Contact:
Mike Schoaf
Dir. of Media & Technology
Phone: (480) 443-9002 x105
Fax: (480) 443-9006
mschoaf@pgahq.com
Southwest PGA
10685 N. 69th Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
southwest.pga.com
PRESS RELEASE
MARK J. BLACK HONORED AS SOUTHWEST PGA GOLF PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – January 7, 2016 – Mark J. Black, PGA director of golf at Encanterra Country Club in
San Tan Valley, Ariz., has been named recipient of the 2015 Southwest PGA Golf Professional of the Year
Award, the highest annual honor bestowed by the Southwest PGA on a PGA Professional.
“Being named Southwest PGA Professional of the Year is very humbling and overwhelming,” said Black.
“To look at the previous winners of this award and to be selected to join this esteemed group is an honor
I will cherish forever. I think about all the wonderful PGA Professionals who have influenced my career
and those I’ve worked closely with here in the Southwest Section. I have a debt of gratitude to each of
them. I am forever grateful for being recognized with this honor.”
Black, 59, will be honored at the Southwest PGA Special Awards Ceremony on Friday, January 15, at
Encanterra Country Club. The awards program begins at 7:00 p.m., preceded by a 5:00 p.m. reception
and dinner. The evening’s program will feature all 2015 Southwest PGA Award winners:
Nick Becker, PGA, Pinnacle Peak Country Club – Assistant Golf Professional of the Year
Drew Reid, PGA, Reid West Golf Academies – Teacher of the Year
Jeff Fisher, PGA, Longbow Golf Club – Youth Player Development Award
David Engram, PGA, Mirabel – Bill Strausbaugh Award
Eric Kulinna, PGA, Lone Tree Golf Club – Player Development Award
Mark Thush, PGA, Desert Mountain – PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Private Facilities)
Mason Spalding, PGA, TPC Las Vegas – PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Public Facilities)
Michael Hopper, PGA, Lookout Mountain Golf Club – Southwest PGA Player of the Year
Jim Carter, PGA, – Southwest PGA Senior Player of the Year
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Southwest PGA Golf Professional of the Year – Born in Saginaw, Mich., Mark Black firmly planted his roots
in the golf business at an early age. A head golf professional at age 22 and after just four short years as
the professional at Inverness Country Club in Chelsea, Mich., Black became an owner-operator when
he purchased Willowbrook Golf Club in Byron, Mich., at the age of 25. His experience as a four-year
member of the men’s golf team at Central Michigan University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science
degree in Education in 1978, together with his passion and dedication to constantly be learning,
teaching and promoting the game of golf has culminated with his recognition as the 2015 Southwest
PGA Golf Professional of the Year.
Elected to PGA membership in 1984, Black has been active in the Association throughout his career,
currently serving as a director on the Southwest PGA Executive Board.
“Mark is without question one of the most respected golf professionals in our Section,” said Greg Leicht,
president of the Southwest Section PGA. “Mark’s voice in our boardroom is always one of dedication to
our Section members. Because of his passion for improving the lot of his fellow PGA Professionals, his
insight and experience is always looked to and is highly-regarded. Aside from being an exceptional
PGA Professional, Mark is one of the kindest and most caring individuals you could ever meet. That
caring nature is displayed in his everyday commitment to his fellow professionals.”
A multi-sport athlete at Frankenmuth High School, Black played on the varsity basketball team that
reached the state regional finals in Michigan before moving on to enjoy a successful golf playing career
at Central Michigan University. The 1977 Mid-American Conference Long Drive Champion, Black has
amassed an impressive playing career in addition to his success on the business side of the industry,
competing in two PGA Tour Buick Open Championships, the PGA National Club Professional
Championship six times and the Senior PGA Club Professional Championship in 2007.
Despite his playing accomplishments, off the course is where Black has truly left his lasting legacy.
