2025 MIDDLE ATLANTIC SECTION OF THE PGA OF AMERICA
HALL OF FAME & AWARDS BANQUET
MARCH 2, 2025
LANSDOWNE RESORT & SPA
LEESBURG, VIRGINIA
THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC SECTION OF THE PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS’ ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
The Middle Atlantic Section of The Professional Golfers’ Association of America (MAPGA), headquartered in Stafford, Virginia, is one of 41 Sections of The Professional Golfers’ Association of America, headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The MAPGA, founded in 1925, and headquartered in Stafford, VA consists of about 1,100 PGA Professionals and Associates in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
The PGA of America, formed in 1916, is the world's largest working sports organization with more than 27,000 members and associates who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching, and managing the game of golf, while serving millions of people nationwide.
The MAPGA provides a wide variety of programs and assistance to support its members, who in turn, provide valuable service not only to their golfing customers, but also to their communities in general. PGA Professionals assist in raising over $6 million annually for local charities. The MAPGA also provides computerized handicapping in conjunction with the Virginia and the Maryland State Golf Associations.
THEMIDDLEATLANTICSECTIONOFTHEPROFESSIONALGOLFERS’ ASSOCIATIONOFAMERICAHALLOFFAME
The Middle Atlantic Section Hall of Fame was established in 1986 to honor Section PGA Professionals and others who have made outstanding contributions to the Section and the game of golf. The Hall of Fame Committee, based on nominations received from the membership, selects inductees.
Ahrnsbrak,Michael(2019)
Barnett,Robert(2010)
Barry,Tom(2014)
Bass,Johnny(1992)
Bassler,Charlie(1987)
Beach,Ralph(1993)
Beck,Troy(2021)
Betschler,Charlie(1997)
Brown,Glenn(2023)
Burgess,Ward(1989)
Clarke,Bill(1987)
Cox,Wiffy(1990)
Cronin,Frank(2007)
Cruickshank,Bobby(1996)
Deck,Bill(1998)
DeFrancesco,Wayne(2019)
Diffenbaugh,George(2013)
Dolan,Bob(2023)
Doser,Clarence(1988)
Elbin,Max(1987)
Emery,Clare(2003)
FitzHugh,Woody(2013)
Flattery,John(2011)
Folks,Jim(2010)
Funk,Fred(2018)
Gibson,Andy(1992)
Giles,Vinny(1990)
Haines,John(2004)
Hardy,Billy(1988)
Harper,Chandler(1986)
Haviland,Paul(2007)
HerrelkoJr,Frank(2009)
Holley,J.Wayne(2012)
Houghton,Al(1989)
Hurst,Dean(2021)
Isaacs,Jack(1996)
KingSr,Claude(2001)
King,Fred(1998)
Laber,Frank(2022)
McLeod,Fred(1991)
MacMaster,Carroll(2012)
Majewski,Hank(2008)
Marlowe,Tony(2002)
Michaelian,Paul(2024)
O'Donnell,John(1993)
Rasnic,Carl(1992)
Romans,Walter(1988)
Rose,Herb(1993)
Ringer,Larry(2011)
Schuller,Rick(2024)
Skipper,Tom(2017)
Snead,Sam(1986)
SnyderJr.,John(1999)
Spencer,GlennW.(2017)
Sporre,Bill(2006)
Steinbrecher,Leo(1990)
Strange,Curtis(2017)
Strange,Tom(1997)
Strausbaugh,Bill(1989)
Whetzle,Dick(2000)
Worsham,Lew(1986)
Wronowski,Allen(2015)
TOURNAMENTPLAYERSOFTHEYEAR
TheTournamentPlayersoftheYeararethewinnersofayear-longpointscompetition. Pointsareawardedbasedon howtheplayersfinishinselectSectiontournamentsandfortheiraccomplishmentsatregional/nationalevents.
WOMEN’SPLAYEROFTHEYEAR
AshleyGrierPGA
YinglingsGolfCenter
Hagerstown,Maryland
Ashley Grier, a resident of Hagerstown, Md., and the Assistant PGA Professional at Yinglings Golf Center, in Hagerstown, is the 2024 MAPGA Women’s Player of the Year. Grier had a dominant season, finishing as low female professional in five events including the MAPGA Section Professional Championship, Rolex MAPGA Players Cup, MAPGA Stroke Play Championship #2, MAPGA Pro-Scratch and Northern Chapter Championship. The daughter of a PGA of America Professional, father David has played a meaningful role in her life for over 40 years. Ashley graduated from the University of Central Florida where she played on the Women’s Golf Team, Grier began her professional career competing on the Future’s Tour (now the Symetra Tour) for over five years. In 2014, Grier earned her PGA Membership and began her career on the teaching side of the business, while continuing to compete at a very high level. In fact, she has enjoyed a successful playing career, competing in five major championships (four KPMG Women’s PGA Championships and one U.S. Women’s Open), while earning many awards, including 2021 Philadelphia PGA Assistant Player of the Year and 2020 Rolex Women’s PGA Professional Player of the Year honors. She’s also played for her country on two victorious U.S. Women’s PGA Cup teams. Grier earned a spot on the 2024 Corebridge Financial Team and competed in the Women’s PGA Championship at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, Washington.
RickSchullerPGA
MeadowbrookCountryClub
NorthChesterfield,Virginia
Rick Schuller, a resident of Chester, Va., and the PGA Director of Instruction at Meadowbrook Country Club, in Richmond, Va., is the MAPGA 2024 Senior Division Player of the Year. Schuller earned Top 10 finishes across all 9 POY qualifying events, while capturing the Senior State Open of Virginia and Senior Match Play. In March, Schuller was inducted into the Middle Atlantic PGA Hall of Fame Class of 2024. Schuller has been one of the MAPGA’s premier players throughout his career, enjoying over 100 wins in Section events and qualifiers. He won the MAPGA Section Championship 4 times (’03, ’04, ’09, ’13), was MAPGA Player of the Year 5 times (’98, ’04, ’07, ’09, ’14) and Senior Player of the Year now 7 times (’13, ’15, ’17, ’20, ’21, ’22). In 2009, he won both the National Match Play and the National Stroke Play on the way to winning PGA National Player of the Year honors. He also won the National Match Play in 2006 and 2011. He played in the National Club Professional Championship 15 times, and the PGA Championship 3 times (2001, 2003, 2016). He also played in 3 Senior PGA Championships, a US Amateur (1984) and two US Opens.
