{"id":10,"date":"2017-03-20T01:28:04","date_gmt":"2017-03-20T01:28:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/?page_id=10"},"modified":"2026-01-07T14:04:37","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T14:04:37","slug":"our-staff","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/?page_id=10","title":{"rendered":"Our Staff"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.5)” background_image=”https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Top-Video.webp” background_position=”top_center” background_vertical_offset=”38%” background_blend=”overlay” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”350px||350px||true|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” transform_styles__hover_enabled=”on|hover” transform_scale__hover_enabled=”on|hover” transform_translate__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” transform_rotate__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” transform_skew__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” transform_origin__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Projects” _builder_version=”4.16″ da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.17.3″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Terrie-Purdum-scaled.jpg” title_text=”Terrie Purdum” show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” animation_intensity_slide=”25%” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.41)” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.0″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Frank Ruhl Libre||||||||” header_2_text_align=”left” header_2_text_color=”#282828″ header_2_line_height=”1.4em” background_image=”https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/noun-golfer-448845-3297F3.png” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_right” custom_margin=”||5px|” animation_direction=”bottom” header_2_font_size_tablet=”24px” header_2_font_size_phone=”” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” border_width_top=”2px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Terrie Purdum<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Libre Franklin|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”15px” text_line_height=”1.4em” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”bottom” animation_intensity_slide=”25%” text_font_size_tablet=”14px” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]Growing the great game of golf, giving young, and beginner Golfers a sense of comfort on the course.<\/p>\n

Publishing charity golf events, and giving sponsors the kick they deserve for participating in tournaments that make a difference, and change people\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n

Anything to support ANY Military golf events and, showing gratitude, for the men and women dedicated to serving our country.<\/p>\n

Making golf fun, being a rebel visionary with a very traditional game, and assisting all the PGA, GCSAA, in getting the consumer educated, and being included in the ONLY regional Golf Magazine to survive in the south since 1999.<\/p>\n

Oh, yeah, dancing in the full moon light.
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.17.3″ custom_css_main_element=”display: flex;||flex-wrap: wrap;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.17.3″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_main_element_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_css_main_element_tablet=”order: 2;” custom_css_main_element_phone=”order: 2;”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Frank Ruhl Libre||||||||” header_2_text_align=”left” header_2_text_color=”#282828″ header_2_line_height=”1.4em” background_image=”https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/noun-golfer-448845-3297F3.png” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_right” custom_margin=”||5px|” animation_direction=”bottom” header_2_font_size_tablet=”24px” header_2_font_size_phone=”” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” border_width_top=”2px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Shannon Coates<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Libre Franklin|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”15px” text_line_height=”1.4em” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”bottom” animation_intensity_slide=”25%” text_font_size_tablet=”14px” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]Editor-in- Chief<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shannon Coates was born and raised in West Palm Beach, FL. She moved to Oviedo, FL 20 years ago.<\/p>\n

Wife to Kenny Coates and mother of Madison Coates, she spends most of her free time watching Madi play volleyball. She has also been a member of the Oviedo Woman\u2019s Club since 2012.<\/p>\n

It was June 2002 when she read a \u201cHelp Wanted\u201d ad in the newspaper and her fate was forever sealed with Terrie Purdum and the motley crew of Golf Central Magazine (Florida Golf Central Magazine at the time). Since then, it\u2019s been rollercoaster of well-timed obscene jokes and spewing drinks through her nose with no end in sight.<\/p>\n

In 2015 she helped Terrie launch\u00a0www.turflife.club<\/a>. A lifestyle brand saluting all things turf, whether you play on it, grow it, or mow it.<\/p>\n

Shannon can be reached at\u00a0Shannon@golfcentralmag.com<\/a>
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.17.3″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_main_element_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_css_main_element_tablet=”order: 1;” custom_css_main_element_phone=”order: 1;”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/IMG_7522.jpg” title_text=”IMG_7522″ show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” animation_intensity_slide=”25%” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.41)” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Melahn.webp” alt=”Melahn” title_text=”Melahn” show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” animation_intensity_slide=”25%” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.41)” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Frank Ruhl Libre||||||||” header_2_text_align=”left” header_2_text_color=”#282828″ header_2_line_height=”1.4em” background_image=”https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/noun-golfer-448845-3297F3.png” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_right” custom_margin=”||5px|” animation_direction=”bottom” header_2_font_size_tablet=”24px” header_2_font_size_phone=”” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” border_width_top=”2px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Melahn Cable<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Libre Franklin|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”15px” text_line_height=”1.4em” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”bottom” animation_intensity_slide=”25%” text_font_size_tablet=”14px” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]Melahn was born in Orlando (a true Native!), grew up in College Park, and has remained in the Central Florida area her entire life. After attending UCF for a short stint, putting her love of horses in the forefront pursuing a degree in Equine Genetics, she acquiesced to the fact that math was not her strong suite, and decided to go with her second love, graphic design. She has been a professional Graphic Designer for over 25 years.<\/p>\n

Melahn\u2019s interests range from horses, to photography, to quilting, and she can be seen on most weekends out and about enjoying the local music scene (and often onstage, singing with the band). Melahn is also an avid reader, and enjoys creative writing.
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Frank Ruhl Libre||||||||” header_2_text_align=”left” header_2_text_color=”#282828″ header_2_line_height=”1.4em” background_image=”https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/noun-golfer-448845-3297F3.png” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_right” custom_margin=”||5px|” animation_direction=”bottom” header_2_font_size_tablet=”24px” header_2_font_size_phone=”” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” border_width_top=”2px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Sara Rogers<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”Libre Franklin|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”15px” text_line_height=”1.4em” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”bottom” animation_intensity_slide=”25%” text_font_size_tablet=”14px” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]Solutionist<\/p>\n

