Special Awards

Get To Know The Pro

Employer – Westmoor Country Club
Position – Head Professional
Elected to PGA Membership – 2005

Hometown – Skokie, IL
Current Residence – Brookfield, WI
College – Ferris State University

Accreditations
Certified PGA Professional – Golf Operations
Business to Business Marketing Certificate – Ferris State University

Awards & Honors
2012 Club of the Year (New Jersey)
2017 WPGA Private Merchandiser of the Year
2019 WPGA Professional Development Award
2020 and 2022 WPGA Bill Strausbaugh Awards

One noteworthy item that stood out from his award application – Was the driving force this past year in creating the “Future Leaders of Westmoor” group. This newly formed group of members was developed with the goal of helping prepare and produce the next crop of leaders for the Brookfield club. Pulizzano sees this as a key to the future success of the club.

Important past work experiences – I’ve been fortunate to work at incredible clubs for top notch golf professionals. Including Tom Wildenhaus at Olde Florida Golf Club in Florida, Jeff Mory at Conway Farms Golf Club in Illinois and Matt Freitag and Mike Adams at Hamilton Farm Golf Club in New Jersey. I’ve also been quite lucky to volunteer at The Ryder Cup, PGA Championship and Masters Tournament. These experiences have been valuable for my professional growth.

Best piece of advice I have been given – From Tom Wildenhaus, “There is always something to do and if there isn’t, you better find something to do.”

How were you introduced to the game of golf and where did you learn to play? – I started later in life. Tiger Woods won the 1997 Masters right around my 15th birthday. His victory propelled golf into a new realm and piqued the interest of non-golfers like me. I never really had the means for private instruction but participated in a few clinics conducted by Chris Pytell. Chris gave me the fundamentals and encouraged me to play as much golf as possible to learn the game. I started working at the Weber Park Par 3 course in my hometown of Skokie.

Biggest hope for the golf industry – I’m hopeful that the golf industry gets back to its roots. The heightened industry awareness has led to increased pressure for clubs and staff to perform at unrealistic levels. This is getting us farther and farther away from how the game should be enjoyed. Golf should be about enjoying your surroundings and your group. All of the other stuff doesn’t really matter.

Favorite way to spend free time – Family and friends.

The best homecooked meal is – My wife is a tremendous cook. Her oven roasted potatoes are world class. Pair that with a bone in rib-eye and great wine… perfection.

Favorite place to hang out in Wisconsin – Our family of four will take one long weekend each summer and rent a cabin somewhere in Wisconsin. These cabins are my favorite places to hang out. Away from the hustle and bustle of summer at a Country Club enjoying campfires and quiet nights with my family.

What are you most looking forward to in 2023 – personally or professionally? – We have a lot on the horizon at Westmoor Country Club. In the spring of 2023, we will complete the first phase of a three-phase golf course master plan. In the fall, we will break ground on a major clubhouse renovation. The future is bright for Westmoor Country Club.

Comments or Thoughts – What does this award mean to you? “I am humbled and excited to be recognized by my peers as the 2023 Wisconsin PGA Golf Professional of the Year. Since moving to Wisconsin in 2014 I have made every effort to give back to the Section through education, mentoring and upholding the image of the PGA Professional. I take great pride in this award and look forward to celebrating this award with our current and former team members of Westmoor Country Club.”

Get To Know The Pro

Employer – TPC Wisconsin
Position – Director of Golf
Elected to PGA Membership – 2008

Hometown – Holmen, WI
Current Residence – Sun Prairie, WI
College – San Diego Golf Academy

Accreditations
Sam PuttLab Level 3 Certification
V1 Pro Master

Awards & Honors
2009 WPGA Assistant Professional of the Year
2015, 2019, 2021 WPGA Teacher of the Year
2020 WPGA Youth Player Development Award
2022 WPGA Player Development Award
GRAA Top 100 Teaching Professional, Golf Digest Top 100 Club Fitter, Golf Digest Top Teachers in Your State, Ping Top 100 Club Fitter, Titleist Top 100 Club Fitter

One noteworthy item that stood out from his award application – Conducted over 1,200 lessons, 300 plus hours of group programming and over 350 plus club fittings this past year.

