Editors: For photos of PGA Master Professional Tom Wildenhaus, click here.

FRISCO, Texas (August 5, 2024) - PGA of America Golf Professional Tom Wildenhaus, the Director of Golf at Olde Florida Golf Club in Naples, Florida, has earned PGA Master Professional Status, the highest educational designation a PGA of America Member can obtain.

The Association comprises more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals, and Wildenhaus, a Member of the South Florida PGA Section, joins a special group as the 448th to earn Master Professional status. He achieved his designation in Executive Management.

“I never originally planned to be a Master Professional, however I enjoy continuing this lifelong learning and I wanted to challenge myself,” said Wildenhaus. “I learned a lot about myself and my operation throughout the process. Knowing some of the Master Professionals who’ve come before me, most of them were mentors to me in some way, whether they know it or not. Realizing that I’m now associated with them in that way is really impactful for me.”

The program was established in 1969 to recognize PGA of America Members who make a significant effort to improve as golf professionals and maintain the highest degree of excellence for themselves and their operations. The curriculum is designed to ensure golf professionals are prepared to meet the growing demands of the marketplace within the Executive Management, Golf Operations and Teaching and Coaching Designations.

The PGA Master Professional Program is available to those with at least 10 years of PGA of America Membership along with having achieved advanced certification through the PGA Specialized and Certified Professional Programs. The curriculum includes an extensive project based on the specific certification previously acquired by the PGA of America Golf Professional. PGA Master Professional status is earned upon successful completion of the project’s presentation.

In 2021, Wildenhaus earned the PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year Award, the highest annual honor given to a PGA of America Golf Professional, awarded for leadership, strong moral character and a substantial record of service to the Association and the game of golf.

Wildenhaus has earned numerous South Florida PGA Section awards and accolades, including the Golf Professional Development Award (1996, 1998), Golf Professional of the Year Award (2007, 2016) and the Bill Strausbaugh Award (2008). He was elected to the South Florida PGA Hall of Fame in 2011.

Wildenhaus has held a consistent presence in PGA of America governance beginning in the South Florida PGA Section’s Southwest Chapter in 1994, where he served as Education Chairperson prior to serving on the Chapter’s Board of Directors. He also served on the South Florida PGA Section Board of Directors (1999-2007). He was elected Section Secretary in 1991 and served two-year terms as Secretary, Vice President and President. He was elected President of the South Florida PGA Foundation in 2010 and still holds that position today. At the National level, Wildenhaus served on the PGA of America Public Relations Committee (2010-2012) and was appointed to the Board of Control (2015-2019).

Wildenhaus has spent more than 30 years at Olde Florida Golf Club, where his leadership has continually driven a full membership.

Wildenhaus resides in Naples, Florida, with his wife Tracy.

About the PGA of America

The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals who love the game, are expert coaches, operators and business leaders, and work daily to drive interest, inclusion and participation in the sport. The PGA of America owns and operates numerous championships and events, including major championships for men, women, seniors and the Ryder Cup, one of the world’s foremost sporting events. For more information, visit PGA.com and follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

‍Media Contacts

Jesse Dodson, PGA of America, jdodson@pgahq.com

Jared Minski, Mastro Communications, jared@mastrocomm.com