Palatine man to head Illinois PGA
Jim Opp of Palatine is the 26th president of the Illinois Professional Golfers' Association of America. Opp previously served as vice president from 2013-2014 and secretary from 2012-2013.
Opp, 64, succeeds Chris Gumbach of Elmhurst, who will continue to serve on the board of directors as Honorary President.
Succeeding Opp as Vice President is Mark Labiak, 51, of Plainfield, who served the past two years as secretary of the Illinois PGA. Jim Miller, 48, of Bloomington, elected secretary.
A native of Chicago, Opp is in his 13th year at Bonnie Dundee Golf Club in Carpentersville, serving the past 10 years as the PGA head golf professional.
Opp was honored with the 2006, 2007 and 2008 Illinois PGA Horton Smith Award for his for outstanding and continuing contributions to developing and improving education opportunities for fellow golf professionals. In 2009, Opp was named the 55th recipient of the Illinois PGA Golf Professional of the Year Award, the highest honor bestowed on a PGA professional.
"The leadership that Jim brings as President will undoubtedly allow us to continue to advance our mission of growing the game," said Michael Miller, executive director of the Illinois PGA. "Jim has a great pulse on the state of the game and the industry within the Illinois Section not only from his many years of dedicated service to the Association, but also from his years of experience working within the public golf sector. The passion he has for the game and for assisting his fellow PGA Professionals is unwavering."
Illinois PGA vice president Mark Labiak is the PGA head golf professional at Ruth Lake Country Club in Hinsdale, Ill.
Three new members were elected to the Illinois PGA board of directors. Serving three-year terms are: Frank Bruno, 48, of Arlington Heights, the PGA head golf professional at Oak Park Country Club in River Grove, Ill.; Travis Johns, 36, of Oswego, the PGA teaching professional at Medinah Country Club; and Andy Phelan, 35, of Antioch, the PGA director of golf at Wynstone Golf Club in North Barrington.