LarkinGross,PGA
WestwoodCountryClub
Vienna,Virginia
Larkin Gross, a resident of Center Cross, Va., and an Assistant PGA Professional at Westwood Country Club, in Vienna, Va., is the 2024 MAPGA Open Division and Assistant Professional Association Division Player of the Year. Gross earned Top 4 finishes in 5 of 7 POY qualifying events, highlighted by being low MAPGA professional at the State Open of Virginia, a 3rd place finish at the Section Professional Championship, and finishing T-1 at MAPGA Stroke Play Championship #1. In the APA division, Gross had an extremely strong year including two victories – in the APA Assistant Championship and the APA Assistant Stroke Play @ Williamsburg GC – and three Top 3 finishes. Gross played four years on the Methodist University Golf Team which won the DIII National Championship in 2018. After earning a spot on the Corebridge Financial Team, finishing in the top 20 at the PGA Professional Championship, Gross teed it up in the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky where he competed against the best golfers in the world.
Thisawardbestowsspecialrecognitiononanoutstandingmemberofthemediawhobestexemplifiesacommitment andservicetogolfandsportreportingandwhodemonstratesthesamegenuineappreciationfortheroleofthePGA ProfessionalaswasdemonstratedbythelateEarleHellen(formerlyoftheNewportNewsNewspapers).
RobFailes,PGA
TheGolfInterventionPodcast/BirdwoodGC/UnivofVirginia
Charlottesville,Virginia
Rob Failes was born in Fisherville, Virginia to Stephanie and Pat Failes. They introduced him to the game of golf when he was 7 years old at Lakeview Golf Course in Harrisonburg, VA. He eventually had his first golf-related job at this same course in outside services when he was in high school. During that time, he competed on the high school golf team as well.
His first coach, John Rogers, inspired him to pursue playing and coaching golf. He counts Sean Kennedy, Mark Grace, Garrett Chaussard, Eric Layton, Jason Sutton, Seth Merz, and Hunter Brown as some of the greatest influences on how he coaches players.
Rob graduated from the PGA Golf Management Program at Clemson University and was elected to PGA of America membership in 2017. He served as the Lead Instructor at Carmel Country Club from 2017-2021. In 2021, he took his current role at Birdwood GC as the Player Development Leader. He has been named Golf Digest Best in State (‘23-‘24, ‘24-‘25) and Golf Digest Best Young Teachers (2024, 2025).
Failes has been married to his wife Anna for four years and they share one child Jackson (2).
EricS.Layton,PGA
TheGolfInterventionPodcast/TheCountryClubofVirginia Richmond,Virginia
Eric Layton was born in Johnston, Pennsylvania to Jim and JoEtta Layton. He has two brothers, Jim and Patrick. His youngest brother was the first in the family to express interest in playing golf and their father would take them a couple times a year to that point. Eric began playing in High School and choose to attend Methodist College and graduated with a degree in Business Administration with Concentration in Professional Golf Management in 2003.
Eric was an Assistant Golf Professional at Rolling Rock Club from 2004-2005 before moving to the Middle Atlantic Section where he worked as an Assistant Golf Professional at Farmington Country Club from 2005-2007. It was during that time that he was elected to PGA of America membership in 2006. In 2007, he moved to The Country Club of Virginia and served as the Head PGA Professional for the first seven seasons before becoming the PGA Director of Instruction for the past ten seasons.
Along his career path he shares he has been lucky to have many great PGA Professionals that he worked under and learned from including Carl Irvin, Chip Swanson, Rob McNamara, Richard Cromwell and Warren West.
Eric was named the 2019 MAPGA Youth Player Development Award and has been named one of Golf Digest Best Teacher's in Virginia since 2016.
Thisawardbestowsspecialrecognitiononagolfsalespersoninthemid-Atlanticregionforhis/heroutstandingservice anddedicationtothemembersandassociatesoftheMAPGA,aswellassupportoftheSectionthroughsponsorships andotherprograms.
EricDavis,PGA Titleist/AcushnetCompany
Eric Davis was born in Columbia, South Carolina, and he was introduced to the game by his grandfather. He grew up in a large family and golf was always at the center of everything they did growing up.
While Eric played other sports, particularly football through college at the University of South Carolina, the lessons learned both on the course and within family golf businesses really helped him decide a path. He knew he wanted to be in golf and had a passion to join the company he is with early on.
His first golf related job was at Columbia CC in South Carolina, first in Outside Services, next as an Assistant Professional, and then Lead Assistant. In 2016, the same year Eric was elected to PGA membership, he joined the Titleist team in East Coast Customer Service at their worldwide headquarters in Fairhaven, MA. Davis then served as the Titleist Staff Program & Business Partnerships liaison - Asst. to EVP of Acushnet, and then moved on to Roanoke, VA & WV as the Titleist Sales Professional covering portions of seven states. In 2020, he moved into his current role as a Titleist Sales Professional in the Mid-Atlantic & Philadelphia Sections.
He credits Chris Sparrow, PGA (previous GM/Director of Golf at Columbia CC in SC), Julian Taylor (Titleist Sales Professional in SC), and Peter Broome (retired EVP Acushnet) as some of his mentors within the industry. His personal philosophy is that he believes there are a lot of ways to be successful in the golf industry, however, at the center of it all, is the necessity of building great relationships and taking care of people. Leading with a service first attitude with their needs in mind first enables you to be a better business partner. People want to know how much you care, before they care about how much you know.