Following his ownership role at Willowbrook G.C., he was named the Director of Golf at The Fortress Golf
Club in Frankenmuth, Mich., where he served for more than 22 years. In 2008 Black made his move to
the Southwest PGA when he was named the Director of the Professional Golf Management Program at
Arizona State University. In 2011 Black accepted his current role as Director of Golf at Encanterra C.C.
Along his successful career-path now spanning more than 38 years, Black has earned countless awards
and recognition within the PGA including the 2005 Michigan PGA Horton Smith Award for contributions
in education of the PGA golf professional, the 2006 Michigan PGA Bill Strausbaugh Award for
achievements in club relations and the 2011 Southwest PGA Horton Smith Award. In 1992 Black earned
Master Professional status within the PGA of America, one of only 300 PGA professionals today among
the 28,000 members nationwide. His Master’s thesis was on golf facility ownership and leasing.
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In addition to his vast industry expertise, Black has always dedicated his career toward coaching and
mentoring. While in the Midwest, he was named the 2001 and 2002 Michigan High School Athletic
Association Regional Coach of the Year and the 2005 Michigan High School Athletic Association
Division III Coach of the Year. His passion for education and mentoring continues today as he serves as
chairman on the Southwest PGA Teaching & Coaching Committee and as president of the Metro
Chapter of the Southwest PGA.
Black currently resides in Gilbert, Ariz., with his wife of 37 years, Nancy. The Blacks have three children,
Emily, Benjamin and Reed as well as three grandchildren.
Southwest PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year – A native of Tucson, Ariz., and a 2012 graduate of
Arizona State University, Nick Becker has been named the 2015 Southwest PGA Assistant Golf
Professional of the Year.
Becker, 25, has served as assistant golf professional at Pinnacle Peak Country Club since 2013. Following
a four-year playing career on the varsity golf team at Mountain View High School, Becker attended the
Arizona State University Professional Golf Management (PGM) program graduating Summa Cum Laude
in 2012 with a degree in Agribusiness/PGA Golf Management. After receiving his PGA membership,
Becker began working for the Southern California PGA as Junior Tour Manager before moving on to his
current role at Pinnacle Peak C.C. Becker credits his organizational and communication skills, along
with his active engagement in his community and the PGA for the success he has enjoyed so far in his
young career.
As a PGM student at ASU, Becker interned at Encanterra C.C. for 2015 Southwest PGA Golf Professional
of the Year Mark Black, whom he credits as his “greatest and most influential mentor.” During his PGM
studies Becker also interned at The Broadmoor Resort (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Treetops Resort
(Gaylord, Mich.) and with the Michigan Section PGA (Bath, Mich.).
Becker’s achievements aren’t only limited to within his career industry. As an active member of his work
and personal community, Becker has lead the administration and growth of the “Play for P.I.N.K.” golf
tournament which has helped raise more than $50k since 2012 for the Breast Cancer Research
Foundation.
Becker currently serves on the Southwest PGA Junior Golf Committee and in 2013 and 2014 served as
the Director of the Salt River District of the Southwest PGA Antigua Junior Tour. He resides in Phoenix, Ariz.
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Southwest PGA Teacher of the Year – Teaching the game of golf is the essence of every PGA
professional. The unique ability to help others improve and enjoy the game is at the core of the overall
mission of the PGA of America. It is that ability that defines Drew Reid, the 2015 Southwest PGA Teacher
of the Year.
Born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Reid is the co-owner and PGA director of instruction for Reid West
Golf Academies based in Sun City West, Ariz. Elected to PGA Membership in 2000, Reid provides over
1200 lessons annually to students around the world from PGA Tour members to beginning players.
Reid, 44, began his career as a golf professional in the United States at Dalton Ranch G.C. in Durango,
Colo. in 1986. Following a short stint as assistant professional at Conquistador G.C. (Cortez, Colo.) he
was named the head professional at Riverview G.C. in Kirkland, N.M. In 2005 Reid embarked on his
teaching career which started with the John Jacobs Golf Schools. In 2010 Reid launched his own
academies with the creation of the Reid West Golf Academy, partnering with fellow PGA Professional
Ralph West at Grandview G.C. in Sun City West, Ariz. Today the Reid West Golf Academy at Sun City
West employs seven full-time instructors. In November 2015 Reid expanded the Academies to Pebble
Creek Resort in Phoenix and now has instructional affiliation with nine golf courses in the immediate
Phoenix metropolitan area and includes 14 PGA instructors.
