Ian Dalzell Leads List of Philadelphia PGA Award Winners

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1 Ian Dalzell Leads List of Philadelphia PGA Award Winners Every year in mid-january, the Philadelphia s PGA Special Awards committee gathers together to begin the daunting task of selecting the newest award winners from a long list of qualified candidates. This year proved no different as the final meeting was held on January 14 and lasted nearly an entire work day. However at the end of the meeting the committee was successful in awarding the PGA Professionals they felt were most deserving in each of the respective categories. All of this year s award winners will be formally recognized at the Section s Spring Meeting being held on Monday April 6 at Spring Mill Country Club in Warminster, Pa. This year the recipient of the Section s top prize, Golf Professional of the Year, is Huntingdon Valley s Ian Dalzell. Dalzell currently serves as the Head Golf Professional at Huntingdon Valley while also serving as Vice-President on the Philadelphia PGA s Executive Committee. Additionally, Dalzell has served the Section on numerous committees as well as one of the Section s seven district directors. On winning the Section s top honor Dalzell commented, I am extremely humbled and honored to have been selected by the Special Awards Committee as the Golf Professional of the Year in the Philadelphia PGA. I have been so fortunate in my 20-years in the PGA to have been surrounded by talented individuals who have provided the mentorship and support needed to excel. My staff has always played an integral role in any successes we enjoy and without the support of my family, both home and abroad, this recognition would surely not have been possible. Dalzell, however, is no stranger to section awards. Dalzell has received three previous Philadelphia PGA awards including Merchandiser of the Year Private (2008) and Horton Smith Award (2012, 2013). During his time as a PGA Professional Dalzell has been instrumental in creating and hosting multiple Section events, including both tournaments and educational seminars. Dalzell s multi-day Fall Education summit is a staple of the Philadelphia PGA s calendar. During his time

However at the end of the meeting the committee was successful in awarding the PGA Professionals they felt were most deserving in each of the respective categories.

2 as a Head Professional, Dalzell has mentored multiple Assistant PGA Professionals some of which have gone on to serve as Head Professionals themselves. The 2014 Philadelphia PGA Teacher of the Year is a first time award winner. John Bierkan of Aronimink Golf Club has made a name for himself in only three years as a member of the Philadelphia PGA. During his time at Aronimink Golf Club, Bierkan has made tremendous strides in the instructional program for both women and juniors at the historic club. Additionally, Bierkan has been contributor to both printed instructional publications as well as educational seminars for fellow PGA Professionals. On his Teacher of the Year award Bierkan stated, I m extremely humbled to be selected Teacher of the Year in a Section filled with so many exceptional teachers. As the son of a PGA Professional this is a wonderful honor. Eric MacCluen, Applecross Country Club, is recognized as the Youth Development Award winner for MacCluen has been a staple on the junior golf scene in Philadelphia for many years. During his time as an instructor, MacCluen has helped more than 100 junior golfers earn collegiate scholarships. MacCluen has also hosted multiple seminars for the Philadelphia Assistance Organization (PAO) with the focus on teaching junior golfers. This is MacCluen s third Philadelphia PGA special award having previously won for Teacher of the Year (1998) and Junior Golf Leader (2002). The 2014 recipient of the Horton Smith Award is Lou Guzzi of the Lou Guzzi Golf Academy at Talamore Country Club. Guzzi has served as a guest speaker at multiple Section and National Education and Teaching Summits. Guzzi has also contributed various printed and online materials for PGA Magazine, and PGA.com among others. Guzzi is a multiple Philadelphia PGA award winner having been presented with the Section s Teacher of the Year awards (2003, 2010) as well as the PGA of America s National Teacher of the Year Award in The 2014 PGA Assistant Professional Award is presented to another first time award winner, Sean Palmer. As Merion Golf Club s First Assistant Professional, Palmer was

During his time at Aronimink Golf Club, Bierkan has made tremendous strides in the instructional program for both women and juniors at the historic club.

