The Professional - Volume VII, Issue IIII

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The Professional

Letter

MAPGA Members and Associates,

From The

What a great year it has been! We have seen so many of our MAPGA Members doing great things in every area of the business. As we take time to remember the past it is good to know that each one of you is working hard to continue the legacy of those who have come before us. We do not do things just because they have always been done, rather we strive to lead the way in innovating new ways for our golfers enjoy this great game.

Andy Weissinger, PGA Section President

One of the ways your MAPGA Board of Directors is doing this is through the Super Meeting that will be held in February at the Lansdowne Resort. We have taken the feedback from last year’s first ever Super Meeting and planned a can’t miss, jam-packed three days that will deliver in ways we have not explored ever before. We will begin with the Hall of Fame and Special Awards Banquet on Sunday, February 18th where we will induct the newest members of the Middle Atlantic PGA Hall of Fame, Mr. Glenn Brown and Mr. Bob Dolan. We will also honor our Special Award Winners in a very special dinner that you don’t want to miss. Monday will feature the first ever Vendor Showcase where you will be able to set up appointments to do some business to improve your operation and merchandise offerings. This showcase will be going on all day. The Teaching and Coaching Summit will also kick off with a Monday morning session. Monday will also have an afternoon Spring Membership Meeting where will catch everyone up on the business of the section and at the national level from not only our new District 10 Director, Paige Cribb, PGA, but also from our newly elected National Secretary, Mr. Nathan Charnes, PGA. After the meeting we will all head down to the social hour in the vendor showcase.

Tuesday will finish up with the final day of the Teaching and Coaching Summit as well as an Employment Summit where we will discuss ways to improve yourself and your employment situation to enable you to reach your goals. All of this is to help each of our Professionals by providing something for everyone. What a great reason to take a few days away from your facility in the cold of winter and enjoy networking with hundreds of your PGA Professional colleagues. Be sure to register on the MAPGA website!

President

The Professional Volume VII, Issue IIII Editor: Ben Smith

Please continue to do all you can to make yourself better. Better at your craft, better at your job, better with your family, better with your self-talk…it will all make you a stronger person…and that is a good thing. Keep up the hard work and please let us know if you need help in anything. Thank you for all you do!

Serving Proudly,

Contributing Writers: Ben Smith PGA of America Jon Guhl

Andy Weissinger, PGA President, Middle Atlantic PGA

EXPERTS IN THE GAME AND BUSINESS OF GOLF

Page 3

TABLE

OF

Volume VII, Issue IIII

CONTENTS

07 09 10 12 13

Ashley Grier Becomes First Female to Win MAPGA Open Player of the Year

Sean English Takes Final Major of Season at MAPGA Players Cup

2022 MAPGA Section Award Winners

Delmar, Schuller Win MAPGA Regular and Senior Match Plays

Grier Helps Team USA Rally Back to Win Women’s PGA Cup

Central Chapter Takes Back Chapter Challenge

Steve Delmar Wins PGA Tournament Series #6 In Playoff Shannon McKew Wins Back-to-Back MAPGA Women’s Championships

Casa de Campo - Teeth of the Dog, Hole #17

2022 Travel Pro-Am: Casa de Campo

MAPGA Junior Tour Players of the Year

14 16 18 22 24

The Professional Dear MAPGA Professionals, As we close in on the end of the year, it is always a good time to look back and reflect on the past 12 months. While we have featured a small percentage of our 1100 members in this issue, please know how proud we are of all of you as you continue to guide this great golf boom. Thank you for your constant efforts to keep growing the game and industry.

In this issue, we recap some of the tournament winners, award winners, and players of the year, including our junior players. Thus, I will let those articles stand on their own and mention some group accomplishments by our members.

Letter

From The

ED

The MAPGA was the #1 Section in the number of Junior League participants. Thanks to a strong push in the Fall season, we had over 4,000 participants for this great program (this is an 11% increase from last year). If you have not already done so, it is time to sign up as a Coach for next year’s season (we had 127 PGA coaches in 2022)!