Both junior and senior golfers make up a large portion of Reid’s student base. He is particularly proud of
the junior opportunities he has created with the Academies, which includes affordable playing access
for his junior students as they advance through the programming.
On the opposite end of Reid’s student base are the many PGA Tour, Champions Tour and LPGA Tour
professionals. Included on this roster of elite players are Charley Beljan, Notah Begay III and Fred Funk.
In recent years Reid has also taken advantage of the advances in technology to deliver quality golf
instruction. Reid West Golf Academy’s menu of instructional programming now includes online
membership that provides students with weekly video lesson clips that are archived and available for
continuous reference.
Throughout his instructional career Reid has always taken time to give back through charitable
community support as well. In 2011 Drew engaged his support of the Stand Up and Play Foundation, a
nationwide initiative that assists people of all ages with impaired mobility the opportunity to participate
in sporting, artistic and other daily events.
Reid currently resides in Peoria, Ariz., with his wife Leslie and their four children Dustin, Nick, Sam and
Emilie.
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Southwest PGA Youth Player Development Award - Jeff Fisher, PGA director of instruction at Longbow
Golf Club in Mesa, Ariz., has been named the 2015 Southwest PGA Youth Player Development Award
recipient. The Youth Player Development Award annually recognizes the PGA Professional who has
displayed leadership and innovation in growing junior golf participation and who reflects the ideals of
those who work with youth within the community.
Fisher, 47, is the co-owner of the Fisher Bryan Golf Academy at Longbow G.C. A recognized leader in
the development of elite junior golfers, he has helped over 50 students to go on to play golf at the
collegiate level, including an NCAA Player of the Year and an NJCAA Player of the Year. The
instructional programs Fisher has created for his students are a mix of traditional coaching and
innovation tailored to help each individual student reach their playing goals. Along with his role in the
Fisher Bryan Golf Academy, he also serves as the head coach of the boys’ varsity golf team at Red
Mountain High School. Fisher consistently preaches the core components of hard work and integrity
within the classroom and community as the path to success within the game to both his academy
students and his golf team members.
Prior to starting Fisher Bryan Golf Academy, Fisher was the lead instructor at the Hank Haney
International Junior Golf Academy in Hilton Head, S.C. Jeff’s career in golf instruction has included stops
at prestigious clubs such as Desert Mountain (Scottsdale, Ariz.), Las Campanas (Santa Fe, N.M.) and La
Quinta Resort (LaQuinta, Calif.).
Schooled under world-renowned golf instructors Hank Haney and Jim Flick, Fisher was elected to PGA
membership in 1998 and quickly built his own reputation as a respected junior instructor. While at Hilton
Head he was featured on the Golf Channel’s “School of Golf” and has been recognized by U.S. Kids
Golf as one of the Top 50 Instructors in the country. In 2015 Fisher was also recognized as one of the
Future Champions Golf Top 25 Elite Junior Coaches in the United States.
Born in Haywood, CA, Fisher currently resides in Mesa, Ariz., with his wife Stacie, daughter Sydney and
son Evan.
Southwest PGA Bill Strausbaugh Award – David Engram, PGA head golf professional at Mirabel in
Scottsdale, Ariz., has been named the 2015 Southwest PGA Bill Strausbaugh Award recipient. The Bill
Strausbaugh Award is given annually to a PGA Professional for distinguished efforts in mentoring and
supporting fellow PGA members in the areas of employment and community service.
