HISTORY OF THE MAPGA

The Middle Atlantic PGA A History of Organizational Development and Leadership By Harold C. Guy

Over the course of ninety years the Middle Atlantic PGA emerged as one of the largest and most successful PGA of America Sections. From its leadership ranks, three men rose to the PGA of America Presidency, two to the Presidency of the Senior Association, two more became national VicePresidents, and another the central figure in educational and teaching programs at the national headquarters.

There are pivotal years in the MAPGA’s history. First and foremost, when they organized in 1925. Additionally, how they survived the Great Depression and World War II; their growth during the 1950s and early 1960s, notably 1966; the integration of the Virginia Association of Golf Professionals as the Virginia Chapter in 1968; and the subsequent alignment into a three-chapter Section in 1988.

In 1916 when the Professional Golfers’ Association of America formed, the organizing group laid out seven regional sections extending over the country: the Metropolitan, Middle States, New England, Central, Northwestern, Pacific and Southeastern. Three professional golfers with MAPGA credentials took part in the PGA of Americas’ formation. In his 1974 history of the PGA, Herb Graffis cited J. Crabb, the Congressional head professional in the 1920s; Tom Skipper, at one time the Suburban, Fountain Head, Rolling Road and Princess Anne head professional; and Fred McLeod from Columbia as significant figures in the PGA history. Crabb and Skipper attended the formative meetings in 1916. What is now territory associated with the MAPGA remained in the Southeastern Section from 1916 until the middle of 1925.

Three regional professional golf associations emerged during the early to mid-1920s in what is now the Middle Atlantic PGA area. Leaders in these associations figured prominently in the formation of the MAPGA in March 1925. The Maryland State Professional Golfers’ Association (MSPGA), the District of Columbia Professional Golfers’ Association DCPGA) and a group in Norfolk, Virginia, believed to be named the Tidewater Association, existed for a number of years during the 1920s.

The first reference to a Baltimore based association appeared in an April, 1924, “Baltimore Sun” article. The “recently formed” association had named William “Willie” Scott, the Baltimore CC head professional, as President, and Glenn Spencer, Green Spring Valley head professional, as Secretary. They remained active through 1928.

In an April 1924 meeting the DCPGA formed. The membership elected Fred McLeod their President, and Robert Barnett (Chevy Chase) and Leo Diegel (Friendship) as the First and Second Vice Presidents. A.F. Bergman, a sporting goods salesman and apparently the owner of “Spaldings” sporting goods store, became the Secretary. The DCPGA dissolved in 1927. Both of these organizations held championships.

In 1924, newspaper articles about the first Virginia State Open referred to a professional golf association based in Norfolk. William Skelly, head professional at Hermitage at the time, met with that group and garnered their commitment to play in the newly created state “Open” tournament.

The organizational meeting forming the Middle Atlantic PGA took place on March 2, 1925, at “Spalding’s” and Columbia Country Club. Members and leaders of the DCPGA and MSPGA along with some Virginians considered future affiliation with the PGA of America. The attendees named a committee of Wilfred Thomson (Hermitage), Robert Barnett (Chevy Chase) and Charles Betschler (Maryland CC) to organize the election of officers and lay the groundwork for a “Middle Atlantic Open Championship and the PGA Championship qualifying.

The “founding” members attending the March 2nd meeting:

Ronald Auchterlonie, CC of Virginia D’Arcy Banagan, Columbia

Robert Barnett, Chevy Chase Ralph Beach, Burning Tree Charles Betschler, Maryland CC George Diffenbaugh, Clifton Park William Dunt, Sherwood Forest Albert Farr, West Potomac Ted Farr, East Potomac Bill Hardy, Chevy Chase Danny Horgan, Chevy Chase William Malloy, Columbia Warner Mather, Rodgers Forge Bobby McWatt, Hampton Con Murphy, East Potomac William Skelly, unattached Glenn Spencer, Green Spring Valley Jimmy Roche, Elkridge Alec Taylor, Suburban Dave Thomson, Washington Golf Wilfred Thomson, Hermitage Arthur Thorn, Town and Country Henry Wanger, Maryland CC