The MAPGA also remained the #1 Section in Employment Survey return, which it has been every year I have been ED. This has always been one of the statistics I am most proud of because it shows how much our professionals want to help EACH OTHER. Remember, this is now an online survey that you can go update every time you have a change (hopefully upward!) in compensation. At least once a year, we want update the numbers, even if the update is that nothing has changed. These statistics are our most powerful Employment tool, so thanks to the 85% of you who completed the survey.

Jon Guhl Executive Director

We are the #3 Section in PGA.Coach registrations with 144 of you completing the online education. If you have not done so, I encourage you to go through this short training this winter. You will learn a lot about age-specific teaching and learning, and then the app will open up a world of drills, games and activities to you. Plus, if you setup a Coach profile, you will start getting lesson leads from the public! At last check, we had 101 MAPGA Professionals who have Coach Profiles which have resulted in a total of 2200 leads (almost 22 per professional!)

The only silver lining of COVID was how we learned so much about online education and meetings. Our Education Committee has developed a robust online education schedule each year. You can participate from the comfort of your own home or office for an hour or two at a time. Likewise, our Board decided to make the Fall Section Meeting a virtual meeting going forward. This allows more professionals to attend (virtually) and stay informed and connected. We had 350 professionals online for the Fall Meeting, just unbelievably good numbers!

We will continue to focus on our Spring “Super” Meeting as our primary in-person get together. We recognize that some of you have long drives to a Section Meeting. So, we are trying to join a few events together to make the trip worth your while and develop a great few days of camaraderie! We will host the MAPGA HOF/Awards Banquet on Sunday, February 19th, with the Section Spring Meeting on the afternoon of Monday, February 20th, and the Teaching Summit on the morning of February 20th and all day on Tuesday, February 21st. NEW this year, we will include a Vendor Showcase all day Monday. We will end Monday (after the Section meeting) with a cocktail party including some drawings and giveaways for our members (must be present to win). Please make appointments with our participating vendors and get some of your buying done for the season. All of these functions will take place at Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg, VA. We are hoping you will come hang out with us for a few days for some education, recognition, and camaraderie.

Happy Holidays to all of you, and let’s make 2023 our best year yet!

Warm regards, Jon Guhl

EXPERTS IN THE GAME AND BUSINESS OF GOLF

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The Professional

Ashley Grier Becomes First Female to Win MAPGA Open Player of the Year Award Schuller, Gross Also Win Player of the Year Honors

Grier waits on the 1st tee at Congressional CC with fellow PGA Pro and caddie Bud Lintelman

A

shley Grier made history with her 2022 tournament season. The Assistant PGA Professional at Yinglings Golf Center in Hagerstown, MD became the first female to win the Middle Atlantic PGA ROLEX Open Player of the Year title. Grier played fantastic golf all year long, winning the Pro-Only Division of the MAPGA Pro-Scratch along with four top-20 finishes: T4 in the Northern Chapter Championship, T2 in the Stroke Play Championship #2, T17 in the MAPGA Section Championship, and a quarterfinals finish in the MAPGA Match Play. She also earned a spot in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Congressional Country Club and helped Team USA defend their title in the Women’s PGA Cup.

Yong Joo (TopGolf – Loudoun) and Ian McConnell (Robert Trent Jones Golf Club) finished 2nd and 3rd respectively in the Open Division.

Grier also won the ROLEX Women’s Player of the Year honor with 3 wins (Northern Chapter Championship, MAPGA Pro-Scratch, and Stroke Play Championship #2) and 1 top-5 finish (Stroke Play Championship #1).

She also finished T2 at the Maryland Women’s Open, contested at Chevy Chase Club.

Shannon McKew (TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm) and Paige Church (The Club at Creighton Farms) finished 2nd and 3rd respectively in the Women’s Division.

