Stafford, VA – Discovering his love affair for golf at the age of eleven, Jon Magarace, PGA, continues to grow his relationship with golf and has received numerous accolades for his commitment as a PGA Professional. He has dedicated his career to attracting more people to the game and for his player development efforts he is recognized by the MAPGA as the 2012 President’s Plaque recipient.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Jon was not exposed to golf until his best friend’s family invited him to visit a local driving range. From there he was intrigued. He and his friends would sneak onto one of the nearby courses in Feasterville, Pennsylvania. One day, the course’s owner caught the young “rascals” and instead of pressing charges, he convinced them to attend their junior camp. From there, Jon began his career in golf starting as a caddie at Philmont Country Club in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania. Over the next eleven years, Jon captured numerous amateur titles, including the Philadelphia Caddie Championship (four times), Philadelphia Junior Championship (two times), The Temple University Championship, and many others.
After declaring his professional status in 1983, Jon pursued his PGA membership and was elected in 1989. As the Director of Instruction/Head Golf Professional at J.K.S.T. at Haverford College in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, Jon reconditioned and maintained an old driving range and was the owner/operator of two golf shops. In 1992, Jon became the PGA Teaching Professional at Old South Country Club in Lothian, Maryland. He moved to the PGA Teaching Professional position at Fort George Meade Golf Course in 2004 and then landed his current position as Head PGA Professional at Heritage Harbour Golf Club in Annapolis, Maryland.
Jon’s involvement with the Section’s Player Development Committee has created an “out of the box” mentality by bringing golf to diverse events like minor league baseball games and outdoor festivals. His dedication to golf and to the MAPGA has also been recognized as he was awarded MAPGA Teacher of the Year in 2000 and received the Horton Smith award in 2005. Jon has appeared in Golf Digest’s “Top 10 Teachers in Maryland” listing and in Golf Magazine’s “Best Teachers in Region” listing every year since 2000. Additionally, he volunteers as a rules official and as an instructor at PGA workshops, clinics, and summits. Jon truly embraces the PGA badge by attracting people to the game through participation in Play Golf America Days, Free Lesson Month, and contributing to instructional articles for Washington Golf Monthly, Virginia Golfer, Pros N Hackers, and Maximum Golf.
About the Middle Atlantic Section of the PGA of America
The Middle Atlantic Section of the PGA (MAPGA), located in Stafford, Virginia, is one of 41 Sections of The Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA), headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. As a part of The PGA since 1925, the MAPGA consists of over 1,100 members and apprentices in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Together, the MAPGA golf professionals, volunteers and staff support the mission of The PGA to promote enjoyment and involvement in the game of golf and to contribute to the game’s growth by providing services to PGA Professionals and the golf industry.
Contact:
Stephanie Jennings, PGA
sjennings@pgahq.com
(540) 720-7420 ext. 116
