THE ILLINOIS PGA WELCOMES NEW STAFF MEMBERS

Jun 1, 2015

LENVIEW, Ill. – The Illinois PGA is proud to announce the addition of new staff members Robert Duke as the Director of Rules and Competitions and Catherine Wagner as the Manager of Foundation Programming & Player Development.

“We are very excited to welcome Robert and Catherine to the Illinois PGA team,” said Michael Miller, executive director of the Illinois PGA. "Their previous work experiences, knowledge and dedication will be a tremendous asset to the Section and the entire membership of the Illinois PGA for many years.”

Duke, 24, of Nashville, Tenn., will be primarily responsible for the organization and administration of the Illinois PGA’s 60+ tournaments on an annual basis, including the four major championships – The Illinois PGA Match Play Championship, The Illinois Open Championship, the Illinois PGA Championship and the Illinois PGA Player’s Championship.

A 2013 graduate of Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication, Duke is a former United States Golf Association P.J. Boatwright Intern with the Northern California Golf Association in Pebble Beach, Calif. He recently worked as operations assistant for the 2015 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am before joining the Illinois PGA. His previous work experience in tournament operations and rules officiating with the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour, Tennessee Golf Association and the TGA Junior Tour will be a great benefit to the Illinois PGA membership.

Wagner, 24, of Austin, Minn., will manage the day-to-day operations of the Illinois PGA’s Drive, Chip & Putt Championship (local, sub-regional and regional competitions) in cooperation with the PGA of America, USGA and Augusta National Golf Club. Wagner will also be responsible for the execution of current player development programming including the PGA Junior League. On the Illinois PGA Foundation side, she will develop and grow the programs and initiatives of the Foundation, as well as tracking of current and prospective funding resources.

A four-time All-American golfer at the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire, Wagner served as the captain of the team her senior year after winning the individual Division III National Championship the previous season. She went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 2013. She most recently completed a marketing and operations internship with the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour in Atlanta, Ga. Her experience with golf operations, marketing and communications will enhance the existing player development initiatives and influence future programming.