PHOENIX — John Lindert (PGA Director of Golf at The Country Club of Lansing, and member of the Michigan PGA Section) was elected president of The PGA of America.
This week, the 106th PGA Annual Meeting was held at JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort. About 450 members gathered to vote Don Rea, Jr., Southwest PGA Section member, as vice president and Nathan Charnes (Gateway PGA Section member) as secretary.
After two years as vice president, Lindert succeeds Jim Richerson, who has been elected to a two-year term. Richerson is now PGA Honorary president. In March, Richerson was appointed general manager at Riviera Country Club.
Lindert is a PGA Member since more than 35 years. He was inducted into Michigan PGA Hall of Fame in 2019. He served on four national committees. He has received numerous awards, including Michigan PGA Section Golf Professional of the Year 2009 and the Michigan Section PGA Professional Development Award 2021 and 2015.
Lindert is a competitor who played college golf at the University of Arizona. He was also a former Toledo Chapter Stroke Play Champion, and has played in five PGA Professional Championships.
Lindert stated, “This is an extraordinary time for our Association and I believe that we have in place the right people with the passion and desire of elevating our profession and our Association over these coming years.” “We have the opportunity to strengthen our position in the sport of golf as an Association and, most importantly to use that position for the benefit of our PGA members.”
The PGA of America’s 106th Annual Meeting was held at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Phoenix, on Nov. 2, 2022. (Photo by Todd Kelly/Golfweek).
Rea lives in Gilbert and is the general manager and owner of Augusta Ranch Golf Club in Mesa. Rea was previously secretary and is a member the Southwest PGA Section. Rea has also worked in several MLB spring training games as an umpire. He was an umpire for nine seasons in the minor leagues.
Charnes is the general manager of WingHaven Country club in O’Fallon (Missouri). He graduated in 2001 from the University of Evansville, where he was a member of the golf team.
Five people were also elected to the PGA Board of Directors.
-
Larry Kelley, PGA – Five Star Golf Cars & Utility Vehicles
Ludlow, Vermont - Steve Parker, PGA – Portage Country Club, Akron (Ohio)
- Paige Cribb PGA – Coastal Carolina PGA Golf Management University Program Murrells Inlet (South Carolina)
- Russ Libby, PGA – Hidden Hills Golf Club, Jacksonville, Florida
- Jeff Lessig, PGA – Verde River Golf & Social Club, Fountain Hills, Arizona
John A. Solheim was also recognized during the week, having been awarded the PGA’s Distinguished Service Award in 2022.
