Two Illinois PGA Section Members Earn PGA Master Professional Designation

Deerpath Golf Course PGA General Manager Vince Juarez and GOLFTEC – Oak Brook Director of Instruction T.J. Sullivan receive PGA of America’s highest educational designation

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.  – The PGA of America has announced that both Deerpath Golf Course PGA General Manager Vince Juarez, of Lake Forest, Illinois; and GOLFTEC – Oak Brook Director of Instruction T.J. Sullivan, of Oak Brook, Illinois, have earned PGA Master Professional status, the highest educational designation that can be obtained by a PGA Member.

Juarez and Sullivan, both Members of the Illinois PGA Section, join an elite group of over 400 PGA Professionals who have earned PGA Master Professional status. Juarez achieved PGA Master Professional designation in General Management, and Sullivan received his designation in Teaching and Coaching.

The PGA Master Professional Program (MPP 2.0) is available to any PGA Professional who has achieved advanced certification through the PGA Certified Professional Program, which was launched in 2004. The curriculum is comprised of an extensive project, based on the specific certification previously acquired by the PGA Professional. Upon approval of the project and successful completion of a presentation, a PGA Member will earn the prestigious PGA Master Professional status. To be eligible, the PGA Master Professional Program requires a minimum of 10 years of PGA Membership.

A PGA Member for 19 years, Vince Juarez, PGA, has made a commitment to achieving advanced education, having previously earned PGA Certified Professional status in General Management, Golf Operations and Player Development. In 2014, Juarez was named the KemperSports James R. Seeley General Manager of the Year.

“Reaching the highest level of educational achievement in the PGA of America is a great honor,” said Juarez. “I would like to continue to mentor and inspire other PGA Members who wish to further their career through advanced PGA certifications.”

T.J. Sullivan, PGA has been a PGA Professional for 12 years, after graduating from the PGA Golf Management program at Coastal Carolina University in 2007. Sullivan has been the recipient of GOLFTEC’s Outstanding Achievement in Instruction award on six occasions, most recently in 2019. Additionally, Sullivan was named as a Golf Digest “Best Teacher in Your State” for 2019-2020.

“When I was first inducted into the PGA Membership, I set a goal for myself to always continue my education and grow as a Professional,” said Sullivan. “To be in the same group as the other Master Professionals is a huge honor, as I’ve learned a tremendous amount about golf, the golf swing and myself through the process.”

The PGA Master Professional Program (MPP 2.0) was established in 1969, to recognize PGA Members who have made a significant effort to improve as golf professionals and maintain the highest degree of excellence for themselves and their operations. As part of its Member education curriculum, the PGA MPP 2.0 program was designed to ensure PGA Professionals are prepared to meet the growing demands of the marketplace.

About the PGA of America

The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of PGA Professionals who daily work to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. For more information about the PGA of America, visit PGA.org, follow @PGA on Twitter, and find us on Facebook.

Contact:
Michael Abramowitz
PGA of America
mabramowitz@pgahq.com
561/624-8458

Jared Minski
Mastro Communications
jared@mastrocomm.com
732/469-5700

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