Born and raised in Atlanta, Ga., Engram has served in his role at Mirabel since 2010. Prior to joining the
Southwest PGA, Engram served as head professional at Barrington Golf Club in Aurora, Ohio. On his
road to becoming a PGA Professional, Engram worked and learned at some of the top clubs in the
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Southeast, Midwest and Southwest regions of the United States, including the legendary East Lake Golf
Club (Atlanta, Ga.) and Atlanta Country Club (Atlanta, Ga.) and Canterbury (Cleveland, Ohio).
Engram played collegiate golf for Georgia State University where he graduated in 1995 with a degree in
Political Science before embarking on his professional career. In 1999 he earned his PGA membership
and began his career as a successful PGA club professional. Along the way Engram learned the value
of developing high personal integrity and character. His philosophy has always been to lead by
example, demonstrating those characteristics to his assistant professionals, and it’s had a dramatic
impact. In his career as a head professional and mentor, Engram has helped five assistants move into
head professional positions around the country.
Another important career skill Engram has demonstrated to his young assistants is giving back through
being an active and engaged member of his Association and community. Aside from making time to
play in Section events, Engram has also served on the Board of Directors for each of the three different
PGA Sections he has worked in (Southwest, Northern Ohio and Georgia Sections) and been active on
various committees. Engram recently served for two years as chairman of the Southwest PGA
Tournament Committee and regularly makes his course available for Section and Chapter events. In
2009 he captured the Northern Ohio PGA Section Championship.
Using his position as head golf professional, Engram illustrates the importance of community
involvement. He has played a key role in Mirabel’s annual fund raising event for Scottsdale Healthcare
that has raised more than one million dollars for cancer research. Additionally, he is personally involved
with the Special Olympics of Arizona, as well as HopeKids Arizona, the local chapter of a national
initiative that provides community support for families coping with children suffering from life-threatening
medical conditions.
The 2015 Bill Strausbuagh Award marks the fourth Sectional honor Engram has received. Past honors
include the 2000 Georgia PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year, the 2004 Northern Ohio PGA
Merchandiser of the Year for Private facilities and the 2009 Northern Ohio PGA Bill Strausbaugh Award.
Engram resides in Anthem, Ariz., with his wife Erin and their two children Andrew and Ellie.
Southwest PGA Player Development Award – Eric Kulinna, PGA Director of Player Development at Lone
Tree Golf Club in Chandler, Ariz., has been named the 2015 Southwest PGA Player Development Award
recipient. The Player Development Award recognizes a PGA Professional for extraordinary and
exemplary contributions and achievements in introducing new players to the game of golf and
increasing rounds and revenues for their facility. The award considers the PGA Professional’s growth of
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the game leadership commitment at the Section level and the impact made at their facility and within
their community.
Kulinna, 49, has worked in the golf industry for more than two decades at both private and public golf
facilities in Arizona, Illinois and Michigan. In addition to his current staff responsibilities at Lone Tree G.C.
he also serves as the site coordinator for the club’s programming classes with The First Tee of Phoenix.
Since 2012 Kulinna has spearheaded The First Tee program’s growth to over 300 juniors at Lone Tree,
establishing it as the largest programming site in the Phoenix chapter. Kulinna’s comprehensive efforts
to create unique instructional opportunities utilizing national PGA of America initiatives such as the Drive,
Chip and Putt Championship, PGA Junior League Golf programming and Get Golf Ready classes have
made a tangible and significant impact in growing the game at Lone Tree.
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Penn., Kulinna began caddying at South Hills Country Club at age twelve.
As a junior in high school he turned his athletic focus to golf after being forced to abandon football due
to injury. Following just two summers of competitive junior golf, Kulinna earned a walk-on spot on the
men’s golf team at Penn State University. The Nittany Lions won twelve team titles during his career,
including three straight Atlantic 10 conference tournaments, and competed in the 1987 NCAA Men’s
Golf championship at Ohio State University. Kulinna earned three varsity letters and was the individual
medalist at the 1989 Indiana University of Pennsylvania Invitational. Kulinna graduated from PSU with a
degree in Exercise and Sports Science.
