For three decades, Director of Golf Tom Metzger, PGA, helped mold Vineyards Country Club in Naples into one of Southwest Florida’s best golf facilities. He built a strong junior program, mentored young PGA of America Golf Professionals on staff and nurtured a golf membership that has now reached 620.
But Metzger’s focus wasn’t always on just inside the gates of the club. He also wanted to make an impact on the community.
“As a Director of Golf, I know that a person in my position has the ability to make a difference. So, I made it my mission to help those who are less fortunate through the game of golf,” Metzger says.
Metzger used Vineyards’ 36-hole facility to help fulfill his and the club’s philanthropic ways. Through their joint efforts, more than $430,000 has been raised for local charities, including St. Matthew’s House, PGA HOPE and Folds of Honor. He says it has always been mutually beneficial for the charities and the club.
“Whenever we’ve held a charity event, it would make the newspaper and the TV stations, so it was a way of letting the community know about Vineyards Country Club,” Metzger explains. “I’m sure we got some members through that, while we were also doing something great for the community.”
Originally, Metzger was so interested in working for Vineyards that he interviewed twice, in 1987 and 1995. Even when club officials chose another PGA of America Golf Professional in ’87, he knew that’s where he wanted to work.
“They handled the interview process so professionally,” recalls Metzger, who was elected to PGA of America Membership in 1987. “I was hoping I’d get a second chance.”
The Naples community was better off when he was hired in 1995. Metzger says his philanthropic efforts ramped up after he almost died of a heart attack in 2003 while playing men’s league hockey — a sport he had played in college at State University of New York (SUNY) at Genesco in the late 1970s, where he later coached in the 1980s.
Metzger says several of his friends died from a similar heart attack, so he was determined to make the most of his second chance.
“I wanted to leave a legacy not only with the club, but around town,” he says. “When charities asked if they could hold tournaments at Vineyards, I would always say yes if the club approved it. With the club having 36 holes, that made it easier to hold charity events here.”
The 68-year-old Metzger has received many accolades since joining Vineyards in 1995, topped by being inducted into the South Florida PGA Section Hall of Fame in 2020. He was named Golf Professional of the Year in the SFPGA Southwest Chapter twice (2001 and 2011); was awarded the Bill Strausbaugh Award in 2013; and was named the Junior Golf Leader in 2016 (First Tee has always had a strong presence at Vineyards).
While Metzger’s retirement became official just a few weeks back, club officials have named him Director of Golf Emeritus. Thus, he will continue to have a major presence through teaching, mentorship and playing with members.
“Tom’s leadership has helped create the exceptional experience our members value today,” says Paul Malonson, Vineyards Country Club Chief Operating Officer. “We’re honored that he will continue sharing his passion for the game while helping preserve the traditions that define our club.”
When asked about his favorite memories of the club, Metzger says it wasn’t just making the members better golfers. It was making them better people.
Metzger has mentored more than young PGA of America Professionals on his staff. He also mentored junior members who went on to become everything from PGA Professionals to a rehab therapist who specializes in golf injuries.
“Those are the things you remember,” he says with great pride.
Metzger’s highlights during the last 31 years at Vineyards include member golf trips to places such as Ireland, Scotland and South Africa. He wishes he could have taken more.
“Those were life-changing,” Metzger explains. “I would encourage all PGA Professionals to take members on trips. They learn more about you and you learn more about them. It’s a great way to become closer with the membership.”
Fortunately for Vineyards’ membership, Metz- ger isn’t going anywhere.—Craig Dolch
