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2020 Iowa PGA Awards
from 2020 Year in Review
by Iowa PGA
2020 Bill Strausbaugh Award Michael McNamara, PGA
Michael McNamara of Blue Top Ridge has been named the 2020 Bill Strausbaugh Award winner by the Iowa PGA Awards Committee. The Strausbaugh Award emphasizes the nominee’s performance and achievements over the past five years and is awarded to those who demonstrate day-to-day alternative methods of improving the employment conditions for the PGA Professional.
McNamara’s first few days working his dream job as an Assistant Professional he said to a guest at check in “Give this to “my” starter. His first, Head Professional Steve Ficovich, made it clear, in a fun way, hey it’s “Our” Starter. He believes that moment has inspired him to lead by example, motivate individuals to be their best, and help others achieve their goals by being a team player.
In the recent years McNamara has been given the opportunity to work closely with our GIVE program. The program initiated the National Tee Tournament of 250 disabled veterans for a full week at our facility. He was unaware that veterans would be become so influential in his life.
They as a team, Blue Top Ridge hosts multiple large groups and corporate outings, fundraising events and the Iowa Open. We have also added the Iowa Junior Open that is now in its 2nd year. It takes several staff members to be successful preparing and operating these large events. They like to say “We Do Big Good”. “Mike is a person that does thoughtful deeds without a selfish thought. He doesn’t do great things to be seen or for the glory. His work speaks for itself. He even challenges me to think in the same manner. This is what it means to be a PGA professional. For example, with his efforts with the National Tee Tournament, he has constructed adaptive golf equipment for an injured veteran in his own garage. Mike has also taken an interest in volunteering his time to give instruction and partner with the DAV who have organized the tournament for a number of years.” Jacob Shultz of Blue Top Ridge.
By: Stephanie Mason IAPGA Communications Coordinator