Important past work experiences – The last 7 years as the Director of Instruction with the Beloit Club and Ironworks Golf Academy and I also previously worked as the Head Golf Professional at Cherokee Country Club (TPC Wisconsin) for 17 years.

Best piece of advice I have been given – If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.

How were you introduced to the game of golf and where did you learn to play? – My Grandpa introduced me to the game when I was 10 years old at Drugan’s Castle Mound.

Biggest hope for the golf industry – It continues to grow.

Favorite way to spend free time – With my family.

The best homecooked meal is – Steak on the grill.

Favorite place to hang out in Wisconsin – On a lake or golf course.

What are you most looking forward to in 2023 – personally or professionally? – I am excited for the opportunities and challenges of opening TPC Wisconsin.

Comments or Thoughts – What does this award mean to you? “I am truly humbled to win the Teacher and Coach of the Year. We have so many outstanding PGA professionals in our section, so to be recognized for this award is a great honor. Thank you to everyone that has helped me along the way. Special thanks to all of my fantastic students!”

Get To Know The Pro

Employer – Ozaukee Country Club
Position – Assistant Golf Professional
Elected to PGA Membership – 2019

Hometown – Sussex, WI
Current Residence – Germantown, WI
College – University of Wisconsin-Parkside

Important past work experiences
Westmoor Country Club in Brookfield
North Shore Country Club in Mequon
Streamsong Resort in Florida

One noteworthy item that stood out from his award application – With multiple staffing challenges going into the season, Wisniewski took on several important new roles at the club. He would be charged with overseeing the outside operations staff and the mentoring and training of a new assistant golf professional. Not only were these duties new and unfamiliar, but they also came with the pressure of the club celebrating its centennial.

Best piece of advice I have been given – Have a backup plan. You hope that everything will work out as planned but if it doesn’t you need to be prepared to make adjustments along the way.

How were you introduced to the game of golf and where did you learn to play? – My dad taught me to play at a very young age. There was a park across the street from my house growing up that we would practice at. We used the baseball diamond and sand volleyball court as target greens to hit at.

Biggest hope for the golf industry – To see young professionals succeed. The golf industry can be a tough place to work at times but seeing more success stories of young professionals will hopefully encourage the next generation to get into the business.

Favorite way to spend free time – Going up north with my wife and dogs to the cabin to relax and fish.

The best homecooked meal is – Steak and potatoes

Favorite place to hang out in Wisconsin – Up north at the cabin.

What are you most looking forward to in 2023 – personally or professionally? – After getting married this past September, I can’t wait to see where life will take us.

Comments or Thoughts – What does this award mean to you? “I am very thankful that I get to share this award with both my family at home and at the club. It means the world to me that I have people around me in this business that support me and want to see me succeed. I can’t thank them all enough.”

Get To Know The Pro

Employer – Beloit Club & Ironworks Golf Academy
Position – Director of Instruction
Elected to PGA Membership – 2015

Hometown – Janesville, WI
Current Residence – Milton, WI
College – UW-Stout & The Professional Golfers Career College

Accreditations
K-Motion 3D Biomechanics Certified
Penn State Biomechanics of Golf Certified
Level 3 TPI Certified Coach – Power, Golf, and Junior Development
Boditrak Ground Mechanics Certified
U.S. Kids Golf Certified Coach

Awards
Golf Fitness Association of America – On Course – Top 100 Facility – 2022

One noteworthy item that stood out from his award application – Tabbert currently coordinates and coaches the Ironworks Golf Academy PGA Jr. League teams. Their participation numbers have increased every season they’ve administered the program. In 2022 they fielded four teams, comprised of 40 kids. In addition, Tabbert has been heavily involved with the all-star team from the South-Central area, which has been very successful in the PGA Jr. League postseason.

Important past work experiences
2012-2016 – Head Golf Professional at Glen Erin Golf Club
2016-2017 – Beloit Club PGA Professional and Ironworks Golf Lab General Manager
2018-2022 – Ironworks Golf Academy Certified Instructor and Club Fitter
Oct 2022 – Present – Ironworks Golf Academy Director of Instruction

Best piece of advice I have been given – “Make preparation be your separation.” – Travis Becker

How were you introduced to the game of golf and where did you learn to play? – I began to learn the game of golf from my grandfather when I was 10 years old on a Par 3 course in Janesville, WI called Hackbarth Hills. It was a great place to learn the game at a young age. Afterwards we’d go to my grandfather’s bar he owned for chicken fingers and cheese curds.

