Mark VanDyck, PGA Director of Golf at Fort Lauderdale Country Club in Fort Lauderdale has been named the 2017 South Florida PGA Golf Professional of the Year. Warren Bottke, PGA Teaching Professional at PGA National Golf Club has been named the 2017 South Florida PGA Teacher of the Year. VanDyck and Bottke lead an impressive group of 2017 South Florida PGA Annual Award Recipients.
VanDyck and Bottke, in addition to the other 2017 Award Recipients and two Hall of Fame Inductees, Kevin Murphy, PGA and Michael O’Brien, PGA will be recognized at the South Florida PGA Annual Awards and Hall of Fame Dinner supported by Discover Global Network on November 13th at Parkland Golf and Country Club.
This year’s award recipients include:
• Horton Smith Award: Kevin Compare, Divot the Clown Corporation
• Bill Strausbaugh Award: Ken McMaster, Miromar Lakes Golf Club, Estero
• Player Development Award: Bill Scott, Don Law Golf Academy at Osprey Point Golf Course, Boca Raton
• Youth Player Development Award: Bill Scott, Don Law Golf Academy at Osprey Point Golf Course, Boca Raton
• Deacon Palmer Award: Joe Kern, Grand Harbor Club, Vero Beach
• Assistant Golf Professional of the Year: Mike Vanover, Grey Oaks Country Club, Naples
• Merchandiser of the Year – Public: Bela Nagy, Sandridge Golf Club, Vero Beach
• Merchandiser of the Year – Private: Marshall Carpenter, High Ridge Country Club, Lake Worth
• Merchandiser of the Year – Resort: Lara Pavloff, Biltmore Golf Course, Miami
• Salesperson of the Year – Jim Maitland, Imperial Headwear
MARK VANDYCK, PGA – Golf Professional of the Year
Fort Lauderdale Country Club – Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Mark VanDyck, PGA Director of Golf at Fort Lauderdale Country Club in Fort Lauderdale has been named the 2017 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.
“Although the PGA Professional wears many hats, it is in my DNA to serve the members and guests at Fort Lauderdale Country Club and also to serve all the members and staff of the South Florida PGA. To be able to give back to a Section and the Association that has given me so much is truly my favorite part of being a PGA Professional” said VanDyck. His leadership is apparent at his facility through his continued contribution to the South Florida PGA on all levels.
At Fort Lauderdale Country Club, VanDyck prides his leadership on continually being mentored by the best PGA Professionals in the South Florida Section over the last 20 years. He feels they have given him the tools to be a leader and mentor both at Fort Lauderdale Country Club and within the South Florida PGA. VanDyck believes the tools he’s been given over the years have allowed him to give back to the Association that has given so much to him. He believes that is what a successful leader is able to do.
VanDyck’s involvement in the PGA of America began in the Southern Chapter in 1998 when he was elected into membership and was named the Southern Chapter Golf Professional of the Year twice. He also served as the Section Finance Committee Chairperson from 2009-2011. He served as Secretary of the Association from 2011-2013, Vice President from 2013-2015 and most recently, President from 2015-2017.
Under VanDyck’s presidency the SFPGA Foundation and Junior Golf Program found tremendous growth. As an Honorary President, he serves as the Secretary of the Foundation Board and is the newest member of the most elite group of the South Florida PGA, the Past Presidents.
WARREN BOTTKE, PGA – TEACHER OF THE YEAR
PGA National Golf Club – Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Warren Bottke, PGA Teaching Professional at PGA National Golf Club, has been named the 2017 Teacher of the Year. This award recognizes the professional who provides outstanding service as a golf instructor. The recipient is selected based on his/her efforts in promoting golf, use of teachings involvement in junior golf activities and teaching techniques.
“Wow, what a surprise! I have been teaching the game of golf for the past 43 years! There are so many talented and deserving teachers in our section that do what I do by growing the game of golf. I love to give back and see the progress of my students. I’m very humbled and honored to represent to South Florida PGA for “2017 Teacher of the Year!” said Bottke.
