Stafford, VA – Born in the New England city of Portland, Maine, John is the youngest of four children and really found an interest in sports at an early age. John’s dad and brother led the way as golf enthusiasts of the family and at age fifteen, John was not far behind. He would go on to compete for the Falmouth High School Golf team and win both Runner-up and Medalist honors in the Triple “C” Conference Championship during his Junior and Senior years, respectively.
Attending the University of Southern Maine, John’s golf game took a back seat to his interest in baseball. At USM, John was a starting member of the baseball team for 3 years and helped his team to a 4th place finish in the 1989 Division III College World Series. However, golf would enter back into John’s life permanently after graduating from USM.
Following his win as an amateur in the 1993 City of Portland Championship, John decided to enter into the PGA of America’s apprentice program. In 1997, John was officially elected to membership with the PGA of America and started his first Head Professional position with South Riding Golf Club in South Riding, Virginia. Two years later, he decided to trade in his spikes to sell apparel and other golf products for a living. PGA member, Bob Haley, gave John his first sales job in 1999 selling for Sport Haley, a Colorado based company.
John’s significant accomplishments and awards since entering the golf apparel sales profession include 2005 Rookie of the Year (Tehama), Sales Award for Devant Towels (2005), and recently the 2011 Rising Star Award for the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company.
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
