April 2, 2001-- The Metropolitan Golf Association received the Metropolitan PGA’s highest honor, the Sam Snead Award, at the 39th Annual Met PGA Educational Forum at the Westchester Broadway Theatre in Elmsford, NY. 

 

The Award is presented annually in recognition of contributions to the game of golf, the PGA and the Metropolitan Section, and is named for the legendary golfer Sam Snead who appeared at the forum in 1973.  It boasts an impressive list of past recipients including PGA Hall of Famers Gene Sarazen and Claude Harmon, as well former MGA Distinguished Service Award winners, Dr. Richard Silver and George Sands. 

 

"The MGA and Met PGA have enjoyed one of the strongest working relationships in golf for many years" noted MGA President Connie DeLoca in accepting the award.  "To receive any award is special, but to be recognized by what is undeniably one of the best PGA Sections in the country is truly an honor"

 

In addition to sharing office space at Golf Central in Elmsford, NY, the two associations jointly produce a cable TV program, The Met Golf Journal, co-host the annual MGA/Met PGA Rules Workshop and work closely on numerous junior golf initiatives in the Met Area aimed at attracting a more diverse group of young players to the game.  The two groups are also actively involved in an effort to develop short, no-frills golf courses for kids.

 

Other awards presented at the Forum went to Bobby Heins of Old Oaks Country Club - Professional of the Year; Rick Hartmann of Atlantic Golf Club – Player of the Year; Michael Breed of Sunningdale Country Club - Teacher of the Year;  Don Beatty of Garden City Country Club - Horton Smith Award; Mike Summa of the Stanwich Club - Bill Strausbaugh Award;  Pat Morris & Bob Posillico of Oyster Bay Golf Course – Junior Golf Leader Award; and Mike Diffley of Pelham Country Club & Dick Smith of Bethpage State Park – Merchandisers of the Year for Private & Public Courses, respectively.

 

Other speakers included sports psychologist, Dr. Rick Jensen, Ph.D, 1999 PGA Teacher of the Year, Mike McGetrick and Ely Callaway, CEO of Callaway Golf.