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. In 2015, Bottke received the Golf Professional of the Year Award.
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.
In October 2017, Bottke teamed up with DaVinci Sports and opened DaVinci Sports Golf Academy in Beijing, China. They have three instructors going to elementary schools during after care programs and during physical education teaching all levels of golf to juniors and adults.
Over the past four decades, Bottke has taught 25 touring professionals. Some notable names include: Brooks Koepka, Donna White, Charles Raulerson, Harold Henning, and Tim Simpson. Bottke credits teaching as being his life’s passion. He has taught over 50,000 golf lessons to students in 30 different countries during his tenure.
KEVIN COMPARE, PGA – HORTON SMITH AWARD
Divot the Clown Corporation – Palm City, Fla.
Kevin Compare, PGA with Divot the Clown Corporation is the recipient of the 2017 Horton Smith Award. The award recognizes a PGA Member who exhibits exemplary contributions toward the education of PGA Professionals. This is Compare’s second time winning this award with the first time in 2011. Compare has spent his career as a PGA Professional continuing to learn and become the best that he can be. His outstanding and continuing contribution to developing and improving education for the game is evident.
A PGA member since 1987, Kevin has spent his last decade with the Divot the Clown Corporation, as a PGA Teaching Professional at the John Webster Golf Academy at the Breakers, and as a PGA Teaching Professional at The PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance from ’99-’03. He currently serves as the Section’s Education Chairperson.
Kevin has volunteered at over 30 Play Golf America Days, and put golf in a number of schools’ curriculum in the Physical Education program. He helped expose over 28,000 to the game of golf through the PGA First Swing Program. He took this program to five Air Force bases and implemented the PGA First Swing program into the Martin County school system. He also is on the faculty of both the PGA Master Professional and PGA PGM programs.
“I believe very firmly what the late Bill Strausbaugh said … ‘Those that dare to teach must never cease to learn’, says Compare. “My favorite part of being a PGA Professional is being able to be around this great game that we all love so much. Also, the relationships that are developed as well as the opportunity to help people enjoy their golf game more.”
JOE KERN, PGA – DEACON PALMER AWARD
Grand Harbor Club – Vero Beach, Fla.
Joe Kern, PGA has been awarded the 2017 Deacon Palmer Award. This 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 her/heroine at their facility and in their community, who serve to inspire, empower and assist others, both inside and outside of the game. In September of 2013, PGA Director of Golf at Grand Harbor Club Joe Kern went on a fishing trip with one of his members, and had no idea the impact that this trip would have on his life or the life of this member.
Bill Sedleckis, Kern’s fishing buddy for the day, mentioned this may be his last fishing trip due to his kidney failing. Sedleckis would soon be going on dialysis and when doing so he would be unable to lead his normal life of fishing and golf. Without hesitation, Joe made a selfess sacrifice by offering to be his donor if he was a match. The following April, Kern and Sedleckis traveled to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville to have the transplant procedure.
“I was able to help somebody live life a few more years than was expected by giving them a kidney, if me receiving the Deacon Palmer Award gives inspiration to just one other person to donate, it makes it that much more of an honor to be this year’s recipient,” says Kern.
KEN MCMASTER, PGA – BILL STRAUSBAGH AWARD
Miromar Lakes Golf Club – Estero, Fla.
Ken McMaster, PGA Director of Golf at Miromar Lakes Golf Club, is the winner of the 2017 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. This is the second year in a row that McMaster has received this honor. McMaster has shown his commitment to upholding the values of the PGA of America and mentoring younger members and apprentices throughout his career. He is committed to building relationships and helping other PGA Professionals grow and learn from his experiences. McMasters approach to mentorship is to “serve others and help them achieve their goals.” Ultimately his overall goal is to teach those he mentors so that one day they will be able to mentor others themselves. McMaster currently serves as the Section Membership Outreach Chairperson.
