ELMSFORD, N.Y. (April 18, 2013) – On Tuesday, April 16, the Metropolitan PGA held their 51^st Educational Forum at Westchester Broadway Theatre in Elmsford, N.Y.  As a part of the day’s activities, the Met PGA presented three special awards – the Sam Snead Award to Jeff Hall of the USGA, Met PGA Player of the Year to Danny Balin of Burning Tree, and the Met Professional of the Year to Mike Summa of Stanwich.

The Sam Snead Award, the Met PGA’s highest honor that can be presented to an amateur, was awarded to Jeff Hall of the USGA for his continued passion and desire to be involved with golf at the highest level while remaining highly involved with Met Area golf. Hall started his career at the Met PGA in the late 1980s, and when he moved on to work for the USGA he became directly involved with all Rules of Golf Committee activities.

Now, as the Managing Director of the Rules of Golf, Competition, & Amateur Status, Hall oversees all of the day-to-day activities of the Rules and Competitions Department, and is directly involved with the “inside the ropes” activities at the U.S. Open. Hall still maintains active relationships in the Met Area frequently is involved with educational programs for Met Area golfers.

Coming off of a spectacular 2012 season (in which he won the Met Open), Danny Balin of Burning Tree took home his third consecutive Met PGA Player of the Year title. In addition to the Met Open, he also won the New York State Open and the Lincoln Met PGA Championship.  Balin is currently competing  incredible success, including playing on the PGA’s new Latinoamerica Tour, Balin is strongly leaving his mark on Met Area golf.

Mike Summa, the Director of Golf at the Stanwich Club, was awarded the Professional of the Year award for being a leader and an innovator at his club. Summa was recognized for his unique gift for bringing together and managing new talent, and leading his staff to become one of the strongest in the area.  As a top ranking teacher, Summa is dedicated to his members and students, earning him the respect of the Met Area community.

The day also included a presentation by Dr. Joe Lacaze, a retired United States Navy Seal and specialist in neuro-muscular therapy, flexibility and performance enhancement.  A special WNBC Fireside Chat (pictured above) with Master Professional Jim McLean and Bruce Beck of NBC Sports (who's featured in the April/May Met Golfer) concluded the forum.