Sometime during 1925, Fred McLeod and A.F. Bergman became the President and Secretary of the fledgling MAPGA. The subsequent Presidents during the 1920s were Robert Barnett (1926-1927), Charles Betschler (1928) and J. Munro Hunter (1929) from Indian Spring. Organizationally, beginning with 1926, they elected a First and Second VicePresident, and a Secretary and\or Treasurer. The Vice Presidencies provided the pathway to the top spot. And, they alternated the selection of the Second Vice President between the Washington DC and Baltimore professionals. This arrangement remained in place until 1938. When 1929 concluded the MAPGA counted 71 members on its roll.

During the Great Depression, the 1930s economic downturn adversely affected all of the country’s institutions including professional golf. Fewer people played golf and the number of golf courses declined. Many golf magazines ceased publication. Middle Atlantic PGA membership had declined to 55 in 1939.

Throughout the 1930s, the Middle Atlantic PGA remained in the hands of the Baltimore and Washington DC area professionals. The Presidents included Warner Mather from Woodholme (1930), J. Munro Hunter (1931) from Indian Spring, Ralph Beach (1932) from Suburban, Robert Barnett for a second time (1933), Glenn Spencer from Green Spring Valley (1934), Al Treder (1935) from Manor, Alex Taylor (1936) from Rolling Road, George Diffenbaugh (1937) from Kenwood, and Ralph Beach a second time for three years (1938 – 1940). The first reference to an “Executive” body appeared in newspaper articles about the 1933 Annual Meeting when they decided to add the out-going President to the “Executive Board.” Even though the MAPGA Section encompassed Virginia, golf professionals throughout the State did not participate in MAPGA championships until the late 1930s, nor did they hold officer positions.

Then in 1937, Bobby Cruickshank, Country Club of Virginia, was elected the Second Vice President. However in 1938, the organizational structure changed to a President, three regional Vice Presidents: Maryland, the District of Columbia metropolitan area and Virginia; plus a Secretary-Treasurer. And, the Presidency became an open contest.

In 1933 and 1936 golf professionals in the Norfolk – Portsmouth – Virginia Beach area attempted to form a PGA Section, but did not succeed. In 1933, Russell Emig, from Portsmouth Golf Club, attempted to create a Virginia PGA Section, but it never got off the ground floor. Then in 1936, Al Houghton, the Section’s premier promoter arrived at Cavalier, leaving Kenwood. During the spring of 1936, he and others, notably Tom Skipper, Walter Beckett from Truxton Manor, Jim McMenamin from Norfolk CC and Russell Emig from Portsmouth succeeded in creating the Tidewater PGA. They conducted a number of Pro-Ams and a Championship. However, they too foundered and did survive to 1937.

By 1935 the Virginia State Open neared extinction. However, Bill Tomlinson, the owneroperator of Old Dominion Golf Course in Newport News, through the Head Professional Jack Isaacs, rescued the tournament. And then, during the 1938 State Open, the golf professionals formed the Virginia Association of Golf Professionals (VAGP) to take over running the championship. Bobby Cruickshank from the Country Club of Virginia was elected President, and remained so until 1946. They divided the State into regions and elected two members from each as

Vice Presidents. Ben Wahrman, the “Richmond News Leader” Sports Editor took on Secretary – Treasurer. And, of particular importance, Fritz Souder, the VSGA President, commented that he was delighted that another organization would be taking over the Virginia State Open.

Wiffy Cox succeeded Ralph Beach as MAPGA President in October 1940 with Johnny Flattery taking over as both Secretary and Treasurer. At the time, Al Houghton served as Tournament Chair for Washington, Bobby Cruickshank for Virginia and Charles Betschler for Maryland.

