Bosso Wins 2024 Stroke Play Series Championship
The Stroke Play Series returned in 2024 with six separate stroke play events contested from March through September. Each event was an 18-hole individual stroke play tournament where players earned points toward the season-ending Stroke Play Series Points List. The top 15 players on the season-ending points list received a bonus payout thanks to our sponsorship from the PGA TOUR.
With 202 points in the final Stroke Play Series Points List, Christian Bosso took home the 2024 Stroke Play Series Championship. He won two of the five events he played in during the year. Jacob Greer took second with 120.75 points, and Dominic Diaz rounded out the top three with 116.45 points.
The first Stroke Play Series event of the year was held at Hoover Country Club, where the windy weather presented a bit of a challenge. Bosso defeated Greer in a one-hole playoff to win the tournament, shooting 1-under-par 71.
Rock Creek Golf Club in Fairhope hosted the second Stroke Play Series event of the year. Cole Henry secured his win as the only player to finish under par, shooting 1-under-par 71.
There was another playoff in our third Stroke Play Series event at Montgomery Country Club. Cam Page finished 4-under-par 66 and defeated Bosso and Ben Wood in a one-hole playoff.
The fourth Stroke Play Series event was held at Inverness Country Club in Birmingham, where Patrick Richardson finished 3-under-par 68 for the victory.
Bosso set a new course record at the fifth Stroke Play Series event at Kelly Plantation Golf Club in Destin. He finished 10-under-par 62 to win. He had two eagles and eight birdies.
Our sixth and final Stroke Play Series event of the year ended in a victory for Noah Miller. He finished 6-under-par 65 to win at Huntsville Country Club.
—Anna Catherine Alderman
It was a memorable 2024 PGA Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for Aloha Section PGA Executive Director Wes Wailehua. He was appointed by PGA of America President Don Rea Jr. to serve as the Chair of the Executive Directors of the PGA of America.
In his added role, Wailehua will guide the Executive Directors in their respective positions by working closely with the PGA Board and Directors. His involvement will be a major boost in creating a positive impact for all Sections and their members. Congratulations, Wes!
In addition to his appointment, Wailehua and President Rea presented the annual delegation with a special PGA Challenge Coin. This coin is called ‘A’OHE HANA NUI KE ALU ‘IA, which means “No task is too great when done together.” This Hawaiian proverb is significant due to its empowerment on how we must live in order to achieve greatness.
The Aloha PGA Section has been actively promoting the Aloha Spirit in its daily life in order to promote its sincere and compassionate message to all. The Aloha Spirit has guided our membership and all who we come in touch with, and is vital to our very existence. Therefore, the opportunity to offer this sacred message throughout the PGA of America and beyond is a significant opportunity to spread the spirit so that future generations of golfers will embrace it.
One of the main philosophical ideas of the Aloha Spirit is to do something good for others without expecting anything in return. This unselfish virtue remains one of the most powerful gifts that a person can give to others. Therefore, on behalf of the Aloha PGA Section, its Board of Directors and members, we are humbled to have this opportunity to spread our Aloha to everyone.
—Lane Taketa, PGA
Linda Mulherin (Drumlins Country Club) was recognized as the Section’s Golf Professional of the Year at the 21st annual Special Awards and Hall of Fame Ceremony on Dec. 4 at Drumlins Country Club along with all of the 2024 Special Award winners. Also, during the ceremony, Bruce Martins (Elm Tree Golf Course) and Joe Lanza were inducted into the Section Hall of Fame.
Mulherin, a Section Hall of Fame member, earned the CNY PGA’s top award for her overall performance, service to the PGA of America, and her work to promote the game of golf. Mulherin has the distinction of being named the first woman PGA of America Master Professional in teaching in 1998.
Mulherin’s distinguished career includes seven CNY PGA Teacher of the Year awards, Section Player Development Award (2018) and Youth Player Development Award (2006). An annual junior tournament, the Tesori/Mulherin Cup, was named in her honor because of her heavy involvement and devotion to junior golf and junior players.
Lanza and Martins earned Hall of Fame honors for their contributions to the Section.
Lanza, a 53-year member of the PGA of America, focused much of his career on becoming a successful golf representative for companies such as MacGregor Golf, Cross Creek, Cutter & Buck and Imperial Headwear. His exceptional business contributions earned him CNY PGA Sales Representative of the Year in 2008.