Sara Rogers is the daughter of British global nomads. Her passion is recognizing opportunities that others don’t see in people, products, & markets and embracing technical challenges. In support of her family members that served in the Royal Forces, she is impassioned by working with all veterans as evidenced by her work with NextCareer helping Veterans obtain free training and career placement in partner companies, supporting Congressman Mullin’s Veterans townhalls, and their partnership with One Tribe Foundation (formerly 22Kill). She is multifaceted in her career and interests.<\/p>\n

She has lived most of her life in Florida, attending the University of Florida for her BA and the University of Central Florida for her MSEE. She lived briefly in Sao Paulo, Brazil as a child, England with extended family for a summer as a tween. After college, Sara relocated to NJ briefly and settled in the DFW Metroplex for 15 years. She moved back to Central Florida where she met team GCM via Queen Bee, who introduced her to golf and showed her beginners were welcome on the links. When she’s not honing her golf game, Sara can be found snapping pics of underwater paradises around the world or curled up with a good book and one of her feline roommates. She is a certified PADI Rescue Diver and Underwater Photographer which comes in handy looking for lost golf balls and rescuing golfers who fall in the water hazards![\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/img140.jpg” alt=”Nafanua Marlowe Bio Photo” title_text=”img140″ show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” animation_intensity_slide=”25%” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.41)” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ custom_css_main_element=”display: flex;||flex-wrap: wrap;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.17.3″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_main_element_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_css_main_element_tablet=”order: 1;” custom_css_main_element_phone=”order: 1;”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/nwdn_file_temp_1617394066762-1.jpg” title_text=”nwdn_file_temp_1617394066762″ show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” animation_intensity_slide=”25%” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.41)” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.17.3″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_main_element_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_css_main_element_tablet=”order: 2;” custom_css_main_element_phone=”order: 2;”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Frank Ruhl Libre||||||||” header_2_text_align=”left” header_2_text_color=”#282828″ header_2_line_height=”1.4em” background_image=”https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/noun-golfer-448845-3297F3.png” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_right” custom_margin=”||5px|” animation_direction=”bottom” header_2_font_size_tablet=”24px” header_2_font_size_phone=”” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” border_width_top=”2px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Jay Golden<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Libre Franklin|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”15px” text_line_height=”1.4em” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”bottom” animation_intensity_slide=”25%” text_font_size_tablet=”14px” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]Jay Golden, PGA, has taught and coached golfers from every age group and skill level ranging from children to Tour Players. Although students differ in skill, athletic ability and personality, his goal always stayed the same: TO SHOOT LOW SCORES.<\/p>\n

Additionally, GolfWorld Magazine coined the title of an article \u201cJay Golden: Golf\u2019s True Renaissance Man\u201d which can now be seen on the Golf Digest website. This is in relation to Golden combining his interests, hobbies and skills with this great game. His humor, art, poems, songs, articles, books, trick-shot shows, screenplays, TV appearances, cartoons, DVD\u2019s and YouTube videos, are examples.<\/p>\n