Biggest hope for the golf industry – To have golf courses/facilities that cater to the wide variety interests that bring people to golf. Not all golfers play 18 holes, play for score, or even play on a course. Golf needs to have a variety of pathways to capture interest from all people, all skill sets, and life restrictions. This would mean a wide variety of difficulty of courses, more executive or par 3 courses for beginners and juniors, and quick access green fees for 3, 6, and 9 hole rounds. Also continuing to grow off-course facilities for recreational fun and social entertainment. I feel these concepts will continue to grow the game and reach more people who may not have the time, money, or facilities to play as much as they’d like.

Favorite way to spend free time – Spending time with my wife and kids. Golfing and bowling with my friends and family. I also love watching/attending sporting events for the Brewers, Packers, or Wisconsin Badgers.

The best homecooked meal is – Chicken Alfredo

Favorite place to hang out in Wisconsin – Going to Wisconsin Dells. Playing golf, visiting Noah’s Ark and stopping at Ho-Chunk Casino.

What are you most looking forward to in 2023 – personally or professionally?
Personally – I am looking forward to teaching my son to play golf this summer. He is going to be 4 years old, and I think ready to enjoy a day at the course with Dad.
Professionally – Continuing to grow in my new position as the Director of Instruction for the Ironworks Golf Academy and helping my students enjoy the game as much as possible.

Comments or Thoughts – What does this award mean to you? “This means so much to win the Youth Player Development Award. I have been learning and working hard on my teaching craft for over 13 years, working alongside some of the game’s best coaches. I thoroughly enjoy helping junior golfers get into the game, improve their skills and build good character. To be recognized for this passion with an award is an absolute honor.”

Get To Know The Pro

Employer – Sand Valley Resort
Position – Director of Golf
Elected to PGA Membership – 2017

Hometown – Gainesville, FL
Current Residence – Wisconsin Rapids, WI
College – Professional Golfers College

Accreditations
Certified PGA Professional – Golf Operations, Executive Management, and Teaching and Coaching

One noteworthy item that stood out from his award application – Is a key part of executing the Sand Valley Professional Development Academy (SVPDA), geared towards someone new to the golf industry or a PGM intern. The program gives these individuals something more than just a paycheck or work experience. Examples include short education courses presented by the Sand Valley agronomy team, accounting staff, tournament department and the local PGA career consultant.

Important past work experiences
Westmoor Country Club – Assistant Golf Professional
Pelican Point Golf Club – Head Golf Professional
Lake Geneva Country Club – Assistant Golf Professional

Best piece of advice I have been given – Never be the smartest person in the room.  Always find ways to grow and educate yourself; it may not always be given to you.

How were you introduced to the game of golf and where did you learn to play? – I am a self-taught player for the most part, a few lessons here and there. I picked up golf clubs for the first time in the 10th grade. My friend asked me to come out for the golf team, and I told him he was crazy, and now here I am. We stay in touch to this day and stood up each other’s wedding. It’s amazing what this game can create.

Biggest hope for the golf industry – For us as PGA professionals to continue to be the experts in the game and business of golf. To improve the perception that the golf industry can and is a viable career path. It all starts with us and spreading a positive message.

Favorite way to spend free time – Doing anything with my family. My wife Megan and our two daughters, Saylor and Kinsley, are the joys of my life. Anything with them is priceless.

The best homecooked meal is – Tortellini Soup with Italian Sausage and Spinach

Favorite place to hang out in Wisconsin – I love going back to my wife Megan’s hometown of Muskego and attending local festivals with live music, while spending time with her parents and our kids.

What are you most looking forward to in 2023 – personally or professionally?
Personally, I look forward to watching our two-year-old grow into a big sister.
Professionally, I am looking forward to welcoming a new wave of hires and returners to Sand Valley and being there for them as they navigate life’s journey.

