Buffalo Grove pro earns PGA honor
After 30 years in the profession, the head of Buffalo Grove's golf programs earned one of the highest honors given by the PGA of America.
Carmen Molinaro was chosen as the 2007 Illinois PGA Golf Professional of the Year and honored for that achievement by the village board on Monday.
"This award really needs to be shared with many people," Molinaro said Monday, including his family, village staff and the village board in the honor.
The PGA gives out 11 awards in each of its 41 sections on a yearly basis. Those include merchandiser of the year and teacher of the year, among others.
However, Village President Elliott Hartstein said professional of the year is the highest honor awarded. That winner also automatically is nominated for the National PGA professional of the year.
"This is really a tremendous honor for Carmen," Hartstein said.
To win the award, the nominees must excel at their respective facilities and provide service to the PGA of America and the Illinois PGA. The PGA looks to professionals who provide endless promotion of the game of golf.
They must also prove to be leaders and inspirational in their roles.
Molinaro, who has been a PGA professional for 30 years and serves as the director of the two village-owned golf facilities, was chosen two years ago as the merchandiser of the year. He was also elected into the Illinois High School Golf Coaches Hall of Fame.
As a winner, he also had to prove that he's well-rounded in supporting his staff and family.
Molinaro acknowledged his wife Susan and two sons, whom he said put up with his absences during the busy summer months and continued to support his work at the golf courses.
He also gave credit to former village manager Bill Balling, calling him a staunch supporter of Buffalo Grove's golf programs.
"We all have the same goal in mind, and that's to make the village look the best it can," Molinaro said. "We've grown quite a bit."
Molinaro will be honored by the PGA at a dinner on Nov. 1, which, coincidentally, will be held at the Arboretum Club course in Buffalo Grove.