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French Lick’s Harner Leads Class

of 2012 Indiana PGA Special Award Winners

 A tireless advocate for French Lick, a role model for Orange County junior golfers and dedicated grass roots PGA Professional, Dave Harner, the Director of Golf at French Lick Resort has been named the 2012 Indiana Section PGA Golf Professional of the Year.

Harner has been a mainstay at French Lick Resort for over 30 years. He has seen the resort go from a struggling facility to a thriving, decorated golf destination. Some of French Lick Resort’s recent honors include:

*Only location in America with a course rated in the Top 100 Classic and Top 100 Modern Golf Courses – 2011 Golfweek Magazine

*Indiana’s #1 and #2 rated public golf courses – 2011 Golfweek Magazine

*Indiana Golf Course Owners Association 2012 Golf Course of the Year

*Two courses in the Top 100 Resort Courses in America – 2009 and 2010 Golfweek Magazine

While the accolades roll in, Harner remains firmly committed to his roots in French Lick. He and his wife began the Orange County Junior Golf Foundation 14 years ago in an effort to allow youth in Orange County to experience the game of golf. The Harners’ believed that golf could play an important role in helping shape the lives and culture of Orange County’s youth. They obtained a USGA grant to help fund start-up costs and provided course access at no cost. Dave saw this as a way that the resort could give back to the local community.

“We thought such a program would help make a difference, not only in the short run by allowing kids to play, but that golf would ultimately change their lives by teaching them a sense of honor and fair play they couldn’t get elsewhere,” said Harner.

He also served as coach of the Springs Valley Boys Golf Team from 2000 to 2011. His team advanced to the IHSAA Boys Regional in 2009, the first time a Springs Valley Team had accomplished this feat since 1962, and repeated their appearance again in 2010 and 2011. These accomplishments were achieved by a group of original members to the Orange County Junior Golf Association.

In addition, he has had five members of the Orange County Junior Golf Association go on to play college golf and three of his current Assistant Professional at French Lick were products of the Orange County Junior Golf Association.

He has recently developed a caddy program at the Pete Dye Course and has had a total of three Chick Evans Scholarships awarded to date with another seven applicants being considered for the 2012 Scholarship Awards.

In addition to his dedication to the support of junior golf initiatives, Harner has always placed a high value on supporting his fellow PGA Members, apprentices and the Indiana Section PGA. He and French Lick Resort have served as host to numerous Indiana PGA, Indiana Golf Association and Indiana Golf Foundation events.

“I am committed to make the French Lick Resort a place to which all PGA Professionals can come, be our guests and get away from the everyday challenges from their own jobs,” says Harner. “Our doors are always open to the PGA Professionals from the Indiana Section.”

Harner has worked hard to increase the PGA’s presence in Southern Indiana. He has always tried to higher young men and women from the local area as assistants and he currently has five PGA registered apprentices, all of them from within 25 miles of French Lick, all with Indiana roots and all looking to stay in the region.

“I hope my fellow professionals view me in a positive way,” stated Harner. “If I had to say what that positive way would be, it would read something like: ‘Here’s a guy who got into the business working at the most menial job in golf. He started at the bottom. He stayed the course, he listened, he learned, he had ambition and respect for those with whom he interacted. He dared to be different. He cared about not only the customer but for the staff around him. He used golf to make a difference and he has always been grateful for the opportunity.’ “

For his overall commitment to all facets of the game of golf, Harner was given the Golf Professional of the Year award which is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a PGA Member.  “Golf has never been just a way to earn a living to me,” stated Harner. “Golf has given me so many opportunities to touch people, not only as a face in the golf shop, but as a mentor, community leader, instructor, role model, father figure, or whatever other needs if I have found in my daily travels,” he added.