Comments or Thoughts – What does this award mean to you? “This award is very humbling and rewarding, knowing that my peers nominated and selected me to receive this recognition. I have had so many professionals pour their energy and time into my development, and the least I can do is pay it forward. It is an honor to work with the golf leadership staff at Sand Valley. They are the true heroes carrying out the vision of staff development every day, I can’t thank them enough for what they do.”

Get To Know The Pro

Employer – Dretzka Park & Currie Park GC’s
Position – General Manager
Elected to PGA Membership – 2017

Hometown – Muskego, WI
Current Residence – Big Bend, WI
College – University of Wisconsin-Parkside

Awards and Accreditations
2017 WPGA Assistant Professional of the Year
Certified PGA Professional – Golf Operations

One noteworthy item that stood out from his award application – Coached and captained the entire Milwaukee County Parks PGA Jr. League program. This year’s program had 52 participants. Walecki also partners with the First Tee of Southeast Wisconsin to offer additional junior golf programming. Since 2021 the program has doubled in size, from 30 to 60 participants.

Important past work experiences
General Manager and Head Golf Professional of Dretzka and Currie Park Golf Courses
Assistant Golf Professional at Oakwood Park Golf Course
Owner of Holiday Heroes

Best piece of advice I have been given – I have two of them, “Luck comes from hard work” and “In order to get, you have to give.”

How were you introduced to the game of golf and where did you learn to play? – My dad taught me how to play golf when I was 3. I learned at Valley Green, Muskego Lakes and Edgewood Golf Course.

Biggest hope for the golf industry – That this post Covid wave of growth continues. It’s fun going to work with so many people playing the game and wanting to learn the game.

Favorite way to spend free time – When I am way from the golf course, I like spending time with my family. My wife Jacqi and I like to play with our two kids Josie and Brooks. I also enjoying playing hockey.

The best homecooked meal is – Anything my wife cooks. She is a fantastic cook!

Favorite place to hang out in Wisconsin – At my family’s cabin in Rome, WI, or my backyard.

What are you most looking forward to in 2023 – personally or professionally?
Professionally, I am excited for my new role at the Milwaukee County Parks, as I am now the new Head Golf Professional at Brown Deer Park Golf Course. I am eager and anxious for this new opportunity to oversee Milwaukee County’s premier golf course.

Comments or Thoughts – What does this award mean to you? “I am honored, humbled and excited to be recognized as the 2023 Player Development Award winner. This would not be possible without the love and support of my wife and family. I am very grateful to all the people who have believed in me, provided me help and mentored me through my golf career. I also want to thank all my students for allowing me to be part of their golf journey. I will continue grow and strengthen the game I love so much.”

Get To Know The Pro

Employer – X-Golf American Family Field
Position – General Manager
Elected to PGA Membership – 2005

Hometown – Madison, WI
Current Residence – Milwaukee, WI
College – University of Minnesota

Awards & Honors
2004 PGA Tour – U.S. Bank Championship Contestant
2010 WPGA Assistant Professional of the Year
2016, 2017, 2020 WPGA Public Merchandiser of the Year

One noteworthy item that stood out from his award application – During his time with the Milwaukee County Parks he helped elevate numerous staff members into bigger and better roles. In reference to Barrett’s leadership skills, former Milwaukee County Parks Golf Services Manager Chet Hendrickson said, “Out of all the things Andy does well, training his staff is the best.”

Important past work experiences
2015-2022 – Head PGA Professional – Brown Deer Park Golf Course
2010-2015 – Head PGA Professional – Oakwood Park Golf Course
2003-2009 – PGA Assistant Golf Professional – Tripoli Country Club

Best piece of advice I have been given – Exceed expectations.

How were you introduced to the game of golf and where did you learn to play? – Through a new job at Odana Hills Golf Course in Madison, WI at the age of 15. Taught myself for the most part and improved due to being tired of losing quarters to my friends!

Biggest hope for the golf industry – It continues to grow. Allowing all people from all neighborhoods to see the opportunities golf offers.

Favorite way to spend free time – Still golf! Along with being outdoors in general, woodworking, movies, and spending time with my family and girlfriend. 

The best homecooked meal is – Whatever my mother decides to make. It’s all great.

