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Greg Mason-October 2010 PROfile

September 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Name: Greg Mason

College/University: University of Northern Iowa

Year Turned Pro: 1988

Facility and Job Title:
G3 Golf Schools, Waterloo, IA; Owner, Head Golf Professional
All Golf Center, Waterloo, IA; Owner, Head Golf Professional
Legend Trail Golf, Parkersburg, IA; Owner, Head Golf Professional
Waverly Municipal Golf Course, Waverly, IA; Head Golf Professional

What was your motivation to become a PGA Professional?
I have always enjoyed golf as well as business and as a former coach, enjoyed the teaching of golf.

What is your specialty in the golf business?
I have helped open four facilities from scratch and being a jack of all trades.

Accomplishments (Awards, Certifications, and Tournaments.)
Iowa Section Strausbaugh Award, 2009
Iowa Section Golf Pro of the Year, 2008

What was your greatest moment in golf?
Beginning and building my first course in 1992 at age 26.

What or who has had the greatest impact on your career?
High school/college teacher Cherin Lee said no matter what, get a degree and one can do anything – never stop dreaming. Also I’ve had many great PGA mentors including Norm Luttinen, Joe Hawkins, Ed Schumann, Kevin Dorrington, Gary Lockie and JD Turner.

Besides golf, what else do you enjoy?
Fishing

If you could play any golf course in the world, which one would it be and who would complete your foursome?
Augusta National with my late father Pastor Dick and two brothers Gary and Grant.

If you could give lessons to anyone in the world who would it be and what advice would you give?
Any golf fan – find a teacher you have a connection with and stick with them. The basics are important.

What is your favorite golf instruction tip?
Grip, stance and alignment must be correct and balanced. The swing generally takes care of itself if above is correct and consistent.

Personal website:
www.g3golf.com and email at allgolfshop@aol.com

Filed Under: Iowa PGA PROfiles

2010 Iowa PGA Pro Scatch / Senior Scratch Results

September 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The 2010 Iowa PGA Pro Scratch / Senior Scratch was held at Blue Top Ridge in Riverside, Iowa on Monday, September 27th.  Seventy-seven golfers participated in this team event, which is the last pro-am on the Iowa PGA schedule this year.  The format was one best ball of two, gross and there was also an individual open division and senior division event for the professionals.

The Iowa PGA Section would like to thank the entire staff at Riverside Casino and Golf Resort for their support of the Iowa PGA.

Pro Scratch Champions - Judd Gibb & Cory Braunschweig

Pro Senior Scratch Champions - Kyle Spahr & Harry Haedt

Click HERE for complete results.

Filed Under: PGA Tournament Results

2010 Iowa PGA Pro Senior #2 Results

September 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

From Left: Chris Black, Bill Black (Absent Barry Black & Gary Schriner)

The 2010 Iowa PGA Pro Senior #2 was held on Monday, September 20th at Tournament Club of Iowa in Polk City, Iowa  Nineteen four-person teams competed in this event with each team being comprised of one professional and three senior amateurs (50 years of age and older).

The team format for the tournament was two best balls of four net with amateurs receiving ninety percent of their Hanidcap Index.   There was also an individual Open PGA and Senior PGA division as well.

The Iowa PGA would like to thank Barry Sebastian of NB Golf Cars for his support of the season-long Iowa PGA Golf League Championship.  Also special thanks goes out to Head PGA Professional, Clark Smith and General Manager Pat Franklin.

For complete results of the event, please click HERE.

Filed Under: PGA Tournament Results

The Principal Charity Classic Cares About Our Kids!

September 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Most of you are aware of the Champions Tour event, The Principal Charity Classic, which is held at Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines at the beginning of June each year.  You may be surprised to learn that The Principal Charity Classic contributes to our kids in a variety of ways on an annual basis through various charities and worthwhile causes.

The Principal Charity Classic is currently title sponsor of the Iowa Junior Tour, which is a series of junior golf events conducted by our association each summer.  The Iowa Junior Tour provides nearly sixty competitive playing opportunities for children and young adults, ages twenty-one and under.  Without the support of The Principal Charity Classic, the Iowa Junior Tour wouldn’t be able to provide the high standards of tournament administration which the competitors have come to expect over the years.

The Principal Charity Classic has implemented the theme, “FORE Our Kids”, to highlight their goal to increase contributions to local arts, culture, health and human services, and organizations supporting youngsters in the area.

In 2010, the following five outstanding organizations received proceeds from The Principal Charity Classic; Blank Children’s Hospital, Bravo Greater Des Moines, Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, United Way of Central Iowa, and Variety-The Children’s Charity of Iowa.

Another way that the tournament gives back to the community is through the Birdies for Charity® program which contributes to numerous charities based on the number of birdies made during the tournament.

The Iowa PGA  would like to again thank The Principal Charity Classic for their support of not only the Iowa Junior Tour but the numerous other worthy causes that they contribute to each year.  The Principal Charity Classic is making a huge impact on the lives of our kids through numerous initiatives and we should feel lucky to have this annual event close to home.  You are encouraged to visit The Principal Charity Classic Web site at www.principalcharityclassic.com and see how you can become involved in 2011!

