Professional
PGA Membership: Class A-1 Elected to Membership 1980
Board of Directors, Middle Atlantic Section, PGA
President, Virginia Chapter, MAPGA
Chairman, Membership Committee
Chairman, PGA Scholarship Fund, MAPGA
Member, Long Range Planning Committee, MAPGA
Member, Club Relations Committee, MAPGA
Coordinator, PGA Business School, Richmond, VA
Coordinator PGA Business School, Philadelphia, PA
Member, Titleist Advisory Staff, 1999-2010
Member, Titleist Advisory Council, 2010-2014
Member, Peter Millar Advisory Board, 2000 – Present
Member, Special Awards Committee, Philadelphia Section, PGA
Member, Board of Inquiry, Philadelphia Section, PGA
Awards: Merchandiser of the Year, Philadelphia Section PGA,
1993, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001
National Clubfitter of the Year, PING, 1997
Nominated, National Merchandiser of the Year,
1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2008
Playing: Winner, Jay Sigel Invitational, Aronimink Golf Club 1995
Winner, Carpenter Cup, Baltusrol Golf Club, 1992
Winner, Pro-Member, Cavalier Golf & Yacht Club, 1982
Winner, Virginia Chapter Pro-Pro Championship, 1982
Lettered, Varsity Golf, GWU, 1969-73
Captain, Golf Team, GWU, 1972-73
MVP, Golf Team, GWU, 1972-73
All Decade Team, GWU, 70’s
YEAR 9: CLASS OF 2012
Matthew E. (Gene) Mattare Jr., 61 (age at time of induction)
Employment
2005 to Present General Manager/Director of Golf
Saucon Valley Country Club
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Oversee the entire Club operation to include: golf operations, tennis and racquet sports, fitness, grounds, facilities maintenance, pool complex and administration.
1991 to 2005 Director of Golf
Saucon Valley Country Club
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Direct the entire golf program; areas under direct supervision include:
Golf Shop Tournament Programs
Budget Preparation Golf Staff
Golf Instruction Handicap Program
Caddie Program Practice Range
Club Storage Services Club Repair
Golf Cars Club Newsletter
1999 to 2000 Interim General Manager
Saucon Valley Country Club
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
1981 to 1991 Head Golf Professional
Princess Anne Country Club
Virginia Beach, Virginia
1977 to 1981 Assistant Golf Professional
Chevy Chase Club
Chevy Chase, Maryland
YEAR 9: CLASS OF 2012
Jeff Wambold, 48 (age at time of induction)
Phillipsburg, New Jersey native
Lower Macungie Township resident
General Manager: Allentown Municipal Golf Course: 2006 - present
Director of Instruction: Allentown Municipal Golf Course: 2006 - present
Director of Golf: Indian Creek Golf Course, Emmaus, Pennsylvania: 2001-2006
Teaching Professional: Whitehall Family Golf Center, Whitehall, Pennsylvania: 1990-1991
Assistant Golf Professional: Northampton Country Club, Easton, Pennsylvania: 1988-1989
Assistant Golf Professional: Gambler Ridge Golf Club, Cream Ridge, New Jersey: 1987
Head Golf Coach: Allen High School: 2008-present
United States Golf Association national championship qualifications (2):
U.S. Amateur: 1995 Newport Country Club, Newport, Rhode Island
U.S. Public Links: 1998 Torrey Pines Golf Club, San Diego, California
Club Professional Competitions (Pocono Professional Golf Series):
2006: Silver Creek Country Club Pro-Am – runner-up
2003, 2004: PPGS Player of the Year award – runner-up
2003: PPGS Stroke Play Championship – runner-up
2003: PPGS Pocono Cup – captain of winning Lehigh Valley team
Local Amateur Golf Tournament Victories (Individual):
Lehigh Valley Medal Play Championship: 1995