Following his undergraduate work, Kulinna moved west to pursue graduate studies at the University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Because of his playing background, he was assigned to teach golf
classes in the UIUC Physical Education Activities Program. While completing his Master of Science in
Kinesiology in the summer of 1992, Kulinna qualified for both the U.S. Amateur Public Links and Western
Amateur Championships. He has served as a volunteer Assistant Coach for the University of Illinois
Women’s Golf team, and taught golf classes as an adjunct faculty member at both Wayne State
University in Detroit, Mich., and at Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz. Elected to PGA membership in
1997, Kulinna has also served in golf professional roles at Bear Creek G.C. (Chandler, Ariz.), Cottonwood
C.C. (Sun Lakes, Ariz.), Detroit G.C. (Detroit, Mich.) and Champaign C.C. (Champaign, Ill.).
Eric and his wife, Dr. Pamela Hodges Kulinna, reside in Chandler, Ariz., with their son Parker.
Southwest PGA Merchandiser of the Year – Private Facilities – Mark Thush, PGA Director of Retail at
Desert Mountain has been named the 2015 Southwest PGA Merchandiser of the Year for Private
Facilities. The award marks the second time (2012) Thush, 50, has been so recognized by the Southwest
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PGA. The Merchandiser of the Year Award annually recognizes a PGA Professional for their innovative
and successful merchandising skills.
A native of California, Thush joined Desert Mountain in 2002 after serving in leadership roles for the
Pebble Beach Company retail division for 10 years (1992-2002). While with the Pebble Beach Company,
Thush oversaw merchandising operations for the 2000 U.S. Open and completed his career at Pebble
Beach as the Director of Retail Operations. In 2005 he was named one of the golf industry’s “Top 25
Merchandisers” by Golf World Business magazine.
A graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara with a degree in Business Economics, Thush
has demonstrated consistent success year after year at Desert Mountain with his simple yet effective
merchandising philosophy of striving to create a welcoming atmosphere that compels members and
guests to make a purchase. With annual gross merchandising sales in excess of $4M, Desert Mountain is
nationally recognized as one of the top green-grass golf retail facilities. Under Thush’s direction, Desert
Mountain has received multiple Platinum Awards from the Association of Golf Merchandisers for being
an industry leader in merchandise operations. In 2015 Thush was recognized by Golf Digest with the
“Hackels Award” designating the “Best of the Best in American Golf Shops”.
With over five-thousand square feet of retail space spread among six clubhouses to fill and display,
Thush has oversight of one of the largest golf merchandising operations in the country. To ensure his
operation is always putting its best foot forward, Thush implemented Steven Covey’s “The 4 Disciplines of
Execution” which helps him to create and maintain a “consistently outstanding shop ambience”.
In addition to his work at Desert Mountain, Thush is actively involved volunteering time to the Foothills
Food Bank. He and his wife Laraine Pizzi currently reside in Phoenix, Ariz.
Southwest PGA Merchandiser of the Year – Public Facilities – Mason Spalding, PGA Head Golf
Professional at the TPC Las Vegas has been named the 2015 Southwest PGA Merchandiser of the Year
for Public Facilities, which recognizes a PGA Professional for their innovative and successful
merchandising skills. The 31-year-old professional elected to membership in 2013 has also been
recognized as the Southern Nevada Chapter PGA Merchandiser of the Year for Public Facilities in 2015.
Spalding developed a passion for the game of golf as a teenager and began his career working
outside operations at the local municipal golf course in his hometown of Denver, Colo. This first position
in the golf business provided him the opportunity and venue to grow his game, eventually leading to a
spot on his high school's varsity team. Spalding graduated from the PGA Golf Management (PGM)
program at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in the fall of 2008 and began his career as an
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assistant professional with TPC Las Vegas in January, 2009. He was promoted to Head Golf Professional
in 2013.
