Hall of Fame was founded in 2011 and exists to recognize and acknowledge those PGA Professionals who have excelled in their profession, achieved remarkable accomplishments, and made significant contributions to the game, the industry and the Michigan PGA.  The inductees will be honored at a dinner in the fall.