PGA Professional Antkiewicz to be honored during ceremony

Jim Antkiewicz, the PGA director of golf at The Club at Nevillewood in Presto, Pa., is one of nine PGA Professionals set to be honored Thursday evening for their impressive achievements in 2008.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- 2008 PGA Golf Professional of the Year Jim Antkiewicz, the PGA director of golf at The Club at Nevillewood in Presto, Pa., will headline the 2008 PGA of America Awards program set for Thursday evening.

A 25-year member of The PGA of America, Antkiewicz is the third member of the Tri-State PGA Section to be so honored and the 55th recipient of The PGA of America's highest annual honor to a member professional. The 2008 PGA of America Awards will be conducted in the Linda W. Chapin Auditorium at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.

The program also features the following recipients:

* Martin Hall of Palm City, Fla. -- PGA Teacher of the Year

* Mark Wilson of Grand Rapids, Mich. -- PGA Horton Smith Award

* Clayton Cole of Cherry Hills Village, Colo. -- Bill Strausbaugh Award

* Jimmy Headrick of Slidell, La. -- PGA Junior Golf Leader

* Bob Collins of West Middlesex, Pa. -- PGA President's Plaque

* The Philadelphia PGA Section -- Herb Graffis Award

* PGA Merchandisers of the Year: John Lyberger of Gaithersburg, Md. -- Private Facilities; Mike Woods of Folsom, Calif. -- Public Facilities; Michael Buccerone, Myrtle Beach, S.C. -- Resort Facilities

"Our 2008 award winners represent the best in our Association," said PGA of America President Jim Remy. "Each of the recipients has left an impact upon the game through their endeavors at their home club or facility, through the many youth or young professionals that they have mentored and upon the amateur golfers they meet on the practice tee. They share a passion to become the best in their profession, and it is that enthusiasm and drive that makes us proud to say that PGA Professionals are experts in the game and the business of golf."

About The PGA of America

Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold; to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.

By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $76 billion golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.