BAYRAM RECEIVES SECTION’S PRESTIGIOUS PRESIDENTS AWARD
By Bruce Berlet
UNCASVILLE, Conn. (November 30, 2022) – To say Marc Bayram has worn a multitude of hats since becoming a PGA of America member in 2008 would be a vast understatement.
Bayram has devoted his career to the organization and the growth of the game as an active participant in programs such as Free Lesson Month, Play Golf America Day and Patriot Golf Day at Timberlin Golf Course in Berlin. He also serves as a mentor and an open line of communication to students looking to become PGA Golf Professionals at Saint Leo University in Dade City, Fla.
Bayram’s goal has always been to create an atmosphere that allows patrons to feel proud of calling Timberlin home. For his dedicated and notable efforts to achieve that objective, he received the Connecticut Section PGA’s prestigious Frank Selva Presidents Award on Monday from outgoing Section President Howie Friday during the organization’s 89th annual fall meeting at Mohegan Sun.
“Marc is a pro’s pro,” said Friday, the head professional at Stanley Golf Course in New Britain. “He was kind of overdue for the award because he has been so consistent and passionate with fundraising and PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere).”
PGA HOPE provided Bayram with “one of the greatest memories” of his 39 years during the last round that he played in the 2020 PGA Pro-Veteran tournament at Mohegan Sun Golf Club with his father, Armen, a Marine who served three years in Vietnam.
“Dad was 74 years old, and he played 14 holes before getting too tired to continue,” recalled Bayram, who has been the head professional at Timberlin since 2011. “But when we got to the 18th hole, the other three veterans dragged my father out of the cart and insisted he try a 30-foot putt for birdie that he made. It was an awesome moment, and there are many stories like that in the game that give you purpose.”
Bayram is a New Britain native who graduated from Saint Leo University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. While attending Saint Leo on a golf scholarship, he started for four years for a Top 25 Division II program in the Sunshine State Conference. He also represented the golf team for three years serving on the student athletic advisory committee for the university.
Bayram began his teaching career as an assistant professional at Plantation Palms Golf Club in Land O’Lakes, Fla. While at that club, he also served as the head golf coach for the Sunlake High School boys’ team as well as the assistant coach for the Saint Leo men’s and women’s golf programs. In 2008, he continued his career as an assistant professional at Shuttle Meadow Country Club in Kensington, where he assisted in developing a junior program of more than 100 participants and helped his mentor, Tim Gavronski, the Section PGA Junior Golf Leader in 2009, when he became a PGA Class A member.
“I didn’t want to get into the industry until I worked for Tim,” Bayram said. “I was studying to become a mailman, but after a year with Tim and Andrew Gruss, I became a Class A member in 18 months.”
Bayram’s vast knowledge of the game and friendly demeanor makes golf instruction enjoyable and beneficial for all his students. In 2015, he was chosen by his peers as the recipient of the Section PGA Youth Player Development Award, given to a golf professional who is a leader in junior golf and reflects the ideals of those who work with youth. He also was named the Section Teacher of the Year in 2020, and this spring, he was the tournament director for the new Under Armour Junior Tour New England.
Bayram is a U.S. Kids Top 50 coach, and his certifications include being American Development Model Certified, Level 1 Super Speed Golf Certified and Level 1 U.S. Kids Coaching Certified.
“Helping people of all different backgrounds is what I really enjoy,” Bayram said. “I love coaching competitive players as I am still one and have a great passion coaching youth golfers as I have two kids (Marc, 8, and Max, 7) who love the game. My teaching philosophy is to create a learning environment for all skill levels.”
Bayram’s playing achievements include finishing second in the 2018 Connecticut PGA Championship and losing a playoff in the 2017 PGA Spring Stroke Play Championship that would have earned him an exemption into the Travelers Championship. He also has been a four-time member of the Section Julius Boros Challenge Cup team that annually competes against the leading players from the Connecticut State Golf Association.