Dow Finsterwald Jr., head golf professional at Colonial Country Club, already had a milestone moment marked on this year’s calendar: his 25th anniversary in his current position.
But there will be another reason to celebrate Sunday, when Finsterwald accepts the 2012 Golf Professional of the Year Award from officials at the Northern Texas PGA in a ceremony at the Westin Hotel in Dallas. Finsterwald will be one of multiple honorees with Tarrant County connections, but his award, voted on by peers, ranks among the program highlights.“I was shocked when they called me. But it’s really cool of them to do it,” Finsterwald said. “I don’t feel like I’m deserving of it, but it’s a wonderful honor. Being a member for 25 years, I guess if you do something long enough, maybe they’ll give you an award.”Finsterwald said his father, 1958 PGA champ Dow Finsterwald, Sr., will be among those who celebrate with him Sunday. The elder Finsterwald, 83, won 12 PGA Tour events in his career.Among other recipients of Sunday honors with local connections include: Troy Lewis, The Golf Club at Fossil Creek (Randy Smith Junior Golf Leader Award); Dan Walden, Texas Star Golf Course (Merchandiser of the Year, Public); Paul Earnest, Four Seasons Resort and Club (Merchandiser of the Year, Resort); the late Mac Spikes, former golf pro at Rivercrest Country Club who died in 2010 (Distinguished Service Award); Jon Drago, tournament director of the HP Byron Nelson Championship (Horton Smith Award); and Stuart Deane, teaching professional at Sinclair’s Golf Training Center in Euless (NTPGA Player of the Year and Ben Hogan Stroke Average Award).Jimmy Burch, 817-390-7760 Twitter: @Jimmy_Burch
