Southwestern Chapter Honors Leetzow as Amateur of the Year

The Southwestern Chapter of the North Florida PGA has named Sarasota’s Mark Leetzow as its amateur of the year.

Leetzow lost a sudden-death playoff at Sara Bay Country Club for the Florida State Golf Associations’s Mid-Amateur Stroke Play Championship. He is a two-time winner of the Florida State Amateur and a six-time winner of the City of Sarasota Men’s Championship.

In the last year, Leetzow has taken over the First Tee of Sarasota/Manatee. The award is given to the amateur who has made the standout contributions to area golf.

The following are the other annual Chapter award winners:

- David Hronek of the Plantation Golf and CC, the Assistant Professional of the Year.  Hronek is the Tournament Chairman for the Southwestern Chapter and the past president of the Assistants Association.

- Brian Branch of Lakewood Ranch Golf and CC, private Merchandiser of the Year

- Wes Miller of River Strand Golf Club, public merchandiser of the Year

- Joe Rassett of Longboat Key Club, resort Merchandiser of the Year

- Jeff Boudrie of Legacy Golf Club, Teacher of the Year

- Coleman Plecker of Venice Golf and Country Club, the Horton Smith Award for contributions to PGA education programs, to building the image of the PGA professional and the Association, and displaying strong leadership and moral character

- Mark Trotter of Sarasota National, President’s Plaque for contributions to the Play Golf America Programs for the growth of the game

- Mike McClellan of The Meadow Country Club, Junior Golf Leader Award.  He is the President of the Greater Sarasota Junior Golf Program

- Bill Neal of Pelican Pointe Golf and Country Club, Bill Strausbaugh Award for demonstration of record of service to the Section and the Association as well as proven leadership ability

- Keith Struble of the Plantation Golf and CC, Golf Professional of the Year Award. This is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a PGA pro for overall performance as a golf professional, outstanding leadership and contributions to the association and its members. 
    
As winners of the Chapter level awards, they will be nominated for the award at a Section level. The North Florida Section consists of more than 1,500 professionals in an area from North Port to Melbourne to Jacksonville to Tallahassee.