Martins, the Head Professional at Elm Tree Golf Course, became a PGA of America Member with the Connecticut Section in 1985. He joined the CNY PGA Section in 1986 after purchasing Elm Tree G.C., where he has proudly raised the level of service to members and the community ever since.
Martins has served on the Section Board of Directors and has won two Section Championships and a Senior Section Championship.
—Fran Piraino
The Colorado PGA Section announced Kyle Heyen as its 49th President of the member-focused organization. Kyle is the PGA of America Director of Instruction at Hiwan Golf Club in Evergreen, Colorado, and previously held the position of President from 2005-06. His leadership and dedication will guide the Section as it continues to promote the game of golf across Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota.
“It is an honor for me to be elected as the next President of the Colorado Section for a second term,” said Heyen. “I had the privilege of serving in this role in 2005 and 2006. Our Section has grown in membership from 750 PGA America Members and Associates to over 900 in recent years.
“Golf is in a great position in Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota, and our Section Members are dedicated to being the ones to keep growing the game of golf. I am proud to represent them.”
In addition to Kyle’s election, Mark Bacheldor, PGA, Program Director at UCCS Golf Management, has been elected as Vice President, and CJ Perry, PGA, Regional Marketing Manager of GOLFTEC, will serve as Secretary. Their combined expertise and commitment will strengthen the Section’s mission to enhance the quality of life for PGA of America Golf Professionals and the golf experience for all golfers across the Section.
As the Section embraces its new leadership, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Barry Milstead, PGA (Director of Golf at Valley Country Club), Leighton Smith, PGA (Owner of Tribe Golf) and Graham Cliff, PGA (Director of Golf at Colorado Golf Club) for their dedicated service as their terms conclude. Their contributions have been instrumental in furthering the goals of the Colorado PGA.
—Steven Bartkowski
For more than 80 years the Twohig family has been growing the game and serving the PGA in Western Massachusetts. It began in 1944 when Ed Twohig Sr. became the professional at the historic Amherst G.C. and continued with his sons Ed Jr. and David.
While Ed Jr. went on to work at various clubs in the area, David succeeded his father in 1978 and retired at the end of 2024, finally bringing the Twohig reign to a ceremonious end.
Amherst G.C. is located on property owned by Amherst College and will celebrate its 125th anniversary this year.
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The Connecticut Section PGA Golf Foundation is proud to announce its largest fundraising event in its history. Birdies Fore Brighter Futures, in its third year in 2024, raised just shy of $150,000 in support of Connecticut Children’s and the Connecticut Section PGA Golf Foundation.
Each two-man team is issued an air horn to sound when they make birdie or better, indicating more funds raised through pledge donations. The event was hosted at Shuttle Meadow Country Club with 52 Section Members, Associates and golf industry members participating.
The final Section tournament of the 2024 season was the Del Kinney Pro-Pro played at the Wampanoag C.C. William Burns and C.J. Konkowski of Hartford Golf Club were the winners at 8-under-par 64. The team from Hartford G.C. won in a playoff over host PGA of America Professional Donny Kirkpatrick and Brian Keiser of Longmeadow C.C. Finishing third at 5-under-par 67 were Life Member Fran Marello and Kevin Mahaffy of Pequabuck G.C.
Del Kinney was an active and prominent PGA of America Golf Professional in the early years of the Section who lost his life in a tragic accident.
—Ted Pisk
The 2024 season wrapped up with the E-Z-GO/Traynor’s Golf Collection Pro-Pro Championship at Sea Island Golf Club, and Georgia PGA Members and Associates showed up in a big way.
Not only in terms of the number of teams to participate in the biggest tournament of the year, but in generosity. Each participant brought two toys to donate to the annual Georgia PGA Toy Drive, where more than 500 toys were collected and distributed to the local Boys & Girls Club through PGA REACH Georgia and the Davis Love Foundation.
—Michael Rakowski
The 2024 Ping/Sterling Cut Glass Pro-Scratch Championship was held at Squire Creek Country Club in November.
This 18-hole four-ball format included 52 teams of one PGA of America Professional and one amateur. Ronny Ross, PGA, from Clear Creek G.C. paired with Zachary Smith to fire a victorious round of 9-under-par 63. Tied for second place one shot behind were the teams of Emlyn Aubrey, PGA/Eddie Lyons; Nathan Barrow, PGA/Patrick Blunt; Jake Narro, PGA/Shayne Narro; and Hayden Green/Michael Mcgill. Emlyn Aubrey, PGA, was the low PGA Professional Champion with a score of 4-under-par 68.