Senior and Assistant Professional Association (APA) POY Honors

Rick

Grier putts on the 13th hole during the final round of the Women’s PGA Cup

Schuller, a PGA Teaching Professional at Stonehenge Golf & Country Club, won his second straight ROLEX Senior Player of the Year honor with his stellar play. He had 4 wins (Stroke Play #1, Stroke Play #2, Senior Open of Virginia, and MAPGA Players Cup) and 3 top-10 finishes (Southern Chapter Championship, MAPGA Pro-Scratch, and MAPGA Senior Championship). His biggest win of the year

EXPERTS IN THE GAME AND BUSINESS OF GOLF

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The Professional came in the Senior Open of Virginia, where he pulled in the division. This association is limited to assistant off a comeback to win by one shot over amateur Steve PGA professionals only. His win in the APA Tour Serrao.

Championship at Springfield G&CC narrowly solidified his first-place position over Dustin Moser (Farmington CC).

Schuller hits his tee shot on the 17th hole at Independence GC during the final round of the Senior Open of Virginia

Brendan McGrath (Trump National Golf Club – D.C.) and David Hutsell (Pine Ridge Golf Club) finished 2nd and 3rd respectively in the Senior Division.

Gross watches his tee shot on the 17th hole at Springfield G&CC during the APA Tour Championship

Larkin Gross, a PGA Assistant Professional at Springfield Golf & Country Club, won his first APA Player of the Year honor with his 2 wins and 1 top-10

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Congratulations to our 2022 Award Winners! Thank you for all of the hard work that you put in to growing the game of golf in our section.

They will be honored at the 2023 Hall of Fame Awards Banquet, along with our HOF Inductees Glenn Brown and Bob Dolan on February 19, 2023, at Lansdowne Resort & Spa.

Andy Weissinger

Matt Summers

Professional of the Year

Merchandiser of the Year - Public

Eaglewood Golf Course

Bulle Rock Golf Course

Bernie Najar

John Mlynarski

Teacher & Coach of the Year

Merchandiser of the Year - Resort

Caves Valley Golf Club

Links at Perry Cabin

Scott Graber

Shannon McKew

Bill Strausbaugh Award

Assistant Professional of the Year

The Federal Club

River Bend Club

John Scott Rattan

Giff Breed

PGA Professional Development Award

David Wortman Citizen of the Year

Congressional Country Club

Independence Golf Club

Shaun Strand

Scott Van Pelt

Player Development Award

Earle Hellen Sports Media Award

Reston National Golf Course

ESPN

Gabby Miller

George West

Youth Player Development Award

Salesperson of the Year

University of Maryland Golf Course

George West Golf Sales

David Grossman

Glen Pierce

Merchandiser of the Year - Private

President’s Award

Gibson Island Club

Virginia Beach National

The Professional

United States Rallies on Back Nine to Win 2022 Women's PGA Cup Ashley Grier Plays Important Role in Team USA’s Victory

began the third and final round with Stephanie Connelly-Eiswerth was a one-shot lead over first-round disappointed following her opening leader Team Canada, trailed by as round score of 7-over par 80 at the many as five strokes on Saturday.

2022 Women’s PGA Cup at Twin “Nobody panicked,” said PGA Warriors Golf Club.

President and United States Captain

By PGA of America

Connelly-Eiswerth, a Teaching Professional at San Jose Country Club and a North Florida PGA Section Member, responded in a big way for the United States on both Friday and Saturday, as she was the team’s top performer during the second and third rounds.

Connelly-Eiswerth recorded her second consecutive 3-under par 70 to help the United States (1-under par, 656) win the 2nd Women’s PGA Cup by two strokes over Canada (1over par, 658).

Member Ashley Grier, an Assistant Golf Professional at Yingling's Golf Center in Hagerstown, Maryland, were the U.S. team’s next two lowest scorers.

Coe registered an even-par 73, while Jim Richerson. “Everybody just Grier shot 1-over par 74 to help the played their game, concentrating U.S. record a 2-under par 217 on the on what we talked about all week, final day. which was one shot at a time, one “All week, I hit it really about as hole at a time.” well as I could have asked for,” said Connelly-Eiswerth’s par on the par- Grier. “We stayed patient, didn’t try 4, 395-yard 18th hole clinched the to force anything, and made a few title. She was immediately mobbed birdies here and there. That was the by teammates as the celebration difference.” began.

