Jim Mrva, Class of 2013

JIM MRVA, PGA
Jim Mrva, the PGA head professional at Monroe Golf Club in Pittsford, N.Y., who for more than 30 years has mentored aspiring PGA Professionals and countless youth, was the 2010 recipient of the PGA Golf Professional of the Year Award. A 34-year member of The PGA of America, Mrva joins Craig Harmon of Rochester, N.Y. (2004) as the members of the Western New York PGA Section to be honored as PGA Golf Professional of the Year.

One of the most decorated Western New York PGA members, Mrva was named the 1998 Section PGA Professional of the Year; served 12 years on the Section board, including 2002-03 as president; was a three-time Section Merchandiser of the Year recipient (1988, ’93, 2006); Section Junior Golf Leader (1986); Horton Smith Award (1996-97); Bill Strausbaugh Award (2008); and the 2003 Community Service Award. In 2007, Mrva was inducted into the Western New York PGA Section Hall of Fame.

Mrva, 62, is a native of Endicott, N.Y., and was introduced to golf by his father, who worked for the Endicott Johnson Shoe Company. He began as a caddie, and later became a club champion. Mrva went on to graduate from Rutgers University in 1972.

Mrva was elected to PGA membership in 1978. A year later, he earned his first PGA head professional position at Yahnundasis Golf Club in New Hartford, N.Y. In December 1982, he was named Monroe Golf Club’s PGA head professional, and set out to make an impact upon both his facility and the Western New York PGA Section.

On the course, Mrva has distinguished himself by competing in three PGA Professional National Championships and five Senior PGA Professional National Championships. He has won the Section Senior Championship (2000, ’01), Section Match Play Championship (1987, ’88), and the 1992 Western New York Open Championship. Since he arrived at Monroe Golf Club, Mrva has more than 30 assistant professionals, of whom 25 remain employed in the golf industry. He has served on the board of The First Tee of Rochester since its founding in 2003, and since 2007 as a board member of the Reach for the Green Scholarship Committee, which provides academic aid to underprivileged children in Rochester.

Mrva and his wife, Susie, a Monroe Golf Club shop manager since 1983, live in Fairport, N.Y. They are the parents of a son, Matt, and daughters Stacey and Jessica.