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Vermont Golf
Association
Message from the President
As the 2011 golf season
winds, down except for those die-hard players who will still be
out on the links when sunny and warm days allow, it’s time to
reflect on what can best be described as a challenging year for
golf courses throughout the State as well as the VGA and its
mission.
Mother Nature was certainly
the main story as she forced several events to be rescheduled.
But the true Vermont spirit shown through as courses and their
staffs worked tirelessly to get everything back into playable
shape.
The VGA staff of Interim
Executive Director Mark Wolinsky, assistant Jake Rigopoulos, and
our Boatwright Intern Buddy Herron are to be commended for their
extra efforts in making this year as seamless as it could be
given all the challenges. Without them we would not have had
such a successful year!!!!!
Since the organization is
highly dependent on volunteers it goes without saying our
current directors, past directors and past presidents along with
course volunteers, our major tournaments and state days could
not have gone as smoothly. The success of our Myrtle Beach Four
Ball as well as the highest participation ever at our Spring
Four Ball indicates the interest that exists for golf in the
state is alive and well.
Special mention goes to
Richard Mihlrad and his committee who head up the success of our
1st Tee National School
Program. Additionally, another successful Scholarship Scramble
under the direction of Larry Kelley Jr. and his committee
continues to make this effort a large part of what the VGA is
committed to for our scholars in the State.
The VGA thanks Carl
Anderson, Charlie Ginnett, Richard Meunier and Mike Montaigne
our outgoing directors who have given many hours over these past
six year to help improve our organization. I know they
will stay involved and look forward to having them as part of
our team. We welcome our new Directors, Gene MacCallum, Brad
Dudley, Terry Rafter, Steve Nardell, and Bob Blanchard who are
excited to join the board. They along with the rest of our board
are ready for 2012.
We’ve been blessed the past
two years to have Larry Kelley Jr. as our President. His
leadership, guidance and vision for the organization have been
invaluable. We are certainly a better organization because of
Larry and will continue to bring the VGA into a new era as a
result of his contributions.
Looking forward to 2012, the
VGA is excited to announce the hiring of Dave Pfannenstein as
its new Executive Director. Dave a long time
Vermont PGA Member came to Vermont to teach at Mount Snow in
1986, and has worked as a golf professional in VT the past 26
years. He was head professional at Crown Point C.C. in
Springfield VT from 1991-1997. In 1998 Dave assumed the Head
Golf Professional and Director of Golf position at Killington
Resort for 13 years thru the 2010 season. He spent
2011 as the Assistant Professional
and Teaching Professional at The Sugarbush Resort.
Dave has strong ties to the
golf industry, golf associations, golf industry representatives
and the golf community. He shares our mission of growing the
game of golf in Vermont amongst our Member Clubs, our Junior
Program and our amateur events. Dave is already engaged with the
organization and looks forward to meeting as many member clubs
and its members as he can.
Finally, I’m honored to be
President of this great organization. My experience these past
four years as a director and the last two as Vice President has
been rewarding. The individuals who continually volunteer their
time whether it is as a director, past director, or someone from
our member clubs that spends time at our events provides all the
inspiration one needs to get involved. We are fortunate to have
great relationships with the Vermont State Women’s Golf
Association, the Vermont PGA, the Vermont Seniors Golf
Association as well as the Vermont Golf Course Superintendents
Association which will only help in the future.
Lastly, I’m deeply indebted
to Larry Kelly Jr. who has been a great mentor these past two
years. He has and continues to provide me with support as we
move the VGA forward. I’m excited about our future at the VGA
and invite everyone who is involved with this wonderful game to
join us whether it be participating in our events, or
volunteering their time But most of all, enjoy playing, Golf is
fun!!!!!!
Yours in Golf,
Pat Murray
President, VGA
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