French Lick, IN – French Lick Resort’s director of golf, Dave Harner, and head professional, Jan Tellstrom, respectively earned awards for outstanding performance as Indiana’s PGA Professional of the Year, and Merchandiser of the Year.
For Harner, 53, it is the first time he has won the professional of the year award.
Harner’s career began in 1976 in the club’s bag room. He has been a fixture at French Lick Resort ever since. In 1987 he became director of golf and has helped guide the destination resort through one of the largest resort restoration projects in the country.
“I am truly honored to be recognized by my peers as Indiana’s PGA professional of the year,” Harner said. “Receiving this honor is a true testament to all of the people over the years, like Bill Cook and Steve Ferguson, who have given me the opportunity to represent French Lick Resort, and all of the staff members and professionals that I have worked with who make our resort one of the top golf destinations in the country.”
Harner has been a strong supporter of the Indiana Section through growing-the-game initiatives, impacting and mentoring young PGA members, as well as bringing in major events like the 2010 PGA National Championship and the 2012 Big Ten Championships.
Harner’s greatest satisfaction as director of golf comes from providing life-changing opportunities for kids and members of the community. In addition to those duties he is also the executive leader of the resort’s grounds operation, golf restaurants, and pro shops. He is also a three-time winner of Indiana’s PGA Professional Merchandiser of the Year Award, and a former nominee for the national title.
This merchandise award for Tellstrom is his second. He was the state PGA merchandiser of the year in 2008, and 2009, and earned the Indiana PGA Professional of the Year title in 2007. Tellstrom, 64, has been a leader in the Indiana PGA Section for over 35-years, overseeing development in junior golf and merchandising. He was awarded Indiana’s Junior Golf Leader in 1992, 1995, and 1996.
Tellstrom is widely known as the long-time operator of the Smock Golf Course in Indianapolis. He joined French Lick Resort in 2009 as head professional for the Pete Dye Course.
Tellstrom oversees over 8,500 square feet of golf shop space generating more than $700,000 in revenue for three golf shops. The shops offer high-end logo wear, clubs and equipment from leading manufacturers, as well as club-fitting equipment.
“We are very excited by this merchandiser award,” Tellstrom said. “I say we, because this recognition is truly a team effort. Our golf professionals do an excellent job working together to make sure all of our golf shops are fully stocked with the proper merchandise that our customers want.”
Established in 1955, the Golf Professional of the Year Award is the highest honor for a PGA professional in the Indiana Section of the PGA. The prestigious award goes to the professional who demonstrates a high level of performance at their facility, renders outstanding service and leadership ability to the section. He or she must also project an image and ability that inspires fellow professionals and promotes the game of golf.
The Merchandiser of the Year Award recognizes PGA professionals who have demonstrated superior skills as merchandisers in the promotion of golf. Candidates are judged in the following areas: merchandising ability and techniques, inventory levels and turn rate, shop display and attention to detail.
About French Lick Resort
French Lick Resort is a $500 million historic restoration and casino development project that includes the West Baden Springs Hotel, French Lick Springs Hotel and the French Lick Casino. This premier resort and casino destination in Southern Indiana features 686 guest rooms and suites; a 51,000-square-foot, single-level casino; 45 holes of golf, including the fully restored 1917-designed Donald Ross Course at French Lick and the Pete Dye Course at French Lick, ranked the No. 1 new course in the country by both Golf Digest and GOLF Magazine in 2009; two full-service spas with a combined 36 treatment rooms totaling 42,000 square feet; meeting and event space totaling 115,000 square feet and an array of dining and entertainment options.
For more information or to book a stay, please visit www.frenchlick.com or call our reservation specialists at (888) 936-9360.
Contact:
French Lick Resort
Dyan Welsh Duncan
(812) 936-5926
dduncan@frenchlick.com
Fusion Media Strategies
Kevin Frisch
(989) 614-0241
Kevin@fusionmediastrategies.com