Golden says, \u201cI hope to ignite an interest for you to combine YOUR interests, hobbies and skills with golf to enhance your enjoyment of the game you love.\u201d
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.17.3″ custom_css_main_element=”display: flex;||flex-wrap: wrap;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_main_element_last_edited=”off|tablet”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.17.3″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_main_element_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_css_main_element_tablet=”order: 2;” custom_css_main_element_phone=”order: 2;”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.0″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Frank Ruhl Libre||||||||” header_2_text_align=”left” header_2_text_color=”#282828″ header_2_line_height=”1.4em” background_image=”https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/noun-golfer-448845-3297F3.png” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_right” custom_margin=”||5px|” animation_direction=”bottom” header_2_font_size_tablet=”24px” header_2_font_size_phone=”” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” border_width_top=”2px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Tony Leodora<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.0″ text_font=”Libre Franklin|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”15px” text_line_height=”1.4em” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”bottom” animation_intensity_slide=”25%” text_font_size_tablet=”14px” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]Throughout a long journalistic career, Tony Leodora has been a national award-winner at every level … as a newspaper columnist, as a golf magazine writer, columnist and editor, as a syndicated radio show host and, now, as host of the award-winning Traveling Golfer television show.
\nBorn in Philadelphia, he now lives in Nokomis, Florida \u2013 in the golf-rich area just south of
\nSarasota.
\nHis latest quest finds him closing in on playing his 1,000th golf course \u2013 and he has the scorecard from every one of them.
\nHis love of golf course architecture has led him to working closely on projects with architects Arnold Palmer, Tom Fazio, Rees Jones, Ron Garl, Dr. Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry, Ron Pritchard, Roger Rulewich and Ed Shearon. [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.17.3″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_main_element_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_css_main_element_tablet=”order: 1;” custom_css_main_element_phone=”order: 1;”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Tony-Leodora.webp” alt=”Tony Leodora” title_text=”Tony Leodora” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” animation_intensity_slide=”25%” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.41)” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.17.3″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/mike-scaled.webp” title_text=”mike” show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” animation_intensity_slide=”25%” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.41)” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.0″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Frank Ruhl Libre||||||||” header_2_text_align=”left” header_2_text_color=”#282828″ header_2_line_height=”1.4em” background_image=”https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/noun-golfer-448845-3297F3.png” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_right” custom_margin=”||5px|” animation_direction=”bottom” header_2_font_size_tablet=”24px” header_2_font_size_phone=”” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” border_width_top=”2px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Mike May<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.0″ text_font=”Libre Franklin|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”15px” text_line_height=”1.4em” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”bottom” animation_intensity_slide=”25%” text_font_size_tablet=”14px” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]Mike May is a freelance golf writer based in Wellington, Florida. Mike, a frequent golfer and travel writer, is the editor-in-chief of the Indiana Golf Journal, a correspondent for Golf Central Magazine, a senior writer for Team Insight Magazine, a contributor to Midwest Golfing Magazine, and a correspondent for both the Michigan and Ohio Golf Journals. He is also a member of the Golf Writers Association of America.
\nMike traces his roots as a golf writer to the 1983 (British) Open Championship which was held at the Royal Birkdale Golf Club near Southport, England. He attended all four days of the event and then voluntarily wrote his own account of that major championship.
\nIn addition to being a golf writer, Mike is a broadcaster for high school sports in Florida, officiates high school soccer in Florida, and works in the scoring division of R2 Innovative Technologies, which implements and oversees scoring at LPGA golf tournaments.
\nAs an avid exercise enthusiast, he also serves on the board of directors of PHIT America that is focused on bringing daily P.E. back to all U.S. schools. Mike is a 1985 graduate of the University of Florida where he earned a degree in broadcasting. Mike can be reached on email at: mmaymarketing@gmail.com[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.0″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Frank Ruhl Libre||||||||” header_2_text_align=”left” header_2_text_color=”#282828″ header_2_line_height=”1.4em” background_image=”https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/noun-golfer-448845-3297F3.png” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_right” custom_margin=”||5px|” animation_direction=”bottom” header_2_font_size_tablet=”24px” header_2_font_size_phone=”” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” border_width_top=”2px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Anthony Williams<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.0″ text_font=”Libre Franklin|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”15px” text_line_height=”1.4em” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”bottom” animation_intensity_slide=”25%” text_font_size_tablet=”14px” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]Anthony L. Williams, CGCS, CGM, MG is a 38-year veteran of the golf\/green industry working for world class brands such as Marriott, Renaissance, TPC and Four Seasons. He is currently a Regional Director of Agronomy for Invited Clubs based in Dallas, Texas. Williams\u2019s is most noted as an award-winning environmental steward, author and speaker from Indian Creek, Georgia. His accolades include Georgia GCSA Golf Course Superintendent\u2019s Hall of Fame inductee, GCSAA Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards (ELGA) Triple Crown winning all three national categories, Resort (2005), Public (2006) and Private (2017) and two Overall Champion awards (2006, 2017).<\/p>\n

His advocacy work was rewarded with the 2014 GCSAA Excellence in Government Relations Award and in 2010 he won GCSAA\u2019s highest environmental honor the President's Award for Environmental Stewardship. He was also recognized by the Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association as their Environmental Communicator of the Year.
\nWilliams enjoys martial arts and archery in his free time. He is a 9th degree black belt and 2001
\ninductee into the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/AW-head-shot-one-2022.webp” title_text=”AW head shot one 2022″ show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” animation_intensity_slide=”25%” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.41)” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.17.3″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Greg-Corbo_01-1.jpeg” title_text=”Greg-Corbo_01-1″ show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” animation_intensity_slide=”25%” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.41)” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.0″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Frank Ruhl Libre||||||||” header_2_text_align=”left” header_2_text_color=”#282828″ header_2_line_height=”1.4em” background_image=”https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/noun-golfer-448845-3297F3.png” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_right” custom_margin=”||5px|” animation_direction=”bottom” header_2_font_size_tablet=”24px” header_2_font_size_phone=”” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” border_width_top=”2px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Greg Corbo<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.0″ text_font=”Libre Franklin|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”15px” text_line_height=”1.4em” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”bottom” animation_intensity_slide=”25%” text_font_size_tablet=”14px” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Prior to graduating the Golf Academy of America (Orlando, 1999), Greg met Terrie Purdum and joined Florida Golf Central Magazine where he was a welcome addition in the magazine\u2019s first year of publishing and eventually served a role as Managing Editor. Greg\u2019s experiences at FGCM thrusted him into a career of newspaper journalism serving as Sports Editor for The Daily Southerner, Tarboro, N.C., and The Montclair Times, Montclair, N.J. Other than straight sports reporting, his duties included photography, pagination and strong headline writing at both publications where he earned Press Association awards at each stop.<\/p>\n

Greg is still very active in the game of golf as a professional caddie (Professional Caddies Association, 1999) serving members and guests on weekends at prestigious private clubs in the Northeast such as Lancaster Country Club, Lancaster, P.A., Essex County Country Club, West Orange, N.J., and Baltusrol Golf Club, Springfield, N.J.<\/p>\n

