From PGA of America
Last month the PGA of America held their annual meeting in their new facilities in Frisco, Texas. Two Michigan golf industry professionals were recognized and won national awards from the PGA.
Bernie Friedrich: PGA Golf Executive Of The Year
Bernie Friedrich, named the 2023 PGA Golf Executive of the Year, has been with BOYNE Golf Resort for over 45 years and is currently the Senior Vice President of Golf Operations for Boyne Resorts. 
The honor recognizes outstanding services in an Executive Management position, as well as leadership, vision, courage, moral character and a substantial record of service to the Association and the game.
Friedrich started as a Golf Professional at Boyne Resorts in 1976 and has been instrumental in helping to make BOYNE one of the leading golf destinations in the country.
He oversees all of BOYNE Golf’s 13 courses and semi-private clubs in Michigan, Maine and Montana, including all staff, course agronomy and marketing nationwide, plus two golf membership groups—Bay Harbor Golf Club and the Country Club of Boyne.
A multi award-winning PGA Member at the Section level, Friedrich has been recognized as the Golf Professional of the Year twice (1998, 2001), Bill Strausbaugh Award recipient (2019), PGA Golf Executive of the Year (2021) and five times as Merchandiser of the Year (1990-’92, 1995-’96). In 2019, he was inducted into both the Michigan PGA Hall of Fame and the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame.
His commitment to service and supporting philanthropic initiatives runs deep. He currently serves on the Michigan PGA Employment Committee, is a founding member and board member of The First Tee of Northern Michigan and is a co-founder of the Harbor Cup Fund, a charitable fund that has raised more than $700,000, since its inception in 1997.
This year, Team Boyne, led by Friedrich, raised a record-breaking $90,000 for the Manna Food Project, a local food bank, and the First Tee of Northern Michigan. The donation to Manna provided 240,000 meals to local families in need.
Friedrich attended Northern Michigan University and has also been involved in course development during his tenure with BOYNE Resorts.
Ian Ziska: PGA Merchandiser of the Year For Public Courses
Ian Ziska, American Dunes’ Head Golf Professional, was named the recipient of the 2023 PGA Merchandiser of the Year Award for Public Golf.
The award recognizes a PGA Professional, who has excelled in business and merchandising in the promotion of golf. Ziska oversees the retail operation at American Dunes offering a widespread collection of patriotic golf gear. All profits from the sale of merchandise at American Dunes supports the Folds of Honor Foundation.
Ziska takes pride in designing creative displays that showcase patriotism, innovative style and new trends. He is a seven-time Michigan PGA Section Merchandiser of the Year (Public Category – 2014, ‘16, ‘17, ’18, ‘21, ‘22; and Resort Category – 2010). He has also been awarded the Section’s Horton Smith Award in 2018, Youth Player Development Award in both 2006 and 2016. He received the 2016 Bill Strausbaugh Award.
Ziska graduated from the Ferris State University’s PGA Golf Management Program, where he played on the men’s golf team and earned his PGA Membership. He has served as the Michigan PGA Section Tournament Chair, as well as the Northern Michigan PGA Chapter President, Vice President and Tournament Chair. Prior to his arrival at American Dunes Golf Club in 2019, Ziska spent seven years as the Manager & PGA Head Golf Professional at Ferris State University’s Katke Golf Course and 11 years at Manistee National Golf and Resort, ascending to serve as the facility’s PGA Head Golf Professional.
