Golf Executive Millar, Assistant Professional of the Year Bermel, Dunphy Wins Sales Representative-
JR Millar Wins Golf Executive of the Year
JR Millar of Lake Bracken Country Club has been named the 2025 Iowa PGA Golf Executive of the Year. The “PGA Golf Executive of the Year Award” bestows special recognition on a PGA Golf Professional who has performed outstanding services for a multiple facility/course management/ownership operation, Allied Association or golf industry executive management position. As one of the highest honors the PGA can bestow, candidates must possess outstanding qualities of leadership, vision, courage, strong moral character, and a substantial record of service to the Association and the game of golf. Individuals honored with the PGA Golf Executive of the Year award will be held as a model PGA Golf Professional.
When asked on what this means to win this award Millar responded with, “Having the dual role of PGA General Manager and the Director of Golf is challenging. I owe a great deal of thank yous to all of the managers that work WITH me to help cover all aspects of life at Lake Bracken. This includes, but is not limited to, the complete food and beverage dept, golf course maintenance, swimming pool, lake health, grounds and infrastructure throughout the community. I am truly humbled to be the recipient of this award.”
Millar’s philosophy on leadership is always lead by example. He has always been a “take charge” individual. He will get into the trenches in any situation. When he first ran for the Board, he knew that he wanted to help the Section and his fellow professionals. This has been and continues to be extremely rewarding. He has chosen to put himself out there when running for an Officer position. He hopes that what he does and who he is can inspire the next generation of Section leaders.
As previously stated, he strives to lead by example. He makes every effort to participate in Section Tournaments, attend educational events, and support the Section in any way possible. His thought process is simple: He cannot ask other professionals to play, participate, run for the board or host a Jr. tour event if he is not doing the same thing.
He strives to promote and participate in as many section activities as his schedule allows. Having been a PGA Jr. League Coach and a host site for the DCP, this has put an emphasis on the local youth to get involved in golf. Swing with Kids helped to bring golf to the local school system and has exposed numerous kids to the game. He is proud to be the host course for a college golf team, 3 high school teams, and most recently a new jr. high golf team. This has helped to make Lake Bracken one of the leaders in junior golf promotion in the area.
Mark Egly, PGA/Owner at Des Moines Golf & Driving Range had these nice comments to say about JR, “When there is this much offered at a facility that provides so many leisure and recreation activities, there comes much greater responsibility than the typical job held by those of us who manage golf facilities alone. I know that there has been substantial growth in membership in recent years. JR is directly responsible for that. Having an increase in revenues from additional rounds of golf is a golf course manager’s dream. JR has done just that significantly!”
Millar has previously won Professional Development in 2022 and 2023. He will become our next Iowa PGA Section President on October 21, 2025.
The Iowa PGA Congratulates JR Millar as our 2025 Golf Executive of the Year.
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Jacob Bermel Wins 2025 Assistant Professional of the Year
Jacob Bermel of Pheasant Ridge Golf Course has been named the 2025 Iowa PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year. This honor is based on the professional’s entire record with emphasis on his performance and achievements over the past year. This is the highest honor paid to an assistant golf professional and the award committee determined this winner based on strength as a player, teacher, merchandiser, and overall golf professional. The committee also considered the contributions to the success of the nominee’s facility, the nominee’s contributions to the game of golf, the character of the nominee and his respect for other professionals. Finally, the determination of the award looked at the example of professionals who have enhanced their careers through the nominee, the nominee’s ability to play golf and previous Section awards or community involvement activities.
When asked what it means to win this award Bermel responded with, “Getting this award feels like a culmination of hard work paying off. I’ve seen this award given to many deserving candidates, several of whom have had an influence on my own career as an assistant, and their examples of how to fulfill our roles as well as the way in which they represent our section is always something I have strived to be. My own dad won this award in 1987, so it’s exciting to see this award come back to our course on my behalf. The Iowa Section, Pheasant Ridge, and the game have golf have always been a major part of my life, and have shaped who I am today. I thank the committee for considering me for this accolade, and I am proud that my accomplishments this past year as an assistant, an employee, a coach, and a player qualified me to receive this award.”
In terms of Bermel’s overall performance as an Assistant Golf Professional, he is truly in it for the business and furthering the game of golf in his community. Bermel has grown up in the Iowa Section and knows what it takes to run the day-to-day operations at a daily fee golf course. He is comfortable running any event both from scoring and outing logistics, as well as food and beverage services. He runs the Junior Golf program at Pheasant Ridge each summer, which has grown to over 125 players, and helps with leagues both through the Iowa PGA and locally. Bermel serves as the manager for training and scheduling all of his employees, but most days you can find him behind the counter taking greens fees or cooking and serving a meal to their members. Although he loves teaching and growing people’s games on the golf course, he believes it is his dedication to what happens under the roof of the Pheasant Ridge Pro Shop that distinguishes him as an Assistant.
