FAIRBORN, OH – The Southern Ohio PGA is pleased to announce that five members have been elected to lead the SOPGA membership through 2024-2025. Tom Bach, PGA has been elected the 40th President of the Section with Jeff Grant, PGA being elected to join the Officer board as Vice-President and Joe Falardeau, PGA joining as Secretary. The membership also elected Ryan Coll, PGA and Jeff Olson, PGA to join the Board of Directors as At-Large Directors serving one-year terms. Coll and Olson join Chad Gilligan, PGA as an At-Large Director. The Board appointed Rob Karnes, PGA the one-year remaining on the term previously held by Falardeau.
Tom Bach, PGA Owner/Instructor at Bach Scoring Academy out of Heatherwoode Golf Club, has gained extensive leadership experience in a variety of roles including on the former Southwest Chapter Board prior to his election to the SOPGA Officer Board as Secretary in 2021. He has spent more than 26 years in the Southern Ohio PGA holding a variety of positions throughout his career and serving on numerous Section committees. Now at a point in his career with the ability to give back to the Association and its members, Bach looks forward to driving the membership forward during his presidency.
Jeff Grant, PGA General Manager/COO at NCR Country Club, first joined the Section Board in 2021 and then was elected as an At-Large Director role in 2022. He previously served on the PGA of America’s Employment Committee among other industry organizations. Grant has led the Play Yellow Birdie Bash task force where his operational and strategic guidance has been instrumental in growing the annual fundraiser put on by PGA REACH Southern Ohio, in conjunction with the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
Joe Falardeau, PGA Head Professional at Scioto Country Club, joined the boardroom serving on the former Southeast Chapter Board before being elected as an At Large Director in 2022. He has led the Junior Golf Committee focusing on the growth of junior programs under the Southern Ohio PGA umbrella, advocating for the junior programs with fellow Southern Ohio PGA members and creating a long-term plan for the junior golf programs.
Ryan Coll, PGA Director of Golf at Columbus Country Club, joins the Board after serving on the Special Awards Committee. Over his 13-year career, Coll’s experiences at facilities such as Seminole Golf Club, Oakmont Country Club and Muirfield Village Golf Club have gained him valuable experiences with a variety of people.
Jeff Olson, PGA General Manager at the Golf Club of Dublin joins the Board after serving on the Special Awards, Sponsorship and Tournament Committees, as well as the Birdie Bash Task Force. Throughout 17-years in the Southern Ohio Section, Olson has been committed to enhancing the industry for those who play the game and those who work in the business.
Rob Karnes, PGA Director of Golf at NCR Country Club, has been appointed to join the Board to fill a vacant At-Large Director position through 2024. Karnes, a Master Professional currently serves on the PGA of America Master Professional Committee and has played an active role on the Membership Committee and Special Awards Committee in Southern Ohio.
The Southern Ohio PGA Fall Meetings will continue to provide an annual opportunity for the membership to elect leaders who will best uphold the organization’s mission of creating an environment for the members and the game to thrive.