Casey Smith - Junior Leader of the Year for the Dixie Section PGA for 2009

Thompson: Dixie Section announces its award winners
By Ian Thompson -- The Birmingham News
January 14, 2010, 9:10AM

Chet Hallman of Gunters Landing took home two PGA Dixie Section awards.The Dixie Section of the PGA, the governing body for club professionals across Alabama and northwest Florida, recently announced its annual award winners.

Professional of the Year went to David Musial, head professional at Heron Lakes in Mobile. Other award winners include Player of the Year, Gary Rusnak, Seascape in Destin, Fla.; Player of the Year (Assistant), Bryan Clarke, Grand Hotel Resort in Point Clear; Player of the Year (Senior), Fred Holton, Arrowhead GC in Montgomery; Teacher of the Year, Mark Blackburn, Gunters Landing in Guntersville; Horton Smith Award, Bud Rousey, AC Read GC in Pensacola, Fla.; Bill Strausbaugh Award, Brent Krause, Wynlakes in Montgomery; Junior Leader, Casey Smith, FarmLinks in Sylacauga; President's Plaque, Valerie Vaughn, Eagle Point; Merchandiser of the Year: private club, David Allen, Gadsden CC; public facility, Scott Gomberg, Grand National, Opelika; and resort facility, Chet Hallman, Gunters Landing.

The section is divided into the Alabama and Gulf Coast chapters. The Alabama chapter winners: Professional of the Year, Chet Hallman, Gunters Landing; Teacher of the Year, Neil Thompson, Oxmoor Valley; Junior Leader, John King, Saugahatchee CC in Opelika; Horton Smith Award, Mark Blackburn, Gunters Landing; President's Plaque, Steve Cutler, Wynlakes; Merchandiser of the Year, Bryan McMurray, Riverchase CC; and Player of the Year, Ricky Smallridge, Auburn University Club.

All awards are voted upon by the selection committee except players of the year, which are based on performance in section events.

Musial has been at Heron Lakes for nine years. Prior to that he was known to many Birmingham area golfers as an assistant pro and then head professional at Hoover Country Club.

He has held various section positions and is the outgoing president of the Gulf Coast chapter.

"I remember in school we had to write a paper about what we wanted to do (when he grew up) and interview someone in that profession. I wrote down golf professional and interviewed Jack Payton, who was the pro then at Burningtree Country Club where I grew up in Decatur."

It turns out he was prophetic as he got his start as an assistant at Terri Pines in Cullman in 1990 and he's been in the business ever since.

Vaughn has been a PGA member since 1995 and said this was her greatest honor in golf since becoming a PGA member.

"It is most rewarding to be able to give back to the game that has given me so much in my life," she said.

The President's Plaque recognizes someone who has made extraordinary contributions in supporting various PGA of America initiatives. Eagle Point has numerous such programs that Vaughn and her team have implemented in recent years.

Smith said his award would not have been possible but for the support of the Pursell family, the owners of FarmLinks, and their strong support of The First Tee program.

"The First Tee helps not just with golf skills, but with life skills," he said. "Virtues such as integrity and sportsmanship are emphasized."

Smith said FarmLinks has upwards of 150 children in its program.

Ian Thompson's golf column appears every Thursday in The Birmingham News. E-mail him at golfsth@aol.com and check out his bimonthly digital golf magazine at www.golfsouthmagazine.com.

Tooth-pulling, boys in the snow 2010, etc

PROfiles- Casey Smith, PGA

PROfiles- Casey Smith, PGA
Name: Casey Smith, PGA
Year Turned Pro: 2006
College/University: Mississippi State University
Facility and Job Title: FarmLinks Golf Club, Head Golf Professional

Our son, Casey, is profiled this month on the Professional Golf Association's (PGA) Dixie Section website. The Dixie Section PGA is the governing body of the PGA of America Club Professionals throughout Alabama and Northwest Florida. As you might expect, Carol and I are very proud of Casey.

Please give a summary of your background and credentials.
I am a graduate of the Professional Golf Management Program at Mississippi State University. While attending MSU, I held internships at North River Yacht Club in Tuscaloosa, AL; FarmLinks Golf Club in Sylacauga, AL; and Okemo Valley Golf Club in Ludlow, VT. Upon graduation in December of 2005, I was offered the position of 1st Assistant Golf Professional at FarmLinks Golf Club in which capacity I served for the first 11 months and afterwards promoted to Head Golf Professional.

What was your motivation to become a PGA Professional?
My motivation to become a PGA professional was the opportunity of being around the game I love and helping people at the same time. God has blessed me with a love for the game and a love for people and this seemed to be a perfect fit. The commitment of extra hours and holidays on the job make it all worth while when one sees the difference made in lives for the good.

What is your specialty in the golf business?
It’s hard to nail it down one area because as PGA professionals we are disciplined to specialize in most all aspects of the golf business. One specialty I consider particularly challenging is discovering what people do well and utilizing that to motivate them and cultivate their strengths.

Please list any accomplishments (Awards, Certifications and Tournaments).
-Executive Director of The First Tee of Pursell Farms
-2008 Alabama Chapter Dixie Section Junior Leader of the Year
-Guest Speaker at Mississippi State University to PGM Students
-1st Place 2008 Yamaha Pro-Superintendent

What was your greatest moment in golf?
My greatest moment in golf is the day I played golf with Butch Byrd (mentor), Jim Remy (President, PGA of America), and Ted Bishop (Secretary, PGA of America). These professionals have played an integral role in shaping me into what I am today and I am greatly indebted to each of them.

What or who has had the greatest impact on your career?
I have to start by saying that my personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord along with the influence of my family has profoundly shaped my personal life. The one person who has had the greatest impact upon my career is Butch Byrd. Not only do I consider him a mentor but the most genuine friend I have. What I appreciate most is his exemplary life and leadership style that he consistently portrays on a daily basis. He has always shown a vested interest in me and I can never thank him enough. I believe everybody needs someone like Mr. Byrd who will encourage you with praise when you are doing well but caring enough to offer constructive criticism when it is needed.

Besides golf, what else do you enjoy?
I always enjoy spending time with family and friends, singing when I get the chance, working out, taking care of my yard, traveling, and cheering on the Mississippi State Bulldogs!

If you could play any golf course in the world, which one would it be and who would complete your foursome?
I would love to play Augusta National with the Big Three (Arnie, Jack and Gary)!

What is your favorite golf instruction tip?
My favorite instructional tip would be using different sports as an analogy for weight transition. For example, in football, most quarterbacks who throw a pass off of their back foot will more than likely be intercepted or not have the desired results. When they properly transition their weight to their lead or front leg they will have more accuracy/consistency. The golf swing works the same way. When you properly transition your weight to your lead leg in the downswing, it will lead to more consistency and power in your golf swing.