BOSTON, Mass – The New England PGA Section has named its 2022 Section Award Winners and the prestigious list of eleven is headlined by John Fields, of Belmont Country Club, who was named the New England PGA Golf Professional of the Year.
Representing Belmont Country Club and the New England PGA for the past 30 years, Fields is the consummate golf professional. His passion for the game of golf spills into every aspect of his daily work. Fields works tirelessly to see that the member experience is exceptional and that his staffs’ work is rewarding.
“Upon receiving the call from President Mike Bradshaw that the awards committee had selected me as the 2022 Golf Professional of The Year, I reflected on the ironic detail that I was receiving this award 30 years to the date of me becoming a PGA member and accepting the Head Golf Professional position at Belmont CC,” said Fields. “I would like to thank my family, friends, current and past team members, as well as the membership of Belmont CC who have all stood with me over this wonderful period in my life and PGA career. I am humbled and honored to received this award.”
Fields lives by a simple proverb: “Do onto others, as you would have others do onto you.” Often heard professing “It’s Only Golf!” John will offer positive affirmation and his own testimony to support others and let them know that life is a journey and worth the process.
Fields is gracious with his time, volunteering for several charitable causes including the Belmont Employee Scholarship, Francis Ouimet Scholarship, and New England PGA Scholarship funds. He has served on several committees and chaired the Scholarship committee for four years. This past year, he concluded an eight-year stint representing the Massachusetts Chapter to the New England PGA Board of Governors. When Fields began his board service, one of his main goals was to see the establishment of the New England PGA Foundation. He finds the launching of the Foundation to be one of the most rewarding experiences of his career.
The eleven 2022 New England PGA award winners will be recognized at the annual Awards Dinner on November 19, 2022 at Renaissance Golf Club.
Golf Professional of the Year: John Fields, (Belmont Country Club)
Assistant Professional of the Year: Kelly Hunt, (Wellesley Country Club)
Patriot Award: Bob Mantz, (Hopkinton Country Club)
Player Development Award: Eric McInerney, (McGolf Driving Range & Mini)
Youth Player Development Award: Matt Lombard, (North Andover Country Club)
Teacher of the Year: Rico Riciputi, (Wentworth By-The-Sea)
Merchandiser of the Year – Private: Chris Twombly, (Prouts Neck Country Club)
Golf Executive of the Year: John Goodchild, (Vermont Golf Association)
Professional Development Award: Jo-Anna Krupa, (Belmont Country Club)
Bill Strausbaugh Award: Tom Mackey, (Ekwanok Country Club)
Deacon Palmer Award: Matt Hibbert, (Newport Country Club)
The 2022 New England PGA award winners represent four of the Section’s six Chapters, including the Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine Chapters.
“I would like extend my congratulations to all of our 2022 award winners,” said New England PGA President, Mike Bradshaw. “These men and women have made an outstanding impact on not only their own clubs, but the NEPGA Section as a whole. We are so honored to have such a talented group of individuals in our Section and we look forward to what the future has in store.”
Award winners are chosen through a selective process. After being nominated to the NEPGA Awards Committee and Board of Directors by a fellow PGA member, nominees complete and submit their application. The Awards Committee then reviews each application before making its recommendations to the NEPGA Board of Directors.
(Content for this report was provided by the New England PGA)
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