Favorite place to hang out in Wisconsin – Our family cabin near La Crosse. If Six Flags was in Wisconsin, it would be a tougher choice.

What are you most looking forward to in 2023 – personally or professionally?
Professionally, My new job at X-Golf American Family Field comes with a welcomed challenge. I am also looking forward to enhancing my skill set.
Personally, Since my main season is now winter, I am looking forward to traveling this summer with my girlfriend to destinations on the same latitude of Wisconsin for the first time.

Comments or Thoughts – What does this award mean to you? “I love this award. In my opinion it is the most important award. I feel mentoring and encouraging other professionals is a cornerstone of being a PGA Golf Professional. Watching a person grow as a professional and a person is extremely rewarding. I believe the growth of the game will be impacted the most by having passionate professionals take the lead.”

Get To Know The Pro

Employer – Horseshoe Bay Golf Club
Position – Head Professional
Elected to PGA Membership – 2013

Hometown – Park Falls, WI
Current Residence – Egg Harbor, WI

Awards
2017 Southern Texas PGA Patriot Award

One noteworthy item that stood out from his award application – Helped establish a 501c3 foundation for the sole purpose of supporting veterans and their families, Pars for Patriots. The foundation has raised significant funds for the K9 for Warriors, Folds of Honor and Adopt-A-Soldier foundations over the past ten years. His passion and commitment have been unwavering, as he has fundraised and made a difference while working in Oklahoma, Texas and now Wisconsin.

Important past work experiences
Paradise Valley Country Club in Arizona
Gaillardia Country Club in Oklahoma
The TwinEagles Club in Florida
Miramont Country Club in Texas

Best piece of advice I have been given – Be true to yourself. Others will try to stop progress when they fear new ideas are better than their own.

How were you introduced to the game of golf and where did you learn to play? – My father taught me how to play. I started playing at the age of 3. I learned to play golf at Park Falls Country Club, in Park Falls, Wisconsin.

Biggest hope for the golf industry – More understanding of what the golf professional does and the true time commitment that we put in to become quality golf professionals. I hope the game continues to grow with quality golf professionals, that can understand that commitment, as they progress through their own careers. I also hope there is an adjustment in our views. That we truly look at ourselves as golf professionals and ask if we are fully committed to our craft. Continually asking how we can better ourselves and better the ones around us.

Favorite way to spend free time – With my family.

The best homecooked meal is – Anything that comes from the grill.

Favorite place to hang out in Wisconsin – Door County, for those of you that have been there you understand. For those of you that haven’t been there, don’t come, we are full.

What are you most looking forward to in 2023 – personally or professionally? I always look forward to our competitions and seeing other golf professionals around the state. I am also looking forward to my returning staff and their ongoing development in this industry. To watch their growth, as I have a few staff members that will be going south next winter. It’s always exciting to see what they have learned and hear about what they implemented at the courses they worked at.

Comments or Thoughts – What does this award mean to you? “Coming from a family with a heavy military background and working with Major Ed Pulido and Toni Biata from Folds of Honor, to get a clear understanding of what needs to be done to help veterans and their families is eye opening. I would say you don’t truly understand what this award means until you are able to sit down with a wife who lost her husband in battle. To be able to speak with kids that lost their mom or dad and see them receive a scholarship that allows them to go to school. What a dog does for a veteran and the comfort they can bring to someone with PTSD is eye opening. To be able to help in a small way and bring comfort to those veterans and their families is truly what this award means to me. I didn’t sign up for military service, it is our civic duty to help and hold up the ones that went off and fought and continue to fight for the freedom we are provided every day.”

Get To Know The Pro

Employer – Milwaukee Country Club
Position – Director of Golf
Elected to PGA Membership – 1990

Hometown – Mequon, WI
Current Residence – Mequon, WI

Awards
2018 and 2019 WPGA Merchandiser of the Year – Private Facility

One noteworthy item that stood out from his award application – Coming off two very busy golf seasons the Milwaukee CC golf shop staff was able to sell out all six of their club fitting events. The high level of demand and first-class customer service helped increase hard good sales by 21%, year over year.