Harkers Hollow Golf Club -- match play club champion: 1986
Oak Hill Golf Club -- club champion: 1985
Other Tournament Victories:
Paul Clymer Memorial Better Ball of Partners: 1997
Awards:
1995 Lehigh Valley Player of the Year
Long Drive Competitions:
8-time Chrysler World Long Drive Championship District champion
6-time Remax World Long Drive sectional qualifier
Won numerous local and state long drive competitions in New Jersey and Pennsylvania
College golf accomplishments:
1985-1986: Ramapo State College (New Jersey): competed in 1986 NCAA Championship, helped lead team to numerous victories
1983-1985: Somerset County College
Team captain, two seasons
1984 NJCAA Regional Championship – runner-up
1985 NJCAA Regional Championship – third place
1983 and 1984: competed in NJCAA National Championships
High School/Junior Golf Accomplishments:
1982: NJSIAA State Championship: 3rd place
1982: East Penn Conference: lowest stroke average: 73.4
Phillipsburg High School: four-time golf team captain
Won more than 40 junior golf tournaments in New Jersey and Pennsylvania
LEHIGH VALLEY GOLF HALL OF FAME
YEAR 8: CLASS OF 2011
CLUB / TOURING PROFESSIONAL: Jack Eckenrode
AMATEUR: Ed Williams
AMATEUR Dave Blichar
AMATEUR: Craig Scott
SENIOR AMATEUR: Tom Stitt
CONTRIBUTOR / SENIOR AMATEUR / GOLF COACH: Fran Tusak
INDUCTION DINNER: Wednesday, September 14, 2011, Green Pond Country Club
GUEST SPEAKER: Karl Gilbert. Golf Association of the Lehigh valley Foundation – Executive Director;
2007 Lehigh Valley Golf Hall of Fame inductee
Jack Eckenrode, 67 (age at time of induction)
Bethlehem native
Liberty High School: 1961
East Stroudsburg University: 1965
Pennsylvania PIAA State Wrestling Champion: 1961
European Senior Tour: 1997-1999
Played in 1995 Lexington South Africa event, 1998 South African Open
Major professional championships:
Qualified for the 1997 British Senior Open, Portrush, Ireland
Qualified for the 1998 U.S. Senior Open, Riveira CC, Los Angeles
Qualified for the 2000 Senior PGA Championship, PGA National, West Palm Beach
United States Golf Association national championship qualifications:
U.S. Senior Open: 1998
U.S. Mid-Amateur: 1993
Operates Berkleigh Country Club: 2008 - present
Owner of Fox Hollow Golf Club: 1987-1998, 2007 – present
Owner of Jack’s Golf Shop (Bethlehem): 1982 – 1987
Head Golf Professional: Shepherd Hills Golf Club
Assistant Golf Professional: the Tarratine Club, Maine
Assistant Golf Professional: Saucon Valley Country Club: 1966 - 1970
Turned professional in 1966
Amateur Golf Career Victories:
Tarz Ford Memorial (with Barry Frey): 1993
Lehigh Valley Medal Play Championship runner-up: 1993
Liberty High School Athletic Hall of Fame -- inducted in 2006
16 career hole-in-one’s
Course record
Green Pond: 61 -10 1978
YEAR 8: CLASS OF 2011
Dave Blichar, 47 (age at time of induction)
Palmerton native
Upper Macungie Township resident
Palmerton High School: 1981
Lehigh County Community College: 1983
Guardian Insurance – Underwriter
United States Golf Association national championship qualifications:
U.S. Amateur: 1993
Local Tournament Victories (Individual):
* Lehigh Valley Amateur: 1999
* Lehigh Valley Medal Play Championship: 2002
* Lehigh Valley Tournament of Champions: 2008
* Lehigh Valley Mid-Amateur Championship: 2005, 2011
* Lehigh Valley Senior Tournament of Champions: 2013
* The only golfer in Lehigh Valley region golf history to qualify for the United States Amateur, and win the:
Lehigh Valley Amateur, Lehigh Valley Medal Play Championship, Lehigh Valley Tournament of Champions, and Lehigh Valley Mid-Amateur.