“Mentoring younger PGA Members, students and interns is the greatest contribution I can offer the PGA in an effort to leave our association in a better state than I found it,” says McMaster. While at Miromar Lakes, he has mentored numerous FGCU students, including his current Head Golf Professional, Kyle Mills. McMaster hired Mills when he was a freshman at FGCU and has mentored him to become the PGA Professional he is today. In addition to Mills, Ken works closely with the rest of his staff to help them obtain their professional goals and develop them as golf professionals.
BILL SCOTT, PGA – PLAYER DEVELOPMENT & YOUTH PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AWARD
Don Law Golf Academy at Osprey Point Golf Course – Boca Raton, Fla.
Bill Scott, PGA Director of Instruction at the Don Law Golf Academy at Osprey Point, has been named the 2017 Youth Player Development Award Recipient and Player Development Award. This is the second year in a row that Scott has received the Youth Player Development Award. Scott has been very involved with junior golf at the Don Law Golf Academy where he runs junior golf camps throughout the spring, summer and fall. He also hosts unique junior programs including a Parent/Junior Scramble Tournament and the Little “BIG” Break which copies the skills competitions from the Golf Channel’s “Big Break” for juniors ages 5-14.
In addition to his junior golf development at the Don Law Golf Academy, Scott is also very involved with the South Florida PGA Southeast Chapter. He created the Junior Camp Scholarship program in 2005 which has since turned into the Southeast Chapter’s Elementary Program which brings PGA Professionals into local schools to teach golf. Scott was the Southeast Chapter Junior Golf Chairperson from 2004-2009 and has been on the awards committee since 2008. He won the Southeast Chapter’s Teacher of the Year Award in 2012.
“One of my fondest memories is growing up in the game with PGA Professionals around me. It is because of PGA Professionals before me that I am the person I am today. Now as a PGA Professional, I am given the chance to give back to those now getting into the game, both young and old. This is my favorite part of being a PGA Professional – giving back to the game,” says Scott.
Scott’s acclamations extend to the South Florida PGA as well. He received the Youth Player Development Award in 2011 and 2013 and the Player Development Award in 2015.
Mike Vanover, PGA – ASSISTANT OF THE YEAR
Grey Oaks Country Club – Naples, Fla.
Mike Vanover, PGA Assistant Professional at Grey Oaks Country Club in Naples has been named the 2017 Assistant of the Year Award Recipient. Vanover is now in his 7th year at Grey Oaks Country Club.
Vanover started at Grey Oaks as an intern and was promoted to managing their hard goods and club fitting operations. Through his time as Assistant Professional, he has built tremendous relationships with their members and helped with the development of Grey Oaks’ staff.
Not only has club fittings increased within the last seven years, sales have increased as well. All of this is a direct result of Vanover’s dedication to teaching his club fitting style, knowledge of equipment and simplistic approach. He has been recognized as one of the top club fitters in the country by all major equipment companies, having the privilege of visiting Callaway Golf in Carlsbad to earn Master Club Fitter Status. Vanover’s main goals at Grey Oaks are to develop their staff and help educate them on the newest technology in golf clubs, club fitting, and instruction.
Vanover also believes in growing the game and succeeds by offering free golf lessons to all employees at Grey Oaks. He also mentors students from his alma mater FGCU. He helps his mentees map out a plan to achieve goals and uses his experience from the PGM Program to help them reach them.
“Part of the credo at Grey Oaks is to meet the needs of the members. My objective is to go above and beyond, doing whatever is needed to complete a task and exceed expectations; part of this is through exceptional club fitting. I strongly believe that the proper tools for each golfer will help their enjoyment of the game. Nothing is better than having a member come to me who has lost yardage over the past few years and they are able to gain it back with my help and the proper tools,” says Vanover.
BELA NAGY, PGA – MERCHANDISER OF THE YEAR, PUBLIC
Sandridge Golf Club – Vero Beach, Fla.
Bela Nagy, PGA Director of Golf at Sandridge Golf Club in Vero Beach, has been named the 2017 Merchandiser of the Year in the Public Category. This is the second year in a row Nagy has received this award. Two years ago, the golf shop at Sandridge Golf Club underwent a renovation to create more usable space and improve their merchandising techniques. The staff changes their golf shop every two weeks to promote new merchandise and provide a fresh look for customers.
