Farmers Branch native Dan Rovello was named the TGA’s Course Rating Volunteer of the Year in 2023. As a Course Rating veteran for over two decades, it’s an honor for the TGA to recognize Rovello for not only his service this past year, but also for his enduring dedication to giving back to the game.
Rovello’s Course Rating team oversees the Dallas and North Texas area in making sure golf courses are properly rated and slope ratings are provided for each set of tees so that all golfers can enjoy the benefits of an accurate and equitable handicap system.
Shona DeMint, Director of Learning & Development at the TGA, is most closely connected with Rovello as she handles the Course Rating teams across the state. She communicates with Rovello weekly and raves about his leadership of his team.
“I have a lot of respect for him,” DeMint said. “Dan is a terrific team leader. His team is always well organized and excellent at what they do.”
Rovello first got started with Course Rating in 2011 because he heard from a friend who was familiar with the TGA that there was a shortage of volunteers. His friend decided to get involved and wanted to organize a Course Rating team and asked Rovello to be a part of it.
“We went and took a seminar and then slowly took over the Dallas and North Texas area,” Rovello said.
Having been actively engaged in Course Rating for over 20 years has given Rovello an even greater appreciation for golf and how it’s played.
“I enjoy Course Rating because of the different aspects it gives you on the golf course,” he said. “I play a draw, so instead of thinking where I’d hit my shot on a particular hole, I must think about how someone else might play it. When you’re rating a golf course you take a look at everything.”