CONNECTICUT SECTION PGA
November 26, 2024
Contact: Tim Paragone
tparagone@pgahq.com
www.ctpga.com
Howie Friday Elected as 39th Section President, Hall of Fame Class Announced
UNCASVILLE, Conn. (November 25, 2024) – The 91st Connecticut Section PGA Annual Meeting took place yesterday at Mohegan Sun with President Bob Sparks presiding over his final meeting in office. More than 120 PGA Professional members and guests were on hand as the section elected a new Officer core and two Directors to serve as members of the Board of Directors. In addition, panel discussions centered around PGA of America business, PGA HOPE, and Leadership and Mentorship.
Section Champions were recognized, including 2024 Section Player of the Year Chris Tallman, who earned his fifth such honor and Senior Player of the Year Jan Wivestad who won for the second time.
Ron Pfaefflin, head golf professional at Norfolk Country Club, was named the recipient of the Frank Selva President’s Award for his efforts toward charitable fundraising.
It was announced that Suzy Whaley will be inducted into the Connecticut Section PGA Hall of Fame Class of 2025. Whaley famously won the 2002 Connecticut PGA Championship and became the first female to earn an exemption into a PGA TOUR event since Babe Zaharis accomplished this feat in 1945. She then went on to become the first female President of the PGA of America in 2018.
Whaley will be recognized on April 15, 2025 at TPC River Highlands during the Section’s Spring Membership Meeting.
PGA Professionals Brian Keiser (Longmeadow Country Club) and Bryan Mooney (Golf Center at Lyman Orchards) were elected to serve three-year terms as Directors on the Section Board of Directors.
Peter Seaman (Watertown Golf Club) was elected to the office of Secretary while John Dipollina (Lyman Orchards Golf Center) was elected to the office of Vice President after serving in the role of Secretary/Vice President.
In a unique situation that created a vacancy in the traditional President progression, Howie Friday (Stanley Golf Course) who served as the 37th President, was elected to serve a second term and became the 39th President of the Connecticut Section PGA.
Friday, Dipollina, and Seaman will all serve two-year terms in their respective positions.
Event sponsors were Mohegan Sun and Club Car.