Professional and amateur golf in the United States came to a near standstill during the World War II years, 1942 – 1945. Nationally, the PGA Tour ceased operations for a time and the USGA suspended the Open and amateur events as well. For the most part, the MAPGA did not conduct Championships during the War years.

Approximately 435 PGA members served in the US military during the War. The MAPGA community suffered two combat fatalities: Frank Fahrenwald, a Kenwood Assistant, died at Guadalcanal in November, 1942, and Ben Loving in Italy in January, 1945.

When the MAPGA members met for their 1942 Annual Meeting newspaper accounts clearly note that the MAPGA officers had no expectations for a golf season until the War ended.

The leadership cadre met on May 3, 1943, to select a new President to succeed Wiffy Cox. Since Congressional CC had closed when they rented the facility to the OSS, and subsequently their head professional re-located to Long Island CC. However, he returned afterwards. They named Johnny Flattery from All View the President. The next Annual Meeting took place in October, 1944, wherein Johnny Flattery continued as President. The local golf reporters noted that they began laying the groundwork for a post-war rehabilitation program.

Once the outcome of World War II was no longer in doubt, the PGA and MAPGA redirected their efforts to providing programs for wounded veterans. Frank Sprogell, PGA Secretary, chaired the PGA of America Rehabilitation Committee, which included Robert Barnett, who by then served as a PGA of America Vice President. He chaired the MAPGA Committee which outlined plans to conduct golf days and fund raisers to build nine-hole courses at three military hospitals: Bethesda Naval, Forest Glen and Walter Reed. The fund-raising efforts included a number of exhibitions. As part of the PGA’s exhibition series, Byron Nelson and Jug McSpaden played two matches in the MAPGA area in June 1945. They played Robert Barnett and amateur Robert Brawner at Chevy Chase in front of some 3,000 spectators. The following day, they teed up against Carroll MacMaster and Glenn Spencer at Woodholme. The “MAPGA Rehabilitation Fund Open” took place at Kenwood in October where E.J. “Dutch” Harrison led.

In April 1946, they held the first member meeting following the War. Importantly, they enacted several new rules, particularly, redefining MAPGA membership criteria. From then on, professionals considered for membership had to have a club affiliation or be directly employed in a golf-related business. At that meeting they reaffirmed the five-year apprentice rule for entry into the Section Championship and PGA Championship Qualifier.

At the 1946 Annual Meeting the attendees elected Mel Shorey from Indian Spring President when Johnny Flattery stepped down, with Al Houghton now from Prince Georges CC continuing as the Tournament Chair. A year later, 1947, Carroll MacMaster and Al Houghton, both holding regional Vice Presidencies, vied for the Presidency which MacMaster won by three votes. Al Houghton agreed to continue as Tournament Chair. Then again in 1948, Al Houghton attempted to become President, but lost to Carroll MacMaster again, but this time on the second ballot. Merrell Whittlesey, a prominent newspaperman, noted that the MAPGA numbered 60 members in 1948.

Finally in 1949 Al Houghton succeeded capturing the Presidency at the Annual Meeting, but not without a fight. Ralph Beach attempted to block Houghton’s bid, but lost by a 27 – 17 vote. Johnny Bass from Clifton Park became Tournament Chair. Max Elbin from Burning Tree took on his first MAPGA Section assignment by becoming the Publicity Chair.

The PGA of America, professional golf as a business, and as a tournament sport, continued developing throughout the 1950s, and continued to do as well in the Middle Atlantic PGA. Nationally, a number of important developments transpired during the 1950s. In 1949-1950 the PGA formed the Quarter Century Club for good reason. Approximately half of the membership had been members for more than 25 years and many of them had reached at least their fiftieth birthday or beyond.

