January 27, 2010; Phoenix Arizona: Club-fitting pioneer and leader PING announced today that John Lyberger and the staff at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland have been named the 2009 PING National Fitter of the Year.
The national award, first given in 1997, recognizes the authorized PING Fitter that has demonstrated the highest commitment to custom fitting and the promotion of its benefits to golfers of all abilities.
“John Lyberger and his staff of expert fitters continually demonstrate the performance and enjoyment benefits of custom fitting,” said John A. Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO. “They’ve used their fitting expertise to grow their business in challenging times. They enjoy a tremendous tradition as a major championship host and they’ve used custom fitting to elevate the service they provide to their members. Our long-time association with Congressional Country Club makes us proud to honor them as PING’s National Fitter of the Year.”
The 36-hole private club was established in 1924. It has hosted two U.S. Opens and is preparing for a third in 2011. They’ve been offering PING Custom Fitting to their membership since the early 1980s.
Lyberger employs a staff of nine professionals to meet the needs of the active membership of more than 1000. Led by Danny Shanz, the professional staff includes Bobbie Beattie, Mike Dickson, Sam Frost, Ryan Lagergren, Stacy Miller-Arndt, Brad Myers, Mark Nihill and Charlie Schuyler.
As a former PGA National Merchandiser of the Year (Private Clubs-2008) and the recipient of numerous awards in the Middle Atlantic Section, Lyberger’s expertise in all aspects of the golf business has translated to success in promoting custom fitting to the members of Congressional Country Club.
“Custom fitting is one of the ways we’re able to exceed the expectations of our members,” said Lyberger, the club’s director of golf since 1996 and a one-time college intern at the course. “PING’s products and processes fit perfectly into that approach. When you tell a member we can get them custom-built clubs in a matter of days, that’s a very compelling reason for them to place the order.”
Lyberger and his staff custom fit the entire PING product line to help ensure tee-to-green performance for the membership. With tools such as PING’s 40-club iron fitting cart and the Advanced Fitting System inter-changeable driver bag, they’ve seen consistent growth in both the iron and metal wood businesses. Along with the expertise offered by his fitters, Lyberger credits PING’s product performance and the countless combinations of specs offered by the fitting systems as the primary reason for the continued success.
“Our professional staff cares greatly about the membership and their games. We want to provide them service that leads to improved performance on the course,” adds Lyberger. “The PING systems allow us to fit anyone. Nobody takes fitting as far as PING. The results our members realize in their games lead to more enjoyment on the course and greater loyalty.”
Nearly 2,000 authorized PING Club Fitters were eligible for the award. Among the criteria considered by the selection committee are length of time in the program, commitment to on-going training, sustained sales growth and support of the entire PING product line.
Nominating Congressional Country Club for the honor was Peter Leggett, PING Field Representative for the Washington D.C. area.
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For more information, contact Pete Samuels, (602) 687-5487.
PING Regional Fitter of the Year Name City State
CENTRAL REGION
Cherry Hills Country Club John Ogden, Matt Stewart, Bryan Heim, Ty Thompson Englewood CO
Minnehaha Country Club Greg Jones Sioux Falls SD
Ladera Golf Course Wright Zimmerly Albuquerque NM
Southside Country Club Mike Yelovich Decatur IL
Mitchell Golf Bill Mitchell Billings MT
Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club Tim Fleming, Aaron Kristopeit, Lindsey Cook, Travis Anderson Oklahoma City OK
Memorial Park Golf Course Hut Smith Houston TX
D.A. Weibring’s Spring Creek Golf Dave Murray, Matt Vahala Plano TX
The Golf Club John Rowsey Austin TX
Golfballs.com Blaine Lindsly Lafayette LA
Searcy Country Club Bruce Baxley Searcy AR
Golf USA Kyle Taylor Lawrence KS
NORTH CENTRAL
Golf Headquarters Tony McLaughlin, Tim Steele Louisville KY
2nd Swing The Staff Minneapolis MN
Monroe Country Club Rob Karnes Monroe MI
Moorhead Country Club Larry Murphy Moorhead MN
Creekside Pro Shop Nancy Bender Valparaiso IN
Windmill Lakes GC Trent Maxwell Ravenna OH
Golf Headquarters Brad Dubois Plainfield IN
Golf Services Joel Pinkham Kalamazoo MI
Chicago Bills Mark Clavey Hanover Park IL
Beavercreek Golf Club Steve Klick Dayton OH
Green Bay Country Club Tim DeSormeau, David Celusta, Lucas Hana, Ben Bauknecht Green Bay WI
Elmwood Country Club Jerry Johnson Marshalltown IA
SOUTHEAST REGION
River Landing Country Club Larry George Wallace NC
Richland Country Club John Spelman Nashville TN
The Golf Club at Ballantyne Resort Stan Roach Charlotte NC
Edwin Watts Golf Freddie Mangum Doral FL
PGA Tour Stop The Staff St. Augustine FL
Edwin Watts Golf Lynn Farquhar Birmingham AL
Tee to Green Jerry Woodall Eden NC
Celebration Golf Club Kenny Nairn Celebration FL
Atlanta Athletic Club Jimmy Harris Johns Creek GA
The Golf Guys-Bonita Springs Fran Bailey, Tom Bosway, Austin Ahlin, Russell Jones Bonita Springs FL
Club of Stono Ferry Greg Wood Hollywood FL
White Oak Golf Club Justin Japour, Will Bartram Newnan GA
WEST REGION
The John Wells Golf Shop Tim Terwilliger Pasadena CA
San Jose Municipal Golf Course Bob McGrath, Bill Wilson San Jose CA
iFIT Golf Bobby Siravo Folsom CA
Willamette Valley Country Club Danny Moore Canby OR
The Plantation Golf Club Art Schilling Indio CA
Uinta Golf Sean Smith Salt Lake City UT
Fairway Golf Shop Toshi Kusuhara, Hide Hakagawa, Jesse Heitzman San Diego CA
Dobson Ranch GC Jim Gentry Mesa AZ
Cool Clubs Mark Timms Scottsdale AZ
Olympia Golf and Country Club Scott Smith Olympia WA
Roger Dunn Golf The Staff Honolulu HI
Pueblo Del Sol Golf Course Jeff Sims Sierra Vista AZ
NORTHEAST REGION
Hidden Valley Country Club Tommy Joyce Salem VA
Pete’s Golf Pete Makowski, Woody Lashen Mineola NY
Fox Hill Country Club Franny Hayes, Brian Fruehan Exeter PA
Greater Golf Craig Mabee, Bob Gahring Endicott NY
Pine Oaks Golf Club Joe Ricci, Leigh Bader South Easton MA
Eagle Oaks Golf Club Wendell Dix Farmingdale NJ
Downtown Golf Max Miller, Paul Ferrone Stamford CT
Souhegan Woods GC Adam Nelson, Bill Meier Amherst NH
Night Hawk Golf Center Josh Gumlia Gambrills MD
Kennett Square Golf and Country Club Thomas J Carpus Kennett Square PA
Ligonier Country Club John Klinchock Ligonier PA
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