Much of Spalding’s merchandising success at TPC Las Vegas has been built around his philosophy of
developing creative and bright eye-catching displays that peak interest and direct shop guests into
and around the entire floor space. In 2015 total gross retail sales at TPC Las Vegas were in excess of
$700k. Another large component of Mason’s merchandising business plan includes leveraging group
outings. By understanding the importance of group outings and the impact they can have on annual
revenue generation, Spalding has implemented several unique procedures designed to better engage
outing coordinators that have resulted in doubling annual group outing sales over the past two years.
TPC Las Vegas has been recognized by the Association of Golf Merchandisers as a Platinum Award
winner in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Spalding currently resides in Las Vegas, Nev., with his wife Jenna and daughter Macie.
Southwest PGA Player of the Year – Michael Hopper, PGA Assistant Professional at Lookout Mountain
Golf Club in Phoenix, Ariz., earned 2015 Southwest PGA Player of the Year honors following an
outstanding season highlighted by a win at the Southwest PGA Assistant’s Championship. Hopper also
played in the PGA Tour’s 2015 Waste Management Phoenix Open, qualifying with his win at the
Southwest PGA Section Championship in 2014.
Hopper, 31, has now captured back-to-back Southwest PGA Player of the Year honors (2014, 2015) and
a career total of three Player of the Year honors since 2012. Other highlights in his 2015 season include a
2nd place finish in the PING Southwest PGA Section Championship and a 4th place finish in the
Southwest PGA Professional National Championship qualifier. Hopper finished T-38 in the 2015 PGA
Assistant’s National Championship at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla., this past November.
Hopper will compete in the 2016 PGA Professional National Championship at Turning Stone Resort in
Verona, N.Y. June 26-29, 2016.
Born in Denver, Colo., Hopper is a 2008 graduate of the PGA Golf Management Program at Arizona
State University. He currently resides in Phoenix, Ariz., with his wife Angelique and his children Aidan and
Caidance.
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Southwest PGA Senior Player of the Year – Jim Carter, PGA Life Member, has earned the 2015 Southwest
PGA Senior Player of the Year award. A native Arizonian, Carter has amassed an impressive playing
record over a now four-decade long career. This marks Carter’s first Southwest PGA Senior Player of the
Year recognition.
Carter, 54, grew up in Mesa, Ariz., and attended Mesa High School. As a teenager Carter worked at
Dobson Ranch Golf Club and Ahwatukee Country Club. Through success on the course and in the
classroom, Carter earned a spot on the Arizona State University men’s golf team. During his career at
ASU, Carter became the first men’s Sun Devil to capture the NCAA individual golf championship in 1983.
That same year he was named the school’s “Athlete of the Year” and was awarded the Pac-10 Medal,
the highest honor a student athlete can receive. A two-time All-American and member of the Sun
Devil Hall of Fame, Carter has captured two Arizona Open Championships, two Arizona Senior Open
Championships, and earned a victory on the PGA Tour when he won the Tucson Open in 2000.
Following graduation from ASU with a degree in Business, Carter turned professional and has been a
member of the PGA Tour since 1987. The Mesa City Sports Hall of Fame member finished an outstanding
2015 season with a victory at the Southwest PGA Senior Professional Championship. Other season
highlights included a 2nd place finish in the Senior PGA Professional National Championship, a T-15 finish
in the U.S. Senior Open and a T-9 finish in the Arizona Senior Open.
Carter and his wife Cyndi currently reside in Scottsdale, Ariz., and have three sons, Shane, Brant and
Race.
About the Southwest PGA
The Southwest Section of the PGA of America is a professional organization serving the men and women
golf professionals in Arizona and Southern Nevada who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching
and managing the game of golf. The Southwest PGA is responsible for the administration of
competitive golf tournaments, educational opportunities, support programs and growth of the game
initiatives. With over 1300 members and apprentices, the Southwest PGA is the fifth largest of the 41
regional entities or Sections that comprise the PGA of America. For more information about the
Southwest PGA please visit www.southwest.pga.com.
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