Three men dominated the policies and oversaw the growth of the MAPGA between 1950 and up through 1962 while serving as President: Al Houghton, Max Elbin and Bill Clarke from Hillendale. After their MAPGA Presidencies ended, all three men rose to prominence in the PGA of America circles as either Vice-President or President. Al Houghton served six terms as MAPGA President, 1950 – 1955, and then stepped aside as his stature within the PGA of America rose, ultimately becoming a Vice President. Max Elbin succeeded him for three terms through 1958. He too became President of the PGA of America. In turn, Bill Clarke succeeded him for four terms, having won election as the youngest ever MAPGA President. Additionally, during 1950 – 1962, only Johnny Flattery and Ward Burgess from Chevy Chase served as Secretary – Treasurer.

Furthermore, Houghton, Elbin and Clarke all served a number of years as the Section’s Tournament Committee Chair before becoming an MAPGA “regional” Vice-President and then President. Furthermore, these three along with Carroll MacMaster and Ralph Beach, former MAPGA Presidents, and Irv Schloss, former Mt. Pleasant Head Professional, substantially influenced PGA of America policies during the 1950s and 1960s. MacMaster and Beach became President of the PGA’s Senior Association, and Irv Schloss led the educational endeavors at their Dunedin, Florida national headquarters. Schloss had retired to Florida from Mt. Pleasant following a heart attack, but became involved in the local section and then the national headquarters.

Al Houghton made an immediate impact. In the March 1950 “Professional Golfer,” Max Elbin wrote that the “weekly luncheons held each Monday in the Washington district are becoming extremely popular. Several local pros are steady customers along with sports writers, salesmen….creates better understanding and promotes harmony….”

Some of Houghton’s actions as President included establishing a MAPGA Advisory Committee to parallel the PGA of America’s organization. During the February 1950, Executive Committee meeting the group established a “Junior Golf Committee”. Then Houghton moved to expand the Tournament Committee and challenged them to recommend changes pertaining to entry fees, prize money and starting times. And, probably of considerable importance, Houghton succeeded in excluding unattached professionals from Section events leaving only head professionals and their assistants. Houghton and the Tournament Committee then decreed that all professionals would be responsible for the authenticity of amateur handicaps and could be “punished” for improprieties. Additionally, the Section introduced the “PGA Professional of the Year” Award in 1955, which went to Jimmy Flattery of Forest Park.

Max Elbin succeeded Houghton in 1956. During 1956, according to an article penned by Bill Strausbaugh from Columbia in 1968, MAPGA leaders were instrumental in establishing employment contracts between golf professionals and clubs\courses. He particularly cited Wiffy Cox, Max Elbin, Bill Clarke, Al Jamison, Don Saylor and legal counsel Ted Rutley for their leadership. They are credited with developing the first set of guidelines. In 1958, the Section published “Standards of Employment Contract.” Then in 1962, they finally developed a document that became the “Standards of Employment” which was incorporated into the MAPGA “Rules and Regulations.” At the time the MAPGA was the first of the PGA’s 34 Sections to take that action.

As 1956 passed into 1957 the membership nominated Al Houghton for the national PGA Secretary – Treasurer’s position. They had intended on nominating him for President, but he declined the offer stating that he had already committed to support another candidate, presumably Harold Sargent.

However, for reasons never stated, Johnny Flattery stepped down as Secretary – Treasurer after

serving as an officer continuously since 1939. Ward Burgess succeeded him as Secretary\Treasurer, and Bill Clarke succeeded him as the Tournament Chair.

Towards the close of the 1957 Annual Meeting, someone moved to bar MAPGA members, and members of their respective clubs, from Pro-Am tournaments at courses\clubs where the Head Professional did not own the golf shop concession. The newspaper reporters attending the meeting commented on a “vigorous debate,” but they subsequently tabled the motion. There are no reports in the newspapers that this motion resurfaced at later meeting. Bill Clarke moved to the President’s chair in 1958.

