Local Golf Pro Recognized
Local Golf Pro Recognized
Holiday Valley’s Kyle Benish awarded by PGA of Western New York
Kyle Benish has been a part of the Holiday Valley team for 19 years now, but this summer marked his first year as the Head Golf Professional at The Double Black Diamond Golf Course. And what a summer it was! By and large, the weather this summer has been very favorable to golfers across New York State. Here at Holiday Valley, that was no different.
For many years, Benish has been the PGA First Assistant Golf Professional under PGA Master Golf Professional Steve Carney, and so upon Carney’s retirement, there was no doubt as to who should fill the roll. With some big shoes to fill, not only has Benish been able to keep the momentum that Carney helped establish but he has also started to incorporate his own style and philosophy into the overall management of the course.
Recently, Benish was recognized by the PGA of Western New York for two awards that showcase his love of the game and commitment towards growing the already thriving golf community here in Western New York.
The first award Kyle won is the 2022 WNYPGA Player Development Award. Formerly known as the President’s Plaque Award, this recognized the WNYPGA Pro who has shown an ability to help grow the game of golf. There’s no doubt that Kyle’s various youth initiatives throughout the summer were instrumental in this recognition.
The second award is the 2022 WNYPGA Resort Merchandiser of the Year Award. This award is given to the WNYPGA Pro who has excelled on the merchandising side of promoting golf. Kyle’s ability to plan sales, promote products and showcase the sport in interesting ways obviously stood out to the voting committee.
Benish was also nominated for the WNYPGA Golf Professional of the Year Award. And while he did not win it this year, there’s little doubt here at Holiday Valley that it’s well within his grasp in the near future.
Benish is a Certified PGA Coach/American Development Model Certified, a member of the Western New York PGA Board of Directors, Chairman of the Junior Golf/Growth of the Game Committee and a member of the Tournament and Hall of Fame/Awards Committees. Benish has been recognized as Assistant Golf Professional of the Year a record three times by the WNYPGA and has been featured in the PGA Magazine twice.
For more information about Holiday Valley’s Double Black Diamond Golf Course, visit holidayvalley.com or call 716-699-2345.