Award recipients will be recognized at annual awards dinner on November 16
Warren Bottke, PGA Master Professional and Director of Instruction at the Abacoa Golf Club Academy in Jupiter has been named the 2015 South Florida PGA Golf Professional of the Year. Don Law, PGA Director of Instruction at the Don Law Golf Academy has been named the 2015 South Florida PGA Teacher of the Year. Bottke and Law lead an impressive 2015 South Florida PGA Annual Awards Class.
Bottke and Law in addition to the other 2015 Award Recipients and two Hall of Fame Inductees, Mallory Privett, Jr. and Jeff Raimer, PGA will be recognized at the Annual Awards and Hall of Fame Dinner supported by Morell Studios on November 16th at Wycliffe Golf and Country Club in Wellington.
This year’s award recipients include:
-Youth Player Development Award: Jeff Nixon, Stoneybrook Golf Club, Estero
-Bill Strausbaugh Award: Karl Bublitz, Grey Oaks Country Club, Naples
-Horton Smith Award: Tara McKenna, PGA Professional Golf Management @ FGCU, Fort Myers
-Player Development Award: Bill Scott, Don Law Golf Academy @ Osprey Point, Boca Raton
-Deacon Palmer Award: Robert Bruno, Frenchman’s Creek Country Club, Palm Beach Gardens
-Assistant of the Year: Lee Stroever, McArthur Golf Club, Jupiter
-Merchandiser of the Year – Public: Bob Coman, Biltmore Golf Course, Coral Gables
-Merchandiser of the Year – Private: Bud Taylor, Old Palm Golf Club, Palm Beach Gardens
-Merchandiser of the Year – Resort: Ed Weber, Raptor Bay Golf Course, Bonita Springs
-Salesperson of the Year: Mike Budnyk, TaylorMade-adidas Golf, Palm Beach Gardens
WARREN BOTTKE, PGA – GOLF PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Abacoa Golf Club Academy – Jupiter, Fla.
Warren Bottke, PGA Director of Instruction at Abacoa Golf Club Academy, has been named the 2015 South Florida PGA Golf Professional of the Year. This award is the highest honor a PGA Professional can receive, as they are recognized for overall performance, level of service to the Association, leadership, image and the ability to inspire fellow professionals and promote the game of golf. Elected to membership in 1981, Bottke has been involved in the growth of the game and education of fellow PGA Members on a Chapter, Section and National Level.
Bottke is currently the Honorary President of the South Florida PGA. In regard to his time as President of the Section, Bottke says, “I am most proud of the work we did with Habitat for Humanity. I was able to represent the Section and hand over the keys of a new home to deserving families.” During Bottke’s time as President, the South Florida PGA donated two homes to deserving families in South Florida.
With a passion for education, Bottke serves as an adjunct faculty member for the PGA of America’s PGA Golf Management University Program. He travels across the country to educate students and share his passion and knowledge for the game.
In 1988, Bottke became the youngest Master Professional in the history of the PGA. He now serves as a faculty member for the PGA Master Professional certification program, where he mentors current PGA Professionals who are working toward becoming certified as Master Professionals.
For his dedication to developing and improving education opportunities for PGA Professionals, Bottke was awarded the PGA of America’s National Horton Smith Award in 2005. He also received this award on the Section level in 1987, 1989, 2004 and 2005.
Bottke has been very instrumental in the growth of the game throughout his career. He founded a women’s program called “Chip N’ Sip”, which offers a unique way for individuals to learn the game and combine it with a networking and social opportunity. Over a six year period, more than 400 women have participated in the program. Bottke also helps with the “Beyond the Blind” golf clinics, which provide a group setting for blind golfers to be introduced or rediscover the game.
“I am humbled to represent the South Florida PGA and I am honored to receive the Golf Professional of the Year Award. I am so thankful for the opportunities I have had because of the PGA of America and have tried throughout my 31 years as a PGA Professional to give back to the game. Receiving this award is beyond my wildest dreams,” says Bottke.
DON LAW, PGA – TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Don Law Golf Academy – Boca Raton, Fla.