In 2008, Greg organized an annual 911 Be A Hero For Zero Memorial Caddie Walk where him and other fellow caddies walk over 20 miles with bags of clubs from West Orange N.J., into Ground Zero Manhattan to honor victims that were members of golf clubs in the greater Northern New Jersey area. Greg has lived in Lancaster, Pennsylvania since August of 2010 working as a Quality Assurance Engineer for Williams Forrest \u2013 a digital product agency. Greg also keeps in touch with his passion for photojournalism by doing freelance work for sidelinechatter.com. A graduate of Lycoming College (1997) Williamsport, P.A., Greg is also the proud founder of Lycoming Lacrosse (1995).<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ custom_css_main_element=”display: flex;||flex-wrap: wrap;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_main_element_last_edited=”off|desktop”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.17.3″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_main_element_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_css_main_element_tablet=”order: 2;” custom_css_main_element_phone=”order: 2;”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Frank Ruhl Libre||||||||” header_2_text_align=”left” header_2_text_color=”#282828″ header_2_line_height=”1.4em” background_image=”https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/noun-golfer-448845-3297F3.png” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_right” custom_margin=”||5px|” animation_direction=”bottom” header_2_font_size_tablet=”24px” header_2_font_size_phone=”” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” border_width_top=”2px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Joel Jackson<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Libre Franklin|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”15px” text_line_height=”1.4em” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”bottom” animation_intensity_slide=”25%” text_font_size_tablet=”14px” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]Joel D. Jackson, CGCS Retired: I was born and raised in Tampa, FL. Graduated with the Charter Class of the University of South Florida in 1964 with a BA and a major in Geology.<\/p>\n

I enlisted in the U. S. Coast Guard OCS program and served as an Admin Officer at Base Miami Beach as the Operations Officer on the Coast Guard Cutter Hollyhock, a 180 ft. Buoy Tender that covered the east coast of Florida from Miami to Cape Kennedy. My final post was as Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard LORAN Station on South Caicos Island.<\/p>\n

My golf course maintenance experience began in the 1960\u2019s working on construction and maintenance of the Apollo Beach GC near Tampa. In the early 1970\u2019s, I worked on some projects as an assistant for golf course architect William H. Dietsch, Jr.<\/p>\n

In 1974 I began a career at Walt Disney World, which would span 20 years. I left briefly from 1988-91 to work with Arnold Palmer as he developed the Isleworth G&CC.<\/p>\n

I returned to Disney in 1991 as Superintendent at the Osprey Ridge GC and then the Magnolia Course. Finally in December 1997 I retired with 20 total years of service with Disney.<\/p>\n

I had also been active in the Florida GCSA and beginning in 1990 I served as the editor of the chapter\u2019s Florida Green magazine until 2013. In 1998 I also took on the role of Communications Director and eventually Executive Director until my retirement in 2013.<\/p>\n

In 1998, Pat Jones asked if I would like to write for Golfdom Magazine. I accepted and have been a regular Contributing Editor ever since. In 2017, I asked current Editor-in- Chief Seth Jones if I could continue to write, but on a part-time basis.
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.17.3″ custom_css_main_element=”order: 1;” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_main_element_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_css_main_element_tablet=”order: 1;” custom_css_main_element_phone=”order: 1;”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/nwdn_file_temp_1617394216869-1.jpg” title_text=”nwdn_file_temp_1617394216869″ show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” animation_intensity_slide=”25%” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.41)” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Frank Ruhl Libre||||||||” header_2_text_align=”left” header_2_text_color=”#282828″ header_2_line_height=”1.4em” background_image=”https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/noun-golfer-448845-3297F3.png” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_right” custom_margin=”||5px|” animation_direction=”bottom” header_2_font_size_tablet=”24px” header_2_font_size_phone=”” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” border_width_top=”2px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Dave Finn<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ text_font=”Libre Franklin|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”15px” text_line_height=”1.4em” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”bottom” animation_intensity_slide=”25%” text_font_size_tablet=”14px” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]Dave Finn is a freelance golf travel writer and photographer based near Toronto. He has been in the golf business for more than 35 years when he founded Golfinn International Inc., publishers of \u2018Par Excellence\u2019, Canada\u2019s first mail-order and e-commerce golf company. In 2006, he co-founded travelinggolfer.net, an online library of golf travel-related stories.
\nSince then, Dave has devoted his time to traveling so he can write about golf destinations that he has visited which include 9 Canadian provinces, 15 US States and 24 countries. His articles have been released in several well-respected publications and is one of only 20 world-wide Ambassadors for Leading Courses, the largest golf review and booking site in Europe.
\nHe is a 6-time national award-winning recipient from the Golf Journalists Association of Canada and the Travel Media Association of Canada. However, his proudest moment was winning the gold medal in the Stableford Division at the World Hickory Open in Scotland.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/DaveFinn5-scaled.jpg” alt=”DaveFinn” title_text=”DaveFinn5″ show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” animation_intensity_slide=”25%” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.41)” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Rick-Harris_01.jpg” title_text=”Rick-Harris_01″ show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” animation_intensity_slide=”25%” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.41)” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Frank Ruhl Libre||||||||” header_2_text_align=”left” header_2_text_color=”#282828″ header_2_line_height=”1.4em” background_image=”https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/noun-golfer-448845-3297F3.png” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_right” custom_margin=”||5px|” animation_direction=”bottom” header_2_font_size_tablet=”24px” header_2_font_size_phone=”” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” border_width_top=”2px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Rick Harris<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Libre Franklin|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”15px” text_line_height=”1.4em” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”bottom” animation_intensity_slide=”25%” text_font_size_tablet=”14px” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

In Loving Memory<\/em><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Libre Franklin|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”15px” text_line_height=”1.4em” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”bottom” animation_intensity_slide=”25%” text_font_size_tablet=”14px” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]Rick Harris was born in White Plains, New York on August 25th, 1930. He moved to Jacksonville, Florida in March 1947. After graduating from high school he joined the U.S. Marine Corps in October 1948. He served during the Korean War and was discharged in October 1952. Using the G.I. Bill, he enrolled in the University of Florida in September 1953 and graduated with a business degree in August 1956. After 15 years in the insurance industry he returned on a part time basis as a student to the University of West Florida in Panama City, Florida while working as a teacher in a private school.<\/p>\n

