Golf professionals win 2008 honors

BATH – A number of Michigan’s best golf professionals were honored during the annual awards ceremony for the Michigan Section of the PGA earlier this year. They are:

• Mike Areddy, the pro at Travis Pointe Country Club in Ann Arbor, as the 2008 PGA pro of the year.
• John Lindert, the pro at the Country Club of Lansing, won the Bill Strausbaugh Award, established in 1979 for those who mentor fellow pros and are active in the community.
• Mark Wilson, the pro at Watermark Country Club in Grand Rapids, won the Horton Smith Award, given to someone for their contributions to professional education.
• Dan Thomas, the pro at Oasis Golf Center in Plymouth, won the Junior Golf Leadership Award, partly for his role in launching the Top 50 Junior Tour, which awards scholarship money to golfers.
• Paul Haase, a teaching pro at the Kendall Academy of Golf in Ypsilanti, as the Teacher of the Year. 
• Peter Mogg, pro at Lost Dunes Golf Club in Bridgman, as the Assistant Professional of the Year. 
• The Merchandiser of the Year Award recognizes excellence in business and merchandising at private, public and resort golf facilities. Winners are: Country Club of Jackson pro Ron Beurmann (private), Arcadia Bluffs pro Greg Babinec (public) and Crystal Mountain Resort director of golf Brad Dean (resort).
• Crystal Mountain pro Scott Wilson won the President's Plaque Award.