* One of three golfers in Lehigh Valley region golf history to qualify for the United States Amateur, and win the:
Lehigh Valley Amateur, Lehigh Valley Medal Play Championship, and Lehigh Valley Tournament of Champions.
Other Local Amateur Tournament Victories:
Donald Ross Invitational -- Senior Amateur Division: 2014
Paul Clymer Memorial Better Ball of Partners champion: 2004
3-time Green Pond Match Play Better Ball of Partners champion (with Dave Strohl)
8-time Blue Ridge C.C. club champion: 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006
6-time champion Blue Ridge C.C. medal play champion: 1993, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002
7-time champion Blue Ridge C.C. Invitational champion (better ball of partners, teammate Dave Strohl):
1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2011
* Lehigh Valley Amateur runner-up: 2001, 2002
* Lehigh Valley Amateur: semifinalist for six consecutive years: 1997-2002
* Lehigh Valley Medal Play runner-up: 1991
* Lehigh Valley Tournament of Champions runner-up: 1990, 2011
* Lehigh Valley Senior Tournament of Champions runner-up: 2014
YEAR 8: CLASS OF 2011
Ed Williams, 64 (age at time of induction)
North Carolina native
Elizabeth City State University –1969 B.S. Mathematics
Allentown resident
Liberty High School math teacher
Liberty High School golf coach (1988-1999)
PGA Senior Tour
1999 State Farm Senior Classic (made the cut, earned $1,300)
United States Golf Association national championship qualifying:
U.S. Senior Open – second alternate in 2009
U.S. Senior Open – second alternate in 2001
Local Amateur Tournament Victories (Individual):
* Lehigh Valley Medal Play Championship: 1994
* Lehigh Valley Tournament of Champions: 1991
* Allentown City Match Play Championship: 1988
* Bethlehem Golf Club Medal Play Championship: 1990, 1993
Other Local Amateur Tournament Victories:
* GALV Better Ball of Partners: 1993
Lehigh Valley Inter-Club Championship - Most Valuable Player: 1991, 1994
Other Amateur Tournament Victories:
Philadelphia Better Ball of Partners Championship: 1990
Pennsylvania State Elks Tournament : 1972, 1980
Pocono Pro-Am Series medalist – Allentown Municipal, Shepherd Hills
Pocono Pro-Am Series low amateur – Delaware Water Gap
Allentown City Match Play Championship runner-up: 1989
Bethlehem Golf Club Medal Play Championship runner-up: 1994, 1995
Professional Tournament Victories:
World Golf Teacher’s Federation Super-Senior World Championship: 2009, Hilton Head, South Carolina
World Golf Teacher’s Federation Super-Senior World Championship: 2011, Orlando, Florida
Bill Bishop Golf Classic: 2003, Sicklerville, New Jersey
United States Golf Teacher’s Federation Super-Senior World Championship runner-up: 2011, Orlando, Florida
4 Holes-In-One
YEAR 8: CLASS OF 2011
Craig Scott, 61 (age at time of induction)
Marshalls Creek, PA native and resident
Blair Academy -1968
Three sport athlete: football, basketball, and baseball (earned all-state honors in all three sports among independent New Jersey high schools and preparatory schools)
Cornell University – 1972
Family owned and operated Mountain Manor Golf Course in Marshalls Creek, PA for 75 years
Co-owned Mountain Manor Golf Course from 1992 until it’s sale in 2007
5 United States Golf Association national championship qualifications:
U.S. Amateur: 2000
U.S. Mid-Amateur: 1982, 1994, 1998
U.S. Senior Amateur: 2010
Amateur Tournament Victories (Individual):
Lehigh Valley Senior Inter-Club Championship: 2013, 2014
Golf Association of Philadelphia Senior Amateur: 2004
Eastern Pennsylvania Amateur Championship: 1992
Great Bear Country Club senior club champion: 2008, 2010
* Lehigh Valley Amateur runner-up: 1986
Golf Association of Philadelphia – Brewer Cup runner-up (GAP senior match play championship): 2008
Lehigh Valley Senior Tournament of Champions runner-up: 2014
YEAR 8: CLASS OF 2011