When 1960 opened, one of the Section’s most important educational endeavors took place at the University of Maryland. Led by Max Elbin, Roger Peacock and Frank Cronin, they recruited quite a group of well-known speakers. Lawyer George Lamb led off by pointing out to the sixty attending that they are not only golf professionals, but also retail businessmen. Other “instructors” included Bill Ford, a marketing specialist for MacGregor; Steve Cummings, an Accounting Professor from Southwestern University; and Ed Ault, noted local golf architect who discussed course design, maintenance and playability. On approaches to teaching, Leo Fraser, Roger Peacock and Al Jamison made presentations along with Professor Warren Johnson on the “Psychology of Learning.” This was the first of a series of major educational efforts taken by the Section during the 1960s.

Official MAPGA membership rosters for that era are not available. In November 1961, Ward Burgess, MAPGA Secretary – Treasurer, reported 201 MAPGA members and apprentices, more than nearly quadruple from the years after World War II.

During 1962, the Section leadership decided to implement a test for all applicants seeking playing privileges. The tests would be graded by the respective applicant’s Vice President. Then each would appear before the Executive Committee to discuss the results, especially those questions incorrectly answered. The article in the “Professional Golfer” by Bobby Moran did not detail the types of assessments in the tests, e.g. the rules of golf, ethics or Section policies. Then in the fall of 1962, newspaper golf writers reported that George Bird, VAGP President, from Willow Oaks, would succeed Bill Clarke as the MAPGA President. If it came to pass, he would be the first Virginia professional to hold the distinction. Before the November Annual Meeting, those same reporters noted a “storm brewing” over Bird’s nomination. The Baltimore professionals planned to challenge George Bird because Richmond’s distance was “too far removed.” At the meeting, Al Houghton declined a nomination from the floor, and in the end, George Bird won election unanimously.

Within the Middle Atlantic PGA during the early 1960s the composition of the Executive Committee expanded, a new Assistant Professional Association emerged, new tournaments came online including the Pro-Assistant in 1964, and the Senior Championship Committee moved to separate it from the Section Championship.

George Bird, the MAPGA President, resigned from Willow Oaks on October 1, 1964. Subsequently, the golf newspaper reporters commented that Ward Burgess would likely succeed him. However, Wiffy Cox, Chair of the Nominating Committee, received the charge to identify a candidate to run against George Bird, who desired to continue as an unattached professional. For reasons never published, Ward Burgess and Tony Marlowe from Woodmont declined consideration. The Nominating Committee named Al Houghton. Ultimately, Al Houghton defeated George Bird. In a 2005 interview with Bill Clarke, the former MAPGA President, who sat on the Executive Committee, expressed great “upset” over Houghton’s move to re-acquire the Section Presidency and not leaving the position open for the next generation of positions. Houghton served one term, 1965.

The 1965 Summer Section meeting with more than 100 in attendance elected Bill Clarke the District 10 Director position for National PGA Vice President.

When the Executive Committee convened again in July they appointed a “special investigating team” to study possibilities of creating a “Two Chapter Section” or moving to form a separate Virginia PGA Section.

There was considerable support for the separate Virginia Section because of the geographical size and organizational support required.

Following two seasons as Tournament Chair, Carl Rasnic from Fort Meade ascended to the MAPGA Presidency for 1966. From the “Washington Post,” ….Rasnic’s “first move will be an attempt to cement relations between the pros in the Washington and Baltimore area and the pros from Southern Virginia…. going to petition the Southern Virginia pros to organize a chapter of their own and retain membership in the MAPGA.” And finally, Rasnic also commented that he intended on establishing a centrally located office. Newspaper reports, comments in the “PGA News,” and interviews with Leo Steinbrecher, Chandler Harper and Bill Clarke, noted that Carl Rasnic approached Tommy Whillock from NAS Eaglehaven, the PresidentElect of the VAGP, at the 1965 Section Championship to discuss prospects of integrating the VAGP into the MAPGA. There is correspondence in the Section’s archives between Carl Rasnic and Chandler Harper, and Rasnic and Tommy Whillock, and Rasnic and Bill Hardy revealing an attempt to bring the VAGP into the MAPGA.

