VACAVILLE, Calif. – The Northern California PGA today announced the 19 recipients of its 2015 Annual Section Awards. Section awards are given to PGA Professionals and industry leaders who have excelled in the game and business of golf.
Demetria “Dede” Moriarty, PGA Head Professional at Presidio Golf Course and Lake Merced Golf Club is honored with the 2015 NCPGA Golf Professional of the Year Award. This award is given for the finest exhibition of spirit, determination, business acumen, professionalism, promotion of the game of golf as well as service to the Section and the Association.
“We are so proud that our Section offers the golfing community such a high caliber of PGA Professionals to help them to not only improve their game, but also to enhance their golf experience,” said NCPGA Awards Committee Chairman Mark Naylor, PGA. “There are many aspects to the golf business. It is each individual’s leadership in their respective areas and how they are able to move the industry forward that we recognize through our annual awards.”
Monterey Peninsula Honorees Give Back to the Military in their Area
Eric Lippert, PGA Head Golf Professional at Pebble Beach Golf Links (Pebble Beach, CA) is presented with the 2015 NCPGA Patriot Award for his commitment to the men and women who have valiantly served and protected the United States of America.
PGA Assistant Golf Professional Michael Spiller of Bayonet and Black Horse Golf Courses (Seaside, CA) has garnered the 2015 NCPGA Assistant Apprentice of the Year Award for his leadership, promotion of the game, and service to the Section. The award is presented by TaylorMade/adidas/Ashworth/Adams.
The Sacramento Area Award Recipients Educate, Mentor and Develop Players and Golf Industry Professionals
Tom Morton, PGA Director of Player Performance for Morton Golf and the Haggin Oaks Golf Complex (Sacramento, CA) has garnered the Horton Smith Award for his contributions to professional education for PGA Professionals.
Jeff Wilson, General Manager at Catta Verdera Country Club (Lincoln, CA), has earned the 2015 NCPGA Bill Strausbaugh Award for mentoring and inspiring PGA Professionals to become leaders in our industry.
Will Robins, PGA Teaching Professional at Empire Ranch Golf Course (Folsom, CA), is honored with the Player Development Award revolutionizing golf instruction by working with PGA instructors and coaches to help them successfully develop programs as well as build their business and customer base to grow the game of golf. An increasing number of golf facilities have developed programs and exciting events for all ages and skill levels in which the public can participate.
Matt Dillon of Granite Bay Golf Club (Granite Bay, CA) has received the 2015 Golf Course Superintendent of the Year Award for his expertise in the maintenance, operations, and management of golf courses.
Central Valley Golf Professional Recognized for Youth Development
Shelley McGill-O’Keefe, PGA Director of Player Development at Spring Creek Golf & Country Club (Ripon, CA), has garnered the 2015 NCPGA Youth Player Development Award for her commitment to creating youth programs that are safe, innovative and fun.
Bay Area Golf Professionals Help Players Improve Their Game
Josh Zander, PGA Teaching Professional at Stanford University Golf Course and Presidio Golf Course, earned the 2015 NCPGA Teacher of the Year Award for his contributions to golf instruction at the facility, Section, and National level.
PGA Professional Paul Wyrybkowski of Silver Creek Valley Country Club has earned the 2015 NCPGA Club Fitter of the Year Award for his expertise in fitting golfers with the proper equipment. Club fitters directly help the golf playing public to improve their playing ability and their enjoyment of the game.
Susan Fornoff of GottaGoGolf Magazine (San Francisco, CA) is presented with the 2015 NCPGA Sports Media Person of the Year Award for her support and coverage of local Golf Professionals and initiatives.
Sales and Merchandising Awards
The NCPGA Merchandiser of the Year awards span three categories: Private, Public, and Resort. Brad Streza, PGA 1st Assistant Golf Professional at La Rinconada Country Club, is this year’s Private Merchandiser of the Year. Evan Boone, PGA Professional at Poppy Hills Golf Course, has received the 2015 NCPGA Public Merchandiser of the Year. Marianne Zabbo, PGA Professional at Pebble Beach Company, is named the Resort Merchandiser of the Year.
All three award winners and their merchandising teams have excelled in golf shop operations. Golf pro shops are an excellent way for the general public to get individualized attention and expertise from trained staff who are familiar with the array of golf products because they use them every day.
Mike Snowden of Snowden Golf is the 2015 NCPGA Sales Representative of the Year for his service to NCPGA Professionals, their merchandising team members, and to the Section. The award is given to an individual for their service to Northern California PGA Professionals, their merchandising team members and to the Section.
Players of the Year
Jason Schmuhl, Head Golf Professional at Windsor Golf Club in Windsor, Calif., earns top honors as Player of the Year (Regular Division) proudly presented by OMEGA and Yamaha Golf-Car Company. PGA Teaching Professional Shawn McEntee of Chardonnay Golf Club in Napa, Calif., garnered the Senior Player of the Year (50-64 years) honors for the third consecutive year and PGA Life Member Glen Stubblefield ofValley Springs, Calif., earned the Super Senior (65+ years) Player of the Year award. These awards are both presented by OMEGA and UCI Construction. PGA Apprentice Brian Thompson of The Olympic Club in San Francisco, Calif., wins the Assistant Apprentice Player of the Year award presented by OMEGA and Global Tour Golf. All Players of the Year were awarded this distinction based upon their 2015 tournament year point standings.
Awards Ceremony
The NCPGA will recognize all 19 of its 2015 Annual Section Award winners on Sunday, Dec. 6 at the NCPGA Special Awards Ceremony & President’s Dinner at Round Hill Country Club in Alamo, Calif. This event, a highlight for the year, will be held the evening prior to the NCPGA Annual Meeting. There are more than 200 golf professionals and industry leaders expected to attend. Capital Insurance Group (CIG), Cleveland Golf, and E-Z-Go Textron are presenting partners and 2UNDR, Hole-in-One USA, and Northern California Golf Representatives Association (NCGRA) are contributing partners of the Awards Ceremony & Annual Meeting.
About the Northern California Section of the PGA of America (NCPGA)
Organized in 1920 to promote interest in the game of golf, the birth of this association was heralded as an important step to the advancement of the game in this district. The Northern California Section is one of the forty-one designated Sections of the PGA of America, the world’s largest working sports organization. With over 1,100 dedicated PGA Professionals and apprentices at over 500 golf facilities in Northern California and Northwestern Nevada, the association continues to have a positive impact on the game of golf and communities both regionally and nationally. For more information, please visitwww.ncpgalinks.com.
Contact:
Maura Connor – mconnor@pgahq.com
Nancy Maul – nmaul@pgahq.com
