Stafford, Va. – The 2016 Middle Atlantic PGA Professional of the Year is John Madden from River Bend Club in Great Falls, Va. This is the highest honor paid to a PGA Professional. Overall performance as a PGA Professional, level of service to the MAPGA and to the Association, leadership ability, promotion of the game of golf, image as a PGA Professional and ability to inspire fellow PGA Professionals are some of the criteria considered for this award.
John F. Madden II, PGA has been named the 2016 Professional of the Year, the highest honor paid to an
active PGA Professional, for his outstanding service and commitment to the Middle Atlantic PGA. John is
the consummate professional dedicated to the PGA mission. His integrity, demeanor and great
personality have built a lasting reputation that has won him unequivocal respect from his peers in the
industry. John recently served as the 46th President of the MAPGA from 2014?15.
John was born on January 2, 1965 in Washington D.C. to John F. Madden (deceased) and Mary Ellen
Madden. The Madden family was relatively small, as it was just John and his younger brother Patrick.
At the age of 10, John started playing golf with his dad at Kenwood Golf & Country Club in Bethesda,
Md. John cherished the moments of his dad coming home from work and going out to play nine holes
together after dinner. During the summers, John would spend his days at Kenwood working on his game
and growing his passion for the game of golf.
John attended Ohio University where he was a member of the golf team for four years. He graduated in
1989 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology. John worked for one year at Kenwood Golf and
Country Club before becoming the Assistant Professional at Westwood Country Club in Vienna, Va., in
1990. That same year he became a PGA apprentice and within three years John earned his Class A PGA
Membership. In 1998, John accepted his current position as Head PGA Professional at River Bend Club in
Great Falls, Va.
While working as the Head PGA Professional at River Bend Club, John oversees the entire River Bend
golf operation which includes 5 PGA Professionals and an outside operation staff of 30. John prides
himself on being a very good communicator and listener, someone who always has a positive attitude
and someone who leads by example. He is very service oriented, and he has worked hard to build a
great team and train them in those ideals. John works with each employee individually to put together a
road map for their success on a personal and professional level. His professionalism and enthusiasm for
the game and the membership are qualities that help lead his staff to be the best they can be. Through
his leadership and mentoring, two of his assistants have received the MAPGA Assistant of the Year
awards. Several have gone on to become Head Professionals and staff members of the PGA of America.
Since becoming a PGA Professional in 1993, John has been a strong advocate to growing the game of
golf. John has been very active at his club and embraces PGA of America Grow the Game initiatives like
junior league, Tee It Forward, Drive, Chip and Putt and Get Golf Ready programs. He helps run junior
sports camps at the club each summer, offers free introduction to golf seminars to new members at the
club, as well as running corporate outreach programs for professional men and women. He is always
thinking of new ideas to increase participation and promoting the game at River Bend with creative
events such as incorporating golf themes into food and beverage events, skills challenges such as putting
contests, closest to the pin, long drive competitions and holiday events. He has increased participation
at River Bend by using fun games such as birdie ball, SNAG golf and other golf related competitions to
the juniors and their families. John also developed and ran an Intro to Golf program at Sport and Health
Clubs in the Washington, D.C. area and volunteers his time with the local high school community.
While his leadership and passion for growing the game of golf are second to none, it is his passion to
serve others that is perhaps John’s best traits. John became a PGA Professional because of his
enjoyment of the game and the people associated with it. John is continuously reaching out to local
professionals helping them pursue their careers by providing advice and guidance, and mentoring his
staff and fellow PGA professionals. He is always eager to share his knowledge and expertise of the golf
business to help fellow professionals improve and reach their potential goals. That enthusiasm helps
inspire others.
John has been active in the MAPGA for the past 20 years. His elected positions started in 1995 as
Assistant Professional (A?8) Director on the MAPGA Board. In that position, he helped establish the
Assistant Professional Association (APA) of the MAPGA. On a chapter level, he has served as Central
Chapter Director?At?Large 2000 – 2001, Central Chapter Vice President 2002?2003, and Central Chapter
President 2004?2005. John’s service didn’t stop there as he moved up in the Section Chairs of Secretary,
Vice President and President from 2010?2015. In addition to these elected positions, he has served on
many committees at the chapter and section level (Tournament, Assistants, Club Relations, Junior Golf
and Sponsors).
John recognizes Rod Thompson, PGA and Glenn Brown, PGA as his mentors within the PGA and for
helping him become the PGA professional he is today. Over the last 22 years, John has inspired many
individuals to get involved in golf. It’s that passion and his ability to organize and oversee a complete
golf program suited to the needs and wants of the membership that continue to provide him with career
satisfaction.
Happily married for nearly 25 years, John and his wife Julie met while attending Ohio University. The
couple have three children, Sean (21), Connor (19) and Kara (13), who all enjoy playing the game their
dad has given so much to.
Contact:
Eric Southard
esouthard@pgahq.com
(540) 720-7420 ext. 115
