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New Jersey Section, PGA of America,
Announces 2025 Special Award Recipients
Mike Attara, President of Spirit Golf Management, named 2025 NJPGA Golf Professional of the Year
The New Jersey Section of the PGA of America (NJPGA) has announced its 2025 annual award recipients, led by Mike Attara, President of Spirit Golf Management, who was named 2025 NJPGA Golf Professional of the Year, the highest honor for a PGA of America Golf Professional within the Section.
In 2009, Mike founded Spirit Golf Management with the intent to create a boutique management firm with the mission of "Growing the Game One Club at a Time". Mike has led and mentored dozens of Golf Professionals and currently employs 8 PGA of America Members who are in the positions of General Managers, Head Professionals and Director of Instruction, plus another six associates, working towards their membership. He has also served for over 16 years on the NJGF Board and is the current President, as well as serving for 6 years on the NJPGA Board.
Attara is joined by an esteemed list of PGA of America Golf Professionals who were selected as 2025 NJPGA Special Awards winners thanks in part to their extraordinary efforts during the 2025 season. The New Jersey PGA plans to recognize the award recipients at the NJPGA Fall Meeting on Monday, October 27th at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club and, in conjunction with NJ Golf, on Thursday, Oct. 30th at the Celebration of Golf at Canoe Brook Country Club.
2025 NJPGA Special Award Winners:
Golf Professional of the Year: Mike Attara – Spirit Golf Management - Lambertville, N.J.
Assistant Golf Professional of the Year: Chris Whalen – Echo Lake Country Club - Westfield, N.J.
Teacher & Coach of the Year: Matt Wilson – Baltusrol Golf Club - Springfield, N.J.
Club of the Year: Canoe Brook Country Club – Summit, N.J.
Bill Strausbaugh Award: Jason Fiore – Montammy Golf Club - Alpine, N.J.
Professional Development Award: Joe Doughty – PGA of America Career Services
Merchandiser of the Year (Private): Mickie Gallagher III – Trump National Golf Club Bedminster - Bedminster, N.J.
Merchandiser of the Year (Public): Gabe Rickards – Skyway Golf Course - Jersey City, N.J.
Player Development Award: Tommy Lee – D1 Golf Academy - Englewood, N.J.
Youth Player Development Award: Dave Vazquez – Canoe Brook Country Club – Summit, N.J.
Patriot Award: Ron Reed – High Bridge Hills Golf Club - High Bridge, N.J.
Salesperson of the Year: Shannon Pfundheller – Dunning, Greg Norman Collection
Deacon Palmer Award – Ed Koch – Life Member
New Jersey PGA Special Awards
The New Jersey Section Special Awards Committee's mission statement is to ensure that the best individuals in each Special Award category are nominated, given equal consideration and ultimately recognized for their achievement.
National PGA Special Awards Recipients
The New Jersey Section has been well represented at the national level by dozens of PGA Professionals being nominated for their dedication to the game of golf. Over the course of the Sections history, over 13 winners have come from the New Jersey PGA.
Past New Jersey PGA Special Awards Recipients
**Click the links below to view all the past New Jersey PGA Special Awards Recipients.**
Golf Professional of the Year
Assistant Golf Professional of the Year
Teacher of the Year
Bill Strausbaugh Award
Professional Development Award
Player Development Award
Youth Player Development Award
Patriot Award
Deacon Palmer Award
Private Merchandiser of the Year
Public Merchandiser of the Year
Club of the Year
Salesperson of the Year