Eric met his wife Ally at the University of South Carolina, and they have been married since 2019. They share a dog, Koda and look forward to the adventures ahead.
DAVIDWORTMANCITIZENOFTHEYEAR
Thisawardbestowsspecialrecognitiononanoutstandingamateur,recognizedbytheMAPGAandthebusiness communityasaleaderinhis/herfield,whosecontributionstogolfinthemid-Atlanticregionincludethepromotion ofthegame,theMiddleAtlanticSectionanditsPGAProfessionals,andoverallsupportofMAPGAprogramsandgolf throughouttheregion. ThisawardisnamedinhonorofthelateDavidWortman,Esq.,SectionLegalCounselfrom 1971-1988andhonorarymemberoftheMAPGA.
StacyMiller-Arndt,LPGA CongressionalCountryClub Potomac,Maryland
Stacy Miller-Arndt was born in Sherman, Texas to parents Chuck and Diane Miller. She has one brother Clay Miller who is married to Rebekah. At the age of 7, she was introduced to the game of golf by her dad who taught her how to play. They were members at Denton Country Club in Denton, Texas and Falconhead Country Club in Burneyville, OK. Their family would play golf together every weekend at either club as they were all golfers with low handicaps.
She decided golf was for her at age 11 after playing in her first national junior golf tournament, the Women's Western Junior at Lakeway Country Club in Austin Texas. After qualifying for the first flight, she won her first match against a 17-year-old senior on the 18th hole. After the tournament, she found a passion and a drive to become better at golf.
Stacy attended Oklahoma State University where she participated on the Women's Golf team from 1990 – 1995. Her first golf related job was working for the Northern Texas PGA Junior Tour with Barry Rodenhaver as a summer intern helping to set up and run the Junior Golf tournaments. After this internship experience, she knew that she wanted to teach juniors and work in the golf industry. She became a professional in 1995, eventually earning her LPGA Membership. Her career includes roles at the Country Club of Woodmore as an Assistant Golf Professional (1995 –1997); TPC at Avenel as an Assistant Golf Professional (1997 – 1999); and her current role at Congressional Country Club since 1999 as the Junior Golf Director and Teaching Professional.
Their goal for juniors at Congressional CC is to teach athletes first and golfers second, teaching and training future members. They teach their juniors with athletic movements in different sports and fun games that help juniors learn to play golf. They offer tournaments, playdays, camps, classes, interclub matches and Girls Golf Club from ages 3 to 17. This allows all juniors to learn golf at his or her pace.
Stacy is actively involved with the PGA of America and the Middle Atlantic PGA through being the lead for Congressional CC’s PGA HOPE Program. Their goal is to work with veterans to develop their skills while incorporating games and on course instruction. She highlights that golf helps our veterans take their minds away from other distractions while healing, empowering and building a community for the veterans.
She was named LPGA National Junior Leader in 2016 and LPGA Northeast Section Junior Golf Leader in 2015 and 2016.
She and her husband Gus Arndt met at the Country Club of Woodmore and have been married for 25 years. They have two children Gustave Arndt (19), an Eagle Scout who attends her alma mater, Oklahoma State University and Hunter Arndt (16), an Eagle Scout who attends Urbana High School.
MERCHANDISERSOFTHEYEAR
ThisawardisbestowedonthosePGAProfessionalswhohavedemonstratedsuperiorskillsasmerchandisersinthe promotionofgolf. Thisawardrecognizesexcellenceingolfshopoperations.
MERCHANDISEROFTHEYEAR PUBLICCATEGORY
WilliamE.SassIII,PGA OceanCityGolfClub Berlin,Maryland
William “Buddy” Sass was born in Washington, D.C. to William, Jr. and Jayne Sass. He has a brother, Patrick and a sister, Suzanne. His father introduced him to the game of golf at the age of 10, by playing golf with him on Saturdays and by gifting him lessons from PGA Professionals Bill Deck and Bob Haley. He graduated from High Point University in 1984 with a BS in Accounting. Buddy was a 2-time NAIA Academic All-American and All-Conference golfer while at High Point. In 1991 Buddy received his MBA from Salisbury University.
Buddy’s first golf-related job was being a part-time shop employee for Hunt Crosby at Ocean Pines Country Club. After discussing his future with PGA Professional Bill Sporre, whom he admired and respected, Buddy decided to turn professional in 1984. He was elected to membership in the PGA of America in 1987. Buddy was the Assistant Golf Professional at High Point County Club, High Point, N.C. (1984-1985); Lochmere Golf Club, Cary, N.C. (1985-1988); Ocean Pines Country Club. (1988-1989); The Beach Club Golf Links, Berlin, MD (1989-1990) and as a Head PGA Professional at Ocean Pines Country Club, Berlin, MD (1991-1996); Deer Run Golf Club, Berlin, MD (1997-1998); and Ocean City Golf Club, Berlin, MD (1999-Present).
The purpose of Sass Golf Shop is to provide outstanding service and purchase opportunities for the various clientele of the course. This core value is complicated by the various types of customers that enjoy Ocean City’s facilities. The Premium members play approximately 15,000 rounds of golf and require all the daily items related to golf such as clubs, balls and accessories. The Secondary members have an entirely different set of needs and expectations, as they play an additional 30,000 rounds. Ocean City also serves a robust local golf population as well as package/travel golfers. As a result, the golf shop offers many types of merchandise suitable for more transient golfers. He notes that “it's interesting, challenging and fun to try and stock the appropriate items for our varied and changing customer base.”
Buddy’s personal golf philosophy revolves around service and connection to others. He was taught by his mentors to anticipate customer needs by getting to know them and their families. He tries to develop long lasting relationships of service to his membership and other customers. He also believes his success has increased in proportion to his growing relationship with Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior.
