Armes Wins 2021 Assistant Professional of the Year
Riverside, Iowa – Mike Armes of Pinnacle Country Club has been named the 2021 Iowa PGA Assistant Professional of the Year. This honor is based on the professional’s entire record with emphasis on his performance and achievements over the past year. This is the highest honor paid to an assistant golf professional and the award committee determined this winner based on strength as a player, teacher, merchandiser, and overall golf professional, the contributions to the success of the nominees facility, the nominees contributions to the game of golf, the character of the nominee and respect for other professionals, example of professionals who have enhanced their careers through the nominee, the nominee’s ability to play golf and the previous Section awards or community involvement activities.
Teaching and coaching are a big part of his contribution to the game of golf. He feels that the PGA brand should be forefront in the consumer’s mind for teaching the game of golf. The expansion of knowledge is crucial in meeting this goal. To do this, he has taken several approaches. First, he constantly places himself in teaching events. This includes the Iowa PGA Junior Academy, in which he has participated every year, while serving the Iowa Section.
Armes frequently teaches for the Golf for Injured Veterans Everywhere (GIVE) Foundation and the annual TEE Tournament, both programs for our veterans. Teaching the injured veterans has taught him to constantly re-think the golf swing for someone with disabilities and, in the end, has provided him with knowledge and experience in analyzing players of all types. As the Assistant Golf Coach for North Scott High School girls, he had the opportunity to teach and coach ladies as well as observe the differences of their game as opposed to the boys of the same age.
Each year he attends the Iowa PGA Teaching and Coaching summit. He is a Certified U.S. Kids instructor and has achieved ADM-Golf Certification along with PGA.Coach training. Finally, Armes has become a Specialized Professional for Teaching and Coaching in the PGA of America. Teaching young people of all ages has become an important part of his career. Finding ways to instill the basics of the golf game in a way that is enjoyable and ultimately ends in their success as well as their desire to continue advancing is a source of great fulfillment.
Erin Strieck, PGA of Pinnacle Country Club and Vice President of the Iowa PGA was quoted as saying, “I have great respect for him as an individual and as a professional and am confident that he is deserving of this award. Mike’s dedication to the game of golf is something to be admired. He is a true golf professional, and I have no doubt will do great things for the Iowa PGA Section.”
Shayne Shepherd, Assistant Golf Professional at Pinnacle Country Club stated, “Personally, Mike has helped me enhance my golf career. When I first started working in the golf business Mike was the one person who was always there for me if I had any questions or needed help. He is also the person who introduced me to the PGM Associate Program. I started it this year and he has been very supportive as I prepared for my PAT and studied for my Qualifying Exam. Without the support from Mike, I would have stepped away from the golf industry. However, he showed me that you can be successful in this career path while having fun and enjoying life.”
“I am honored to have been chosen for this award. As I was reading some of the letters of recognition and their laudatory comments, I could not help but be humbled. Although I am being honored, without a great team at Pinnacle Country Club and an exceptional Head Golf Professional to encourage me, none of this would have been possible, said Armes.”
The Iowa PGA Congratulates Mike Armes as our 2021 Assistant Professional of the Year.
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Miller Wins Sales Representative of the Year
Riverside, Iowa – Allan Miller of Tour Edge Golf has been named the 2021 Iowa PGA Sales Representative of the Year. This honor is based on the vendor’s entire record. This is the highest honor paid to a Sales Representative. The award is based on the following attributes, strengths in service and communication, contributions made to nominee’s company’s success, contributions to the game of golf at the section level, size and success of nominee’s line, sales call rotation and customer interaction and previous awards or community involvement.
When he transitioned from Assistant Golf Professional to Sales Representative, he wasn’t sure what to expect. Honestly, he thought he would spend his days driving around from account to account, do a few demo days, and hopefully write some orders. Well, that is exactly what he did his first year on the job in 2019.
As he was starting to figure out how to grow the Tour Edge brand and seeing some success, he thought he had great plan of attack going into 2020. Well, that plan was turned upside down due to the pandemic. Seeing all the hard work he put in disappear with cancelled order after cancelled order he was starting to question if he made the right move. That plan he thought was going to be great for 2020 was no longer seaming that way.
Long story short golf equipment sales are at record highs. To him, this job just isn’t about writing an order, or merchandising for more visibility, but also the relationships that he has formed.
Miller previously won the 2016 Merchandiser of the Year – Resorts, while at Spirit Hollow Golf Course.
Eric Drane, PGA Head Professional at Oakwood Country Club stated in his Letter of Recommendation, “Since knowing Allan I have respected his work ethic and people skills, two very important traits in being a good sales representative. I also appreciate his willingness to look for ways in which we can grow Tour Edge at my facility. I think currently we have found the right set-up in which provides my team the best chance to grow the relationship with Tour Edge in our golf shop.”
Miller was quoted as saying, “To win the Iowa PGA Sales Representative of the Year Award is an incredible honor. I am thankful for the opportunity Tour Edge has provided to allow me to work alongside our Iowa PGA Professionals. Their support of me is truly a blessing.”
The Iowa PGA Congratulates Allan Miller as our 2021 Sales Representative of the Year.
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