U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Tom Lehman Addresses Delegates During Historic Gathering
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The PGA of America celebrated the 89th PGA Annual Meeting in grand style, formally introducing to its delegates, Joe Steranka, the second-ever Chief Executive Officer in the Association’s history.
Steranka addressed representatives of the 28,000 men and women Professionals who comprise The PGA at the Hyatt Regency at Gainey Ranch, in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2005. A veteran member of The PGA’s management staff with an impressive career in sports management, Steranka was appointed as CEO on Oct. 26, 2005, to replace retiring CEO Jim Awtrey.
Steranka presented his vision for the future of The PGA, which celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2006. His leadership plan for taking the Association to new heights includes: Maximizing the value of membership for golf Professionals, exerting and expanding The PGA’s leadership role in the industry, and protecting and growing The PGA’s revenue-producing assets, such as the Ryder Cup and PGA Championship.
"Joe Steranka has a dynamic vision for the future of The PGA, as well as our leadership position in the game and business of golf," said Roger Warren, president of The PGA of America.
Meanwhile, Awtrey was formally honored during the General Session of the PGA Annual Meeting, which was streamed live on PGALinks.com for the first time ever. In addition, his 19 years of service to The PGA was celebrated with great humor and sentimental memories during an Oklahoma-themed roast on Thursday, Nov 3, 2005.
During this year’s meeting, U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Tom Lehman, a Scottsdale resident, addressed the delegates on Friday, Nov. 4, 2005. Lehman expressed optimism that the U.S. Ryder Cup Team would put forth a valiant effort in next year’s competition to be held at The K Club in Straffan, County Kildare, Ireland, Sept. 22-24, 2006.
"I have a special feeling about the team we’re going to have next year," Lehman, a PGA member, told the delegates. "I can’t explain what it is, but I’m very excited about how we’re going to play."
On Nov. 5, three members were sworn in to the PGA Board of Directors: Bob Doyle, of Brighton, Colo.; Joe O’Shaughnessy, of Lockport, N.Y.; and Michael Zinni, of Mankato, Minn. Each will each serve three-year terms.
Doyle, a PGA Master Professional certified in general management, is a 1979 graduate of Regis University in Denver. He was elected to PGA membership in 1981, and is general manager of Riverdale Golf Courses in Brighton,
Colo. He also is owner/president of Professional Recreation Management Inc. Doyle succeeds Doug Vilven, of Salt Lake City, as District 9 Director for the Colorado, Rocky Mountain and Utah PGA Sections.
O’Shaughnessy, who succeeds Jim Antkiewicz, of Nevillewood, Pa., as District 4 Director for the Central New York, Tri-State and Western New York Sections, was elected to membership in 1975. Since 1991, he has served as owner, operator and PGA Head Professional at Oak Run Golf Club in Lockport, N.Y.
Zinni, a PGA member since 1978, is the PGA Head Professional at Mankato (Minn.) Golf Club, a position he has held for the past 19 years. Zinni succeeds Jeff Porter of Omaha, Neb., as District 8 Director for the Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska PGA Sections. He served as a member of the PGA Board of Directors from 1997-1999, and was Section president from 1995-1996. Zinni also finished third in the 2002 Toshiba Senior Classic, which was just his eleventh start in a Champions Tour event. He owns four Top-10 finishes in the Callaway Golf PGA Senior Club Professional Championship.
In addition, The PGA honored Past President Dick Smith, of Williamstown, N.J., as a "Legend of The PGA," continuing in the tradition of the program that honors contributions to the Association and the golf industry made by PGA Past Presidents. Smith was elected as the 27th president of The PGA of America in 1990, and was one of the finest players ever elected to the post. He competed in five PGA Championships, 11 PGA Club Professional Championships and finished 42nd in the 1970 U.S. Open.
From the beginning of his presidency, Smith dedicated himself to member involvement in all Association programs and supported the Strategic Direction initiated in 1987 that led The PGA into the 21st century. Smith also joined in the promotion of the PGA Golf Professional Training Program (now PGA Professional Golf Management); the development of PGA Career Services; the opening of the PGA Fall Expo; the creation of new programs that enabled PGA Professionals to sell exclusive PGA Championship and Ryder Cup logoed merchandise, golf travel and other services through golf shops; and the advancement of PGA Golf Services (now PGA Golf Properties), which grew into the Association’s development of The PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla., and the acquisition of new PGA-owned facilities.
Delegates at the 89th Annual Meeting were also addressed by Harvey Whittemore, chairman of Coyote Springs Investment, on the new 43,000-acre PGA Village development near Las Vegas. PGA members learned about the first phase of the Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses and that national PGA staff are working with Coyote Springs Investment to develop a comprehensive benefits plan for the Association’s membership.
Demonstrating its commitment to its members in both good times and bad, PGA Vice President Brian Whitcomb, who recently made two visits to the Gulf States region, informed delegates that approximately $500,000 is available to the more than 200 PGA members affected by the recent hurricanes. Also addressing delegates on the situation was Brent Krause, District 3 director and the head of the Hurricane Relief Task Force.
Other news from the Annual Meeting included delegates rejecting a resolution from the Philadelphia PGA Section that would have modified the current reading of the term "Assistant Golf Professional" to include the word "teaching."
The PGA also paid tribute to the memory of Henry Poe, the 19th President of The PGA, who passed away earlier this year. A special video was presented, and Poe’s widow, Lillian, and their two sons, Jim and Bill, were recognized during the General Session. His goddaughter, LPGA star Betsy King, was also on-hand for the presentation.
PGA members unable to watch the 89th PGA Annual Meeting live can view all or different segments of it through January 2006 on PGALinks.com, the PGA’s Official Member Web site.
The 90th PGA Annual Meeting is scheduled to be held at Kiawah Island (S.C.) Golf Resort in November 2006.
Celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2006, The PGA of America was founded in 1916, and is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf, while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The Association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.
Contact:
Jamie Carbone
561/561-8446
jcarbone@pgahq.com