Ashley Grier hits her tee shot during the final

“It’s everything and more,” said Connelly-Eiswerth. “I really wanted to qualify for this. To qualify and also to win it, it’s not just being here Great Britain & Ireland (662) and being part of the team. You finished in third place, followed by want to win with the team. It’s truly Australia (686) in fourth, Sweden incredible.”

(698) in fifth and South Africa Philadelphia PGA Section Member (753)—playing in the PGA Cup for Joanna Coe, the Director of the first time—in sixth.

Instruction at Merion Golf Club

round of the Women's PGA Cup.

(Photo by Sam Greenwood/PGA of America)

Haverford, Pennsylvania; and The United States Team, which in ​ Middle Atlantic PGA Section

EXPERTS IN THE GAME AND BUSINESS OF GOLF

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The Professional yard 14th and the par-5 542-yard The United States’ Coe thinks the The 10th, 11th and 12th holes at 16th. Grier also birdied the 16th to competition this week is a strong testament to the state of women’s Twin Warriors Golf Club proved help the U.S. hold off Canada. golf across the world. challenging throughout the week due to their extreme elevation “I was hitting the ball really well,” changes and sightlines and winter- said Connelly-Eiswerth. “I was “I’m just so proud of the PGA of like weather conditions on Thursday. getting on the green. I kept giving America and proud of women’s myself chances. The biggest thing is golf for another team to be added The U.S. team’s top three scorers that I stayed on the shot that was in to this event,” said Coe. “For us to combined for even-par through front of me. I was happy to mentally end up under par as a team after that craziness of round one, we that three-hole stretch on Saturday. stay in the moment.” got a squad for sure. For the other Meanwhile, Canada recorded a pair of back-nine bogeys that proved For Canada, Caroline Ciot shot countries to be right there with 3-under par 70, while Christine us, that means women’s golf is in a pivotal.

Wong posted an even-par 73 and really good place.”

“That really helped,” said Richerson. Casey Ward registered a 2-over par “We picked up a couple shots there. 75 to help their team finish at 218.

The ladies played fantastic down the stretch to retain the Cup. I’m just so Great Britain & Ireland (224) was led by Heather MacRae (3-under proud of the way they played.” par 70), Suzanne Dickens (2-over Connelly-Eiswerth’s 1-under par 35 par 75) and Alison Gray (3-over par on the back-nine helped close out 76) on Saturday. the win. She birdied the par-4 350-

The Professional

Steve Delmar Wins Playoff To Claim Event No. 6 in PGA Tournament Series

By CRAIG DOLCH - PGA of America

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (Dec. 20, 2022) – Steve Delmar and Tim Pearce exchanged the lead five times in the last eight holes Tuesday. The problem for Pearce was the final lead change occurred on the second hole of a playoff.

Delmar made a 10-foot par putt and watched as Pearce’s 4-footer for par slid by the hole, giving Delmar the win in Event No. 6 of the PGA Tournament Series at PGA Golf Club.

It was Delmar’s first career win in the PGA Tournament Series after several near misses, earning him $5,000 and a plaque to hang in his new office.

“I’ve always wanted to win one of these,” said Delmar, who recently was promoted to become PGA Head Professional at Columbia Country Club in Chevy Chase, Md. “To come down and win in my only start this year is pretty cool.”

Delmar made a clutch 12-foot par-putt on the first playoff hole, the par-5 16th on the Wanamaker Course, to remain in the playoff. Pearce earlier had a chance to win at No. 16, but his eagle putt stopped 2 inches from the center of the hole.

At the par-3 17th, both players hit the green but faced long birdie putts. Delmar’s went 10 feet past the hole, but he made another pressure-packed par to keep his hopes alive. Pearce’s birdie try stopped 4 feet below the hole.

“I thought I hit a perfect lag putt, but the ball kept rolling to the left,” said Pearce, a PGA Assistant Professional at Birmingham (Mich.) Country Club. “Then just obviously a nervous putt.”

A win would have given Pearce the PGA Tournament Series money title after he lost Event No. 4 in a playoff and finished third in Event No. 5. Pearce finished second at $10,530, just behind Vince Drahman of Zionsville, Ind., who earned the title with $10,712 after losing a trio of playoffs.

