Born January 5, 1953 in Utica, New York

Married Nancy Johnson, November 8, 1980

Children: Stephen M, wife Sherry, Children Stevie & Ivy (Erie)

Allison Gunderson, husband Matt, children Matthew & Nora (Rochester)

I grew up in the Utica, NY area. Started caddying for my Dad at age 8 and started playing public golf courses at age 12. Dad would drop us off at 7:00 in the morning and another Dad would pick us up after 36 or 54 holes. At age 16, we joined a brand-new private club in Newport, NY. The course is a difficult layout which made me a better player. Don Silvanic, our first PGA professional, was a great inspiration in learning all aspects of the game.

High School: Whitesboro, NY Central – NYS Section III Golf Champs 1970 & 1971

Mohawk Valley Community College (A.B.S. Mathematics) – Competed in NJCAA National Team Championship 1972 & 1973

Gannon College (B.S. Business Administration, 1976) – Competed in NCAA Division II Championship, 1974  (Individual) & 1975 (Team) (Coach Bud Elwell)

Amateur Career:

1970    Quarter Finalist New York State Junior Championship

1974, 1975: Champion – Mohawk Valley Open

1975    Champion: Utica City Amateur Championship

PGA Class A-1 Membership – 1980

1990-2022 Lake View Country Club – Head Golf Professional

1980-1989 Lawrence Park Golf Club – Head Golf Professional

1978-1979 Peek’n Peak Golf Resort – Head Golf Professional

1976-1977 Peek’n Peak Golf Resort – Assistant Golf Professional (Bernie Haas)

1978 Peek’n Peak Sugar’n House – Food and Beverage Manager

1979 Peek’n Peak Main Ski Lodge – Food and Beverage Manager

PGA of America – Western New York Section

1995-1997       President

1993-1995       Vice President / Treasurer

1991-1993       Treasurer

1988-1991       Tournament Director

1986-1988       Membership Chairman

1997-1999       Honorary President

1983-1999, 2001 Board of Directors

WNYPGA Awards:

1990 Professional of the Year

1991, 1994 Junior Golf Leader

1983 Qualified National PGA Club Pro Championship, Palm Springs, California

Miscellaneous:

1979-2007       Co-Owner Pro Golf Erie

2002-2011       Vice President SMS Golf (operated Millcreek Golf and Learning Center)

2010-2019       Vice President SMS Golf (operated Erie Golf Club)

Erie District Golf Association

1991-1995, 1997 Tournament Chairman – EDGA Stroke Play and Qualifier

Best Round: Course Record: 67 Honey Hill Country Club, Newport, NY (1973 – still stands)

Hole in Ones:(5): #12 Chautauqua Golf Club, #12 Lake View Country, #16 Tippacanoe Country Club, #14 Pine Valley Golf Club, #5 Breakers Golf Club, Palm Beach

Favorite Golf story: I am fortunate to have been invited to play Pine Valley Golf Club in New Jersey several times. My wife and I like to collect flags from courses I have played. One fall, I went into the pro shop and asked the Assistant Professional if I could purchase a flag. He very politely said “Sir, the only way you can get a flag from Pine Valley is if you get a hole in one”.

So, the next spring when I was invited, I got a Hole in One! #14, 164 yards. What made it extra special is that they gave me the flag that was on that hole. The caddy called it in and as we were playing #16, we could see them taking the flag off the pole.

Favorite Day: Played Cypress Point in the morning and Pebble Beach in the afternoon.