Stanley Golf Course in the News

Kyle Hedstrom Named Connecticut Section PGA Public Merchandiser of the Year

ROCKY HILL, Conn. – Kyle Hedstrom, head PGA Professional at Stanley Golf Course in New Britain, Conn., has been selected by the Connecticut Section PGA as the recipient of the 2011 Public Merchandiser of the Year award. The Merchandiser of the Year Award recognizes excellence in business and merchandising at private, public and resort golf facilities.

Hedstrom, 36, a nine-year member of The PGA of America, has been overseeing the golf operations at Stanley Golf Course since 2004. Prior to that, he was an assistant PGA Professional at Shuttle Meadow Country Club, and an apprentice during his time at Ellington Ridge Country Club and Black Hall Club.

 “It’s an honor to be recognized by your peers as to having one of the nicer golf shops and I was fortunate enough to win the award previously in 2005 as well,” says Hedstrom. “For people to recognize that you have a consistent golf shop merchandising operation within the last six years means a lot.”

 Hedstrom was also honored as a five-time member of the PGA President’s Council on Growing the Game. He is a graduate of Central Connecticut State University with a major in Business and now resides in Wethersfield with wife, Leanne, seven-year-old son, Jack, and three-year-old daughter, Kayla.

Shaun Maher Named Connecticut Section PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year

ROCKY HILL, Conn. – Shaun Maher, assistant PGA Professional at Stanley Golf Course in New Britain, Conn, has been named by the Connecticut Section PGA as the 2011 Assistant Golf Professional of the Year. This award is presented annually to an individual whose overall performance and example of excellence as an assistant professional contributes to the advancement of fellow assistant professionals.

 Maher, 31, who resides in Cromwell, was elected to PGA membership in 2009 and has been employed as an assistant PGA Professional at Stanley since March of this year. Prior to that, he was employed as an assistant PGA Professional at Shuttle Meadow Country Club in Kensington, Conn. and Sterling Farms Golf Course in the Metropolitan Section.

 “Thanks to my many mentors and the Professional Golf Management Program at Methodist University, I have learned how to effectively run a successful golf operation with an emphasis on customer service at all times,” says Maher. “Playing golf and touching as many people as possible in a positive manner, is what I love about the golf business.”

 Maher is a 2003 graduate of Methodist University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in PGA Golf Management where he was actually a member of the soccer team for all four years. He is an active member of the Connecticut Section currently serving as the President of the Assistants’ Association.

 “Being involved in the Connecticut Section PGA and the Assistant’s Association is my proudest achievement,” explains Maher. “I have been fortunate to serve where together we raised $5,000 this year for the Connecticut Section PGA Golf Foundation.”

 “Shaun is extremely bright and a golf professional who always wants to learn,” says Connecticut Section PGA President, John Korolyshun. “He is a rising star and an example for all in our Section!”

About the Connecticut Section PGA
The Connecticut Section PGA is a not-for-profit organization chartered by the PGA in 1933 to promote golf and enhance the livelihood of its members. The section is comprised of more than 350 men and women PGA Professionals from Connecticut and Western Massachusetts, the experts in the game and business of golf.

1) Stanley Golf Course

It may be 81 years old, but it’s got state-of-the-art GPS systems on its golf carts, 27 holes, ultra-modern practice facilities and a 19-bay driving range with heaters and lighting. But Kyle Hedstrom, Stanley’s head golf professional, says the reason the course was voted best in the region this year is the top-notch condition of the course: "Even though the economy is down, we’re not letting our course conditions or customer service slip."

2) Rockledge Golf Club

289 South Main St. 
West Hartford 
(860) 521-6284

3) Simsbury Farms Golf Course