Important past work experiences
1984-1991 – Assistant Golf Professional at Milwaukee Country Club
1984-1988 – Assistant Golf Professional at Marriott Rancho Las Palmas
1992-1995 – Head Golf Professional at Ville du Parc Country Club

Best piece of advice I have been given – Find something that you enjoy doing and always be true to yourself.

How were you introduced to the game of golf and where did you learn to play? – My dad introduced me to the game of golf at 8 years old. He never pressured me to play but always made it available to me. He would take me to Legler’s driving range on 76th street regularly as a kid and we played many rounds together at Brown Deer and Mee-Kwon Park Golf Course. I became a caddie at Milwaukee Country Club at age 12 in 1976. Manuel de la Torre was my instructor beginning at age 12 and throughout my close association with him until his passing in 2016.

Biggest hope for the golf industry – That it continues to attract new people to the game.

Favorite way to spend free time – Playing golf with good friends and riding my motorcycle with my wife Sue.

The best homecooked meal is – Anything I cook on the grill.

Favorite place to hang out in Wisconsin – My backyard and Sister Bay in Door County.

What are you most looking forward to in 2023 – personally or professionally?
Personally, spending quality time with my wife Sue and enjoying every day we are together.
Professionally, to continue my role as director of golf at Milwaukee Country Club and provide a positive, fun golf experience for the members and their guests. Continue mentoring those I work with, so they grow as golf professionals and succeed within the golf industry.

Comments or Thoughts – What does this award mean to you? “I am very honored to have been awarded Private Merchandiser of the Year. It is a team effort, and I am happy to share this honor with those on my staff. My goal is to share knowledge and provide learning opportunities for the people I work with. I hope that they take what they learn and utilize the knowledge to better themselves as PGA Golf Professionals.

We have many wonderful, knowledgeable, hard-working salespeople in the Wisconsin Section. I cherish the relationships I have developed with all the sales representatives that I have worked with throughout my career. Strong partnerships lead to success.

Finally, I am very fortunate to be at a great club with an incredible membership. I am extremely grateful to the members of the Milwaukee Country Club and their continued support.”

Get To Know The Pro

Employer – The Oaks Golf Course
Position – Director of Golf
Elected to PGA Membership – 2008

Hometown – Watertown, WI
Current Residence – Cottage Grove, WI
College – Coastal Carolina University & University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire

Awards
2010 and 2021 WPGA Merchandiser of the Year – Public Facility

One noteworthy item that stood out from his award application – The addition of TrackMan launch monitors to their outdoor performance center and indoor hitting bays has helped better the club fitting experience at the club. With those improvements the merchandising operation has more than tripled their hard good sales since Finley was brought on board in 2016.

Best piece of advice I have been given – It’s easy to be good from time to time. It’s really hard to be good all the time. This has always stuck with me in golf, my career and just daily life, as I have always tried to put my best effort forward every day.

How were you introduced to the game of golf and where did you learn to play? – Neither of my parents play golf, so it was my grandpa who taught me to play when I was 10 years old. Needlessly to say I was immediately hooked. I was fortunate to grow up across the street from Watertown CC.

Biggest hope for the golf industry – We continue to build on the increase in participation from the pandemic. It would be awesome to continue to see growth, but also keeping all the new/current golfers active in the game for years to come.

Favorite way to spend free time – With my family. Now that my kids are getting into sports and other activities, it’s a blast following them and watching their passions grow. Watching sports (on TV and in person) is always a favorite of mine as well. I’m a big UW Badgers, Packers, Bucks and Duke basketball fan!

The best homecooked meal is – Anything from the grill! My wife is a way better cook than me, so for that I am thankful.

Favorite place to hang out in Wisconsin – Being at home with my family. Outside of home, I enjoy being at any sporting event (Badgers, Packers or Bucks)!

What are you most looking forward to in 2023 – personally or professionally?
Professionally, I am excited for another successful year here at The Oaks. We recently finished a number of major course renovations and have added simulators for the winter. I can’t wait to see how we build on all of our positive momentum.
Personally, I am excited to continue to watch my children grow and take on new things. They are 11 and 9 years old, so they are beginning to find their passions through sports and other activities.

Comments or Thoughts – What does this award mean to you? “Winning this award means everything and I am so thankful to be chosen. I truly enjoy the area of merchandising and it has always been a passion of mine. This award validates a lot of hard work that our entire golf staff at The Oaks puts in. My goal is always to keep improving and this award will continue to give me the drive to do so.”