“That was on my mind,” Pearce said of the money title, “but I was trying to finish with a bang. It’s just so hard to win one of these things. I’ve been close all year and I really thought I was going to win today.”

Delmar had a one-shot lead to start the final round and extended his lead to three shots after Pearce made two early bogeys. Pearce then made three birdies in a row to share the lead with Delmar as they made the turn.

EXPERTS IN THE GAME AND BUSINESS OF GOLF

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The Professional Pearce birdied the 13th to take a lead, only to bogey 14th to drop back into a tie. Delmar eagled the 16th to take a one-shot lead, but he bogeyed the 18th after a bad drive to force the playoff at 7-under par 137.

“That was my only bad drive, and bogey, for the day,” Delmar said. “I played really solidly. To me the putt that really mattered was the slider I made at 17 (in the playoff). It’s awesome to finally win one of these.”

Andrew Storm (70) of Omaha, Neb., finished third, a shot ahead of Event No. 1 winner Kyle Szyhowski (67) of St. Charles, Mo., and Tyler Collet (70) of Vero Beach.

Bob Sowards (69) of Dublin, Ohio, who won Event No. 5, tied for sixth with Yong Joo (70) of Ashburn, Va. The PGA Tournament Series is Presented by GOLF ADVISOR and is held at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie Florida every December.

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The Professional

with a need to a community of support that addresses their immediate and long-term needs. We operate in the areas of homelessness, poverty, and education." The MAPGA rotates this charity donation through each Scott Graber and the Southern Chapter Board had chapter. the opportunity to donate $10,000 to Mercy Drops last week from the MAPGA's "Drive Out Hunger" campaign. Mercy Drops aims to "bring hope alive by offering free resources and services to connect people

Southern Chapter Donates $10,000 To Charity

The Professional

Shannon McKew Goes Back-to-Back In MAPGA Women’s Championship Shannon McKew won her second straight MAPGA Women’s Championship. This year’s event was held at Springfield Golf & Country Club. The Head Professional at River Bend Club shot a 4-over 75, highlighted by an eagle on the Par-5 14th, to win the championship by four shots.

The Professional

English Captures Final Major of the Year in the MAPGA Players Cup

at 3-under par. Hoffman gave one back at the Par-4 8th and English rebounded from his early bogey with 3 birdies on the front nine to regain the lead at 4-under.

Hoffman regained the lead at 4-under with birdies on 11 and 14 while English gave one back on the Par-3 13th.

However, Hoffman wasn’t able to finish as he wanted with a double bogey on 16 and bogey on 17, dropping him out of contention. English birdied the short Par-4 17th hole, getting back to 4-under par, and parred 18 to win the last major of the year by two shots.

In the 50-59 Division, Rick Schuller (Stonehenge G&CC) and Brendan McGrath (Trump National) lapped the field. They both shot 4-under 67 in the first round, besting the rest of the field by at least 3 shots.

It looked as if Schuller would run away with it early in the final round. He played the front nine in 1-under 34 while McGrath shot 2-over 37. Things got interesting on the back nine. Schuller bogied 10 to fall back to where he started the day. McGrath started gaining on him with English hits his approach shot into the 17th hole at Springfield G&CC during the final round back-to-back birdies on 13 and 14. However, Schuller Springfield, VA – The MAPGA Players Cup rounds out wasn’t fazed, making three birdies in a row on 15, 16, the major tournament season every year. It gives players and 17 to take a 2-shot lead into the final hole. McGrath who may not have had the year they wanted the ability saw a chance when Schuller drove his ball right into the to win and “make” their year. This year, Springfield Golf trees and he striped one down the middle of the fairway. & Country Club hosted the two-day event.

Schuller hit his approach in the bunker while McGrath gave himself a look inside 20 feet. Schuller wasn’t able to Sean English (The Elkridge Club) came into the event get up and down from the bunker and McGrath drained without a win this season. However, he put together the his birdie putt to push it to a playoff. solid first round that he would need to change that. The Director of Instruction made thirteen consecutive pars to start his round before making back-to-back birdies on the Par-5 14th and 15th. He finished his day with three more pars for a bogey-free 2-under 69.

