| 2010 Sam Snead Award - Met PGA Michael Hebron, Smithtown Landing CC The list of multiple PGA National Award winners is a very small, exclusive and an elite group of the association's finest. In addition to the recognition gained from the PGA Awards, Michael Hebron was perhaps the primary PGA member behind the very first Teaching and Coaching Summit. A noted author and speaker, Michael Hebron has been an ambassador for the PGA and golf instruction for more than a quarter of a century around the globe. It is for this reason that the Met PGA Special Awards Committee has selected Michael Hebron as their Sam Snead Award recipient for his contributions to the PGA, the game of golf and the Metropolitan Section. The Award was established in 1973 following the legendary Slammer’s appearance at the Educational Forum that set attendance records that still exist to this day. During an incredible career of service and involvement, Mike Hebron has served the Met PGA as a member of the Board, an Officer and one of the Section’s most active professionals. He has always been an advocate for junior golf, for education and for the importance of teaching. Not only as a leader in the Met PGA hierarchy, but more importantly in his day to day responsibilities as a golf professional, Mike Hebron is truly a role model. Whether teaching a junior clinic or working with a Tour Player, Mike demonstrates a love and passion for the game of golf while always helping to promote and identify the importance of the PGA Professional. Michael’s resume is filled with accolades and accomplishments. In addition to winning the 1990 PGA of America Horton Smith Award and the 1991 PGA Teacher of the Year, Michael was the Met PGA’s Professional of the Year in 1982, won the Section Horton Smith Award three times, the Merchandiser of the Year twice in the public category, was the very first Metropolitan Section Junior Golf Leader recipient and was of course a former Met PGA Teacher of the Year. Michael was also elected to the Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame and won the Long Island Golf Association’s Distinguished Service Award. A Master Professional, Mike has been the operator of Smithtown Landing under a lease agreement with the Town for over 40 years. He was selected for the Metropolitan PGA Hall of Fame in 2008. There are so many ways that Mike Hebron has contributed to golf and the local area that many people are not aware of. For more than 20 years he has sponsored either a Met PGA seniors or women’s event. He sponsors one of the Long Island Golf Association’s premier amateur events, having also donated a trophy that memorializes his mother. He conceptualized and now hosts and administers the Met PGA’s Annual Junior Classic, now in its 5th decade with fields of over 300 children participating at Smithtown Landing. Michael was instrumental in many of the Met Section’s Growth of the Gameinitiatives which have now developed into the establishment of both the Met PGA Junior Golf Association that boasts over 1,300 members as well as the First Tee of Metropolitan New York and their programs that include 5 area facilities and continues to grow. Michael not only was the originator of the very first PGA Teaching & Coaching Summit, but he has helped several international golf associations develop their own Teaching & Coaching Summits. He continues to be a frequent speaker and invitee to golf associations and groups around the world. His passion not only includes talking about teaching golf, but more importantly how to help students learn – golf or almost any endeavor they embrace. The Sam Snead Award seems to have been established to recognize the talents of Michael Hebron. He deserves a spot among the Association’s elite. His legacy of service as a teacher, educator, author, promoter, golf professional and course operator is one that has served golf at the very highest level. It is with great pride that the Metropolitan PGA Special Awards Committee recognizes Michael Hebron for his contributions to the game, the PGA and the Met Section. |
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