In August of 2018, one man walked out of the Warriors Path Golf Shop and stepped into history. Mark Houser, PGA, the longtime PGA Professional, who had manned the shop for more than 44 years retired from the club he helped open after becoming the longest-tenured employee in the state golf park system. Over that span he managed to collect four Tennessee PGA Senior Championship victories, qualified and participated in three U.S. Senior Open Championships, advanced to three PGA Professional Championships and played in eight Senior PGA Professional Championships. Houser served as the 2010 Captain of the Challenge Cup Match Team, but even more impressively managed to qualify and play in another 25 Challenge Cup Matches during that span.
While his golf talents may indicate why Houser became a PGA member, his personality proves why he was so successful. Houser was named the Tennessee PGA Horton Smith Award winner in 1991, an award honoring those that are willing to share their knowledge, experience, and expertise with their fellow PGA Professionals. It is this award that would be the keystone of who Houser is; a dedicated family man more concerned with those surrounding him, than of himself. Houser continues to set the precedent for his peers by leading by example and proving that a career spent impacting others, is a career worthy of recognition. The Tennessee PGA is proud to announce that Houser will be honored at the 2019 Tennessee PGA Awards Luncheon as the newest recipient of the Tennessee PGA Distinguished Career Award.
The Distinguished Career Award recognizes current or former Tennessee PGA Section members who have had outstanding careers as PGA Professionals based on service to his or her club, course or employer, service and leadership to the Association, community service, professional playing record and teaching ability. The Distinguished Career Award acknowledges these Tennessee PGA Professionals as vital and significant contributors to the game of golf.
Congratulations to Mark Houser, PGA for becoming the 40th member to be recognized with the most prestigious honor the Tennessee PGA can bestow upon one of its members.