Larkin Gross (Springfield G&CC) wasn’t going to let English get too far from the field. He used his local course knowledge to make three birdies to one bogey for a share of the lead at 2-under after the first round.

Neither first-round leader was able to distance themselves early in the final round. English made a bogey on the Par-5 2nd hole as Gross made five consecutive pars. Billy Hoffman (Westwood CC) took advantage. After his first round 71, he came out of the gates hot in the second round by making an eagle on the 2nd and a birdie on 5 to give him the lead by one Schuller watches his drive on the 2nd playoff hole, eventually leading to a winning birdie.

EXPERTS IN THE GAME AND BUSINESS OF GOLF

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The Professional After both hit good drives on the first playoff hole, Schuller put himself in a bad position over the green with his approach while McGrath had a putt to win.

Schuller stunned McGrath by making his 40-foot par putt to extend the playoff when McGrath couldn’t sink the winning birdie. Schuller made another bomb on the 2nd playoff hole for birdie while McGrath made par to give Schuller the win.

In the 60-69 Division, Tim White (Lake Chesdin Golfers Club) also ran away from the field. He shot 71-66 for a 5-under total and the win by 9 shots.

Thank you to Springfield G&CC for hosting us!

Tim White watches his tee shot on the 18th hole at Springfield G&CC.

The Professional

Delmar/Schuller Win MAPGA and Senior MAPGA Match Play Titles Steve Delmar (Columbia CC) won his 1st MAPGA Match Play Championship by defeating Yong Joo (TopGolf - Loudoun) 4&3 at Chevy Chase Club.

The final was a back-and-forth affair on the front nine until Delmar took a 1 up lead on the Par-5 8th hole. He didn’t look back from there, winning 3 consecutive holes on 11, 12, and 13 to win the championship.

All previous matches took place at Argyle Country Club where Delmar defeated David Grossman (7&6), Larkin Gross (1up), Ryan Fellows (1 up-19 holes), and Dick Mast (6&5).

Full Bracket

Rick Schuller (Stonehenge G&CC) won his 3rd MAPGA Senior Match Play Championship by defeating last years winner Cary Hodsden (Lynnhaven Golf Park) 3&2 at Williamsburg Club.

All previous matches took place on the players own and Schuller defeated Mark Helffrich (2 up), Geoff Redgrave (6&5), Sean English (3&2), and Brrendan McGrath (5&4) on his way to the championship.

Full Bracket

EXPERTS IN THE GAME AND BUSINESS OF GOLF

Page 19

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The Professional

Central Chapter Wins Global Golf Sales Chapter Challenge This Is Their 11th Chapter Challenge Victory

Zion Crossroads, VA – The Global Golf Sales Chapter Challenge is always a fun way to wrap up the tournament season. The Northern, Central, and Southern Chapters battle it out in a two-day, match-play event for bragging rights. The President of each chapter captains a team of twelve PGA Professionals, which must consist of: one female professional, two governance leaders, two Directors of Golf or Head Professionals, 3 Open Player of the Year points leaders, 2 Senior Player of the Year points leaders, and one captain’s pick.

Erick Brock (Northern Chapter), John Oberly (Central Chapter), and Scott Graber (Southern Chapter) captained their teams at Spring Creek Golf Club. With three teams playing, the event provides a unique round-robin matchplay format. Each match consists of two players from one chapter playing against two players from another chapter.

The first-day format is 9 holes of scramble and 9 holes of Pinehurst Scotch. The scramble nine was led by the Central Chapter with 3.5 points. However, the Northern and Southern weren’t far behind with 3 and 2.5 points respectively. The Southern Chapter made their move on the Pinehurst Scotch nine where they won 4 points and the Central and Northern won 2.5 points each. After Day 1, including overall match points, it was tight with the Southern Chapter leading with 9.5 points, Central with 9 points, and Northern with 8.5 points.

Ryan Fellows (left) and Ian McConnel (right) fist bump after McConnell hits it close on the Par-3 8th.