This is the second time Sass has won the Merchandiser of the Year Public Award, the first time being in 2003 and he was the recipient of the Presidents Award in 2012.
Buddy has been married to his wife Sylvia, an avid golfer, for three years. He has two daughters Cecily (27) and Chloe (24), a son Will (26), stepdaughter Grace (26), and stepson Owen (24).
Zach Pfingst, PGA
Bay Creek Resort and Club
Cape Charles, Virginia
Zach Pfingst has been named the recipient of the 2024 Merchandiser of the Year in the Resort Category, his second time receiving this honor. This award recognizes PGA Professionals who have demonstrated superior skills as merchandisers in the promotion of golf.
Zach was born in Virginia Beach, VA in 1980 to his parents, Hal and Linda. His father introduced him to the game at Cypress Cove Country Club in Franklin, Virginia. He took him to the club at the age of 11 after watching The Masters on television the day before. His decision to focus on golf came when he finished third in his very first Junior golf event. After that he was hooked and really started to practice and play a lot more.
He earned his Sports Management Degree and Business Management Degree from North Greenville College in Greenville, South Carolina. There he was a four-year starter, who won six individual college tournaments and was named College All-America his senior year.
After college, Zach joined the staff at Bay Creek Resort and Club in 2001. From 2001-2008 he served as an Assistant Golf Professional. He was elected to membership in the PGA of America in 2007, and in 2008 he was promoted to Head Golf Professional. He served in that role until 2020 when he received a promotion to his current role as the Director of Golf.
His personal philosophy is to work hard and be enthusiastic about whatever you do. He shared that the goal of the club is to provide guests with a high-level experience from the moment they walk into the golf shop, that they not only want to have great top of the line quality products but also extend a friendly and professional feel. He notes that the product buying mix is important, but the staff is the most important part of the success there. They purchase mostly bright vibrant colors and patterns to merchandise the shop with. With being a vacation destination in addition to their location very near Chesapeake Bay, the bright vibrant colors sell so much better. Resort guests are happiest on vacation and really gravitate to those bright vibrant colors and patterns.
He has a son Zachary Pfingst Jr who is 14 years old and plays guitar. He and his wife Sarai Diaz have been married since 2020.
ChrisCostantino,PGA CattailCreekCountryClub
Glenwood,Maryland
Chris was born on September 14, 1991, in Olney, MD, to Anthony and Lucia. He is the youngest of three siblings (Niki and Anthony Jr.). Chris was introduced to the game of golf at age six through his father, learning to hit golf balls around the yard in the least number of shots possible. Chris’s Grandfather, Orlando, was the first family member to take up golf and joined Arnie’s Army through the television. Chris remembers often gathering around the TV on Sunday afternoon with his dad and grandfather watching David Duval, Phil Mickelson, and a young Tiger Woods.
Chris’s first golf-related job was at 13 working at Laytonsville Golf Course for Dean Greer, PGA. In high school and college, Chris worked at Argyle Country Club for Mike Barillo, PGA. Chris attributes his love for people, junior golf, and the game overall from these two PGA professionals. Both of whom took pride in promoting junior golf, caring deeply about interclub and junior camaraderie.
Upon graduating from Sherwood High School, Chris spent two years playing collegiately at La Salle University before transferring to Towson and graduating in 2014. After graduating with a Political Science Degree, Chris decided to stick with his passion, and accepted a job at Bethesda Country Club working for Ted Pogorelc, PGA as an assistant professional. Chris spent six years at Bethesda and gained invaluable experience in all aspects of the golf operation from both Ted and Jim Folks, PGA. In 2020, Chris joined the professional staff at Burning Tree Club working for Ricky Touma, PGA and Charlie Briggs, PGA. Chris credits Ricky and Charlie for emphasizing that everything matters and treating every day like the Super Bowl.
In February of 2022, Chris accepted the Head Professional Job at Cattail Creek Country Club in Glenwood, MD.
Chris attributes his success to having a great team around him, and a conscious effort to continually improve in every area of the operation and profession. Chris also credits Jim Smith Jr., PGA, who has been an outside mentor of his since his college days at La Salle.
Chris met his wife, Samantha through their wonderful friends at Argyle Country Club and got married in October 2021. They have two girls, Charlotte who is 2 and Catherine who was recently born in December.
ThisawardbestowsspecialrecognitiononanassistantPGAProfessionalwho,throughacommitmenttoimproving opportunitiesforassistants,hasdistinguishedhimself/herselfinservicetotheSection,his/herpeers,andfacility.
MatthewC.Brennan,PGA
TheCountryClubofVirginia Richmond,Virginia
Matthew was born and raised in Raleigh, NC to parents James and Deborah Brennan. At the age of 7, he was introduced to golf by his father at a local driving range which is now the First Tee - Triangle. When he was around 11 or 12, his parents became members of a local club, and he started playing much more frequently with the rise in popularity of Tiger Woods.
Brennan graduated from the PGA Golf Management Program at North Carolina State University and while there completed internships at Sea Island GC, Old Chatham GC, Pebble Beach Resorts, Southern Hills CC, and Quail Hollow Club. He received his first Seasonal Assistant Golf Professional role at Applebrook GC, then his first full time Assistant Golf Professional role at TPC Wakefield Plantation, where he worked from 2016-2019. During his time at TPC Wakefield Plantation, he was elected into membership with the PGA of America in 2017. He then moved to Park Ridge CC where he was the Lead Assistant Golf Professional before taking his current role at The Country Club of Virginia as the Senior Assistant Golf Professional in 2021.
At the Country Club of Virginia he has worked to grow the retail operations, the Op36 program at the James River location, and has completely revamped the intern program. He is open to mentoring and assisting fellow colleagues and PGA professionals. Brennan noted that he was fortunate to work for some amazing people in the golf business and attributes his success to learning from them.
