2021 Iowa PGA Awards Assistant Professional of the Year

2021 Iowa PGA Assistant Professional of the Year

Mike Armes, Associate

Mike Armes of Pinnacle Country Club has been named the 2021 Iowa PGA Assistant Professional of the Year. This honor is based on the professional’s entire record with emphasis on his performance and achievements over the past year. This is the highest honor paid to an assistant golf professional and the award committee determined this winner based on strength as a player, teacher, merchandiser, and overall golf professional, the contributions to the success of the nominees facility, the nominees contributions to the game of golf, the character of the nominee and respect for other professionals, example of professionals who have enhanced their careers through the nominee, the nominee’s ability to play golf and the previous Section awards or community involvement activities.

Teaching and coaching are a big part of his contribution to the game of golf. He feels that the PGA brand should be forefront in the consumer’s mind for teaching the game of golf. The expansion of knowledge is crucial in meeting this goal. To do this, he has taken several approaches. First, he constantly places himself in teaching events. This includes the Iowa PGA Junior Academy, in which he has participated every year, while serving the Iowa Section. and coach ladies as well as observe the differences of their game as opposed to the boys of the same age.

Each year he attends the Iowa PGA Teaching and Coaching summit. He is a Certified U.S. Kids instructor and has achieved ADM-Golf Certification along with PGA. Coach training. Finally, Armes has become a Specialized Professional for Teaching and Coaching in the PGA of America. Teaching young people of all ages has become an important part of his career. Finding ways to instill the basics of the golf game in a way that is enjoyable and ultimately ends in their success as well as their desire to continue advancing is a source of great fulfillment. “Personally, Mike has helped me enhance my golf career. When I first started working in the golf business Mike was the one person who was always there for me if I had any questions or needed help. He is also the person who introduced me to the PGM Associate Program. I started it this year and he has been very supportive as I prepared for my PAT and studied for my Qualifying Exam. Without the support from Mike, I would have stepped away from the golf industry. However, he showed me that you can be successful in this career path while having fun and enjoying life.”

“I am honored to have been chosen for this award. As I was reading some of the letters of recognition and their laudatory comments I could not help but be humbled. Although I am being honored, without a great team at Pinnacle Country Club and an exceptional Head Golf Professional to encourage me, none of this would have been possible.”

The Iowa PGA Congratulates Mike Armes as our 2021 Assistant Professional of the Year.

Armes frequently teaches for the Golf for Injured Veterans Everywhere (GIVE) Foundation and the annual TEE Tournament, both programs for our veterans. Teaching the injured veterans has taught him to constantly re-think the golf swing for someone with disabilities and, in the end, has provided him with knowledge and experience in analyzing players of all types. . As the Assistant Golf Coach for North Scott High School girls, he had the opportunity to teach Erin Strieck, PGA of Pinnacle Country Club and Vice President of the Iowa PGA was quoted as saying, “I have great respect for him as an individual and as a professional and am confident that he is deserving of this award. Mike’s dedication to the game of golf is something to be admired. He is a true golf professional, and I have no doubt will do great things for the Iowa PGA Section.”

Shayne Shepherd, Assistant Golf Professional at Pinnacle Country Club, stated,