Stafford, Va. – Mike Lauler from the Fort Belvoir Wounded Warrior Golf Program has been selected by the Middle Atlantic PGA as the 2015 David Wortman Citizen of the Year. This award bestows special recognition on an outstanding amateur or supporter, recognized by the MAPGA and the business community as a leader in his field, whose contributions to golf in the mid-Atlantic region include the promotion of the game, the Middle Atlantic Section, and its PGA Professionals, as well as overall support of MAPGA programs and golf throughout the region. This award is named in honor of the late David Wortman, Esq., Section Legal Counsel from 1971-1988 and honorary member of the MAPGA. Lauler will be recognized in front of his family, friends, and peers at the annual MAPGA Hall of Fame and Awards banquet on Saturday March 14, 2015 at the Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland.
Mike enjoys being the man behind the scenes – he’ll be the one whose name tag says “Nobody” because he knows that when he’s volunteering his time, it’s not about him – even President Obama noticed this on one occasion. Although he prefers being behind the scenes, it’s hard not to notice Mike’s accomplishments and community service. Through assisting with local programs such as the Fort Belvoir Wounded Warrior Golf Program (FBWWGP), raising money for Children’s Hospital, or volunteering at his son’s schools, Mike cares deeply about his community and his country and generously donates his time and talents to show that one person can make a difference.
Mike grew up in the northern Virginia area and graduated from Radford University with a Bachelor of Science in Geography, and from Strayer University with a BS in Accounting. Mike worked for the federal government from 1982 to 1994. He is currently a self-employed Certified Public Accountant focusing on individual and small-business taxation, and also works as an associate real estate broker with Bartlett Realty in Alexandria, Virginia.
Mike has a real passion for the game of golf – both playing it and sharing it. In recent years, Mike has won the “Old Hickory Open” and has won the senior club championship at Fort Belvoir both in 2013 and 2014. He participates in local VSGA, WMGA and USGA events, captains the Ft. Belvoir Men’s A-Team and has passed the PGA’s Player Ability Test several times. About six years ago, Mike’s long-time friend, PGA Professional Steve Greiner, started working with American soldiers and veterans who had been wounded in service to our country. Mike started helping out and realized how meaningful the game of golf can be to the healing process of our wounded warriors and their families. Mike currently is the head Volunteer Coordinator for the FBWWGP.
Mike also has reached out to local Boy Scout troops to facilitate Eagle Scout project opportunities that introduce local youth to the FBWWGP (Mike is an Eagle Scout himself). In one recent project, a young man managed the construction of several storage racks that the FBWWGP uses to sort and store the thousands of golf clubs donated by local golfers and golf clubs.
Mike is also committed to supporting healing, education, and growth of young people. Through various golf events, Mike has raised (or help raised) thousands of dollars for both the MAPGA Scholarship Foundation and Children’s Hospital. He also raised and donated thousands of dollars to purchase books for a local elementary school. He currently donates many hours of his time as a booster parent for his son’s high school band program. The MAPGA salutes Mike Lauler for his outstanding accomplishments and involvement in the community.
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, the District of Columbia and small portions of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. 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:
Eric Southard
esouthard@pgahq.com
(540) 720-7420 ext. 101