Get To Know The Pro

Employer – SentryWorld
Position – Director of Golf
Elected to PGA Membership – 2004

Hometown – Madison, WI
Current Residence – Stevens Point, WI
College – University of Wisconsin – La Crosse

WPGA Special Awards and Accreditations
Certified PGA Professional in General Management
2018 Merchandiser of the Year – Public Facility
2020 Golf Professional of the Year
2017 and 2022 PGA Professional Development Awards

One noteworthy item that stood out from his award application – As host of the U.S. Senior Open, SentryWorld oversees the merchandising operation for the event. The massive task has been led by Rainbow and included countless hours of preparation. Over the past few years, he has completed the ordering, attended the past two Senior Opens, and worked to create a local relationship with an embroider that gives them added flexibility if product demand exceeds their inventory during the championship week.

Important past work experiences
2015-Present – Director of Golf at SentryWorld
2008-2015 – General Manager / Head Professional at The Meadows of Sixmile Creek
2007-2008 – Assistant Professional at Interlachen CC
1997-2007 – University Ridge GC (various positions)

Best piece of advice I have been given – Find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.

How were you introduced to the game of golf and where did you learn to play? – My father and grandfather taught me from a young age. My parents would take me golfing at the Madison city courses, usually Odana Hills. Every time we would visit my grandparents in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, we would go golfing at the city courses there.

Biggest hope for the golf industry – That it continues to grow. We were incredibly fortunate that Covid caused so many new players to come to the game. I hope these golfers continue playing and that our facilities and professionals continue to have success.

Favorite way to spend free time – Traveling, enjoying time with family, curling in the winter and golfing in the summer.

The best homecooked meal is – Tawnya’s (my wife) Enchilada Casserole.  A family recipe created by her mother and it’s the best!

Favorite place to hang out in Wisconsin – I love to visit downtown Milwaukee for a Bucks game, hanging out at the Calderone Club or San Giorgio before/after the game.

What are you most looking forward to in 2023 – personally or professionally?
Professionally, hosting the U.S. Senior Open at SentryWorld.
Personally, attending the Ryder Cup in Rome and spending time with family touring Italy after the Ryder Cup.

Comments or Thoughts – What does this award mean to you? “I’m beyond humbled to receive this award, and I credit it to all the amazing work that our team did in 2022. To win merchandiser of the year in SentryWorld’s first year in the resort category is a tremendous honor. It was a product of no individual’s effort alone, but rather the combined effort of a dedicated team.”

Calm, consistent and confident, three words that best described Michael Crowley’s golf game this past year.

Finding the right peace of mind can be the missing piece to excelling on the golf course. Some get lucky and find that in their 20s or 30s, while others it may come along later in life.

For Crowley it happened to coincide with one of the biggest events in his life, getting married in 2020. The Fox Point resident has become new a man on the course over the past few years and it has showed in his results.

“Honestly, it is my wife, I just have a completely different focus and mindset,” Crowley said when reflecting on the difference in his golf game. “My life is way more consistent and predictable, and I think that has bled into my golf game.”

Those results helped deliver him with this year’s Wisconsin PGA Member and Senior Player of the Year honors. Joining Jim Schuman as just the second player to double dip and win both awards in the same season.

Crowley was able to earn 1,161 points in the member race to hold off 2021 Member Player of the Year Mick Smith by 57.5 points. In the senior race he accumulated 1,757.5 points, which was 230 more than Schuman.

Having just celebrated 25 years as a PGA member in July, Crowley is certainly not a newcomer to playing well in Wisconsin PGA events. However, the 52-year-old is also playing a different game than what he used to. The guy who used to grip it and rip it, is now the one that is making more birdies because he is playing from the short grass.

“(John) Freeman used to joke that he’d see me six times a round and he wasn’t even playing in the same group as me, because I was always in a different fairway,” Crowley said. “Now I am hitting a lot more fairways, so I can be more consistent.”

After winning the Wisconsin State Senior Open in 2020 and finishing in a tie for sixteenth at the 2021 (National) Senior PGA Professional Championship the momentum has been building for Crowley to put it all together.