Carl Rasnic fulfilled his election promise by developing an office for the Section and securing a “professional staff” member. The “Office” opened in October 1966 housed in the Bethesda Medical Building at 8218 Wisconsin Avenue. Rasnic commented that the “elected officials will no longer use their hatbands as file cabinets….We’ve been operating out of so many briefcases…there are many records which in years have not been turned over to the proper persons.” Simultaneously they hired retired Army Colonel Roland Weeks as the “Executive Secretary.” Following a 21 year military career in the infantry, artillery and air defense missile systems, Colonel Weeks sold “Shakespeare” products to the Section’s professionals, so he was well known throughout.

Furthermore, they had hosted the PGA Business School at College Park in March with some 75 attendees. Frank Cronin organized and directed the “School” and the faculty which included Joe Dey, USGA Executive Director; Bob Creasey, PGA Executive Director; Col. Harry Eckhoff, the National Golf Foundation; Dr. Fred Grau, USGA Green Section; Bob Shields, greenkeeper at Woodmont; Russell Roberts, course architecture amongst others. Bill “Coach” Strausbaugh conducted daily sessions on “Teaching Problems and Practices,” and in an evening session on “Video Teaching.” The school concluded with Legal Counsel James Doyle speaking on the “Legal Problems of the Golf Profession.”

Also, in 1966, the Section instituted the “Horton Smith” Award, which in that year was shared by Irv Schloss, Frank Cronin and Bill Strausbaugh.

When the MAPGA membership got their copies of the January 1967 “PGA News” they found Bill “Coach” Strausbaugh on the cover with one of his students, him having won acclamation as the PGA of America’s “Professional of the Year.”

Section members gathered for their meeting in March 1967 where a number of items dominated the agenda, notably the chapterization of the Virginia professionals and the VAGP.

On May 1st Maury Fitzgerald in the “Washington Post” reported that the “VAGP decide to wait until Fall before taking a final vote on whether or not to become a chapter of the MAPGA. The fight against chapterization is being waged by a group of non-PGA pros, who will be forced to seek PGA affiliation or become tournament outcasts should the VAGP be voted out of existence.” Then on September 25th he went on note that the “MAPGA feels the section is growing too unwieldy and that pros outside of Northern Virginia should be welded into a chapter. The move would give the area (i.e. Southern pros) more voice in running the parent body. The Chapter President and one elected member would be installed on the Executive Committee. Chapter members would also be eligible to compete in any of the parent bodies’ competitions.” And to conclude, he reported on November 27th that “the Virginia pros decided to become a chapter of the MAPGA and abolish the VAGP”…and that the “move to be finalized on Tuesday, December 13th at the MAPGA Winter meeting”… and “Pros in Northern Virginia will remain in the MAPGA Section, but all South of Quantico will join the Virginia Chapter.” Plus, apparently they agreed that PGA Annual Meeting delegates would include one

from the Virginia Chapter. And with that, the VAGP became the MAPGA Virginia Chapter beginning in 1968.

The 1967 MAPGA Annual Meeting they reelected Carl Rasnic President for a third term. Bill Strausbaugh continued as Secretary. At the meeting, an argument broke out over George Pigott and his assistants’ status. They had been barred from MAPGA events because their Andrews Air Force Base contract did not meet MAPGA\PGA “organizational standards.” It particularly affected Leo Wykle who had played in open events, but not Section Pro-Ams or Championships. He won the Maryland Open. A motion offered stated that “ownership of the golf course concession (would be) a basis for approval of the contract” was defeated 39 to 4 by the Class A voters. The action deemed a victory for Carl Rasnic and Tony Marlowe who chaired the Employment Committee.

The Annual Meeting in October 1968 with some ninety attending found Tony Marlowe moving up from Vice President to President with no opposition. The major discussion at the Annual Meeting pertained to the formation of a Northern Chapter (Baltimore – Washington) to parallel the formation of the Virginia the preceding year.

