2023 Section Award Winners

Middle Atlantic PGA Section Announces 2023 Special Award Winners, Headlined by PGA Golf Professional the Year, Jay Dufty, and PGA Teacher & Coach of the Year, Bernie Najar

Each year the MAPGA Recognizes its Most Outstanding PGA of America Professionals and Amateurs in the Middle Atlantic Region for Exemplary Contributions to the PGA and the Game of Golf

Stafford, Va. … (January 3, 2024) – The Middle Atlantic Section of the PGA of America (MAPGA) has announced their 13 Special Award Winners for 2023, headlined by PGA Golf Professional the Year, Jay Dufty, and PGA Teacher & Coach of the Year, Bernie Najar. 

“The MAPGA is proud to once again recognize its most outstanding PGA Professionals and amateurs in the Middle Atlantic region for their unmatched contributions toward the game of golf and making both the PGA and the MAPGA better Associations,” said Jon Guhl, Executive Director, Middle Atlantic PGA. “Across 13 categories, our award recipients boast track records of excellence in growing the game and inspiring individuals using the great sport of golf.”

2023 MAPGA Awards Recipients

• Professional of the Year

Jay Dufty, PGA | Director of Golf – Washington Golf & Country Club, Arlington, Va.
Hometown: Sterling, Va.

• Teacher & Coach of the Year

Bernie Najar, PGA | Director of Instruction – Caves Valley Golf Club, Owings Mills, Md.
Hometown: Bethesda, Md.

• Bill Strausbaugh Award

Jason Epstein, PGA | Director of Golf & Athletics – Congressional Country Club, Bethesda, Md.
Hometown: Potomac, Md.

• PGA Professional Development Award

J.P. Lunn, PGA | Owner/President – Sabre Golf & Rec, Frederick, Md.
Hometown: Frederick, Md.

• Player Development Award

Adam Relan, PGA | Director of Golf/General Manager – Bide-a-Wee Golf Course, Portsmouth, Va.
Hometown: Chesapeake, Va.

• Youth Player Development Award

Leighann Albaugh, PGA | Director of Instruction – Magnolia Green Golf Club, Moseley, Va.
Hometown: Glen Allen, Va.

• Merchandiser Of The Year (Private)

Matt Fuller, PGA | Director of Golf – Caves Valley Golf Club, Owings Mills, Md.
Hometown: Lutherville Timonium, Md.

• Merchandiser Of The Year (Public)

Willy Lutz, PGA | Director of Golf – Raspberry Falls Golf & Hunt Club, Leesburg, Va.
Hometown: Chantilly, Va.

• Merchandiser Of The Year (Resort)

Zach Pfingst, PGA | Director of Golf – Bay Creek Resort & Club, Cape Charles, Va.
Hometown: Cape Charles, Va.

• Assistant PGA Professional Of The Year

Megan Leineweber, PGA | Assistant Golf Professional – TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm, Potomac, Md.
Hometown: Potomac, Md.

• David Wortman Citizen Of The Year

Dr. Kendy K. Vierling, LPGA | Volunteer, Links to Freedom, Lorton, Va.

• Earle Hellen Sports Media Award

Mike Morrone, PGA | Emergency Nine Podcast, The Foundry Golf Club, Powhatan, Va.
Hometown: Glen Allen, Va.

• Salesperson Of The Year

Scott Bavaro | Sales Representative – TaylorMade Golf Company, Wilmington, De.
Hometown: Wilmington, De.

Highlighting the 2023 MAPGA Award Winners is Jay Dufty, PGA, Director of Golf at Washington Golf & Country Club, in Arlington, Va., who is the PGA Professional Of The Year. This is the highest honor paid to a PGA Professional, and it is based on overall performance, level of service to the MAPGA, leadership ability, promotion of the game of golf, image as a PGA Professional and ability to inspire fellow professionals, among other criteria. 

A PGA of America Member for over 25 years, Dufty is a native of Fargo, N.D., and a resident of Sterling, Va., where he lives with his wife Michelle and two children, Mason and Maria. He learned the game from his Father, who was a college wrestling coach at the University of Minnesota-Morris and an avid golfer, and his passion for the sport earned him a job at Moorhead Country Club in Moorhead, Minn. working for Head PGA Professional Larry Murphy, who mentored him throughout his adolescent career, and as he played all four years on his High School golf team. The encouragement from Murphy also triggered Dufty’s interest to become a golf professional, resulting in his enrollment in the Professional Golf Management Program at New Mexico State University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration & marketing.

While attending NMSU, Dufty worked as a PGA Intern at Oak Tree Country Club in Tulsa, Okla.; Wildflower Golf Club in Detroit Lakes, Minn.; and Rum River Hills Golf Club in Ramsey, Minn. Following graduation, he accepted an Assistant position at Blueberry Pines Golf Club in Menahga, Minn. and also worked during the winter months at TPC Scottsdale. In 1997, he moved into the Head Professional position at Blueberry Pines, earning his PGA Membership in 1998. 

For the next 20 years, and prior to his current position as PGA, Director of Golf at Washington Golf & Country Club, Dufty gained valuable experience managing high-end golf facilities, including 15 years with the TPC Network and 12 years as the Head PGA Professional at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm. 

A decorated member of the Middle Atlantic PGA Section, Dufty has received numerous awards and accolades, including the Bob Metz First Tee of Montgomery County Award in 2013, the MAPGA President’s Award in 2014, the TPC Network Head Professional of the Year in 2014, the MAPGA Private Club Merchandiser of the Year in 2018 and the MAPGA Bill Strausbaugh Award in 2020. Dufty also sits on multiple MAPGA boards and The First Tee of Montgomery County.

Joining Dufty in headlining the 2023 Class of MAPGA Award Winners is Bernie Najar, PGA, the Director of Instruction at Caves Valley Golf Club, in Owings Mills, Md., who is the back-to-back (’22 &’23) PGA Teacher & Coach Of The Year, which is presented for excellence in golf instruction along with overall performance as a PGA Professional. It recognizes an individual’s impact on teaching and golf instruction, involvement in junior golf activities, innovative contributions to golf instruction and articles published, among other criteria. 

A native of Bethesda, Md., and a graduate of American University, Najar is recognized as one of the top instructors in both the Baltimore-Washington D.C. area and the nation. In fact, he is ranked as one of Golf Digest’s 50 Best Teachers, and the No. 1 Teacher in Maryland, as well as Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Teachers. A decorated PGA Professional, he is a four-time winner of the Middle Atlantic PGA Section’s top teaching honor, Teacher & Coach of the Year in 2004, 2014, 2022 and now 2023, as well as a two time winner of the Professional Development Award in 2011 and 2012. 

Elected to PGA Membership in 1998, Najar has taught students at every level of the game, from beginners to aspiring tour players. His students have gone on to earn dozens of Division I golf scholarships and have won numerous club championships across the Middle Atlantic.

For bios of all 2023 MAPGA Awards recipients, click here. The 2023 MAPGA Awards recipients will be honored on Sunday, March 3rd, 2024, at the MAPGA Hall of Fame & Awards Banquet, at Lansdowne Resort & Spa, in Leesburg, Va.