Dan Gawronski Named South Florida PGA Golf Professional of the Year

PGA Professional Dan Gawronski has been named the 2008 Golf Professional of the Year for the South Florida PGA. As the highest honor a PGA Professional can receive, Dan is recognized for his overall performance, level of service to the Association, leadership, image, and the ability to inspire fellow professionals and promote the game of golf.

Elected to PGA membership in 1999, Dan’s career path did not immediately lead him to the golf industry, but his love for the game made the transition from a college playing career at Loyola College in Maryland to a position as first assistant at Audubon Country Club in Naples a seamless one, and he never looked back. Following a four-year stint at Audubon Country Club (’95-’99), Dan became the first assistant at The Club at Olde Cypress (’99-’03), from which he moved on to his current role as the Head PGA Professional at The Club at Grandezza in Estero, where he has been employed for the past five years.

Throughout his career, Dan has developed the skills, knowledge, passion and experience that have proven critical to his success as a PGA Professional. He is celebrated for the dedication he exhibits toward his Association as well as for his commitment to his peers, staff, employers, members and to the game he admires and respects.

“I am humbly honored to be recognized by my peers in this way,” said Dan upon hearing word of his receiving the 2008 SFPGA Golf Professional of the Year award. “I don’t get involved and do what I do for accolades and acknowledgement, but rather to better the organization and in turn, my fellow PGA Professionals. There are so many great professionals and this is such a large Section that I feel so fortunate and grateful to be honored for doing what I feel is part of my job description as a PGA member.”

“I think I have an intrinsic interest in the big picture. It’s not always just about me, my facility and my members. I am one of 28,000 strong, who all have the same interest to make the game of golf better, grow the game, and ultimately provide ourselves with job security by helping our Association receive the recognition it deserves.”

An advocate of promoting involvement in National, Section and Chapter affairs, Dan leads by example, conducting himself as a professional at all times. He demonstrates his leadership through action, whether it’s as a volunteer for a growth of the game initiative, a mentor to a PGM student, a competitor in Section and Chapter events, a philanthropist for community and Section-related causes, as host of a summit raising awareness for PGA issues, or as a head professional bearing the PGA crest as a reminder to all of his pride in the PGA, Dan’s efforts have made a lasting impression and he encourages others to follow suit.

“I am not afraid to speak up and get involved,” said Dan, who attributes his passion to lead and desire to give back to his feelings of gratitude and responsibility toward his Association.

Currently the Southwest Chapter Treasurer, Dan has also served as the Southwest Chapter Awards Chairman and as a former member of the South Florida Section Awards Committee. When asked how he balances his work load and the time he dedicates to the PGA, he replied, “Honestly, you are only as good as the people you surround yourself with. I have a super staff – both PGA and non-PGA alike – that afford me the ability to lead and in leading I just try to get out of their way in many cases. I am accepting recognition for what I do, but I can only do what I do because of the support I get on a day-to-day basis from my co-workers at Grandezza, so I am just really thankful for all of them.”

Not breaking his appreciation stride, Dan also acknowledges the support of his parents (Mary and Ray) as a major reason for his success in golf and in life. “I grew up around golf. As one of nine kids, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to try as many sports as I wanted, and golf is what stuck. My parents supported and encouraged us to try new things and pursue what we were passionate about. I cannot thank them enough for their unwavering support in everything I do.”

Among the other individuals Dan considers instrumental in the success of his career are PGA Professional Charlie Epps, who encouraged him as a junior golfer and kept him interested in playing the game; PGA Professional Ben Steele, who gave him his first break and was a great mentor; and Loyola teammate, good friend and PGA Professional Andy Halverson, for supporting Dan in all of his professional and personal endeavors.

This is Dan’s first South Florida PGA Section Award. He was previously named the Southwest Chapter’s 2004 Horton Smith Award winner for Education. Dan will receive his 2008 Golf Professional of the Year award at the SFPGA Annual Meeting of the Membership on Tuesday, August 26th, at the Breakers Rees Jones Course in West Palm Beach.