During the 1970s the MAPGA incorporated many of the changes that began to emerge in the 1960s. The organization continued to grow rapidly, with one existing chapter and another gaining a foothold, and each with a leadership cadre and tournament schedule. Eventually, the organization and its leadership included a “Section,” along with a Virginia Chapter and a Northern Chapter, a tripartite arrangement. A membership list for 1970 identifies 147 head professionals, similar lists for 1975 and 1979 name 186 and 220 head professionals, respectively. Those same documents outline the “Executive Committee” membership. In 1971, the President, Honorary President, Secretary, Treasurer, four Vice Presidents and a Tournament Director made up the Executive Committee. By 1975, five Vice Presidents are identified and in 1979, seven Vice Presidents. Throughout the 1970s, five men held the MAPGA Presidency: Tony Marlowe (1969 – 1970), Dick Whetzle from Prince Georges’ (1971 – 1973), Bill “Coach” Strausbaugh (1974 – 1976), Herb Rose from Bay Hills (1977 – 1978) and Alex McNeil from International (1979 – 1981). Strausbaugh was the last to serve three terms. Sometime in the early 1970s they adopted a “two-term” limit rule.

During the summer of 1970, Charles Herling resigned as the Tournament Director. Tony Marlowe announced that the position, heretofore, was abolished and that the tournament schedule and events would be handled by the Section Office in Bethesda.

And of social significance, the Section accepted Al Green’s application for playing privileges in 1971, and he would be the Section’s first “Negro” member. He held the Head Professional position at the public venue “Eisenhower” in Anne Arundel County.

Before the 1970 golfing season got underway, and before the Spring Section meeting, the MAPGA hosted an Executive Management Seminar at the University of Maryland College Park campus the first week of February with about 100 attending, some from as far away the Midwest. That was followed by a PGA Business School at what was then Baltimore’s “Friendship” Airport in mid-February with approximately 117 attendees. The “faculty” with Tony Marlowe coordinating included Bob Toski, Jim Flick and Burt Yancey along with Bill Strausbaugh.

Articles in the 1970 “Tournament Program Book” are particularly instructive about the formation of the Northern Chapter and the officer cadre in it and the Virginia Chapter. Tony Marlowe authored “The Case for Chapter Organization,” John Snyder “The Established…Virginia Chapter,” and Hank Majewski “The New Northern Chapter.” The articles are replete with pictures of the two chapter Executive Committees.

Once the Section established a Northern Chapter, each one elected a set of officers and developed a tournament schedule. The Virginia Chapter became a large entity resembling a full blown PGA Section which also ran a state “Open.” When the VAGP organized in 1938 the primary was conducting the state “Open.” However, the VSGA initiated their state “Open” in 1958 creating a great deal of bitterness between the organizations. So much so that a number of prominent professionals boycotted the VSGA state “Open” for

several years. So, 1958 – 1984 there were two Virginia State Opens. The two finally merged for a single championship in 1985.

When the Virginia professionals organized into the Virginia Association of Golf Professionals (VAGP) in 1938, and which became the MAPGA Virginia Chapter in 1968, their principal intent focused on gaining PGA “Section” status. A formal decision by the Virginia Chapter to apply for Section status occurred on March 6, 1975. The National PGA finally resolved the issue in 1977 when they said “no” to the Virginia Chapter and the MAPGA leadership. In an interview with Bill Clarke, he unequivocally stated that the MAPGA supported “Section” status for the Virginia Chapter. Throughout the course of the Virginia Chapters existence, 1968 – 1988, two of “their” Presidents rose to become Section Presidents: Alex McNeil and Wayne Holley from Roanoke CC.

