Michigan PGA Spring Meeting

The Section held its Spring Meeting on Monday, March 9 at Eagle Eye Golf Club with over 200 members and associates in attendance.

President Dan Urban welcomed special guests:
Kevin McKinley, PGA – District 5 Director
Stacey Rice-Dorman, Player Engagement Consultant
Todd Smith, Career Services Consultant
Dusty Hull – PGA HOPE Michigan Ambassador
Julian Arceo – Arceo Studio Collective
Dave Schneider, PGA – Medinah Country Club
Cory Cox – PesiCo
Any past Presidents in attendance
All Associates in attendance

THANK YOU to PGA National Resort & Spa and Pepsi for sponsoring the meeting.

Michigan PGA Associate, Kelsey Malone, delivered the invocation remembering deceased Michigan PGA members Jim Fournier, Larry Mancour, and long-time Section sales rep, Dave Woodsum.

Vice President Jeff Rachar, along with Executive Director Kevin Helm, reviewed the Section’s investments as well as year-end financials.

Secretary Ward Sutton, acknowledged and welcomed newly elected/transferred members.

District 5 Director, Kevin McKinley, reviewed National news and updates.

Executive Director Kevin Helm thanked the staff for their hard work and dedication to the membership.

Tournament Committee Chair, Michael Prior reviewed the items for the 2026 Tournament season.

Special Awards Chair Jeremy Lathwell announced the 2026 Michigan PGA Special Awards winners:
They will be honored at the President’s Dinner on October 18th.

Assistant Professional of the Year- Bryan Fegert, PGA
Bill Strausbaugh- Kyle Martin, PGA
Distinguished Service Award- Ken Hartmann, PGA
Merchandiser of the Year-Private- Matt Smith, PGA
Merchandiser of the Year-Public- Emily Cutler, PGA
Merchandiser of the Year-Resort- Chad Maveus, PGA
Patriot Award- Doug Temple, PGA
Player Development- Jimmy Wisinski, PGA
Professional Development- Ward Sutton, PGA
Youth Player Development- Kelly Kuhlman, PGA
Teacher & Coach of the Year- Adam Schriber, PGA
Golf Executive of the Year- Chris Sobieck, PGA
Golf Professional of the Year- George Bowman, PGA

Business discussions included information from Career Services Consultant, Todd Smith, and Player Engagement Consultant, Stacey Rice-Dorman. Chris Whitten, PGA from Golf Association of Michigan spoke on the new Team Michigan Selection Process for representation in the U.S. National Development Program.

Brian Corwin, PGA and Randy White, PGA discussed the mentorship initiative including the monthly webinar series.

Dave Schneider, PGA, General Manager at Medinah Country Club, spoke to the membership about his journey to his current position and what he learned along the way.

Honorary President, Stephanie Jennings, provided a brief overview of PGA REACH Michigan before Growth of the Game Committee member, Kelly Kuhlman, announced the 2025 Player Development Program of the Year winners.

Junior Program of the Year – Ethan Busch-Anderson, PGA
Military Program of the Year – Doug Temple, PGA
Inclusion Program of the Year – Dan Lock, PGA

The meeting concluded with Connor Day from Srixon/Cleveland briefly speak before a raffle drawing where various prices were given out to the members and associates. Prizes included a Michigan PGA cornhole set and two Joey Kocur signed PGA hockey jerseys.

Complimentary headshots were provided by Julian Arceo from Arceo Studio Collective.

Teaching & Coaching Summit

Following the meeting, the Teaching & Coaching Summit kicked off Monday afternoon with presentations from:

• Mike Bender, #4 Ranked Golf Digest Teacher
• Jim Hackenberg, creator of Orange Whip
• Terry Rowles, Golf Digest Top 50 Teacher

The summit continued into Tuesday with an outstanding lineup including:

• Mark Immelman, Golf Coach, Author, Broadcaster, Analyst & On-Course Announcer for CBS Sports.
• Andy Matthews, GolfForever performance coach
• Jim Hackenberg, creator of Orange Whip
• Kyle Horton from Golf Genius
• Coach Bob Glotzhober

The event wrapped up with a Q&A panel featuring Coach Bob, Andy Matthews, and Michigan PGA Professional, Ian Martin. Thank you to everyone who joined, and to our Summit sponsors — Betting Hero, Orange Whip, and Golf Genius — and to our lunch sponsor, Srixon / Cleveland Golf.