On Monday, October 24, the Michigan PGA held its Annual Fall Meeting. With 130 Members in attendance, President Dean Kolstad welcomed everyone to the Detroit Golf Club. Also present was Legal Counsel John Allen, John Lindert, PGA of America Vice President, Greg Johnson, Media Consultant, and Todd Smith, PGA Career Consultant, as well as Past Presidents.

A moving rendition of our national anthem was sung by Therese Rose. The meeting began with a message from President Kolstad. As part of his message, he recognized Al Lopez who is the longest serving PGA Member. Al was elected November 7, 1957 and worked his entire career at Sunnybrook Golf Club in Sterling Heights until his retirement in 2015.

As part of Secretary Dan Urban’s report, he acknowledge newly-inducted 2022 Michigan PGA Hall of Fame Inductees John Molenda and Roger Van Dyke. They, along with the 2022 Special Award winners and outgoing Board of Directors Greg Babinec, Kelly Kuhlman, Dave Mocini, Jeff O’Malley and Andre Pillow, were recognized at the President’s Dinner held the evening before at Western Golf & Country Club.

Honorary President Bob Bales oversaw the election for five At-Large Directors. Those elected were: Brian Corwin, Kelly Kuhlman, Kevin McKinley, Logan Simmonds, and Ward Sutton.

Brian Sanderson recognized the 2022 Special Award winners: Assistant Professional of the Year Lauren Strong, Bill Strausbaugh Doug Kreis, Golf Executive of the Year Kevin McKinley, Distinguished Service Award Doug Dingwall, Merchandiser of the Year-Private Kyle Horton, Merchandiser of the Year-Public Ian Ziska, Merchandiser of the Year-Resort Gary Lewandowski, Patriot Award Doug Bell, Player Development Kelly Kuhlman, Player of the Year Kosta Ramirez, Professional Development John Lindert, Teacher & Coach of the Year Brian Cairns, Youth Player Development Rolla Frisinger, and Golf Professional of the Year Jeff O’Malley.

As part of the 100-year Centennial Celebration, Greg Johnson led Past Presidents Jim Dewling, Jim Roschek, Kevin McKinley, and Players of the Year John Seltzer, David Kendall, and Scott Hebert, emceed both panels that covered the Michigan PGA’s history, memories, insight into the industry then and now. After the meeting, the celebration continued with a cocktail party in Ross Grill Patio and Bar.

Thank you to those who attended and helped us celebrate this milestone!

Lastly, thank you to our President’s Dinner Sponsors Mercer Advisors and EZGO.

 

 

And thanks to Foresight Sports and PGA National Resort & Spa for sponsoring the meeting.

 

 

Click HERE to view the Michigan PGA Centennial Celebration slide show.