Tom Stitt, 67 (age at time of induction)
Easton native
Bethlehem resident
Easton High School: 1961
Duke University: 1965
Southern Methodist School of Law: 1968
Attorney : 1971 to present
U.S. Army: 1st Lieutenant: 1969-1971
United States Golf Association national championship qualifications:
U.S. Senior Amateur: 2000
Local Senior Amateur Tournament Victories (Individual):
* Lehigh Valley Senior Amateur Stroke Play Championship: 1994
* Lehigh Valley Senior Tournament of Champions: 2007
* Lehigh Valley Super-Senior Match Play Championship: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014
* Lehigh Valley Super-Senior Tournament of Champions: 2007, 2009
First player to win both the senior and super-senior titles in the Lehigh Valley Senior Tournament of Champions: 2007
Lehigh Valley Regular-Senior Better Ball of Partners champion: 2005
Pennsylvania Tall Cedars – state champion: 1983, 1985
United States Golf Association national championship qualifying:
U.S. Senior Amateur – first alternate in 1999
14-time Northampton C.C. club champion: 1968, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1994, 1999, 2000, 2003
5-time champion Northampton C.C. senior club champion: 1999, 2003, 2011, 2012, 2014
Northampton Country Club records:
* Record 14-time men’s club champion
* Only club member to win the club championship and senior club championship in the same year: 1999, 2003
* Has won club championships in five different - and in five consecutive - decades
* 35 years between first and most recent club championship victories
* Won six consecutive club championships from 1977 to 1982
* Club championship runner-up 7 times
YEAR 8: CLASS OF 2011
Fran Tusak, 74 (age at time of induction)
Bethlehem native
Hanover Township (Northampton County) resident
Liberty High School: 1955
West Chester University: 1959
Lehigh University, M.A. in Education: 1964
Bethlehem Area School District teacher (33 years)
Freedom High School golf coach (1974-1992)
Several Freedom HS golfers qualified for the PIAA state tournament: Gary Riddaugh, Sue Ramanot, Bob Weinhofer, Scott Cericola, Holly Vaughan, Cliff Shaw, Tim Oskin
City of Bethlehem: youth golf instruction program leader: 1972 – 1985
Northampton Community College: taught adult golf program for over ten years.
United States Golf Association national championship qualifications:
U.S. Public Links: 1976
Amateur Tournament Victories (Individual):
Golf Association of Philadelphia Senior Amateur Championship: 1995
Other Tournament Victories (Individual):
* 4-time Bethlehem City champion: 1971, 1975, 1977, 1980
* 4-time Silver Creek CC club champion
* 13-time Silver Creek CC senior club champion
Other Tournament Victories:
Tarz Ford Memorial (with Robin McCool): 1985
Paul Clymer Memorial (with Robin McCool): 1988
Pete Gorgone Memorial champion: 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002
Golf Association of Philadelphia Senior Better Ball of Partners: 1997
Special Olympics – 32 years -- volunteer and program director
Coached citizens with intellectual disabilities. Taught them proper golf techniques and golf etiquette. Many of these athletes won first place in Pennsylvania Special Olympics competitions, and some of them went on to place first in national Special Olympics competitions.
Ski Patrolman at Jack Frost Mountain – 17 years
Ran with his wife Louise a six-county, five-day ski competition.
LEHIGH VALLEY GOLF HALL OF FAME
YEAR 7: CLASS OF 2010
PRE-1970 AMATEUR: Norm Schadt
AMATEUR: John McCurry
AMATEUR Sal Picone
AMATEUR: Gary Daniels
WOMAN’S AMATEUR: Noreen Mohler
SENIOR AMATEUR / CONTRIBUTOR: Rich Kovacs
INDUCTION DINNER: Wednesday, September 15, 2010, Green Pond Country Club
GUEST SPEAKER: Mike Zambelli. Service Electric Cable TV 2 -- Sports Director, voice of the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, 2008 Lehigh Valley Golf Hall of Fame inductee.
