Congratulations, Tom Abts

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Tom Abts was honored in October as the 2017 Minnesota PGA Golf Pro of the Year.  This most prestigious award was presented to him on October 23rd following an elegant reception and dinner at the Rush Creek County Club in Maple Grove.  Victoria’s golf pro had top billing.  I took all these pictures at the handsome Deer Run Club House.

This award recognizes PGA members for outstanding performance and superior achievements, both on and off the course.

It honors a working PGA member whose total contributions to the game best exemplify the complete PGA Professional.

The award is based on long-term performance and achievement, service, leadership, image and ability to inspire fellow PGA professionals and apprentices, and promotion of golf. 

Tom is more excited about the annual Readers’ Choice Awards for Deer Run these past six years in a row in a publication called Tee Times:  Minnesota Golf and Living.

Deer Run is once again The Golf Course That Provides The Best Hospitality!  The award means everything to Tom.

And Deer Run ranked in the Top Five in other notable categories:  Best Golf Experience, Best Value, Best Condition, Best Greens, Favorite Tournament Grounds, Favorite Clubhouse, and Best Merchandise Pro Shop.

Near the door to his office, on the wall above the lineup of leaning golf clubs, is a large framed gift from his wife Sandy.  It highlights Tom’s 2013 Innovator of the Year Award by Golf Inc. magazine.

The award is dedicated to innovators, to “the most creative risk takers who are at the cutting edge of improving the golf industry.”  Tom was also named Minnesota PGA Promotor of the Year.  In addition he instigated Kids Play Free With a Parent on Saturday Afternoons, which has been adopted by many courses all over the country.

Tom Abts has been a fixture at Deer Run 26 years — the first two as Golf Prof the next 24 Golf Pro and General Manager.

Deer Run is successful because of Tom’s philosophy, communication, hospitality, knowledge of golf, and innovation — not to mention energy, long hours, and dedication.  Friends and peers have recognized that this place called Deer Run is pretty special because of a man called Tom Abts — not to mention his buddy Harvey.