Bermel is currently the Vice President of the Associates Board, was previously Secretary, and will step in as President when Jacob Shultz’s term is over. Bermel’s mission as part of his role on the Assistant’s Board is to help Associates get through the program to become PGA Members. He has been instrumental in getting several associates to become Class A members of the PGA, whether it be reviewing their coursework, helping them through a lesson for their portfolio, or even caddying for them during their PAT.
When his working hours allow, Bermel does his best to keep his game in-check to be able to participate in section events throughout the year. His favorite is always the Iowa Assistant PGA Professional Championship which by his scoring and classification allowed him to represent the Iowa Section at the Assistant PPC 3 times in the last 6 years, making the cut each time.
Bermel has many qualities that make him a leader throughout the Iowa Section, as well as at his home course, and his experience displays his well-rounded service to himself as a member, his fellow members of the section, and those in the community that participate in our section events or the game of golf as a whole. One of his favorite parts of his job is teaching because teaching players of any skillset helps make the game of golf accessible to them. From teaching the basics to new golfers in their summer junior program, to correcting a very specific part of a veteran golfer’s swing, he finds joy in watching golfers improve. He has many regulars in the community that continue to take lessons with him. Bermel recently added to his resume by taking on the role of Head Golf Coach for the Cedar Falls High School Men’s golf team and looks forward to helping the young men improve their game, seek out college scholarships, or reach their goal of winning state.
John Thompson, PGA Head Golf Professional at Prairie Links Golf Course had some nice comments to say about Bermel, “At Pheasant Ridge Golf Course, Jacob plays an essential role in the day-to-day operations, ensuring that members, guests, and staff all have a first-class experience. His leadership extends well beyond the clubhouse—Jacob is the driving force behind the Pheasant Ridge Junior Academy, where he shares his knowledge, energy, and enthusiasm with the next generation of golfers. His role as camp coordinator for the Iowa PGA Junior Camp is further evidence of his commitment to player development. Students gravitate toward him because of his infectious energy and the genuine care he shows for their growth both on and off the golf course.”
Bermel would like to thank the Awards Committee, as well as the Iowa section for recognizing him for this award.
This is Bermel’s first Iowa PGA Section Award.
The Iowa PGA Congratulates Jacob Bermel as our 2025 Assistant Professional of the Year.
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Pat Dunphy Wins Sales Representative of the Year
Pat Dunphy of Cobra Puma Golf has been named the 2025 Iowa PGA Sales Representative of the Year. This honor is based on the vendor’s entire record. This is the highest honor paid to a Sales Representative. The award is based on the following attributes, strengths in service and communication, contributions made to nominee’s company’s success, contributions to the game of golf at the section level, size and success of nominee’s line, sales call rotation and customer interaction and previous awards or community involvement.
When asked what this means to win this award Dunphy responded with, “I am honored to be recognized as the 2025 Iowa PGA Sales Rep of the Year. Over the past 17+ years I’ve had the privilege to learn from many great peers in the industry and have been fortunate to be a part of a prominent section with top class professionals. To even be considered for the honor is truly special and humbling.”
In his 17+ years as a multi-line sales professional, he has had the opportunity and success of selling top quality golf equipment, apparel and accessories to many golf facilities in the Iowa Section. In these 17+ years in the section, he has had the opportunity to work both as an independent sales representative, and as a company employed territory manager. Many of these companies he has spent 10+ years and been a part of their growth. In this time, he has been able to develop strategic partnerships, drive growth, and provide specific needs and solutions to create long term relationships in the section.
Dunphy takes pride himself in establishing trust and building rapport. He is respectful of the golf professionals’ time, while still making myself available when needed. He makes it a priority to communicate and returns calls in a timely manner. He is always looking for ways to be a better partner.
In the early spring of this year, he accepted a Territory Manager position at Cobra Puma Golf. It was an opportunity to combine golf club sales with apparel/accessories in both the Iowa & Nebraska sections. It is one of the few companies (if not only) in the industry who have kept these practices inclusive. He can combine years of experience with “hard goods” and the passion for club fitting, to go with creating detail apparel plans to merchandise a golf shop.
Erin Strieck, Director of Golf at Pinnacle Country Club had this to say about Owens, “In an industry where trust, commitment, and genuine service are paramount, it is rare to encounter an individual whose professionalism so thoroughly embodies these principles. Having observed Pat Dunphy’s contributions over the year, I am confident that his dedication has significantly impacted both our members and his colleagues.”
This is Dunphy’s first Iowa PGA Section Award.
The Iowa PGA Congratulates Pa Dunphy as our 2025 Sales Representative of the Year.
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