Norm Schadt 1917-1999
Emmaus native
Allentown resident
Daytona Beach, Florida resident
Mack Trucks Inc. machinist
1959 Pennsylvania Public Links Team State Championship - first place: Manny Palos 144, Norm Schadt 148, Joe Hoch 150, Ted Beckowski 150.
1964 Pennsylvania Public Links Team State Championship - first place
Local Amateur Tournament Victories (Individual):
* Lehigh Valley Amateur: 1966, 1968
* Allentown City Championship: 1959
* Eastern Seniors Championship: 1970
* Lehigh Valley Tournament of Champions: 1959
* Lehigh Valley Public Golfers Association: 1957, 1959
* Tri-City Championship: 1958
* Twin Lakes Country Club club champion: 1961
* Wedgewood Golf Course club champion: 1966, 1967
* Willowbrook Golf Course club champion: 1957, 1958, 1959, 1963
Lehigh Valley Amateur runner-up: 1967
YEAR 7: CLASS OF 2010
Noreen Mohler, 56 (age at time of induction)
Woburn, Massachusetts native; Hanover Township resident
University of New Hampshire: 1975
Restaurant owner since 1986
Played on the LPGA Tour two years: 1984 - 1985
2010 Curtis Cup team captain. United States defeated Great Britain & Ireland 12 ½ to 7 ½.
United States Golf Association national championship qualifications (33):
Two (2) U.S. Junior Girl’s Championship
* 1968 -- Flint, Michigan
* 1971 -- Augusta, Georgia -- round of 16
Seven (7) U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship
* 1973 -- Montclair, New Jersey -- round of 32
* 1975 -- Brae Burn, Massachusetts -- semifinalist (lost to eventual champion Beth Daniel)
* 1976 -- Del Paso, California -- round of 32
* 1977 -- Cincinnati, Ohio -- round of 64
* 1979 -- Memphis, Tennessee -- round of 32
* 1980 -- Prairie Dunes, Kansas
* 2009 -- St. Louis, Missouri
One (1) Curtis Cup Team
* 1978 U.S. Curtis Cup Team -- Apawammis CC, Rye, New York. 1-1-1 record. The U.S. team defeated Great Britain and Ireland 12-6
Five (5) U.S. Women’s Open
* 1976 -- Rolling Green CC, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
* 1977 -- Hazeltine National, Minnesota
* 1978 -- Country Club of Indianapolis, Indiana
* 1979 -- Brooklawn CC, Fairfield, Connecticut
* 1984 -- Salem CC, Massachusetts
YEAR 7: CLASS OF 2010
Noreen Mohler, 56 (age at time of induction)
Seven (7) U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship
* 2007 -- Desert Forest, Carefree, Arizona -- round of 32
* 2008 -- Barton Creek, Ann Arbor, Michigan -- semifinalist
* 2009 -- Golden Hills Golf & Polo, Ocala, Florida -- round of 16
* 2010 – Wichita CC, Wichita, Kansas -- round of 64
* 2011 – Bayville Golf Club, Virginia Beach, Virginia – round of 32
* 2012 – Briggs Ranch Golf Club, San Antonio, Texas – round of 32
* 2014 – Harbour Trees Golf Club, Noblesville, Indiana
Eight (8) U.S. Women’s Senior Amateur Championship
* 2006 -- Sea Island, Georgia -- round of 32
* 2007 -- Sunriver Bend, Oregon -- quarterfinalist
* 2008 -- Tulsa, Oklahoma -- round of 16
* 2009 -- The Homestead Cascades Course, Hot Springs, Virginia – quarterfinalist
* 2010 -- Fiddlesticks CC, Fort Myers, Florida
* 2011 -- The Honors Course, Chattanooga, Tennessee – round of 64
* 2012 -- Hershey CC West Course, Hershey, Pennsylvania – round of 32
* 2014 – Hollywood Golf Club, Deal, New Jersey – round of 16
Three (3) U.S. Women’s State Team Championship
* 2009 -- Sycamore Hills GC, Fort Wayne, Indiana -- tied for 21st place
