Barrie Bruce, PGA |
Stan Baluik, PGA |
Jim O’Leary, PGA |
Larry Kelley, PGA |
Bob Beach, PGA |
Wally Uihlein |
John Hickson, PGA |
BOYLSTON, MA, April 12– Jim DiMarino, PGA, head golf professional at Warwick Country Club in Warwick Neck, R.I. since 1999, has been selected as the 2011 recipient of the PGA Professional of the Year Award by the New England Section, PGA of America (NEPGA).
"This is just such a tremendous honor” said DiMarino. “To join the past winners of the prestigious award and be even mentioned in the same breath is so special. I am truly honored to receive the award.”
The NEPGA is proud to congratulate the following Section members on their recent honors: Junior Golf Leader Chris Carpenter, PGA (Head Professional, Nashawtuc Country Club, Concord, Mass.), Assistant Professional of the Year Justin Lawson, PGA (Assistant Professional, Dedham Country & Polo Club, Dedham, Mass.), Teacher of the Year Ron Philo Jr., PGA (General Manager, Stowe Mountain Club, Stowe, Vt.), Merchandiser of the Year-Private Mark Heartfield, PGA (Head Professional, Sankaty Head Golf Club, Siasconset, Mass.), Merchandiser of the Year-Public Leigh Bader, PGA (Head Professional, Pine Oaks Golf Club, South Easton, Mass.), Merchandiser of the Year-Resort Brendan Reilly, PGA (Head Professional, New Seabury Cape Cod, Mashpee, Mass.), President's Plaque Award Winner Barrie Bruce, PGA (Director of Instruction, Country Club of Billerica, Billerica, Mass.), and Hall of Fame Inductees Stan Baluik, PGA (NEPGA Life Member, Cumberland, R.I.) and Jim O’Leary, PGA (Head Professional, Oak Hill Country Club, Fitchburg, Mass.).
The NEPGA also announced this year’s winners in the Section’s special award categories which include the Bill Strausbaugh Award, the Horton Smith Award, and the George S. Wemyss Award.
The Bill Strausbaugh Award is designed to recognize PGA Professionals who by their day-to-day efforts have distinguished themselves by mentoring their fellow PGA Professionals in improving their employment situations as well as through service to the community. Sales Representative Larry Kelley, PGA of Five Star Golf Cars was chosen as this year’s winner.
The Horton Smith Award recognizes the PGA Professional who is the model educator of PGA Golf Professionals. This award is designed to give special recognition to an individual PGA Professional for outstanding and continuing contributions to professional education. This year, Head Professional Bob Beach, PGA of Braintree Municipal Golf Course in Braintree, Mass. was selected as most deserving of this honor. Bob was also chosen by the NEPGA as the Section’s nominee to receive The PGA of America’s Patriot Award which honors a PGA Professional who personifies patriotism through the game of golf and demonstrates unwavering commitment and dedication to the servicemen and women of our country.
The George S. Wemyss Award is presented each year to an individual who has consistently been a friend to the NEPGA and/or its members over the years, and made a significant contribution to the game of golf. The individual should consistently demonstrate a high moral character, and has performed a distinctive service to the NEPGA to meet its goals or enhance its image. Wally Uihlein, Chief Executive Officer of the Acushnet Company in Fairhaven, Mass., has been named the 2011 recipient.
This year, the section has chosen to bestow honorary membership of the New England PGA to NEPGA Section Director of Accounting and Finance Joan Stuart in recognition of her outstanding service to the NEPGA and exemplary character compatible with the ideals and standards of PGA Membership.
Congratulations to John Hickson, PGA out of Dick's Sporting Goods and member of the Maine Chapter on winning the 2011 Skip Wogan Player of the Year Award.
