90th Connecticut Section PGA Annual Meeting
PGA of America President John Lindert led Town Hall discussion and Section staff promotions announced
UNCASVILLE, Conn. (November 21, 2023) – The 90th Connecticut Section PGA Annual Meeting took place yesterday at Mohegan Sun. More than 100 PGA Professional members and guests were on hand as the section elected two members to its Board of Directors, amended by-laws, and engaged in panel discussions. One such panel was a town hall discussion led by PGA of America President John Lindert, PGA of America Chief Membership Officer John Easterbrook, and PGA of America District 1 Director Larry Kelley.
In addition, 2023 Section Players of the Year Andy Svoboda (Section) and Jan Wivestad (Senior) were formerly recognized along with the 2023 Section Championship winners. Section President Bob Sparks announced 2024 staff promotions and that Executive Director Tom Hantke would be inducted into the Connecticut Section PGA Professional Hall of Fame in April of 2024.
Nick Rykoski, head golf professional at Tradition Golf Club at Oak Lane, was named the recipient of the Frank Selva President’s Award for his efforts toward charitable fundraising.
PGA Professionals Joe Mentz (Mohegan Sun Golf Club) and Peter Seaman (Watertown Golf Club) were elected to serve three-year terms as Directors on the Section Board of Directors.
Current Director Noah Hedberg announced that he was recently hired as head professional at TPC Scottsdale (Arizona) and will be transferring to the Southwest PGA Section. On December 18, Section President Bob Sparks will appoint a successor to serve the remaining two years of Hedberg’s term and will also appoint two Vice President’s At-Large to serve one-year terms on the Board of Directors.
Vice President Philip Krick Jr. announced that he will be stepping down from his position for the remaining term of his service. This one-year vacancy will be fulfilled by Secretary John Dipollina who shall serve next year as both Vice President and Secretary as stipulated in Section By-Laws.
The PGA Professional membership voted on and passed two resolutions to amend Section By-Laws. The first increased the allocation of section members’ dues to the section’s reserve fund; and the second increased in Life Member Retired and Life Member Active annual dues rates. This was the first increase in any classification of section member dues since 1996.
During President Spark’s report he announced that current staff members Dennis Dungee and Tim Paragone would ascend into new leadership roles.
Dungee will be promoted from Tournament Operations Director to Chief Membership Officer while Paragone will be promoted from Player Engagement Director to Director of Operations.
Hantke took part in his final meeting in the role he has assumed for the past 30 years. Hantke announced prior to 2023 that he would be stepping down at end of 2023.
Event sponsors were Mohegan Sun, Club Car, Club Prophet, Certified Financial Services, PGA National Resort and Reed Exhibitions-PGA Golf Show.