* 2011 – The Landings Club Palmetto Course, Savannah, Georgia – tied for 9th place
* 2013 – NCR Country Club, Kettering, Ohio – named to team
YEAR 7: CLASS OF 2010
Noreen Mohler, 56 (age at time of induction)
Other national amateur golf accomplishments:
* 1977 Eastern Women’s Amateur champion
* 1977 Western Women’s Amateur runner-up
* 2012: 55th Senior Women’s North & South Amateur champion
Pennsylvania State Women’s Golf Association amateur golf accomplishments:
* 1976 Amateur Championship -- Huntingdon Valley CC -- -- runner-up
* 1977 Amateur Championship -- Heidelberg CC -- -- champion
* 2006 Senior Women’s Amateur Championship -- Oakmont CC -- runner-up
* 2007 Senior Women’s Amateur Championship -- Manufacturer’s CC -- quarterfinalist
* 2008 Senior Women’s Amateur Championship -- Huntsville CC -- champion
* 2009 Senior Women’s Amateur Championship -- Kahkwa GC, Erie -- runner-up
* 2010 Senior Women’s Amateur Championship – Whitemarsh Valley CC, Lafayette Hill -- runner-up
* 2011 Senior Women’s Amateur Championship – Country Club of York -- quarterfinalist
* 2012 Senior Women’s Amateur Championship – Allegheny Country Club -- quarterfinalist
* 2013 Senior Women’s Amateur Championship – Gulph Mills Golf Club – champion
* 2014 Senior Women’s Amateur Championship – Bent Creek Golf Club – champion
The Women’s Golf Association of Philadelphia amateur golf accomplishments:
* 2013 Women’s Match Play Championship -- Philadelphia CC -- semifinalist
New England regional amateur golf accomplishments:
* Two-time New England Women’s Amateur champion
1980 -- Crown Point CC, Vermont
1981 -- Hartford CC, Connecticut
* Three-time Massachusetts State Women’s Amateur champion
1973 -- Pinebrook
1980 -- Duxbury
1981 -- Charles River
* Four-time Massachusetts State Women’s Amateur runner-up
1971
1974
1975
1979
* 1977 Eastern Women’s Amateur champion -- Mid Pines CC, North Carolina
* 1978 Western Women’s Amateur runner-up -- Fox Chapel
Leadership Positions:
* 2009: U.S. Women’s Open: Co-Chairperson of the Marshals Committee
YEAR 7: CLASS OF 2010
Gary Daniels, 60 (age at time of induction)
Allentown native
Upper Saucon Township resident
Automobile Dealership executive
The University of Denver – 1973
Member of golf team 1972, 1973
Mercersburg Academy -- 1969
Member of 1969 undefeated golf team
4 United States Golf Association national championship qualifications
U.S. Senior Open: 2000
U.S. Senior Amateur: 2004, 2009, 2010. Advanced to the 64-player match play field in 2004 and 2009.
Local Amateur Tournament Victories (Individual):
Lehigh Valley Medal Play Championship: 1997, 2001
4-time Saucon Valley C.C. club champion: 1989, 1997, 1999, 2000
4-time C.A. Buck Cup champion: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004
Other Tournament Victories:
2012 Golf Association of Philadelphia Senior 27-Hole Challenge
2006 Chesapeake Cup (senior champion)
2010 Pennsylvania State Golf Association Senior Better Ball Championship
Other Accomplishments:
2010 U.S. Senior Amateur sectional qualifier -- medalist
2009 Golf Association of Philadelphia Senior Player of the Year
2000 U.S. Senior Open sectional qualifier -- medalist
1999 Dixie Amateur senior division -- quarterfinalist
1995 Golf Association of Philadelphia Mid-Amateur -- third place
Lehigh Valley Senior Player of the Year runner-up: 2009
YEAR 7: CLASS OF 2010
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