Prior to coming to the Middle Atlantic Section, Matt served as the Secretary of the CPGA Assistants Association and served on the IPGA Assistants & Pro-Am Committees. He was named as the Section’s A-8 Director and served in that role from 2022-2023. During his time as Director, he was able to accomplish three firsts for the APA. The first was being able to obtain two title sponsorships for the APA and the second was making sure APA tournament events had a mandatory education seminar before each event. This has allowed A-8's to stay current on their Professional Development Requirement credits. The third was a decision that required APA membership to be eligible to play in tournaments. This resulted in the largest membership in history for the association. After his term, he has remained active on the APA Committee. He was named as the inaugural Southern Chapter Assistant Professional of the year in 2023.
Matthew and his wife Caitlin were married in 2016 and they share two daughters Kennedy (5) and Quinn (1).
YOUTHPLAYERDEVELOPMENTAWARD
ThisawardbestowsspecialrecognitiononaPGAProfessionalwhoisaleaderinjuniorgolf,reflectstheimageand qualitiesthatjuniorscanemulate,andprovidesopportunitiesforjuniorstolearnandplaygolf.
BillFedder,PGA
TheClubatGlenmore Keswick,Virginia
Bill was born in Lynchburg, VA to parents Berenice and the late Brian Fedder. He was raised in Lynchburg along with his sister Edie Fedder. He was introduced to golf at the age of two by his parents as his father was a PGA of America member and his mother was an LPGA member.
His first golf-related job was in the bag room at Oakwood Country Club for his dad. Bill was an accomplished junior golfer winning the 1998 VSGA Junior Amateur and being named as the 1998 VSGA Junior Golfer of the Year. After earning his BA in Business Administration from Furman University, he became a golf professional in 2006.
Before moving to his current role in 2019, Fedder worked at Piedmont Driving Club (2006-2011), Druid Hills Golf Club (2011-2014), Jim McLean Golf School at Doral (2014-2015), and Spring Creek Golf Club (2015-2019). He now directs the Rotella-Fedder Academy of Excellence at The Club at Glenmore, as well as overseeing the Club’s entry level programming.
In 2020, with Dr. Bob Rotella, Bill founded the Rotella-Fedder Excellence Academy, a year-round all-encompassing program for junior golfers looking to take their game to new heights. Each semester includes weekly group lessons with Coach Bill, weekly strength and conditioning sessions with Coach Bryan, and the Saturday Tournament Series where they compete in a variety of tournament formats. Semesters also include group sessions with Dr. Bob Rotella and private golf lessons with Coach Bill.
Bill also oversees Glenmore’s entry level programming that includes PGA Junior League, Birdie Basics, Girlz Only Clinics, After-School Clinics, and their Fire 12 program. As director of the Rotella-Fedder Academy, Bill helped establish the Rotella-Fedder Golf Classic. Over the past three years The RFGC has raised over 100k for junior golfers at Glenmore and Central Virginia. Money raised underwrites the cost of all of their entry level programming and also provides scholarships to the RF Academy. In 2024, the Rotella-Fedder Excellence Academy started the process of transitioning to a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization with the goal of furthering its reach and impact on the young people of its community.
Bill remains a competitive player himself qualifying for the 2025, 2024, 2022, and 2020 PGA Professional Championships, earning Low Professional honors at the 2024 Silvercrest Cup, and winning the 2024 Middle Atlantic PGA Professional Championship amongst other playing honors.
Bill and his wife of 11 years Karie share two children Hayes (6) and Faye (3).
ThisawardbestowsspecialrecognitiononaPGAProfessionalforexemplarycontributionsandachievementsinthe area of PlayerDevelopment and for extraordinary efforts in conducting and/or supporting player development initiatives. ThisawardconsidersthePGAProfessional’sgrowthofthegameleadershipcommitmentattheSection andNationallevels,plustheimpactmadeathis/herownfacility.
CathyKim,PGA,LPGA
BaltimoreCountryClub
Baltimore,Maryland
Cathy Kim, PGA, LPGA, has been named the recipient of the 2024 PGA Player Development Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to growing the game of golf. Inspired by her early observations of the sport's diversity gap, Cathy has dedicated her career to breaking down barriers and increasing participation among underrepresented groups. Through her unwavering commitment, innovative programs, and passion for inclusivity, she continues to make a lasting impact on the future of the game.
Born in San Francisco, California, to Edward and Aster Kim, Cathy grew up watching her parents work tirelessly to build a life in the United States after immigrating from South Korea in 1984. When she was seven, her parents purchased and ran their first dry-cleaning business, where she learned valuable customer service skills by working alongside her mother and observing how her parents connected with their customers.
Cathy was introduced to golf at the age of 10 after her father became the first in the family to take up the sport. He enrolled her in a Saturday junior golf clinic at Mountain Shadows Golf Course (now Foxtail Golf Course), where PGA Professionals provided instruction. She quickly developed a passion for the game, which carried through to her collegiate career at Western Washington University, where she earned three medals while completing her degree.
In 2012, Cathy turned professional, beginning her career as an Assistant Golf Professional at Sahalee Country Club and later at TPC Summerlin, where she was eventually promoted to Director of Player Development. In 2019, she relocated to the Middle Atlantic Section, accepting a role as a Teaching Professional at 1757 Golf Club’s Game Improvement Center, where she worked until 2022. That same year, she stepped into her current position as Director of Instruction at Baltimore Country Club, where she oversees and develops a comprehensive array of programs tailored to diverse player needs.
Throughout her career, Cathy has been committed to creating and implementing innovative programs to grow the game and foster inclusivity. At 1757 Golf Club, she led initiatives such as a Women’s Program, Co-Ed Workshops, Winter Golf Program, Junior Golf Academy (ages 7-17), Junior Summer Camps, Girls-Only Golf Program, Tiny Tees Junior Program (ages 6 and under, with parental involvement), and captained three PGA Junior League teams, including an all-girls team.
