Stafford, Va. – Tim Koelble of The Herald-Mail is the 2015 recipient of the Middle Atlantic PGA’s Earle Hellen Sports Media Award. This award bestows special recognition on an outstanding member of the media who best exemplifies a commitment and service to golf and sport reporting and who demonstrates the same genuine appreciation for the role of the PGA Professional as was demonstrated by the late Earle Hellen (formerly of the Newport News Newspapers). Koelble will be honored 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.
Tim did not grow up around golf, as he spent the majority of his youth bowling, where he was quite an accomplished junior bowler. After Tim graduated from high school in 1969 and began his career, it was not until he was 21 when his passion for golf began. He joined a competitive league at Possum Run in Mansfield, Ohio where he was employed during this time, remembering it as quite hilly for a walking course. While working in Columbus, Ohio, he still recalls his best-ever round of 5-under-par 67.
Since the age of 15, Tim has been involved in the sports media realm. He was given his first opportunity during his Christmas break in 1966 to cover a small college basketball doubleheader for the local newspaper, the Daily Reporter, where his father was the City Editor. Four years later, he became the sports editor for the Cleveland (Ohio) weekly, Sun Newspapers serving the east and southeast locales. After a couple of moves and later working for more than 20 years in the Cleveland area, Tim moved to The Herald-Mail in November of 2002. Through his excellent coverage of many local PGA events, including most recently the 2014 MAPGA Players Cup, Tim has been able to garner local media coverage and help promote the Section and its Professionals. Tim has also been a supporter of junior golf and local amateur golf through his reporting.
Outside of golf, Tim bleeds the Blue and Gold of Notre Dame, is partial to Ohio State, his beloved Cleveland Indians, and last but not least (ugh) Cleveland Browns. His personal philosophy is to try to do his best every day and have faith in the Lord; especially as he is still waiting for that elusive first hole in one.
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