Rick earned two master degrees in Psychology, and Administration and Supervision. He spent 19 years as a school psychologist in Monticello and Orlando, Florida until He retired in August 1992. During that time he also worked part time as an area golf director running golf tournaments for Golfweek magazine.
\nAlso, while in Orlando from 1979 to the present Rick started the Ventura Golf Association (VGA); served as a member and was president twice of the Amateur Golfers of Orlando (AGO); and in 1994 he started the Senior Amateur Golfers Association (SAGA). He has lived at Ventura Country Club for the past 36 years.<\/p>\n

Rick also began working on a part time basis as a writer for the Florida Golf Central magazine in 2000 owned by publisher Terrie Purdum.<\/p>\n

Rick has been retired for the past 25 years while working part-time as a golf director, writer, and author of a book while playing golf 1-2 times weekly. Over the years Rick has participated in and won many golf tournaments culminating in a 10th place finish out of three thousand plus golfers in the 2005 World Amateur Golf Tournament in Myrtle Beach. Currently Rick and Betty enjoy visiting with their 4 children and 9 grandchildren.
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.17.3″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/PGA-Golf-Professional-of-the-Year-Bill-Filson.jpg” title_text=”PGA Golf Professional of the Year- Bill Filson” show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” animation_intensity_slide=”25%” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.41)” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Frank Ruhl Libre||||||||” header_2_text_align=”left” header_2_text_color=”#282828″ header_2_line_height=”1.4em” background_image=”https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/noun-golfer-448845-3297F3.png” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_right” custom_margin=”||5px|” animation_direction=”bottom” header_2_font_size_tablet=”24px” header_2_font_size_phone=”” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” border_width_top=”2px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Bill Filson<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Libre Franklin|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”15px” text_line_height=”1.4em” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”bottom” animation_intensity_slide=”25%” text_font_size_tablet=”14px” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

-PGA Golf Professional of the Year<\/p>\n

-PGA of Royal St. Cloud
Golf Links<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ custom_css_main_element=”display: flex;||flex-wrap: wrap;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_main_element_last_edited=”off|desktop”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.17.3″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_main_element_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_css_main_element_tablet=”order: 2;” custom_css_main_element_phone=”order: 2;”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Frank Ruhl Libre||||||||” header_2_text_align=”left” header_2_text_color=”#282828″ header_2_line_height=”1.4em” background_image=”https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/noun-golfer-448845-3297F3.png” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_right” custom_margin=”||5px|” animation_direction=”bottom” hover_enabled=”0″ header_2_font_size_tablet=”24px” header_2_font_size_phone=”” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” border_width_top=”2px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

Bob Bolton<\/span><\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”Libre Franklin|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”15px” text_line_height=”1.5em” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”bottom” animation_intensity_slide=”25%” hover_enabled=”0″ text_font_size_tablet=”14px” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″ custom_margin=”0px||||false|false”]<\/p>\n

Bob Bolton contracted the “golf bug” at an early age.\u00a0 Growing up in Danville, Illinois, he would ride his bicycle to and from Harris Park Golf Course several times a week (during the summer) to walk 18 holes and enjoy the camaraderie and competition of a sport that would become a part of who he is, 50 years later.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
A Writer for Golf Central Magazine for more than 15 years, and Host\/Executive Producer his own Golf program, “Tee Time Florida”.\u00a0 Bob has interviewed greats of the game – Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, Jan Stephenson, and many more.\u00a0 Bob has hosted :30 minute TV Specials for the Valspar Championship, and Facebook video programming – “Inside the Snake Pit”.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
He’s traveled internationally, playing golf in England, Germany, Mexico, Canada, Aruba, Jamaica, and been blessed to play 8 different golf courses in Ireland.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Bob’s first hole-in-one was witnessed by the Publisher of Golf Central Magazine, and he’s since accumulated two more.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
When asked, “What’s your handicap?”, Bob’s consistent answer is, “The fact that I have to work for a living”.\u00a0 Now, he doesn’t have to work as much\/hard, but due to age, he’s moved up a tee box, or two. \ud83d\ude09<\/div>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.17.3″ custom_css_main_element=”order: 1;” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_main_element_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_css_main_element_tablet=”order: 1;” custom_css_main_element_phone=”order: 1;”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Bob-Bolton.jpg” title_text=”Bob Bolton” show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” animation_intensity_slide=”25%” hover_enabled=”0″ box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.41)” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Terrie PurdumGrowing the great game of golf, giving young, and beginner Golfers a sense of comfort on the course. Publishing charity golf events, and giving sponsors the kick they deserve for participating in tournaments that make a difference, and change people\u2019s lives. Anything to support ANY Military golf events and, showing gratitude, for the men […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"

[vc_row full_width=\"stretch_row\" css=\".vc_custom_1492421525088{background-image: url(https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/cloud_background.jpg?id=102) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}\" el_class=\"custbg\"][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=\"OUR STAFF\" font_container=\"tag:h2|font_size:50px|text_align:center|color:%23000000|line_height:50px\" google_fonts=\"font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal\"][vc_separator color=\"black\" style=\"shadow\"][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1\/2\"][vc_wp_text]\"Terrie\"<\/a><\/p>\r\n

Terrie Purdum<\/h2>\r\n

Growing the great game of golf, giving young, and beginner Golfers a sense of comfort on the course.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Publishing charity golf events, and giving sponsors the kick they deserve for participating in tournaments that make a difference, and change people\u2019s lives.<\/p>\r\n

