PGA Employment Consultant: Chris Kulinski, PGA
PGA Professional Chris Kulinski is the PGA of America’s Employment Consultant proudly serving Western, Central and Northeast New York PGA sections. Part of a team of employment service professionals placed throughout the country, Chris’ efforts are a key component to PGA Professional career enhancement and employer relationships in the New York sections. He believes strongly in PGA professionals and their positive impact on both the golf operation and the local community. Throughout his tenure, he has a track record of fostering long term relationships between PGA professionals and their employers. Previously, he served as the Head Golf Professional at Orchard Park CC outside of Buffalo NY. While at Orchard Park CC, Chris developed multiple growths of the game programs and was the WNYPGA Youth Player Development Award recipient in 2015 and 2017. Chris’ passion is working with kids and adults and showing them all the doors golf can open in this world.
He has been tasked with providing professionals with the necessary tools, strategies and education to implement at the facility level, along with recruiting men and women into the business of golf. Chris is looking forward to working with all types of facilities, owners, professionals and operators to successfully change the culture and create healthier, thriving facilities and employer-employee relationships in the current golf environment. In addition, he is excited about the potential programs that can benefit PGA Professionals and help driven, customer service-orientated men and women break into the golf industry. Chris has conducted growth of the game, youth and family, and women’s clinics that have introduced the game of golf to so many people. Some of these individuals have pursued a career in the business of golf.
His father introduced Chris to the game of golf when he was 12 years old. When Chris was deciding on what college to attend, his father let him know he could go to school to become a golf professional. Chris did not attend a PGM school but all throughout college, he worked for PGA Professional Tim Fries. Tim mentored Chris for 8 years and helped him become a PGA Head Golf Professional at the age of 27.
Chris graduated from the University at Buffalo with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and human resources and minoring in history. Chris is married to Amanda and has 3 daughters, Lyla, Kendyl and Aubrey.
Do you have comments, questions, or PGA-related information for PGA Employment Consultant Chris Kulinski? Feel free to call (716) 316-4160 or email Chris at ckulinski@pgahq.com.
Player Engagement Consultant: Michael Smith, PGA
Mike is a Player Engagement Consultant for the PGA of America, proudly serving the Northeast Region. He works directly with the Metropolitan, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Western New York Sections to help deliver products like PGA Jr. League and PGA Family Cup to PGA Coaches.
Mike became a Class A PGA Member in 2009 while working as an Assistant Golf Professional at Rockaway River Country Club in Denville, NJ. He is a PGA Certified Professional (Instruction, Golf Operations, and Retail) and is currently progressing towards Master Professional status in Teaching and Coaching.
Mike is an avid supporter of the New Jersey Golf Foundation as a member of their hockey team and as a PGA HOPE instructor. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Penn State University in 2005 and again in 2015 with a Master of Business Administration degree.
Mike is a New Jersey native and currently resides in Morristown, NJ with his wife Caitlin (10 years) and their three daughters: Reagan (7), Joslynne (5), and Brenna (3).
To connect with Mike about your PGA Junior League and other growth of the game inquiries you can call (561) 301-7615 or email msmith@pgahq.com.
PGA of America
msmith@pgahq.com
(561) 301-7615