Howie Friday of Stanley Golf Course Named Connecticut Section PGA Golf Professional of the Year

Section announces 11 Special Award Recipients for 2024

 

SOUTH GLASTONBURY, Conn. (October 23, 2024) – While growing up in Bristol, Conn., Howie Friday was drawn to a career in the golf business since his teenage years.

“I think as far back as when I was 13 years old, I knew that I wanted to be a golf professional. Tom Nigro (Golf Professional at Pequabuck GC) was an important figure in my life and became a mentor in my career. Chet Dunlop was another professional that encouraged me towards my first job at Golfers Warehouse and from there I started my career.”

After confirming his belief in a career in golf, Friday spent three years on the South Shore of Boston working at clubs before coming back to the Connecticut Section and a 30-year residency at Tumble Brook Country Club before taking an opportunity at Stanley Golf Course in 2019.

“There were so many people I looked up to during my career. Bob Nelson was the golf professional at Tumble Brook and became one of my best friends. Don Malen and Gary Reynolds were others I looked up to and admired and learned from. Then, in 2019 an opportunity then came to leave Tumble Brook and begin a new chapter at Stanley Golf Course,” Friday said.

Friday has prioritized relationships, both in how he handles his clientele and his staff.

“My staff, in most cases, have become friends and in some cases like family. It’s important for the customers to come in and see staff positively interacting. I think that gives them enjoyment too.”

A past Merchandiser of the Year recipient, Howie had a knack and passion for that side of the business. Hearkening back to his relationship building mentality he made it a point to meet with all the reps and provide new and innovative products to his customer base. This philosophy of engagement also served him well in his belief that retention was just as important, if not more so, than growing the game.

“Growing the game is the most important thing. Sometimes I think people think of growing that game as junior golf and clinics, but I’ve always thought that growing the game means keeping people in the game. I have always tried to spend as much time interacting with people in my golf show and making them feel valued and welcome. Maintaining those relationships has been something that has been very important to me.”

When Howie began at Stanley Golf Course it was a stark contrast to his previous way of life at the private Tumble Brook Country Club. The change in atmosphere would be enough for anyone, but Covid was looming, and Stanley Golf Course was also undergoing large scale projects such as a new state of the art driving range, new POS system in the golf shop, and several other infrastructure projects set to commence simultaneously. Through it all, Howie let his strengths shine through and showcased his team first attitude to lead the way into a new reality at the club.

Despite his busy life at the club, Friday has been one of the most active members in the section serving as a Director on the Board and ultimately becoming the 36th President from 2019-2022.

“In terms of being a PGA Professional, I don’t think there has been anything more important in my professional life than achieving that membership.”

“My biggest success without a doubt has been the relationships I’ve built. Those relationships I’ve built with staff, guests, members, and most importantly my fellow PGA members have been really important and will be for the rest of my life.”

Other Connecticut Section award recipients announced are Tom Pannier, Clinton Country Club, Teacher and Coach of the Year; Philip Krick Jr., Mohegan Sun Golf Club, Professional Development; Alex Cavaliere, Golf Center at Lyman Orchards, Youth Player Development; Tom Rosati, Great River Golf Club, Player Development; Jordan Gosler, Manchester Country Club, Merchandiser of the Year-Public; Jacob Rotherham, Race Brook Country Club, Merchandise of the Year-Private; William Wallis, New Haven  Country Club, Bill Strausbaugh Award; Sean Busca, Clinton Country Club, Patriot Award; Dan Harrison, Country Club of Waterbury, Assistant Professional of the Year; and Brian Murphy, Sales Representative of the Year.

Friday and the award winners will be recognized at a private ceremony at Tumble Brook Country Club on October 19.

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