Anything to support ANY Military golf events and, showing gratitude, for the men and women dedicated to serving our country.<\/p>\r\n

Making golf fun, being a rebel visionary with a very traditional game, and assisting all the PGA, GCSAA, in getting the consumer educated, and being included in the ONLY regional Golf Magazine to survive in the south since 1999.<\/p>\r\n

Oh, yeah, dancing in the full moon light.[\/vc_wp_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1\/2\"][vc_wp_text]\"\"<\/a><\/p>\r\n

Shannon Coates<\/h2>\r\n

Editor-in- Chief<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Shannon Coates was born and raised in West Palm Beach, FL. She moved to Oviedo, FL 20 years ago.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Wife to Kenny Coates and mother of Madison Coates, she spends most of her free time watching Madi play volleyball. She has also been a member of the Oviedo Woman\u2019s Club since 2012.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

It was June 2002 when she read a \u201cHelp Wanted\u201d ad in the newspaper and her fate was forever sealed with Terrie Purdum and the motley crew of Golf Central Magazine (Florida Golf Central Magazine at the time). Since then, it\u2019s been rollercoaster of well-timed obscene jokes and spewing drinks through her nose with no end in sight.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In 2015 she helped Terrie launch www.turflife.club<\/a>. A lifestyle brand saluting all things turf, whether you play on it, grow it, or mow it.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Shannon can be reached at Shannon@golfcentralmag.com<\/a><\/span>[\/vc_wp_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1\/3\"][vc_single_image image=\"414\" img_size=\"medium\" alignment=\"right\" onclick=\"img_link_large\" css=\".vc_custom_1563197713224{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2\/3\"][vc_wp_text]<\/p>\r\n

Melahn Cable<\/h2>\r\n

Melahn was born in Orlando (a true Native!), grew up in College Park, and has remained in the Central Florida area her entire life. After attending UCF for a short stint, putting her love of horses in the forefront pursuing a degree in Equine Genetics, she acquiesced to the fact that math was not her strong suite, and decided to go with her second love, graphic design. She has been a professional Graphic Designer for over 25 years.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Melahn\u2019s interests range from horses, to photography, to quilting, and she can be seen on most weekends out and about enjoying the local music scene (and often onstage, singing with the band). Melahn is also an avid reader, and enjoys creative writing.<\/span>[\/vc_wp_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1\/3\"][vc_single_image image=\"415\" img_size=\"medium\" alignment=\"right\" onclick=\"img_link_large\" css=\".vc_custom_1563197734850{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2\/3\"][vc_wp_text]<\/p>\r\n

Deb Shuck<\/h2>\r\n

Understanding from an early age, that she was meant be an advocate, Deb developed community support for a trip to Washington DC. Her mission was to have a central clearinghouse for those seeking help to be directed to specific organizations. She tirelessly pursued those in our country knocking on one Congressional door at a time seeking help.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

A generous Congressman arranged a meeting with the Chairwoman of the National Council on the Handicapped. She transitioned her advocacy to the Native Alaskan and Native American issues as well as on the Americans with Disabilities Act. Deb later settled in London UK where she was introduced to the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (RADAR) by a member of Parliament. As in Washington DC, Deb continued to advocate for the betterment of the community.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Some of the highlights were the publishing of a twenty page newsletter to raise awareness of RADAR and developing the Scuba Trust. The goal of the Scuba Trust was to teach scuba to people with disabilities. An avid skier, Deb achieved the goal of skiing for the British Disabled Ski Team representing the UK in international competitions as well as the Winter Park (CO) Disabled Ski Team skiing throughout the US.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Upon returning to the US, Deb took her extensive knowledge and purchased a Structural Steel Fabrication company focusing on commercial buildings. While owning this company she realized a need for an organization focusing on women in business. Deb created and became the founder and president of Women Owners of Florida, Inc. (WOoF) She is continuing to make a difference in her community by focusing on WOoF as a 501\u00a9(3) giving back to the community.<\/span>[\/vc_wp_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1\/3\"][vc_single_image image=\"412\" img_size=\"medium\" alignment=\"right\" onclick=\"img_link_large\" css=\".vc_custom_1563197743771{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2\/3\"][vc_wp_text]<\/p>\r\n

Dove Jones<\/h2>\r\n

Dove has been a fixture in the international golf travel marketplace for over 20 years. Having worked for two of the top international Tour Ops \u2013 PerryGolf and Haversham & Baker \u2013 as well as consulting for various tourism entities and writing. She has traveled to six of the seven continents (Antarctica is on the bucket list even without a golf course) more than 60 countries and 47 of the 50 states with a set of golf clubs. Spending more than 5 \u00bd years on ground in the British Isles on her travels, she serves on various international golf rating panels including the prestigious Platinum Club of the World. She is a member of Royal Liverpool Golf Club and the Crail Golfing Society.<\/span>[\/vc_wp_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1\/3\"][vc_single_image image=\"422\" img_size=\"medium\" alignment=\"right\" onclick=\"img_link_large\" css=\".vc_custom_1563197751814{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2\/3\"][vc_wp_text]<\/p>\r\n