Don Law, PGA Director of Instruction at the Don Law Golf Academy, has been teaching students of all skill levels for over 20 years. As a result of his passion for teaching the game of golf, Law opened his own Golf Academy in 1999 and currently has four academies throughout south Florida – Don Law Golf Academy at Ocean Breeze Golf and Country Club, Don Law Golf Academy at Osprey Point Golf Course, Don Law Golf Academy at Cypress Creek Country Club and Don Law Golf Academy at Martin County Golf Course. Additionally, Law is the Director of the Club Med Academy where he oversees instruction of all junior training programs and training of all teaching staff.
Law leads his students and staff by example by giving back to the game of golf and the PGA. He annually volunteers to assist with countless junior programs throughout south Florida, including having served as the South Florida PGA’s Junior Golf Chairperson from 2002-2015. In addition to his service on the local level, Law was a member of the PGA of America Junior Committee from 2011-2014.
“I love being able to lead people to discover things for themselves,” says Law. He enjoys teaching students of all skill levels and believes that teaching golf goes beyond the game. “I always encourage my students to feel good and be happy about the normal things that they do outside of golf. Feel good about yourself and all things are possible,” says Law. It is this attitude and passion toward people that has led him to be a mentor to countless students and fellow PGA Professionals.
Law has received numerous awards throughout his career on the Chapter, Section and National Level. He was named the South Florida PGA Junior Golf Leader in 2001, 2007, 2009 and 2010. Law received the South Florida PGA’s Bill Stausbaugh Award in 2006 and Golf Professional of the Year in 2011. In 2014 he was elected into the South Florida PGA’s Hall of Fame, and in 2012 he received the highest honor within the association for Junior Golf being named the PGA of America’s Junior Golf Leader.
TARA MCKENNA, PGA – HORTON SMITH AWARD
Florida Gulf Coast University PGA Golf Management University Program – Fort Myers, Fla.
Tara McKenna, PGA Director of the PGA Golf Management University Program at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, is the recipient of the 2015 Horton Smith Award. The Award recognizes a PGA Member who exhibits exemplary contributions toward the education of PGA Professionals. With her role as Director, McKenna serves as a liaison for future PGA member education. She oversees the PGM Students Association, which offers students leadership and education opportunities. McKenna works to lay a solid foundation for current PGM Students by teaching the Introduction to Golf Management class to all the Program’s incoming first-year students.
“Our industry is constantly evolving and it is important to keep our members up-to-date and keep their skills relevant,” says McKenna. She has started an education program called “Mentoring your Apprentice” in which local PGA Professionals partner up with PGM Students to serve as mentors.
In 2015, McKenna was appointed to the PGA of America Diversity and Inclusion National Committee. She has also served as the South Florida PGA’s Diversity and Inclusion Chairperson since 2012.
ROBERT BRUNO, PGA – DEACON PALMER AWARD
Frenchman’s Creek Country Club – Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
This year PGA Director of Golf at Frenchman’s Creek Beach & Country Club, Robert Bruno will receive the first South Florida PGA Deacon Palmer Award. The “Deacon Palmer Award” bestows special recognition on a PGA Golf Professional who personally displays outstanding integrity, character and leadership, in the effort to overcome a major obstacle in their life. This individual is an unsung hero/heroine at their facility and in their community, who serve to inspire, empower and assist others, both inside and outside of the game. In 2012 Robert was diagnosed with ALS. Shortly after his diagnosis he started Stem Cell Treatments at the University of Michigan and is on several Drug therapies. The goal of these treatments is to slow the advancement of the disease while striving to find a cure. He is currently awaiting further Stem Cell surgery, which is anticipated to take place later this year.
In addition to facing the challenges this disease bestows upon him, Robert has been able to serve as a counselor/mentor to other ALS patients. Robert’s positive outlook is truly an inspiration to all those around him, including his peers, members, friends and family
KARL BUBLITZ, PGA – BILL STRAUSBAUGH AWARD
Grey Oaks Country Club – Naples, Fla.