“This award is a testament to our entire operation, and I could not accept this award without acknowledging my Pro Shop staff who do such an excellent job especially Jon Clark, my Manager of Golf Operations. This is a team award that has become our mantra over the past five years and our staff takes great pride in our Pro Shop operation. The Merchandiser of the Year Award is not about just selling a shirt or golf balls, it encompasses everything that we do from our tournament operation, junior program, golf leagues and instruction programs which are my favorite part of being a golf professional. The relationships that we create with our customers is and always has been our keys to our success and that is what I am most proud of,” says Nagy.
Nagy is no stranger to receiving awards, as he won the Merchandiser of the Year in the Public Category for the Southeast Chapter in 2015. He also has won the award on a Section level in 2013 and 2014. Nagy has also been recognized for his involvement with junior golf as the South Florida PGA Youth Player Development Award Recipient in 2014 and has been named a US Kids Top 50 Teacher in 2005, 2009 and 2014.
MARSHALL CARPENTER, PGA – MERCHANDISER OF THE YEAR, PRIVATE
High Ridge Country Club – Lake Worth, Fla.
Marshall Carpenter, PGA Head Professional at High Ridge Country Club is the 2017 Merchandiser of the Year in a private category. Carpenter has been at High Ridge Country Club since 1991.
“Receiving this award is a tremendous honor. Being recognized for my efforts as the shop owner/professional at High Ridge Country Club is extremely rewarding. I enjoy investing in new inventory each season because I see it as an investment in my membership. I want my members to enjoy the newest equipment and finest apparel because they want and deserve the best. To have my efforts appreciated and validated by the PGA of America is very gratifying,” says Carpenter.
Carpenter values the relationships he has developed over the last 26 years serving PGA members. He views getting to know them along with their families and guests a privilege not just his job. In the shop, Carpenter intentionally creates a fun and productive environment that develops a strong rapport within his team. With this strategy, everyone benefits. He also holds the relationships with his mentors in a high regard. “My mentors have molded and shaped my professional career, as well as many great friendships with other PGA Professionals throughout the country,” says Carpenter.
LARA PAVLOFF, PGA – MERCHANDISER OF THE YEAR, RESORT
Biltmore Golf Club – Miami
Lara Pavloff, PGA Head Golf Professional at Biltmore Golf Club has been named the 2017 Merchandiser of the Year at a resort facility.
Lara’s merchandising strategy is to build excitement around the newest trends and fashion, which she credits, is a team effort. They do their best to offer fashionable products that are not easily found in other retail outlets. “We also use upsell tactics with product placement to increase margins. I have my staff always offer a matching hat with a new shirt. If the hat is not purchased or the customer is not interested we always attempt to offer a glove or divot tool to accompany the purchase. These are items with strong profit margins and also help our dollars per round,” says Pavloff.
Pavloff started as an Apprentice in 2009 at Trump National Doral. After moving back to Florida she went to her now home facility, Biltmore Golf Course. Lara was elected into member status in 2014.
“Being a PGA professional is so much more than a title. My profession allows me to do what I love and meet and be around so many tremendous people. The PGA has afforded me the opportunity to do something every day that never feels like a job and for that I am very grateful,” says Pavloff.
JIM MAITLAND – SALESPERSON OF THE YEAR
Imperial Headwear/Donald Ross
Jim Maitland of Imperial Headwear has been named the 2017 South Florida PGA Salesperson of the Year. Maitland has been in the golf industry for 38 years and has represented numerous companies throughout his tenure. He had the honor of serving on the South Florida PGA Advisory Board for 16 years, a board that members are asked to participate in and typically only serve 2 year terms. In the 90’s, Maitland sponsored multiple Section Championships. Maitland considers this award a “team award” and credits his wife Jan for his success.
“Winning this award means the world to me. I am grateful to win knowing all the good the South Florida PGA does. Being involved in an industry for 38 years, whose roots are character and integrity and have people who exemplify it has been an honor,” says Maitland.
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