Golf Pro Honored For Top-Notch Retail Experience At Gibson Island Club

GIBSON ISLAND, MD — A head golf professional recently won an award for his work at Gibson Island Club in Anne Arundel County.

The honoree, David Grossman, took home the 2022 Middle Atlantic PGA's Merchandiser of the Year Award for Private Facilities.

The award recognizes PGA professionals with superior golf retail skills. Candidates are judged on:

• Merchandising performance
• Details and innovation
• Displays
• Merchandising techniques
• Inventory mix
• Shop operations
• Merchandising philosophy
• Staff training

The honor is given to golf shop operators at courses in three categories: private, resort and public/municipal/military/semi-private.

Grossman has been the PGA head golf professional at Gibson Island Club for nearly six years. The PGA Class A Member has worked as a golf professional at courses along the East Coast since 2007.

Grossman attended Mainland Regional High School in New Jersey. He graduated from the University of Vermont in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in political science and government.

The Middle Atlantic Section of the PGA of America also recognized several other Marylanders this year.

"Each year the MAPGA recognizes its most outstanding PGA Professionals and amateurs in the Middle Atlantic region for their exemplary contributions toward the game of golf and making both the PGA and the MAPGA better Associations," Executive Director Jon Guhl said in a Monday press release announcing the honorees. "In all 14 categories, our award recipients boast track records of excellence in growing the game and inspiring individuals using the great sport of golf."

Here are all of the 2022 winners, as listed by the Middle Atlantic PGA:

• PGA Professional Of The Year

Andy Weissinger, PGA - General Manager, Eaglewood Golf Course located at Langley Air Force Base, Hampton, Va.

• PGA Teacher & Coach Of The Year

Bernie Najar, PGA - Director of Instruction, Caves Valley Golf Club, Owings Mills, Md.

• Bill Strausbaugh Award

Scott Graber, PGA – Head Golf Professional, The Federal Club, Glen Allen, Va.

• PGA Professional Development Award

John Scott Rattan, PGA – Teaching Professional, Congressional Country Club, Bethesda, Md.

• Player Development Award

Shaun Strand, PGA - General Manager and Director of Golf Operations, Reston National, Reston, Va.

• Youth Player Development Award

Gabby Miller, PGA - Assistant Golf Professional/Junior Golf Coordinator, University of Maryland Golf Course, College Park, Md.

• Merchandiser Of The Year (Private)

David Grossman, PGA - Head Golf Professional, Gibson Island Club, Annapolis, Md.

• Merchandiser Of The Year (Public)

Matt Summers, PGA – Director of Golf, Bulle Rock Golf Course, Havre de Grace, Md.

• Merchandiser Of The Year (Resort)

John Mlynarski III, PGA – Director of Golf, Links at Perry Cabin, St. Michaels, Md.

• Assistant PGA Professional Of The Year

Shannon McKew, PGA - Assistant Golf Professional, TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm,

Rockville, Md.

• President’s Award

Glen Pierce, PGA - Director of Golf, Heron Ridge GC & Virginia Beach National GC, Virginia Beach, Va.

• David Wortman Citizen Of The Year

Giff Breed, President, Pros, Incorporated & Owner, Independence GC, Richmond, Va.

• Earle Hellen Sports Media Award

Scott Van Pelt, American Sportscaster and Host of ESPN’s “SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt.”

• Salesperson Of The Year

George West, GW Golf Sales, Glen Allen, Va.