At Baltimore Country Club, she continues to develop impactful programming, including Women’s Programs, Junior Golf Programs, PGA Junior League, Co-Ed Clinics, a Golf Fitness Program, Social Media Collaboration, Competitive Golf, and numerous Community Events and Outreach efforts.
Beyond her hands-on coaching, Cathy’s influence extends into the digital space, where she has built a strong social media presence, reaching an average of 200,000 accounts per month. Through her Instagram account (@cathykimgolf), where she shares swing tips with over 60,000 followers, she helps grow engagement and drive continued interest in
instruction at Baltimore Country Club. Additionally, she collaborates with numerous golf brands and industry leaders, using digital platforms to further expand access and interest in the game.
Cathy is also active in leadership and mentorship within the golf industry. She was selected to participate in the national PGA LEAD Cohort VIII and currently serves as the MAPGA Northern Chapter Regional Director and is a MAPGA Section Player Development Committee member.
Her excellence in coaching and player development has earned her multiple accolades, including being named Golf Digest Best in State (MD) 2024-25, Golf Digest Best in State (VA) 2022-23, and Golf Digest Best Young Teachers (202126).
Cathy and her husband, Frank Cox, have been married for five years and are proud parents to their one-year-old daughter, Yoona Kim-Cox.
ThisawardbestowsspecialrecognitiononaPGAProfessionalforoutstandingserviceandcontributionstoward developingandimprovingeducationalopportunitiesforPGAProfessionalsandAssociates.
PatrickJ.Bedingfield,PGA BethesdaCountryClub Bethesda,Maryland
Patrick J. Bedingfield was born December 19, 1977, in Silver Spring, Maryland. Patrick comes from a family of avid golfers including his father Dr. James Bedingfield, brother David, and twin sister Andrea, who was a highly ranked junior golfer. His father introduced him to the game of golf at three years old in the backyard, a roughly designed par 3 golf course with one green which was cut to half an inch high grass. He then began playing at Argyle Country Club in 1983. Patrick’s father had a tremendous influence on his decision to play golf. Dr. Bedingfield loves golf, became a student of golf while trying to improve his own game, and his work ethic and passion for the sport inspired Patrick’s desire to pursue golf.
His first job in the industry was in 1990 at Argyle Country Club under PGA Professional Robert Bilbo. He worked in the cart barn, range, and bag room. Patrick became a golf professional on his eighteenth birthday in 1995 and was elected to PGA membership in 2002. He served in Assistant Professional roles at Argyle CC, Montgomery CC, and Bethesda CC before becoming the Director of Instruction at Bethesda CC, the role he serves in today. Since 2015, Patrick has also volunteered as an assistant Coach for the University of Maryland Women’s Golf Team.
Professionally, he claims two excellent mentors, Robert Bilbo, PGA and MAPGA Hall of Famer Jim Folks, PGA. He considers them both to be like second fathers and most of all tries to emulate their professionalism.
Patrick has been involved in MAPGA Section educational programming since earning his PGA membership in 2002. Early in his career, he was actively involved in mentoring aspiring golf professionals, helping them with their workbooks as Associates worked towards their PGA membership. Since then, he has presented at several MAPGA Teaching & Coaching Summits, Caves Valley Seminars, and hosted other MAPGA educational sessions at Bethesda CC. In 2022-2023 he hosted a 7-session, 6-week Golf Instructional Seminar focused on teaching techniques, club fitting skills, student needs analysis, and more. He prides himself on being an early adopter to incorporating technology into his golf instruction. Patrick was one of the first to leverage Trackman in his golf instruction and has since incorporated other technologies including Science and Motion Putt Lab, Swing Catalyst 3 Motion Plate and Gears for Golf 3D capture system. He has readily shared this knowledge and experience with his fellow PGA professionals.
This is Patrick’s third MAPGA award. In 2005, he was named MAPGA Assistant Professional of the Year and in 2021 he was named the MAPGA Teacher and Coach of the Year. He has also been listed as one of Golf Digest’s Top Teachers in the state since 2013.
Thisawardbestowsspecialrecognitiononanindividualwhosetirelesseffort,unwaveringdedication,andexceptional contributions tothegame of golfresultinsignificant benefitto the Middle Atlantic Section, itsmembers and apprentices,andtotheentiregolfcommunity. TheSectionPresidentpersonallyselectstheoutstandingrecipientof thisaward.
JoyBonhurstPGA,LPGA
BlueMashGolfCourse
Laytonsville,Maryland
The MAPGA President, Lynne Hunter, personally selects this President’s Award winner to recognize an individual who has been working “under the radar,” to improve our game, our industry, and our Association. Ms. Hunter has identified Joy Bonhurst, PGA, LPGA for her endless support of the Section, her fellow PGA professionals, and the advancement of the game of golf.
Joy was born in Huntington, NY and has one brother, John Bonhurst. She was introduced to the game of golf by her mother, an avid golfer, when she was around 11 years old. Her mom introduced her to the game of golf by taking her to a schoolyard where they would hit and shag their own golf balls. After shagging their own golf balls too many times, she figured out a way to make their practice sessions a lot more fun and efficient. She trained their dog Pepper, (a beautiful golden retriever) to retrieve the golf balls for them. Joy shared that as she reflects on her introduction to golf and those days with her mother and Pepper, she realizes that those days were so special in her life and why she fell in love with the game of golf.
In high school, her first golf-related job was working at Birdie Golf indoor facility on Long Island in exchange for golf lessons. In 1989, Joy graduated from Methodist College with a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Professional Golf Management. She worked at Highland CC and Bent Tree CC before joining the staff at Chevy Chase Club where she worked from 1991-2008. From 2009-2012 she worked at Club Golf Performance/Sport & Health. In 2012, she began her current role at Blue Mash Golf Course at the Joyland Golf Studio.
During her career she credits Troy Beck (2021 MAPGA Hall of Fame inductee) and Holly Anderson, PGA, her college roommate, as incredible personal inspirations and mentors in her professional career. Other individuals she credits as being instrumental in helping her include Liz Cooper, PGA, LPGA, Lynne Hunter and Linda Nevatt, PGA, LPGA.