The second day is 18 holes of four-ball played along with 18-hole singles matches. It was close until the end, coming down to the last match of the day. The Northern Chapter made a move in the singles matches, winning 7 points. However, they only scored 2 points in the four-ball matches, leaving it between the Central and Southern Chapters. In the final match, Steve Delmar and Billy Hoffman closed out Bryan Jackson and Bill Fedder on the 17th hole to give the Central Chapter their 11th Global Golf Sales Chapter Challenge win.

Central won 6 (of 12) singles matches and 4 (of 6) Four-Ball Matches on the final day. The final score was Central 19, Northern 17.5, and Southern 17.5.

EXPERTS IN THE GAME AND BUSINESS OF GOLF

Page 21

The Professional John Oberly named Ryan Fellows (The Club at Creighton Farms) the winner of the Tom Strange Cup for being the Most Valuable Player. He won 4 out of the 5 available points for the Central Chapter.

One of the fun aspects of this event is the Monday night putting contest. This year, Glow Vibe Golf lit up the night for our professionals. Congratulations to Jacob Mast and Drew Falvey for winning the Four-Ball putting contest, defeating Bryan Jackson and Jay Newcomb in the finals. Also, congrats to Mike Adkins for winning the long putt contest.

Thank you to Kevin Haney and his staff at Spring Creek Golf Club for hosting and title sponsor Global Golf Sales for making this event happen. Special thanks to sponsors Levelwear for the team uniforms, and Glow Vibe Golf for hosting an unforgettable night putting contest!

Central Chapter Team Captain John Oberly poses with the trophy after his teams win.

The Professional

Tournament RECAP 2022

Thank you to all the sponsors, host facilities, and players that made 2022 one to remember!

EXPERTS IN THE GAME AND BUSINESS OF GOLF

Page 24

14 teams traveled to La Romana, Domincan Republic in November to play in a 4-day Pro-Am. Players had access to unlimited golf, all you can eat and drink, and views that will last a lifetime. Teams played three different courses, including the 75th ranked Golf Course in the World (Golf.com) - Teeth of the Dog. We will be going back next year, and you don’t want to miss out!

Dustin Moser hits his tee shot on the Par-3 7th hole of Teeth of the Dog

The Professional

JUNIOR TOUR PLAYERS OF THE YEAR Congratulations to our 2022 MAPGA Junior Tour Players of the Year! The Player of they Year is broken into three categories among boys and girls divisions: Chamionship 16-18, Championship 13-15, and Patriot.

Daniel Park - Patriot Fulton, MD 2029 • •

2 Wins (Providence Classic, Junior Tour Championship) 1 2nd Place (ShenandoahValley Open)

Finn Watson - Championship 13-15

Arlington, VA 2026 • •

2 Top-3s (Meadowbrook Junior Open, Shenandoah Valley Open) 1 Top-15 (Denny McCarthy Invitatational)

Pierce Hokenson - Championship 16-18

McLean, VA 2023 •

3 Top-10s (Spring Fling, MAPGA Junior Championship, Denny McCarthy Invitational)

Noelle Chun - Patriot Woodstock, MD 2027 • •

2 Wins (Hank Majewski Scholarship Classic, Clustered Spires Classic) 1 2nd Place (Preserve Golf Course Classic)

Lillian McDermott - Championship 13-15 Yorktown, VA 2025 • •

1 Win (Kiln Creek Fall Open) 2 Top-10s (MAPGA Junior Championship, Kingsmill Junior Invitatational)

Alana Alexander-Giles - Championship 16-18 Marriottsville, MD 2023 • •

2 Top-10s (Spring Fling, Denny McCarthy Invitational) 1 Top-15 (MAPGA Junior Championship

EXPERTS IN THE GAME AND BUSINESS OF GOLF

Page 26

MAPGA Staff Jon Guhl

Executive Director

Collin Elphic

Director of Business Affairs

Ben Smith

Communications Manager

Bob Heintz, PGA

Kristine Alonso

Caleb Kolb

Talton Cherry

Assistant Executive Director/ Tournament Director

Player Development Coordinator

Erica Giuliano

Competitions Coordinator

Membership Director

Junior Golf Director

Natalie Holl

PGA WORKS Fellow