1 PGA Drive, Stafford, VA 22554
Email: midatl@pgahq.com Website: Middle Atlantic Office: (540) 720-7420
Click here to view Middle Atlantic PGA Section's Staff Listing
Click here to view Middle Atlantic PGA Section's Board of Directors
••••••
As the Middle Atlantic PGA steps confidently into its next hundred years, the Section has tapped a familiar and respected face to lead the way. Mark Russo, PGA has been elected the 52nd President of the MAPGA.
Russo, a Severn, Md. resident and self-employed teaching professional at Night Hawk Golf Center, takes the reins following the historic presidency of Lynne Hunter, PGA, the first woman to serve in the role since the Section’s founding in 1925. Hunter now transitions to Honorary President after two years helping steer the MAPGA through its Centennial celebration and a period of notable growth in both member engagement and programming.
Joining Russo for the upcoming two-year term are newly elected Vice President Scott Graber, PGA, Director of Golf at Salisbury Country Club in Midlothian, Va., and Jay Dufty, PGA, Director of Golf at Washington Golf & Country Club in Arlington, Va., who steps into the role of Secretary. Together, they represent a lineup that blends deep Section experience with a clear eye toward the future of golf in the Middle Atlantic.
“Mark’s commitment to the game and to his fellow PGA Professionals is unmatched,” said MAPGA Executive Director Jon Guhl. “He’s built his career on elevating others, whether its students on the lesson tee or peers across the Section. With Scott, Jay, and Lynne alongside him, this team is primed to keep the MAPGA moving forward.”
For Russo, the role is both an honor and a chance to give back to the community that shaped him. “I’m grateful to serve our 1,200 Members and Associates,” he said. “This Section has supported me throughout my career, and I’m excited to work with our officers, board, and staff to make a real impact, especially through PGA REACH Middle Atlantic and the work our professionals do every single day.”
Russo’s résumé reflects that dedication. A PGA Member since 2005, he’s been ranked inside Golf Digest’s “Best Teachers by State” list for seven consecutive years and was named the 2018 MAPGA Teacher of the Year. His involvement with the Section spans more than a decade, including terms as Secretary and Vice President, as well as five years chairing the Section Education Committee. In 2020, he earned the MAPGA Professional Development Award for his commitment to supporting the growth of fellow PGA Professionals.
With more than 1,200 members and associates across Maryland, Virginia, D.C., Pennsylvania, and West Virginia—and over 16.5 million annual rounds played in the region—the MAPGA continues to play a vital role in shaping the game’s future. Russo and his fellow officers step into leadership at a moment when golf participation is booming and the demand for skilled PGA Professionals has never been higher.
If the Section’s first century was defined by the strength of its traditions, its next chapter appears poised to balance heritage with innovation—fueled by a leadership team ready to meet the moment.