West Bay Beach & Golf Club PGA Director of Golf Jeffrey Raimer has been named the 2009 SFPGA Golf Professional of the Year. This award is the highest honor a PGA Professional can receive, recognizing the individual for their overall performance, level of service to the Association, leadership, image, and the ability to inspire fellow professionals and promote the game of golf.
“I am extremely humbled and honored to be chosen by my peers for this prestigious award,” said Raimer. “This is the culmination of 25 years of service to an industry I love. I am extremely fortunate to be a part of it some small way. I will strive to uphold the high standards expected of a Golf Professional of the Year, and I am excited for my family and West Bay Beach & Golf Club. I will always cherish this award."
A PGA member since 1987, Jeff’s dedication to his Association has been exemplifi ed through his leadership roles at the Chapter, Section and National levels. He has been in an elected leadership role within the PGA for the past 16 years, currently serving as the Honorary President of the South Florida PGA and as a member of the National Employment Committee for the PGA of America.
Beyond his involvement with the PGA, Raimer also serves his community with a seat on the Florida Gulf Coast University Golf Advisory Board, Resort & Hospitality Advisory Board and the Wanderlust Advisory Board, a fund-raising event to benefit the Resort and Hospitality Division of Florida Gulf Coast University.
“I really have to thank my good friend and mentor Scott Moser for hiring me into the business back in 1984. He took a chance on me and I set out to prove he made the right decision,” said Raimer.
Raimer’s career has been decorated with numerous playing and professional achievements along the way, including being named Golf Professional of the Year in 1996 by the PGA Southwestern Florida Chapter; named two-time winner of the Merchandiser of the Year by the PGA South Florida Section in 1997 and 1998; Two-time winner of the Merchandiser of the Year for the Southwest Chapter in 1995 and 1996; Two-time winner of the Southwest Chapter Bill Strausbaugh Award in 2002 and 2003; winning Golf Professional on Oldsmobile Scramble National Championship Gross Division team in 1996 and Net Division team in 1997; a member of the South Florida Section PGA Nelson Cup team in 1998, 2000 and 2001; and a member of the Southwest Chapter PGA Challenge Cup teams in 1993,1995,1997,1999, 2000, 2002 and 2005.