Karl Bublitz, PGA Director of Golf at Grey Oaks Country Club in Naples, is the winner of the 2015 Bill Strausbaugh Award, which acknowledges a PGA Professional’s outstanding display of integrity, character and leadership in their commitment towards mentoring others within the Association. Bublitz was awarded the South Florida PGA Golf Professional of the Year in 2012 and the Bill Strausbaugh Award in 2007. Bubliz previously served on the South Florida PGA Board as an At-Large Board Member representing the Southwest Chapter. In June, he was elected Secretary of the South Florida PGA.
Grey Oaks Country Club employs a large number of PGA Professionals and Bublitz has been influential in the lives of many of those employees he has worked with. In addition to his staff, he serves as a mentor in the Florida Gulf Coast University PGA Golf Management University Program. “I have had so many great people in my career help me, I believe it is my obligation to help others and take care of my fellow PGA Members,” says Bublitz. He has been an influential mentor to many PGA Members and enjoys helping to further each of their careers.
BILL SCOTT, PGA – PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AWARD
Don Law Golf Academy at Osprey Point – Boca Raton, Fla.
Bill Scott, PGA Director of Instruction at the Don Law Golf Academy at Osprey Point, has been named the SFPGA Player Development Award Recipient. Scott has been at the Don Law Golf Academy since 2005 and has been instrumental in growing the game in south Florida. Scott and his staff utilize many Play Golf America Programs at their facility and have seen great feedback from their students. In the last year, Scott hosted 260 Get Golf Ready Classes with over 600 students. They also participate in Patriot Golf Day, Tee It Forward, Free Lesson/Fitting Month and Take Your Child to the Course Month. In addition to his involvement with Play Golf America Programs, Scott has directed Junior Golf Days, a Junior Golf Expo and has instituted an annual scholarship program for their junior golf camp.
Scott is very involved with the South Florida PGA’s Southeast Chapter, as he served as the Junior Golf Chairperson from 2004-2009 and has served on the Awards Committee since 2008. Scott was awarded the South Florida PGA’s Junior Golf Leader Award in 2011 and 2013, and the Southeast Chapter’s Teacher of the Year in 2012.
JEFF NIXON, PGA – YOUTH PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AWARD
Stoneybrook GC of Estero – Estero, Fla.
Jeff Nixon, PGA Head Professional of Stoneybrook Golf Club of Estero, has been named the Youth Player Development Award Recipient for his involvement in the promotion and development of junior golf. At a local level, Nixon has served as the President of the Southwest Florida Junior Golf Association for the past four years. His facility hosted eight Southwest Florida Junior Golf Tournaments this past year. He and his staff run a year-round junior golf program providing instruction to 500 juniors three days a week. On the section level, Nixon has hosted two Drive, Chip & Putt Local Qualifiers and is very active with the Team Golf Program.
Nixon’s dedication to growing the game has earned him numerous awards. For the Southwest Chapter, he was named Teacher of the Year in 2006, Horton Smith Award Recipient in 2011, Merchandiser of the Year, Public in 2012, and Golf Professional of the Year in 2014. Nixon has been named the South Florida PGA Player Development Award Recipient (formerly President’s Plaque Award) in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
LEE STROEVER, PGA – ASSISTANT OF THE YEAR
McArthur Golf Club – Hobe Sound, Fla.
Lee Stroever, PGA Assistant Professional at McArthur Golf Club in Hobe Sound, is the winner of the 2015 Assistant of the Year Award, which recognizes an Assistant for their promotion of the game and service to the Association. As a leader at his facility, Stroever is invested in the development and career progress of the entire staff. “I was lucky enough to have great mentors and I do what I can to pay it forward. It is the least I can do to give back to the next generation to help them in their careers,” says Stroever.
Stroever is very involved with the South Florida PGA Southeast Chapter, where he serves as the Junior Golf Chairperson. He has been influential in the development and education of the Chapter Elementary program, which brings the game to juniors who have little exposure to golf. He also has been very involved with the South Florida PGA’s Team Golf Program by recruiting up to 50 juniors to participate in the program. Stroever was named the South Florida PGA Southeast Chapter Junior Golf Leader in 2013 and the President’s Plaque Award Recipient in 2012.