Filed Under: In The News

2010 Iowa Callaway Golf PGA Assistant Championship

September 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The 2010 Iowa Callaway Golf PGA Assistant Championship was held at The Preserve on Rathbun Lake in Moravia, Iowa on September 13-14, 2010.  The low finisher advances to the 2010 Callaway Golf PGA Assistant Championship, November 11-14, at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Special thanks to Mike Goettsch of Callaway Golf for his support of this Major Championship.  Also, thanks to John Panek, Head PGA Professional at Davenport Country Club, for his kind contribution to the purse.  Last but not least, thanks to Darin Fisher, Head PGA Professional, and his entire staff for hosting this event.

Congratulations to Nathan Smith, Assistant Professional at Ottumwa Country Club, for winning this year’s event for the second consecutive year with a one-under-par tournament total of 141.  Smith will compete against other assistant professionals at the national tournament which will be held in Florida in November of this year.


From Left: Mike Goettsch, Callaway Golf, Nathan Smith, Champion, Darin Fisher, Head PGA Professional Host

Results may be found by clicking HERE.

Filed Under: PGA Tournament Results

John Dinnebier named 2010 Iowa PGA Golf Professional of the Year!

September 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment


John Dinnebier, PGA General Manager
Lake Panorama National GC, Panora, IA

Congratulations to the 2010 Iowa PGA Special Awards Recipients.

John Dinnebier of Lake Panorama National GC has been named the 2010 Iowa PGA Golf Professional of the Year.  This award is the highest honor that can bestowed on an Iowa PGA Professional.  John has been a PGA Member for 15 years with eleven of those years employed with Lake Panorama National GC where he is the General Manager.  He currently serves on the Iowa PGA Board of Directors and is also a talented and gifted teacher and player.  His contributions to the Iowa PGA and his facility are remarkable and numerous.  Most recently he helped coordinate and secure a major sponsor, Brokers International, Ltd. for the 2010-2014 Iowa Open Championship.  The Iowa PGA will honor an additional 9 PGA Professionals, an Iowa PGA Sales Representative, 3 PGA Player of the Year Winners and 9 Junior Tour Player of the Winners at the annual All Star Pro Golf Awards luncheon on October 26 at Riverside Casino & Golf Resort.  Listed below are the 2010 Iowa PGA Award Recipients.  For a list of 2010 Junior Tour Player of the Year award winners, please CLICK HERE.  Iowa PGA Professionals are still battling it out and will continue tournament action until the beginning of October.  Congratulations to all winners on their well deserved awards.

2010 Iowa PGA Award Winners:

PGA Golf Professional of the Year:  John Dinnebier, PGA – Lake Panorama National GC

PGA Assistant Professional of the Year:  Michael McNamara, PGA – Blue Top Ridge at Riverside

PGA President’s Plaque:  Jeff Smith, PGA – Harvest Point GC

PGA Teacher of the Year:  Sarah Bidney, PGA – Sugar Creek GC

PGA Junior Golf Leader:  Gary Babcock, PGA – Lake Panorama National GC

Bill Strausbaugh Award:  Dave Schneider, PGA – Wakonda Club

Horton Smith Trophy:  Mark Davis, PGA – Hunters Ridge GC

PGA Private Merchandiser of the Year:  Aaron Krueger, PGA – Pinnacle CC

PGA Public Merchandiser of the Year:  Dustin Miller, PGA – Ellis Park GC

PGA Resort Merchandiser of the Year:  Darin Fisher, PGA – The Preserve on Rathbun Lake

PGA Sales Representative of the Year:  Stan Sheffield – FootJoy


Special thanks to Dave Brostrom and his company
for sponsoring the 2010 Iowa PGA Awards Luncheon!

Filed Under: Press Releases

James Dickerson-September 2010 PROfile

September 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Name: James  Dickerson
College/University: University of Iowa
Year Turned Pro: 1991
Facility and Job Title: University of Iowa,Finkbine Golf Course, A-6 Teaching Professional

What was your motivation to become a PGA Professional?
I love golf and I love to teach golf. Being a PGA Professional only legitimized my ability and desire.

What is your specialty in the golf business?
Teaching

What was your greatest moment in golf?
To date, teaching a paraplegic to use an adaptive golf cart and to play golf, successfully playing and scoring bogey, double bogey golf.

What or who has had the greatest impact on your career?
My wife Lyra. She understands my passion for golf and lets me pursue that passion, teaching and playing.

Besides golf, what else do you enjoy?
Reading and gardening.

If you could play any golf course in the world, which one would it be and who would complete your foursome?
St. Andrews, Scotland with Paige, Leigh and Jamie, our daughters.

If you could give lessons to anyone in the world who would it be and what advice would you give?
It would be to injured and disabled veterans. Play the game for what it is – a game to improve your personal best.

What is your favorite golf instruction tip?
The one I use the most is to keep your head behind the ball.

Filed Under: Iowa PGA PROfiles