His 2022 season would get off to an up and down start, but the chance to play in the Senior PGA Championship in May would turn out to be just what he needed in the following months.

“It was nice kicking the season off at the Senior PGA Championship,” Crowley said. “Because then walking into our section events I just felt more confident. I could feel my game was at a little different level than it has been in the past.”

That confidence would be on full display from July until October. The Morningstar head PGA professional would go on to finish third at the Wisconsin Senior PGA Professional Championship in mid-July. Then after navigating his way into the finals of the WPGA Match Play Championship in August, he would come up just short and be defeated by Smith by only a 1up margin.

Just one week later he would finish in a tie for twentieth at the Suter Ward Group at Morgan Stanley Wisconsin State Open. The lowest finish by a WPGA senior professional in the 2022 field and the second lowest by a WPGA member.

The months of September and October would produce more solid golf. A tie for third at the WPGA Professional Championship and a tie for seventh at the Hornung’s Classic would help to seal both player of the year titles.

His play at the aforementioned events also helped deliver him berths into the 2023 PGA Professional Championship and 2022 Senior PGA Professional Championship.

“It is the most consistent year I’ve ever had,” Crowley said. “I had opportunities to win events but just didn’t finish them off. The culmination is you really put a good effort into every event you played in. Here is the reward, which is pretty special.”

In Crowley’s eyes this is his second most important golfing accomplishment, just behind the chance to tee it up at the 2022 Senior PGA Championship.

“I was kind of going through the list of winners and you see the likes of Bill Brodell, Eddie Terasa, and Mike Muranyi on the list,” Crowley said. “It is humbling and pretty cool.”

Successful businesses often rely on a team mentality when training their employees. They coach them to work together to get the job done exactly the way it should be.

Josh Grisa and David Bach are teammates at Destination Kohler. Grisa works at Blackwolf Run and Bach is just up the road at Whistling Straits. They work hand in hand daily to ensure guests enjoy their stay at the five-star resort.

In addition, they also team up in numerous Wisconsin PGA pro-po events, and even were victorious in two of them in 2022.

As successful as they are as a team, the duo is finding just as much success in Wisconsin PGA individual events. They have taken ownership of the WPGA Assistant Player of the Year honor since 2019. Each player has now won the honor twice, with Grisa claiming this year’s award.

It was an exciting season as the trio of Grisa, Bach and Jake Wisniewski battled it out for the honor.

In the end a strong final two months of the year would be the determining factor for Grisa’s title. Throughout the year the Merrill native would play the role of chaser. He’d have solid top ten finishes at every point event opportunity over the first four months of the season but no victories to show for it. After making the cut at the Suter Ward Group at Morgan Stanley Wisconsin State Open and finishing behind both Bach and Wisniewski, he knew the odds were stacked against him.

However, he had some control over the race. In early September he would go head-to-head with Wisniewski in the semifinals of the Assistant Match Play. Throughout the day Grisa would struggle with his game but stay in the match. With the match all square on no. 18 the UW-Stout product would chip-in for the 1up win.

“After the match against Jake, I thought I had a pretty good chance at player of the year,” Grisa said. “I still needed to win the Assistant Match Play to have a shot.”

In late September he would do just that. He’d take down Nathan Goecks in the finals by an impressive margin of 6 and 4. The win would propel him into first place of the standings.

Just five days later both Bach and Grisa would tee it up in the final WPGA stroke play event of the season, the Hornung’s Classic. For Wisniewski he had something very important to tend to instead, he was getting married that weekend.

With just over fifty points separating them Grisa knew that he would have to bring his best to defeat Bach. Playing in the same group, each player would struggle out of the gate. After eleven holes they were each 3-over-par. The final seven holes would end up sealing the deal for Grisa as he would rattle over four birdies and just one bogey in route to an even-par 71. Finishing him in a tie for third overall in the event.

“When I compare it to 2020, having the full schedule was definitely key to be able to come back the way I did,” Grisa said. “Overall, I just played really solid all year.”

Grisa would finish the season with 990 points, good enough to create an 83.75-point margin over Bach. It would mark the first time the duo would finish one-two in the standings but probably not the last.