BOB COMAN, PGA – MERCHANDISER OF THE YEAR, PUBLIC
Biltmore Golf Course – Coral Gables, Fla.
Bob Coman, PGA Director of Golf at Biltmore Golf Course in Coral Gables, has been named 2015 Merchandiser of the Year, Public. Elected to membership in 1990, Coman came to Biltmore Golf Course in September of 2013. Coman is no stranger to accolades for his merchandising success. He received the South Florida PGA Merchandiser of the Year, Resort in 2012 while he was at Turnberry Isle – Miami and also in 1992 when he was at PGA National Resort and Golf Club. Additionally, Coman received the South Florida PGA Golf Professional of the Year Award in 2001.
Coman’s merchandising strategy focuses on profitability and giving customers what they want at a price they will pay. Since coming to The Biltmore, Coman and his team have added new fixtures, offer discounts to golf members and have promotional sales during holidays. These techniques have attributed to the merchandising success that has seen a gross merchandise sales increase of 37.6% in 2014.
BUD TAYLOR, PGA – MERCHANIDER OF THE YEAR, PRIVATE
Old Palm Golf Club – Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Bud Taylor, PGA Director of Golf at Old Palm Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens is the winner of the 2015 Merchandiser of the Year at a private facility. Taylor is in his sixth year at Old Palm Golf Club and was elected a Master Professional in 1998. He serves as a leader at his facility in addition to the PGA. Taylor is a member of the PGA Certified Master Professional Adjunct Faculty, where he is responsible for working with three PGA Professionals who are working to become Master Professionals. At his facility, Taylor leads his staff by including everyone’s input and ensuring their merchandising plan includes the whole team.
Taylor attributes his merchandising success to the teamwork and collaboration of his entire staff. “We work as a team to create new ideas and showcase the golf shop,” says Taylor. In addition to teamwork, Taylor believes that knowing his members is key to his merchandising success. Understanding member’s taste, buying pattern and habits allows the Old Palm Golf Club staff to make educated purchasing decisions.
ED WEBER, PGA – MERCHANDISER OF THE YEAR, RESORT
Raptor Bay Golf Club – Bonita Springs, Fla.
Ed Weber, PGA has been the General Manager and Director of Golf at Raptor Bay Golf Club in Bonita Springs since its inception in 2001. Throughout his time at Raptor Bay, Weber has been named the Southwest Chapter Merchandiser of the Year – Resort six times and the South Florida PGA Merchandiser of the Year – Resort in 2013.
Weber attributes Raptor Bay Golf Club’s merchandising success to his entire team. “I make sure that everyone is involved at every level of our staff. It is crucial for our entire staff to feel a sense of ownership and is working toward the same goal, “says Weber. The staff rotates merchandise frequently to maintain a fresh atmosphere with displays being rotated on a weekly basis. Weber and his team look to keep their inventory low and focus on purchasing current and fresh items for their customers.
In addition to his leadership at Raptor Bay Golf Club, Weber has served on the advisory board for Florida Gulf Coast University’s PGA Golf Management University Program since 2003. In his role as an advisory board member, he has been instrumental in the search committee in hiring the program’s directors and the development and implementation of the mentoring program.
MIKE BUDNYK – SALESPERSON OF THE YEAR
TaylorMade-adidas Ashworth Golf
Mike Budnyk of TaylorMade-adidas Golf has been named the 2015 South Florida PGA Salesperson of the Year. Budnyk has served the South Florida Section for the past 21 years and has been influential in TaylorMade-adidas Golf’s partnership of the Southeast Chapter and the Section. This past year, TaylorMade-adidas Golf has been a partner of the Section Championship and the Pro-Pro Championship.
“I believe being accessible to my accounts is the key to my success. I always make a point to being available and responding quickly to their needs,” says Budnyk. Budnyk’s success has resulted in numerous TaylorMade awards. He received “Rookie of the Year” and was named to the “Salesman Club” in 2008. In 2013, Budnyk received the “Jim Flick Inspiring People Award”.
Contact:
Tori Stock
tstock@pgahq.com