Ross later commented, “The golf course was in great shape, as usual, and playing at Squire Creek is always a treat. It’s hard not to play well when your partner hits his tee ball straight as an arrow. Finishing second a couple of times over the years, we were due for a win!”
The Gulf States PGA Section would like to thank Dean Tennille, PGA, of Ping; Alvin Newell, Hayley Hill and everyone at Sterling Cut Glass; and Brad Slawter of adidas Golf for supporting this event. The Section also wishes to thank all Squire Creek Country Club staff, including PGA of America Director of Golf Robert Smith, PGA of America Head Golf Professional Braxton Jenkins and Golf Course Superintendent Zach Mays.
—Presley Ladner
Kevin Flack (The Mauh-Nah-Tee-See Club) and Matthew Rion (Briarwood Country Club) competed in the 2024 National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship in November.
The two Illinois PGA of America Professionals qualified after their performance at the Illinois Assistant PGA Professional Championship at The Mauh-Nah-Tee-See Club in June.
Both players made the 36-hole cut in the National Rental Car Assistant PGA Professional Championship, with Flack finishing in a tie for 13th at 2-under-par and Rion finishing tied for 48th at 8-over.
The Illinois PGA hosted its Fall Meeting of the membership on Nov. 18. The Illinois PGA Board of Directors provided a recap of Section operations in 2024.
Alex Mendez, PGA (Srixon, Cleveland, Nike), completed his two-year term as Illinois PGA President and he has now transitioned to his role as Immediate Past President. Michael Picciano, PGA (Bull Valley Golf Club), was elected as the 31st Illinois PGA President; Andy Mickelson, PGA (Mistwood Golf Club), was elected as the Section’s Vice President; and Jamie Nieto, PGA (Royal Fox Country Club), was elected as the new Illinois PGA Section Secretary.
The Illinois PGA would like to thank Nick Papadakes, PGA (Onwentsia Club), for his time on the Illinois Board of Directors the past eight years.
—Kevin Quinn
The 2024 season marked a remarkable year for Indiana golf, with three PGA of America Professionals receiving prestigious national honors. Tony Pancake, Crystal Morse and Robert Koontz have set an inspiring standard for dedication, leadership and impact.
Tony Pancake: PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year
Pancake, PGA, Director, at Crooked Stick Golf Club, earned the PGA of America’s highest honor for exemplifying service, mentoring and community impact. Pancake has transformed Crooked Stick into a premier golf destination, while mentoring over 40 assistants now thriving as PGA of America Professionals. Through programs like PGA Jr. League and PGA HOPE, Pancake has introduced golf to countless players and inspired future professionals.
Pancake’s former assistant, Patrick White, praised him as a transformative mentor: “I wouldn’t be the professional, husband or father I am today without Tony.”
Crystal Morse: Player Development Award Recipient
Morse, PGA, Head Professional at The Legends Golf Club, was recognized for her exceptional efforts in making golf accessible. Her programs have introduced the game to women, juniors and underserved groups. As a vocal advocate for inclusivity, Morse breaks barriers, ensuring golf is a welcoming space for all.
“It’s about rethinking how we connect with those who’ve never picked up a club,” Morse shared.
Robert Koontz: Merchandiser of the Year, Resorts
Robert Koontz, PGA, Head Professional at the Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort, was honored for excellence in retail. His innovative approach has created a thriving golf shop experience, blending industry trends with top-tier service.
The achievements of Pancake, Morse and Koontz highlight the Indiana PGA Section’s depth of talent, demonstrating how golf fosters growth, connection and community. Their legacies will continue to inspire for years to come.
—Renee Adam
The Iowa PGA Section recently handed out the 2024 Iowa PGA Players of the Year and Iowa PGA Junior Tour Players of the Year awards:
2024 Iowa PGA Players of the Year
Iowa PGA Player of the Year:
Jay Giannetto, Elmwood Country Club
Iowa PGA Senior Player of the Year & Low Scoring Average:
Jeff Schmid, Brown Deer Golf Club
Iowa PGA Super Senior Player of the Year:
Jeff Smith, Harvest Point Golf Course
Iowa PGA Legends Player of the Year:
PGA Life Member Larry Castagnoli
Iowa PGA Women’s Player of the Year:
Sarah Bidney, Hyperion Field Club
The Iowa PGA Junior Tour Player of the Year point totals continued for 2024 in a “best of” approach; points were earned by a player in the top 15 tournaments that he or she participated in. At the conclusion of the season, the player with the most points acquired in their division was awarded this title. The age divisions included are: Boys 11 & Under, Boys 12-13, Boys 14-15, Boys 16-18, Girls 13 & Under, Girls 14-15, Girls 16-18.