Greg Corbo<\/h2>\r\n

Prior to graduating the Golf Academy of America (Orlando, 1999), Greg met Terrie Purdum and joined Florida Golf Central Magazine where he was a welcome addition in the magazine\u2019s first year of publishing and eventually served a role as Managing Editor. Greg\u2019s experiences at FGCM thrusted him into a career of newspaper journalism serving as Sports Editor for The Daily Southerner, Tarboro, N.C., and The Montclair Times, Montclair, N.J. Other than straight sports reporting, his duties included photography, pagination and strong headline writing at both publications where he earned Press Association awards at each stop.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Greg is still very active in the game of golf as a professional caddie (Professional Caddies Association, 1999) serving members and guests on weekends at prestigious private clubs in the Northeast such as Lancaster Country Club, Lancaster, P.A., Essex County Country Club, West Orange, N.J., and Baltusrol Golf Club, Springfield, N.J.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In 2008, Greg organized an annual 911 Be A Hero For Zero Memorial Caddie Walk where him and other fellow caddies walk over 20 miles with bags of clubs from West Orange N.J., into Ground Zero Manhattan to honor victims that were members of golf clubs in the greater Northern New Jersey area. Greg has lived in Lancaster, Pennsylvania since August of 2010 working as a Quality Assurance Engineer for Williams Forrest \u2013 a digital product agency. Greg also keeps in touch with his passion for photojournalism by doing freelance work for sidelinechatter.com. A graduate of Lycoming College (1997) Williamsport, P.A., Greg is also the proud founder of Lycoming Lacrosse (1995).<\/span>[\/vc_wp_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1\/3\"][vc_single_image image=\"418\" img_size=\"medium\" alignment=\"right\" onclick=\"img_link_large\" css=\".vc_custom_1563197759573{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2\/3\"][vc_wp_text]<\/p>\r\n

Greg\u00a0Wise<\/h2>\r\n

Greg is a frequent contributor to \u201cGolf Central Magazine,\u201d for the past 15 years.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Greg Wise is a freelance golf writer and photographer and graphic designer. He writes golf features, covers professional events, destination stories as well as equipment reviews, and clothing.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Having played golf for more than 50 years, Greg brings an interesting view to the game of golf with a low handicap and a very smooth swing. His eye for photographs of courses, help sell his philosophy that a \u201cpicture is worth a 1,000 words.\u201d \u201cGetting the reader in to the photo is my main goal.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Extending his passion for golf, Greg extends his time and talents to The First Tee of Greater Ocala, serving as a Director for the past 4 year and now serving at the President of the Youth Organization.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Greg is also a member of the Golf Writers Association of America, and the International Network of Golf.<\/span>
\r\nokwiseguy@gmail.com<\/a>[\/vc_wp_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1\/3\"][vc_single_image image=\"419\" img_size=\"medium\" alignment=\"right\" onclick=\"img_link_large\" css=\".vc_custom_1563197767293{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2\/3\"][vc_wp_text]<\/p>\r\n

Jay Golden<\/h2>\r\n

Jay Golden, PGA, has taught and coached golfers from every age group and skill level ranging from children to Tour Players. Although students differ in skill, athletic ability and personality, his goal always stayed the same: TO SHOOT LOW SCORES.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Additionally, GolfWorld Magazine coined the title of an article \u201cJay Golden: Golf\u2019s True Renaissance Man\u201d which can now be seen on the Golf Digest website. This is in relation to Golden combining his interests, hobbies and skills with this great game. His humor, art, poems, songs, articles, books, trick-shot shows, screenplays, TV appearances, cartoons, DVD\u2019s and YouTube videos, are examples.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Golden says, \u201cI hope to ignite an interest for you to combine YOUR interests, hobbies and skills with golf to enhance your enjoyment of the game you love.\u201d<\/span>[\/vc_wp_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1\/3\"][vc_single_image image=\"421\" img_size=\"medium\" alignment=\"right\" onclick=\"img_link_large\" css=\".vc_custom_1563197775509{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2\/3\"][vc_wp_text]<\/p>\r\n

Joel Jackson<\/h2>\r\n

Joel D. Jackson, CGCS Retired: I was born and raised in Tampa, FL. Graduated with the Charter Class of the University of South Florida in 1964 with a BA and a major in Geology.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

I enlisted in the U. S. Coast Guard OCS program and served as an Admin Officer at Base Miami Beach as the Operations Officer on the Coast Guard Cutter Hollyhock, a 180 ft. Buoy Tender that covered the east coast of Florida from Miami to Cape Kennedy. My final post was as Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard LORAN Station on South Caicos Island.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

My golf course maintenance experience began in the 1960\u2019s working on construction and maintenance of the Apollo Beach GC near Tampa. In the early 1970\u2019s, I worked on some projects as an assistant for golf course architect William H. Dietsch, Jr.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In 1974 I began a career at Walt Disney World, which would span 20 years. I left briefly from 1988-91 to work with Arnold Palmer as he developed the Isleworth G&CC.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

I returned to Disney in 1991 as Superintendent at the Osprey Ridge GC and then the Magnolia Course. Finally in December 1997 I retired with 20 total years of service with Disney.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

I had also been active in the Florida GCSA and beginning in 1990 I served as the editor of the chapter\u2019s Florida Green magazine until 2013. In 1998 I also took on the role of Communications Director and eventually Executive Director until my retirement in 2013.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In 1998, Pat Jones asked if I would like to write for Golfdom Magazine. I accepted and have been a regular Contributing Editor ever since. In 2017, I asked current Editor-in- Chief Seth Jones if I could continue to write, but on a part-time basis.<\/span>[\/vc_wp_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1\/3\"][vc_single_image image=\"416\" img_size=\"medium\" alignment=\"right\" onclick=\"img_link_large\" css=\".vc_custom_1563197783518{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2\/3\"][vc_wp_text]<\/p>\r\n

