Dick Stewart, PGA Life Member and former Head Professional at Kalamazoo Country Club, has captured the 2020 Michigan Section PGA Golf Professional of the Year award. This prestigious honor is awarded to the professional that has demonstrated outstanding qualities of leadership and strong moral character. The individual must also maintain a substantial record of service to the Association and game of golf and be well-regarded as a model PGA Golf Professional.
Stewart was chosen by his peers for the award based on his overall performance as a Golf Professional, service to the Section and the Association, leadership ability, image and ability to inspire others and his promotion and growth of the game. Stewart made education a priority for him and his staff as well as ensured his club members received exceptional service, a well-appointed golf shop and tour quality events and instruction.
Mike Fay, Director of Instruction at Walnut Creek Country Club, has been named the 2020 Michigan Section PGA Teacher of the Year. Fay will be honored for his overall impact on teaching and coaching while employed at BOYNE Golf Academy along with his innovative and special teaching programs he implemented.
Fay has made a lasting impression on his fellow teachers through his passion for the game and his unwavering commitment to improving the games of golfers at every level. He helps his fellow professionals by sharing his knowledge and experience acquired over twenty-five years teaching golf.
Jimmy Wisinski, Director of Instruction at Kent Country Club, was named the 2020 Michigan Section PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year. Wisinski’s strengths as a player, teacher, merchandiser, tournament administrator and overall golf professional all contributed to his success at his facility and the game of golf.
Mark Wilson, Interim Program Director for the PGA Golf Management Program at Ferris State University, has been selected as the Michigan Section PGA’s 2020 recipient of the Bill Strausbaugh Award. Wilson, a PGA Master Professional, was honored for his outstanding integrity, character, and leadership through a commitment to mentoring and making significant impacts on the careers of PGA Professionals.
Established in 1979, the Bill Strausbaugh Award is presented to a PGA Professional who by their day-to-day efforts, have distinguished themselves by mentoring their fellow PGA Professionals in improving their employment situations and through service to the community. The award reflects the characteristics and qualities of Strausbaugh, a Middle Atlantic PGA Master Professional who died in 1999.
Jason Guss, Director of Instruction at Jason Guss Golf Academy, has been selected by the Michigan Section PGA as the recipient of the 2020 Professional Development Award. The Professional Development Award is awarded annually to a PGA Member for his outstanding contributions to professional education, leadership, networking ability and contributions made by the candidate to grow and strengthen the image of a PGA Professional.
Mark Bayer, Head Golf Professional at Sugar Springs Country Club, has been named the 2020 Merchandiser of the Year for Public Golf Facilities by the Michigan Section PGA. This award recognizes excellence in business and merchandising at public golf facilities as well as innovation in displays, merchandising techniques, staff training and overall success and growth.
Dan Urban, Head Golf Professional at Gull Lake Country Club, has been named the 2020 Merchandiser of the Year for Private Golf Facilities, and Jason Horricks, Head Golf Professional at The Jewel at the Grand Hotel, has been named the 2020 Merchandiser of the Year for Resort Golf Facilities by the Michigan Section PGA.
Doug Bell, General Manager at American Dunes Golf Club, has been selected by the Michigan Section PGA as the 2020 recipient of the Patriot Award. Bell was honored for personifying patriotism through the game of golf and demonstrating unwavering commitment and dedication to the men and women who have valiantly served and protected the United States of America. The Patriot Award originated in 2008 following the inspiration of Patriot Day founder Lt Col Dan Rooney, a PGA Professional from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
Chelsea Guoynes, Player Development Coordinator and Foundation Activities Director at the Michigan Section PGA, has been selected by the Michigan Section PGA as the 2020 recipient of the Player Development Award. This award recognizes a PGA Golf Professional, who has displayed extraordinary and exemplary contribution and achievement in the area of player development. It also considers the PGA Professional’s growth of the game leadership, commitment at the Section and National levels in the player development arena, and the meaningful impact made at the facility.
Rolla Frisinger, PGA Professional and Owner at Foundation Golf Center, has been selected by the Michigan Section PGA as the 2020 recipient of the Youth Player Development Award. This award bestows special recognition on a PGA Golf Professional, who has displayed extraordinary and exemplary contribution and achievement in the area of youth player development. The award considers the PGA Professional’s focus on youth through their growth of the game leadership, commitment at the Section and National levels in the youth player development arena, and the meaningful impact made upon youth through the introduction and participation in the game.
Glenn Pulice, General Manager of the Royal Oak Golf Center and Director of Golf for the Midnight Golf Program has been named by the Michigan PGA the 2020 recipient of the Distinguished Service Award. This award honors outstanding individuals who display leadership and humanitarian qualities, including integrity, sportsmanship and enthusiasm for the game of golf.
Pulice will be awarded for his work with the Midnight Golf Program where he has worked over 1,500 hours mentoring students. He also helped launch the Frank Pulice Memorial Scholarship, that his family created after the passing of his father, in addition to the PGA Professionals Scholarship, that is funded by PGA Professionals who teach at the Midnight Golf Program and all funds are matched by the Michigan PGA. Together, the two scholarship programs have benefited 50 graduates of the Midnight Golf Program over the last 12 years.
The Michigan Section PGA will honor its 2020 Special Award Winners at the President’s Dinner this fall. The President’s Dinner celebrates PGA Members who have excelled in their profession as well as those who have volunteered and given of themselves to serve the Section.