Joy’s career has included numerous playing honors including earning the MAPGA Women’s Section Player of the Year twice (2008, 2009). Her professional honors include the 2019 MAPGA Teacher and Coach of the Year, 4-time LPGA Professional Northeast Section Teacher of the Year, 4-time LPGA Professional Top 50 Best Teachers worldwide, 4time Golf Digest “Best Teachers in the State” of Maryland, amongst others.
She continues to serve her professional Associations, serving currently on the MAPGA Tournament Committee, the LPGA Professional National Tournament Committee, and the LPGA Professional Northeast Mentoring Program. That service plus her commitment to running a memorial tournament in honor of Troy Beck that raises funds for Girls Golf were two of many reasons President Hunter selected Joy for this honor.
ThisawardbestowsspecialrecognitiononaPGAProfessionalwhohasshownoutstandingintegrity,commitmentto mentoringtheirfellowPGAProfessionalsinimprovingtheiremploymentsituations,andinvolvementincommunity andcharitableactivities. Theawardisnamedinhonorofthelate“Coach”BillStrausbaugh,formerHeadPGA ProfessionalatColumbiaCountryClubinChevyChase,Maryland,andmemberoftheMAPGAHallofFameClassof 1989
AdamC.Smith,PGA
TheCountryClubofVirginia Richmond,VA
Adam Smith grew up in Richmond, Virginia. He is the youngest of six children and was the only kid in the family who played golf. Adam had his first job in the golf business, in 1983, as a teenager at The Country Club of Virginia. His father, Bill Smith, was the PGA Director of Golf there from 1972-1993. Adam learned golf at age six, taking lessons from his father. As his game developed as a teenager, he continued with lessons from local PGA legends Leo Steinbrecher, Freddy Christian and Bill Strausbaugh. Adam credits the majority of his early mentorship in the golf business to PGA Professional (and MAPGA Hall of Famer) Paul Michaelian, who served as an assistant professional at CCV while Adam was a teenager.
Adam played on his Varsity High School golf team in 1984, as an eighth grader, and after five years of competitive varsity golf, he went on to play college golf at Radford University. Adam became a golf professional in 1994, after graduating college with a degree in English. Writing golf instruction articles and publishing them is a passion of Adam’s. He began his professional career in golf instruction, teaching golf at Bogeys Sports Park from 1994 – 1995. Then went on to work for Matt Ball, PGA at Richmond Country Club from 1995 – 1997. He was then hired by Richard White, PGA at The Dominion Club from 1997 – 1998. Soon after that, he was hired by Mike Hott, PGA at Salisbury Country Club, where he would spend two decades of his golf career, from 1998 to 2018, building a reputation as a reputable instructor in Virginia. Adam was elected to PGA Membership in 2004. In 2018, Adam moved on to Kinloch Golf Club for one year, before being hired by Warren West, PGA at The Country of Virginia in 2019. Since his high school days, every golf job for Adam has been in Richmond, Virginia. And returning to The Country Club of Virginia has not only been full circle for Adam, but also a dream come true.
Adam was named the Middle Atlantic PGA Teacher of The Year in 2008. In 2016, he was awarded the Middle Atlantic PGA Professional Development Award. Adam has been on the GOLF Magazine Teachers to Watch list since 2019. Golf Digest placed him on the “Best in State" list in 2010. He has been named Top 50 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional Elite by Golf Range Association of America and has served as a member of the MAPGA Education Committee. Adam proudly serves on the PGA Magazine Golf Instruction Advisory Board and also on the GRAA Committee for Growing the Game. Over the years, he has spoken at many National Conferences, including the PGA Show and the PGA Demo Day in Orlando. He also spoke at the PGA National Clubfitters Conference in Chicago and several PGA Magazine Boot Camps up and down the east coast. Adam has hosted and presented during MAPGA Section Coaching and Teaching summits over the years. He has hosted the PGA Magazine National Clubfitting Conference in Richmond, two times in his career.
Adam met his wife, Kristen, at Radford University. She was studying elementary education and would later become a fifth-grade teacher. She knew what a catch she had when she asked him to her Delta Zeta sorority formal at Radford. They dated all through college and got married in Richmond in 1997. Adam and Kristen have three children. Their son, Logan (25), is a material science engineer from Virginia Tech’s School of Engineering. Logan works in Reading, Pennsylvania in research and development for special metals at Carpenter Technologies. Logan, over the
holidays this year, became engaged to his college sweetheart. Their second son, Carter (23), is a graduate of The University of South Carolina. Carter works in Richmond as a construction cost accountant for The Allen Myers Corporation. And they have a daughter, Ellie (21), who is currently a junior at The University of Arizona, in Tucson. Ellie will be studying abroad in Rome, Italy during her second semester of her junior year. The Smith family is entertained daily by their hilarious and fun loving nine-year-old Yellow Lab, named Maverick.
Adam’s personal golf philosophy with every lesson is to “keep it simple and make it enjoyable.” When it comes to teaching golf, he believes in learning what the student needs. Adam helps students by using simple techniques, by doing one thing at a time and by making sure the student comprehends the message. Along with his knowledge of the golf swing, he has a passion for assisting with golf fitness training and encouraging wellness and a healthy golf lifestyle. His love for the game of golf, the golf business and his love for his role at The Country Club of Virginia is evident every day. Adam’s early years of being mentored in golf, his subsequent mentorship of others, service to the Middle Atlantic PGA Section as well as the National PGA, and his willingness to volunteer his time to his peers make Adam the ideal candidate for the 2024 Middle Atlantic PGA Bill Strausbaugh Award.
ThisawardbestowsspecialrecognitiononaPGAProfessionalforexcellenceingolfinstructionalongwithoverall distinguishedperformanceasaPGAProfessional.