During the 1970s the Section continued to prosper and develop further. Then in October 1977, Colonel Weeks “retired” from the Executive Director position. At the time, Adele Bellizzi who had managed some of the Section’s business affairs in the Bethesda Office for several years, was named Executive Secretary in 1977. After interviewing several candidates, the Board hired Dave Leonard in March 1978 as Executive Director. His tenure lasted two years. So, in September 1980, the Section hired Adele Bellizzi as their Executive Director. Additionally, Carl Rasnic became a paid Tournament Director. The Section’s operation moved to a facility in Columbia, Maryland, that they had purchased. At the time, the Section was one of two within the PGA of America that owned their facility. In 1985, the Virginia Chapter opened an office in Richmond under Chapter President Frank Herrelko’s leadership. They tired of meeting in his living room.

During the 1970s the MAPGA added the “Assistant of the Year” Award in 1973 which Bobby Green from Providence accepted; and the “Bill Strausbaugh” Award in 1979, which John Haines from Hunt Valley received.

PGA and MAPGA membership expanded to incorporate women into their ranks. The first women to play a MAPGA Tournament was Mary Allice Canney in 1980. At the time she held PGA apprentice status and LPGA membership. So, the Section amended the “Two-Man Team Tournament” to a Two-Person Team” Tournament. Now women hold PGA Head Professional status.

Adele Bellizzi continued as the Executive Director into 1986. That year, the Board of Directors hired a new Executive Director, J. Varden Dyer, who came from the business world, not golf: a retired manager for C and P Telephone.

By the mid-1980s the Middle Atlantic PGA had grown to one of the largest in the country. During the Presidencies of Jim Folks from Bethesda and Hank Majewski from Hobbit’s Glen they entertained prospects for establishing a three-chapter Section which came to the forefront. First discussed Section-wide at the 1987 Annual Meeting, it came to fruition by an 83 to 19 vote at the 1988 Annual Meeting. At the time, the Section had two offices some 150 miles apart, approximately 650 members, conducted some 140 events for half million dollars in added money, held a merchandise show, an awards dinner, published am annual magazine and a monthly newsletter, and employed a staff of eight fulltime employees and a number of part-time employee, plus coordinating efforts by volunteers. Furthermore, there was more than just talk, but rather serious discussions about constructing an 18-hole golf course, club house and offices, and a Hall of Fame Room to be built in the Manassas, Virginia, area. That never materialized. By the end of 1989, the Section membership made it the eighth largest in the PGA of America. By 2015, the ranks numbered 1,100, nearly double the 1989 rolls, and now the sixth largest PGA of America Section.

In fact, they did initiate a Hall of Fame in 1986. The two first classes of inductees: Chandler Harper, Sam Snead and Lew Worsham in 1986; and Charlie Bassler, Bill Clarke and Max Elbin in 1987. Now, in 2020, nearly 50 members have been enshrined. Furthermore, in 1986, they established the “Teacher of the Year” Award, which went to Al Jamison, and the “Citizen of the Year” Award, later renamed in honor of the longtime legal counsel, David Wortman, who had been the first recipient.

The Section continued growing in numbers and stature throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. In 1995, the “Skull,” Colonel Richard Johns, and Jon

Guhl, arrived. Both were hired in 1995 by the Board of Directors: Colonel Johns as the Director of Operations, and Jon Guhl as the Assistant Director of Operations. They retitled Vardon Dyer as the Director of Sectional Affairs. Then in January 1996, Colonel Johns was formally named the Executive Director and Jon Guhl the Assistant Executive Director. Jon Guhl succeeded Colonel Johns in 2012. In their twenty years, they greatly enhanced the Section’s financial where-with-all and safety net. The Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet became a major production. The Section closed the Columbia and Richmond offices and now make their home in a “new” wholly owned building replete with office space, conference room, library and Museum, and an “upstairs” living quarters for the interns. Furthermore, the Section produced another PGA of America President, Allen Wronowski, and additionally, former MAPGA President Paul Michaelian served a four-year term on the PGA of America Board of Control. All in all, and with no doubt, the Middle Atlantic PGA is a vibrant organization.