Linda Williams-Sieg<\/h2>\r\n

Passionate golfer, lifelong learner, promoter and champion of LPGA Founder's Film, advocate for Junior Golf Programs, retired public school counselor\/psychologist\/educator.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Married to Mike Sieg, mother of twins, grandmother of 3 \"future\" golfers. Central Florida resident for over 40 years, currently lives in The Villages, a golfer\u2019s paradise for \"baby boomers\"!!! Active member and golf coach with The Villages Junior Golf Foundation, Top Venues Golf and Travel, and EWGA Executive Women\u2019s Golf Association. Most recent golf bucket list golf destinations: Pebble Beach, Scotland's St. Andrew's Olde Course, Pine Needles\/Mid Pines Resort with future adventures to National Senior Games golf event in Birmingham, AL, golf tour of the West Coast of Ireland and then cruise to Alaska.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\"Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated..... and it is without a doubt the greatest game mankind ever invented.\" Arnold Palmer<\/span>[\/vc_wp_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1\/3\"][vc_single_image image=\"417\" img_size=\"medium\" alignment=\"right\" onclick=\"img_link_large\" css=\".vc_custom_1563197790692{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2\/3\"][vc_wp_text]<\/p>\r\n

Mike May<\/h2>\r\n

Mike May is a golf writer based in Wellington, Florida. Mike, an avid golfer, is also a member of the Golf Writers Association of America. He traces his roots as a golf writer to the 1983 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale -- which he attended for all four days -- and then voluntarily wrote his own account of that major championship event.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In addition to being a golf writer, Mike is a varsity girls high school basketball coach, officiates high school soccer, covers high school sports for the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, writes about sports business issues for Team Insight magazine, is a longtime rugby player, and works with a cause (PHIT America) that is focused on bringing daily P.E. back to all U.S. schools. Mike is a 1985 graduate of the University of Florida where he earned a degree in broadcasting. Go Gators!<\/span>[\/vc_wp_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1\/3\"][vc_single_image image=\"522\" img_size=\"medium\" alignment=\"right\" onclick=\"img_link_large\" css=\".vc_custom_1563197797158{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2\/3\"][vc_wp_text]<\/p>\r\n

Rick Harris<\/h2>\r\n

Rick Harris was born in White Plains, New York on August 25th, 1930. He moved to Jacksonville, Florida in March 1947. After graduating from high school he joined the U.S. Marine Corps in October 1948. He served during the Korean War and was discharged in October 1952. Using the G.I. Bill, he enrolled in the University of Florida in September 1953 and graduated with a business degree in August 1956. After 15 years in the insurance industry he returned on a part time basis as a student to the University of West Florida in Panama City, Florida while working as a teacher in a private school.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Rick earned two master degrees in Psychology, and Administration and Supervision. He spent 19 years as a school psychologist in Monticello and Orlando, Florida until He retired in August 1992. During that time he also worked part time as an area golf director running golf tournaments for Golfweek magazine.
\r\nAlso, while in Orlando from 1979 to the present Rick started the Ventura Golf Association (VGA); served as a member and was president twice of the Amateur Golfers of Orlando (AGO); and in 1994 he started the Senior Amateur Golfers Association (SAGA). He has lived at Ventura Country Club for the past 36 years.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Rick also began working on a part time basis as a writer for the Florida Golf Central magazine in 2000 owned by publisher Terrie Purdum.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Rick has been retired for the past 25 years while working part-time as a golf director, writer, and author of a book while playing golf 1-2 times weekly. Over the years Rick has participated in and won many golf tournaments culminating in a 10th place finish out of three thousand plus golfers in the 2005 World Amateur Golf Tournament in Myrtle Beach. Currently Rick and Betty enjoy visiting with their 4 children and 9 grandchildren.<\/span>[\/vc_wp_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1\/3\"][vc_single_image image=\"1743\" img_size=\"large\" alignment=\"right\" onclick=\"img_link_large\" css=\".vc_custom_1602862512602{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2\/3\"][vc_wp_text]<\/p>\r\n

Chad Smith<\/h2>\r\n

Chad smith grew up in Stanton Texas, He has been involved with many sports and has had many wins under his title. He first started shooting Trap and Skeet at the age of 9. During this point in time he won four straight state championships. Chad also played Football and Basketball during high school. Chad was a first team all state football player and Basketball player. His football team won state in 1997 with an undefeated season going 16-0. He received a football scholarship at Northern State. While playing as a true freshman he injured his knee for the third time and had to end up quitting football. After this injury he rehabbed on his own and decided to join the army and served until 2007. After he got out of the army after a fractured hip and bad infection where he almost lost his left leg. He then went through a period of being lostand depressed until he found The game of Golf. The game of golf gave him the peace and purpose he had been searching for. Since rediscovering his love for the sport of golf he has become a brand ambassador for Ben Hogan golf, quantix golf, Cativa CBD, Yolked, Greens plus, Haloheadband, quantum force golf, falko golf gloves, GROOVEITBRUSH, turf life, and sunfish golf. He is also an influencer and brand ambassador for golf, health, and fitness. He is a scratch golfer and, not only enjoys playing the game of golf, but he loves to promote and help grow the game. He works with children locally teaching them the game, and sharing his love for Golf. He enjoys to travel, and is always up for a new adventure, he loves having the opportunity to meet others that love the game of golf just as much as he does. He considers his family a huge part of his success and enjoys getting to watch his kids love for golf as well. Chad Smith, golfer and golf<\/span>[\/vc_wp_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\r\n","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-10","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10"}],"version-history":[{"count":69,"href":"https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":987496988,"href":"https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10\/revisions\/987496988"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/golfcentralmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}