2024 Iowa PGA Junior Tour Players of the Year
Boys 16-18:
Jack Rogers, Iowa City, Iowa
Girls 16-18:
Chloe Bolte, Sumner, Iowa
Boys 14-15:
Lucas Laffoon, Johnston, Iowa
Girls 14-15:
Kylie Wachtl, Fairfax, Iowa
Boys 12-13:
Hayden Klein, Coon Rapids, Iowa
Girls 13 & Under:
Allee Rose Booten, Fort Madison, Iowa
Boys 11 & Under:
Luke Harwick, Dyersville, Iowa
—Stephanie Mason
Kelly Williams, the 2024 PGA of America Golf Executive of the Year, has been a driving force behind the transformation of Greenbrier Golf & Country Club in Lexington, Kentucky. Having worked at the club in various roles since he was just 17 years old, Williams has been instrumental in evolving the facility from a small golf-only venue into one of the premier private clubs in the region. Under his leadership, Greenbrier’s membership grew from 275 to 600, and the club has seen significant improvements, including a renovated clubhouse, a rejuvenated 18-hole championship golf course, an expanded swimming complex, and the recent addition of a 16,000-square-foot lifestyle center.
Williams attributes much of the club’s success to careful planning, communication and a strong team.
“The secret to our capital improvements is that our ownership group has been extremely conservative over the years and entered into every capital project from a position of financial health and strength,” Williams explains.
By ensuring low-risk investments and involving members in decision-making, he helped complete these projects without burdening the membership with major assessments.
Williams’ career has paralleled the growth of Greenbrier. He credits the club’s owners, Morrie and Larry Hart, for recognizing his work ethic and helping him develop his management skills. His rise from managing golf cars to becoming the club’s General Manager reflects his dedication and passion.
Despite his accolades, Williams is quick to share the credit with his team. “The award may have my name on it, but it takes a dedicated team to accomplish what we have at Greenbrier,” he says.
Recognizing the support of his staff and family, Williams’ leadership continues to guide Greenbrier toward a bright future, making him a standout in the golf industry.
—Carter Hammond
T
he 2024 season culminated at Ardsley Country Club for what was a truly a memorable night of remembrance, celebration and honor. Thirteen deserving PGA of America Golf Professionals were recognized for their direct impact on the game of golf — whether that be on course, in the shop, on the lesson tee or in the community.
Each of our distinguished recipients were showcased through video tributes amongst family, friends, club members and more. The night was highlighted by a special tribute to our Professional of the Year honoree, Kammy Maxfeldt, longtime Head Professional at Birchwood Country Club. Kammy was the consummate PGA of America Professional who paved the way for woman in the Met Section.
Her numerous accomplishments both on the course and off the course will forever be recognized by her peers and loved ones. After many years of battling cancer, Kammy passed away soon after getting the call that she was the 2024 award recipient. Her family and friends were in attendance to accept the award on her behalf.
Also honored at the dinner were the following individuals: Sam Snead Award: Ted Bishop (The Legends G.C.); Teacher of the Year: Monique Thoresz (Quaker Ridge G.C.); Bill Strausbaugh Award: Carl Alexander (Golf Club of Purchase); Professional Development Award: Nick Yaun (Century C.C.); Player of the Year: Peter Ballo (The Connecticut G.C.); Deacon Palmer Award: Harvey Lannak (PGA Life Member), Patriot Award, Brian Crowell (Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point), Assistant Professional of the Year, Carly Newman (Nissequogue G.C.), Player Development Award, Jeff DiMarco (Saint Joseph’s College); Youth Player Development Award: John Schmoll (Burning Tree C.C.), Merchandiser of the Year in the Private Sector: James Ondo (The Apawamis Club); Merchandiser of the Year in the Public Sector: Patrick Massi (Griffith E. Harris G.C.).
With the 2024 season behind us, we look ahead to winter activities and educational events and opportunities for our PGA of America Professionals.
—Emily Meier