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2-16-10
The Wisconsin Section of the PGA of America announced its annual award-winners in several categories last week.
At the top of the list is Wes Warren, the head pro at North Shore CC in Mequon. Warren was named 2010 golf professional of the year by the WPGA. Warren has been active in recent years in various efforts to grow the game of golf, including work with The First Tee of Milwaukee County and the WPGA Junior Foundation.
Tom Gees of Onalaska is the 2010 Wisconsin teacher of the year. Gees operates the Tom Gees Golf Learning Center, where he also serves as teaching professional. Gees has been a golf teacher for 35 years, giving more than 1,300 lessons annually.
Andrew Barrett has been named the 2010 assistant golf professional of the year, an award sponsored by TaylorMade-adidas Golf. Barrett has worked at Tripoli CC in Milwaukee the last seven years and last year was named membership director at the club. He became a PGA of America member in 2005.
David Bobber, the head pro at the Legend at Brandybrook in Wales, is the 2010 junior golf leader. Bobber has created a vibrant junior golf program at The Legend with more than 250 youngsters participating annually. That number is expected to grow this season now that the private club has merged with the Legend at Bristlecone in Hartland.
The 2010 President’s Plaque Award winner is Kevin Kramp, recently named the head pro at Hidden Glen at Bentdale Farms in Cedarburg. Kramp hosted the WPGA’s Play Golf America Day in 2006, ‘07 and ‘09. Kramp has now won the President’s Plaque the last four years in a row.
Bill Graham has won the Bill Strausbaugh Award, given annually to a PGA member who has shown outstanding integrity and commitment to mentoring fellow PGA professionals. Graham, the head pro at Chenequa CC, has had several of his assistants move on to head pro jobs and other high-profile positions and has been active in community and local charity activities.
John Wallrich has won the 2010 Horton Smith Award, given in recognition of outstanding contributions in developing and improving educational opportunities for fellow PGA members. Wallrich, the head professional at Pine Hills CC in Sheboygan, has served as the WPGA education chairman since 2008.
The WPGA also recognizes three merchandisers of the year, for public, private and resort golf facilities. The winners of those awards are Shaun Finley, head pro at The Oaks GC in Cottage Grove, for public facilities; Josue Reyes who works for the Kohler Co. (Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run) in the resort category; and Graham of Chenequa CC among private facilities.
The 2009 players of the year, based on their play in WPGA tournaments last season, are as follows: Ryan Helminen (pictured on home page), the assistant golf professional at SentryWorld in Stevens Point, is both the WPGA player of the year and the WPGA assistant player of the year. Rich Tock, recently hired as general manager at Erin Hills GC in Erin, is the senior player of the year.
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