ORLANDO, Fla. -- Over 100 individual PGA Professionals as well as community leaders attended the East Central Chapter’s Inaugural Award Ceremony and Banquet at Timacuan Golf and Country Club in Lake Mary, Florida, July 28, 2008.
Honored were 11 individuals for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the game of golf, the chapter, as well as the North Florida PGA Section. Topping the list of individual award winners was Tony Johnson, General Manager of Timacuan, as the 2008 PGA Professional of the Year.
“I am honored to accept this award,” stated Johnson. “There are many deserving professionals that are deserving of this award and I am truly honored to have been chosen as this year’s recipient. I could not have earned this honor without the daily support I receive from my family and staff.”
In past years, the chapter has had a low-key presentation of awards during one of their regularly scheduled meetings. “This year, we decided to do something different that signifies the winners’ accomplishments, as well as showcase their achievements,” says Bob Reed, President of the East Central PGA Chapter. “Each year, our chapter has very deserving men and women committed to their profession. This year’s winners also demonstrate that being a PGA Professional means more than being a golfer. They are dedicated fathers, husbands, and community volunteers. We are proud of our Chapter members and our award winners for their efforts as professionals as well as their commitment to be community leaders.”
Sponsoring the event was Nike Golf, and its local representative, Kenny Hobbs. “We enjoyed being apart of such a great ceremony bringing recognition to such a talented group of PGA golf professionals”
The 2008 East Central PGA Chapter Award Winners are:
Golf Professional of the Year – Tony Johnson, Timacuan Golf Club
Assistant Professional of the Year – Carl McNeill, Country Club of Orlando
Horton Smith Award – Kevin Weickel, Disney World Wide Services, Inc.
Bill Strausbaugh Award – Tony Austin, Professional Golfer’s Career College
Teacher of the Year – Chip Koehlke, Faldo Golf Institute
Junior Golf Leader – Mike Warobick, US 1 Golf Center
Merchandiser of the Year (Public) – Matt Payne, Victoria Hills Golf Club
Merchandiser of the Year (Private) – Bill Sellers, Country Club of Orlando
Merchandiser of the Year (Resort) – Patrick Dill, Grande Lakes/Ritz Carlton Golf Club
Sales Representative of the Year – Pete Leveille, Ahead Head Gear
Amateur of the Year – Peter Watzka, Ritz Carlton Development Co.
About the ECC
The East Central PGA Chapter is the largest of the four chapters that comprise the North Florida PGA Section. Geographical boundaries of the chapter extend from Ocala to Palm Coast on the North, Palm Coast to Palm Bay on the East, Palm Bay to Lake Wales on the South, and Lake Wales to Ocala on the West. The chapter is comprised of over 600 men and women golf professionals at over 250 golf courses, practice facilities, retail outlets, and other golf facilities in Central Florida. The chapter’s mission is to enhance the public’s enjoyment of the golf by providing outstanding customer service, industry leading instructional and growth of the game programs, as well as showcasing great facilities at which to visit, practice, and play the game. The chapter conducts over twenty tournament events each year as an avenue of competition for is professionals as well as providing an environment of fellowship and camaraderie with fellow professionals and our community patrons.
For more information about the East Central PGA Chapter, its events, and sponsorship opportunities, please contact the North Florida PGA Section at 386-322-0899.
Media Contact:
John Hughes, Secretary
East Central Chapter, North Florida PGA
john@advantagegolfschool.com
863-419-7333
