Quarter Century Club
Quarter Century Club Celebrating 25 Years of Service as a PGA Member
P
GA Members who have served the PGA of America with honor and pride for 25 years are elected to the Quarter Century Club. Their steadfast promotion of our great sport is recognized with a letter from the PGA President, a special Quarter Century Club certificate and a gold Quarter Century Club lapel pin. This month, the Colorado Section is proud to feature three Quarter Century Club Members; Joe Assell, Cary Callihan and Steve Samuels.
Joe Assell, PGA
President and CEO of GOLFTEC Where did you grow up? I grew up in Oswego, Illinois. What was your first introduction to the game of golf? In the town of Oswego, we lived across the street from Fox Bend, a public golf course, and I grew up playing golf there with my dad. Why did you choose to become a PGA Golf Professional? My first job as a 12-year-old was at Fox Bend Golf Course for Leon McNair, PGA, who created a “Work for Golf” program, which allowed me the opportunity to be around the game and the business. I remained there through high school. McNair’s influence on me and his program propelled me to want to pursue a career in golf. What makes you most proud about being a PGA Professional? A proud moment for me as a PGA Professional is having GOLFTEC give our Ten-Millionth lesson. What golf facilities have you been employed at and in what capacity? I have worked at six different golf courses including those through the PGM Program I attended. I had internships at Stonebridge Country Club in Aurora, Illinois, the Golf Club of Tennessee, near Nashville, and at Cherry Hills Country Club. After graduation, I was offered the position of business manager and teaching professional to what was then a strip-mall storefront called Driving Obsession. It later became known as GOLFTEC and I have been there over 25 years. What do you feel is the most meaningful contribution to the game of golf you have made? Through GOLFTEC, it has been meaningful to elevate the standards for golf instruction across the country and elevate the quality of life for PGA Professionals. What hobbies do you have outside of golf? I enjoy mountain biking and skiing. If you could have a dream foursome, who would it be and why? My dream would be to play with the best ever - all at once: Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Annika Sorenstam.
This or That? Short par 5 or short par 3? Short par 5
Music on or music off on the course? Music On
Favorite fast food chain? Starbucks
Match Play or Stroke Play? Match Play
Morning or evening person? Morning
Shorts or pants on the course? Shorts
Pizza or tacos? Pizza
December 2020
Chocolate or vanilla? Cherry
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