Vote for the 2026 Group Golf Leader of the Year
We have our finalists! Now it is up to the community to crown the winner. Meet the ten leaders below and cast your vote.
Meet the finalistsMeet your 10 finalists
Charles Venanzi
Chuck doesn't just run a league, he runs the vibe. He keeps an eye on how everyone's doing, refines pairings so newcomers feel welcome, and turns a weekly tee time into something closer to family. His group calls him the reason they keep coming back.
“He monitors the 'vibe' of the group as closely as he monitors the tee sheet.” – Charles
“He doesn't just lead a league; he nurtures a family.” – Janet
Dave Pollock
Every Monday, Dave organizes four foursomes at a different course, mixing the pairings so everyone gets to know each other, and books the whole season in advance. He handles endless last-minute changes with patience and good humour.
“Organizing our Monday group is like herding cats, and Dave is the undisputed champion cat herder.” – Don
“He is the friendliest, most co-operative administrator: Fun, Fair Play, and Fellowship.” – Bruce
Dave Reese
For over 20 years, Dave has run a weekly game for around 100 golfers, tracking stats, teams, fees, birthdays, even medical updates. He's the one who drove an hour just to greet everyone on days he couldn't play. His group calls him the glue.
“He keeps track of stats, birthdays and medical notifications. A true saint!” – John
“The Power of One.” – Woody
John Petrunak
For 15 years, John has been Commissioner of the Brecksville Men's Golf League, growing it from 24 to 48 golfers, plus a Thursday travelling group. He handles courses, pairings, handicaps, prizes, and two outings a year, and does it all with a smile.
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“John has handled EVERYTHING, courses, scoring, handicaps, prizes, rules, and does it with a smile.” – Tom
“He books the tee times, schedules the outings, awards prizes… and occasionally brings doughnuts!” – Gary
Liz Matergia
Liz keeps 50 women organized, informed, and laughing: tee times, fun nights, outings, and the annual Christmas party. She handles every bit of drama with grace and a smile. Her league calls her the glue that holds them together.
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“Liz is the glue to our club. She is fair, non-polarizing, and our loving friend.” – Jennifer
“She is the best cat herder.” – Patty
Mike Baumgartner
Mike built a website to schedule and track over 100 golf events a year, gets golfers on the course several times a week across Ohio, and even plays taxi for those who need a ride. His group cheerfully calls themselves spoiled, and they mean it.
“He set up the website, searches for courses, offers rides, always positive and encouraging.” – Randy
“Organizes over 100 events per year.” – Robert
Mike Brinkman
Each spring Mike plans the entire year ahead, negotiating guaranteed tee times and pricing at a dozen courses around Cincinnati, assembling fresh teams every week, assigning tees by skill, and managing the prize money. In the off-season he keeps everyone together with lunches. The heart and soul of his group.
“Mike is the ultimate golf league leader, he plans the entire year ahead of time.” – Richard
“He is the heart and soul of this group.” – Mike
Patrick Klemm
What Pat's dad started in 1996 with four buddies, Pat has grown into an 84-golfer annual trip: a new destination every year, with all the lodging, tee times, pairings and prizes handled by him alone. This year he even built a custom app to run it. A 30-year, two-generation tradition.
“He works an entire year to create the best possible outing for 84 golfers, and asks for nothing in return.” – James
“This is a trip you go on once and you're sucked in for a lifetime.” – Rick
Pete Jarocewicz
At 78, Pete lines up more than 60 tee times at over 25 courses every year, building foursomes twice a week from April through October and tracking everyone's scoring averages. He does it all with humility and a smile. His group considers themselves blessed.
“At age 78, Pete lines up over 60 tee times at over 25 courses. He herds us cats with an electronic signup sheet.” – Daniel
“Pete likes to play with people he likes, an open-minded individual and a quality human being.” – Jeff
Tiffany Korn
Eleven years ago Tiffany started a women's league with 12 golfers; today it's 91 with a waitlist. She's introduced countless women to the game and made her family's course their happy place, all while running front-of-house 50+ hours a week.
“She introduced the game to countless women who never felt comfortable trying. She made the course our happy place.” – Heather
“The most energetic, magnetic, encouraging person I have ever known.” – Jennifer
The people who keep golf groups together
The Group Golf Leader Awards celebrate the people who quietly make group golf happen. The ones who book the tee times, sort the pairings, organize the outings, and keep everyone showing up round after round.
Now in its third year, the program has grown into a community of its own. Every finalist here was nominated by the golfers who know them best.
How the finalists were selected
Finalists were chosen on the strength of their nominations, not a raw vote count. Our team weighed:
- The detail and heart of the nomination stories
- How much of their group rallied behind them
- Years spent leading their group
- Their history with the program
It came down to the quality of what nominators wrote, not just the number of nominations.
A record year. 2026 was our biggest year ever, with more nominations and more nominators than any year in program history. This community keeps growing.
What the winner takes home
One leader will be crowned the 2026 Group Golf Leader of the Year.
And it is not just the winner. All 10 finalists receive a TeeTime Golf Pass swag pack.
Cast your vote
Everyone is touched by a great group leader, so everyone gets a say.
Anyone can vote
You do not have to be a member of the golf group. Friends, family, and fellow golfers are all welcome.
One vote per person
Votes are one per email address, so pick the leader who means the most to you.
Key dates
Voting closes August 27. The winner is announced August 28.
Ready? Scroll back up, find your leader, and hit Vote.