3 responsible for the scheduling and creation of various club events. Palmer also helped to facilitate unique travel opportunities for the junior members of Merion Golf Club. In early 2015, Palmer was awarded the position of Director of Golf at the new Union League Golf Club at Torresdale. Palmer reflected on his first Section award selection with the following thoughts, I am humbled and honored to be awarded Assistant Professional of the Year for the Philadelphia Section. I am incredibly proud to represent the Philadelphia Section as the recipient of this award because of the strength of my peers and the clubs we represent. As I move into a larger role of Director of Golf for the Union League Golf Club at Torresdale, I am thankful to Scott Nye, Gene Mattare, Mike Wood, Joey Pohle, and many other local professionals who have influenced me in positive ways to make me the PGA Professional I am today. The 2014 Bill Strausbaugh Award is yet again presented to a first time Philadelphia PGA Award winner. Eric Kennedy, Overbrook Golf Club, has served as a Head Golf Professional for over nine years and in that time he has mentored countless Assistant PGA Professionals. To help younger professionals Kennedy has developed unique mock interview opportunities which have yielded tremendous success ultimately leading to several of his former Assistants receiving Head Professional positions. Kennedy has lent his expertise and enthusiasm for the golf industry to help promote the game through various Get Golf Ready activities. Kennedy also volunteered to teach the Philadelphia PGA s own Get Golf Ready program featured locally on Inside Golf. Kennedy had this to say on winning his first Section award, I had the honor of meeting Mr. Strausbaugh when I was younger and to be associated with him, in any capacity, is humbling and truly an honor for me. For the second consecutive year, Ed Gibson, Makefield Highlands Golf Club, is the recipient of the Philadelphia PGA s Player Development Award. Gibson has been a leader in Player Development in the Philadelphia Section by creating several unique programs to help grow the game. Gibson s programs have proven to yield tremendous results for Makefield Highlands GC. Currently, Gibson serves as the Co-

Palmer reflected on his first Section award selection with the following thoughts, I am humbled and honored to be awarded Assistant Professional of the Year for the Philadelphia Section.

4 Chairman of the Section Player Development Committee. This is the third special award for Gibson who was also honored as PGA Assistant Professional of the Year (2007) and the Player Development Award in (2013). The last three Professional awards are presented to Rick Gibney, Dave Pagett, and John Pillar who were recognized as Merchandisers of the Year in the Public, Private, and Resort categories respectively. Rick Gibney, Colonial Golf and Tennis Club, has worked closely with to consumers at his facility to find out their wants and needs. This philosophy has allowed Gibney to introduce new products and lines into his golf shop which ultimately leads to improved merchandising opportunities for everyone involved. Since arriving at Whitemarsh Valley, Dave Pagett has and his staff has strived to make their shop an inviting and welcome place for all members. Over the last several years major renovations have helped to make the golf shop at Whitemarsh Valley one of kind. Additionally, dedicated merchandising areas for both women and junior golfers have helped to improve to merchandising experience for everyone. John Pillar and the staff at the Country Club at Woodloch Springs continuously reinvent their golf shop with monthly changes to the appearance and layout. This dedication along with the club s level of service have helped Pillar and his staff serve a unique blend of customers that pass through the shop at the resort s 1,100 square foot golf shop. The award is a first for both Gibney and Pagett while Pillar has previously been recognized as Merchandiser of the Year Resort (2003, ) and Golf Professional of the Year (2007). The final special award is presented to Jim Ravina, who will be recognized as Salesperson of the Year for Ravina has been a sale representative in the Philadelphia Section for over 25 years. During that time Ravina has been a strong supporter of the Philadelphia PGA through his sponsorships of various Section events. Ravina has also lent his support to the Philadelphia Junior Tour, the PAO

The last three Professional awards are presented to Rick Gibney, Dave Pagett, and John Pillar who were recognized as Merchandisers of the Year in the Public, Private, and Resort categories

5 and the Section s Central Counties Chapter. The award is Ravina s first Philadelphia Section award.

Oak Valley Golf Academy

Oak Valley Golf Academy Long-Term Program Golf Instructors John Hartman, PGA Senior Golf Instructor John s passion for the game began while he was a young caddie, and he attended St. Louis University on