SeanEnglish,PGA ElkridgeClub Baltimore,Maryland
Sean English was born August 12, 1970, in Paducah, KY to parents Don English and Shirley Bentley. He began playing golf at the age of twelve when he was introduced to the sport by his stepfather, Leroy Bentley.
Sean’s first golf-related job was in 1989 as a Shop Assistant at the Country Club of Paducah. He became a golf professional in 1993 and worked at Beechmont CC in Ohio as an Assistant before moving to Urbana CC, where he was promoted to Head Professional. Sean moved to Wisconsin when he was named Head Professional at Bristlecone Pines GC, before moving back to Ohio where he worked at Kenwood CC for eight years. During his time at Kenwood CC, he was named the 2007 Southern Ohio PGA Teacher of the Year. Sean moved to the Middle Atlantic Section in 2012 when he became a Teaching Professional at Caves Valley Golf Club. After 6 years there, he was named to his current position as Director of Instruction at the Elkridge Club.
Several mentors influenced Sean including Daniel “Kayo” Mullen, PGA who shared an interest in him as a young boy and gave him the guidance on how to the play game but also how to present himself. Charlie Stone, PGA hired him as an Assistant at Beechmont CC in 1993 and as Sean describes it “molded a very green and naïve young man into a golf professional.” Additional mentors in golf include Bernie Najar, PGA; Gil Gusweiler, PGA; and Dennis Satyshur, PGA.
Since arriving at Elkridge, he has elevated the programming, enhanced the Learning Center amenities, hired and overseen additional staff and provides the membership with opportunities to learn and play year-round. Starting with conducting group lessons in each season. Sean has added New Golfers programming, New Member Lesson Gifts, and established a PGA Junior League team program which has grown to two 13U teams and a 17U team. During the summer season, Sean expanded the Junior Golf Camp program to each week of summer vacation, then added a second week each month of Pee Wee Camp. He conducts over 1500 hours of instruction during the year to players of all skill levels including successful juniors, college, and tour players.
Sean feels education is the biggest asset a PGA Professional can have. He attends over one hundred hours of education each year, investing in his own education so that he can help others. Sean is the Chair of the Education Committee where he has been instrumental in the planning and execution of both in-person and virtual education for the last five years. He not only hosts fellow PGA professionals himself but has also assisted with the organization of countless other education opportunities such as Associate Development Days which he and fellow PGA professional Mark Russo launched.
He earned his PGA Specialized Professional in Teaching & Coaching in 2021 and earned his PGA Certified Professional in 2024. English’s honors include the 2021 MAPGA Professional Development Award, 2007 SOPGA Teacher & Coach of Year, 2023-24 US Kids Foundation Top 50 Kids’ Coach Award, 2024-25 US Kids Foundation Top 50 Master Kids’ Coach Award, 2024-25 Golf Range Association Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional, and Golf Digest Best Teachers in State 2022-2025.
Sean has been married to his wife Anita for 23 years and they share their son Grant. Grant (21) plays baseball at Montgomery College.
ThishighhonorbestowsspecialrecognitiononaPGAProfessionalforoverallperformanceasaPGAProfessional, leadership,service,andpromotionofthegameofgolf.
AdamRelan,PGA Bide-A-WeeGC Portsmouth,Virginia
Adam Relan has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 PGA Professional of the Year Award for his extensive service to the Section, his support of fellow PGA Professionals, and his commitment to growing the game of golf.
Adam was born in Jacksonville, Florida to Craig and Marty Relan. He has one brother Scott and a late sister Dina Relan Johnson. His father served as an Officer in the United States Navy for 22 years before a successful career in business while his mother was a superwoman raising Adam and his siblings while creating a successful interior design business. He was introduced to the game of golf by his father's parents at a very young age along with a childhood friend on the Gulf Coast in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
Relan attended Mississippi State University before transferring to and ultimately graduating from Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina with a degree of Bachelor of Business Administration and Professional Golf Management.
Upon graduation, Adam began his golf career as a Golf School Instructor and Assistant Golf Professional at Woodlake Resort in Country Club in Vass, NC. He served there until moving to Smithfields Country Club in Easley, SC. At Smithfields he served as the Director of Instructor and Lead Assistant from 2002-2008, then Head PGA Golf Professional from 2008-2010 and then Director of Golf & General Manager from 2010-2013. In 2014, he and family relocated to the Portsmouth, VA area where he currently serves as the Director of Golf and General Manager of Bide-A-Wee GC and The Links at City Park. He oversees full operations at both facilities as well as managing the lease agreement with Suffolk Golf Course.
Adam is the Coach of his PGA Jr League team and is the PGA HOPE Lead for the PGA HOPE Tidewater Chapter. Adam typically hosts two PGA Jr League programs a year and two PGA HOPE series in the Spring and two more series in the Fall. For these efforts along with all of his innovative Player Development programs at his facilities he was named as the recipient of the 2023 MAPGA Player Development Award.
Adam is active in governance within the Southern Chapter, at the Section level and even Nationally through the PGA of America. He currently serves as the Southern Chapter’s Vice President, having already served as the chapter Secretary for two years. At the Section level, he has previously served on the Junior Golf Committee, and he continues to serve as Chair for both the Section's Player Development Committee and the Section's PGA HOPE Committee. Nationally, Adam also serves on the PGA of America's PGA HOPE Committee. He was also just announced as the recipient of the PGA of America Patriot Award for 2025, honoring his service to our veterans and PGA HOPE. He will be honored in November 2025.
Adam brings his love and passion for growing the game to his community as a board member of the First Tee of Hampton Roads. Adam has been honored and recognized by the Portsmouth Outreach Foundation in 2024 for his commitment and leadership in sport in his community. He also received the NGCOA's Mid-Atlantic Public Golf Leader Award in 2021 as the leader of his facility.
He and his wife Abbey have been happily married for 21 years and they have a son Ames (18) and a daughter Ana Grace
