ANDY SHUMAN WINS 57TH IPGA PRO OF THE YEAR AWARD
ANDY SHUMAN DIRECTOR OF GOLF AT THE TWIN ORCHARD
COUNTRY CLUB OF LONG GROVE, HAS BEEN NAMED IPGA
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR FOR 2011. (photo IPGA/ Mike
Schoaf)
Shuman becomes the 57th winner of the highest award bestowed
on an Illinois PGA golf professional. Shuman will be honored with
other section winners at a dinner to be held at Medinah Country
Club on October 19th.
A member of the PGA of America since 1992, Shuman began his
professional career 24 years ago as an apprentice assistant at the
Twin Orchard Country Club.
Shuman has distinguished himself on many fronts. First fulfilling the
duties of a PGA professional, and then as a competitor on the golf
course. Shuman is a past three-time winner of the Illinois PGA
(IPGA) Assistant Championship, and two-time winner of the IPGA
Players Championship (formerly called the Fall Classic). Which
is the IPGA's fourth major championship of the year.
As a result of his play on the course, Shuman was named the 1996
IPGA Assistant Player of the Year. This will be the third time
Shuman has been honored by the IPGA.
"It's a great honor to be named Illinois PGA Professional of the year,"
said Shuman. "It's always nice to be recognized by your peers. There
are so many great golf professionals in Illinois and to win this award
knowing how many outstanding professionals we have in the Illinois
PGA is really special."
The winner of this award is recognized for their promotion of the game
of golf, community charitable involvement, dedication, leadership and
the ability to inspire other professionals. Shuman 48, of Lake Zurich
played golf at first in Oregon, but really became serious on becoming
a PGA professional after his family moved to Illinois and joined the
Flossmoor Country Club. It was there that Shuman met pro David
Ogilvie III. Shuman credits Ogilvie for being an inspiration on him
and career.
While working as an assistant at Twin Orchard in 1998, the clubs
head professional Earl Puckett announced his retirement. The clubs
board interviewed only Shuman to replace him, hiring him right after
the interview was over. Shuman still sits on the IPGA Board of
Directors that he was selected to in 2008. Shuman also won the
2007 IPGA Private Merchandiser of the year award.
THE IPGA BIRDIES FOR CHARITY EVENT ON SEPT 6, 2011. THE EVENT
PLAYED AT THE RIVER FOREST CC,RAISED OVER $27,000 FOR THE
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE. (photo courtesy of IPGA/ Mike Schoaf)
(L TO R) Casey Brozek, Travis Johns, Doug Porter (CEO RMH Charties
of Chicagoland and Northwest Ind., Eric Schmidt, Chris Gumbach.
***Not pictured Andy Shuman who was a participant in the event***
THE ILLINOIS PGA ASSISTANT PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR,
has been awarded to Matt Flaherty 41 of Lisle, who works at the
Butterfield Country Club in Oak Brook. Flaherty formerly spent
eight years at Stonebridge in Aurora. During the recent renovation
at Butterfield, Flaherty became a Certified Titleist TPI Golf Fitness
Professional and has used those skills to enhance facilities for fitness
and year round golf activities at Butterfield.
THE ILLINOIS PGA TEACHER OF THE YEAR..John Platt of the Green
Garden Golf Academy in Frankfort. Platt 49, earned his PGA membership
in 1996 and is the 26th winner of this award. Prior to working at Green
Garden, Platt spent time at Skokie and Hillcrest Country Clubs, Nettle
Creek and the Sanctuary.
Platt has also been a college coach, before spending the last eight years
developing the golf academy at Green Garden. Platt actually gives over
1,500 private golf lessons a year. Platt has had five students move on to
play college golf, and has appeared on various media outlets to help
promote the game.
THE JUNIOR GOLF LEADER AWARD...Michael Wenzel 32 of Palatine,
who works at the Northbrook Golf Academy at the Sportsman Country
Club in Northbrook. Starting in 2009 Wenzel began hosting an annual
IJGA youth development tournament for ages 6-11. Wenzel previously
worked at Kemper Lakes, and played college golf at Augustana College
in Rock Island.
BILL STAUSBAUGH AWARD..goes to Jim Seeley 69, of Lincolnshire
who is a VP of Operations for Kemper Sports in Northbrook. The award
is presented to PGA professionals who have a mentor other PGA pros,
with support in terms of employment and community service. Seeley
spent time as Director of Golf and General Manager of TPC Avenel,
launching the property and directing the PGA Tour event there. Seeley
has been with Kemper Sports since 1994.
HORTON SMITH AWARD WINNER...is Hans Larson 37, from Mt.
Prospect and Head Professional at Westmoreland Country Club in
Wilmette. This past year Larson helped the club through it's centennial
season.
The Horton Smith award honors PGA professionals who help other
professionals develope through continuing and developing educational
opportunities.
Larson elected to a PGA membership in 1998, worked at Fox Run Golf
Club in Eureka MO., Butler National Golf Club in Oak Brook, and the
Bonita Bay Springs Club in Florida before starting his current position
at Westmoreland. Larson has been a contributor to the PGA Magazine
on merchandising and promotion of the golf shop.
PGA MERCHANDISER OF THE YEAR (PRIVATE FACILITY).. Award
goes to Danny Mulhearn of the Glen Oak Country Club. Mulhearn 44,
of Naperville spent eight years at Cantigny before joining Glen Oak.
Mulhearn takes pride on having or ordering the items the members are
asking for, this is the third IPGA award for Mulhearn.
PGA MERCHANDISER OF THE YEAR (PUBLIC FACILITY)..Award
is presented to Mickey Finn of Urbana Illinois, and the Head Professional
at Stone Creek Golf Club in Urbana. It's Finn's first IPGA award, who
previously worked at the Harrison Hills G & CC in Attica IN, and then
the Sunset Hills GC in Pekin IL.
Finn loves to provide the feeling of "resort for a day". Being in a smaller
golf market, Finn has created a golf facility focused on high-end service
and products. Finn has created a focus on special promotions especially
with corporate style events.
THE BILL HEALD Career Achievement Award..is presented to 93 year
old Dick Carpelli, who still gives lessons at Beverly Country Club in
Chicago.
Carpelli now Beverly's Club Pro Emeritus, got hooked on the game at
an early age in Harrison New York, where he caddied and grew up a
few blocks away from the great Gene Sarazen. Carpelli has given
numerous lessons to celebrities over the years, and enjoyed playing
the game with starts like Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and Perry Como.
Carpelli and wife Christine have been married for 63 years.
The Illinois PGA is the 12th largest PGA Section in America with,
834 members or apprentices. For more information on the Illinois
PGA please visit IPGA.com.
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