Tournament Volunteer of the Year - Mike Miller
Mike Miller, of New Smyrna Beach, was awarded 2017 Tournament Volunteer of the Year! In the four years that Mike has been volunteering for the FSGA, he became a certified Rules Official and took on the role of Tournament Chairman this past year. Mike’s dedication and time commitment to the game of golf is beyond impressive. Since 2013, Mike has officiated at approximately 65 competitions totaling over 100 days spent giving back to the game. Five of those events he conducted as Tournament Chairman. The game of golf benefits from Mike’s passion, hard work, and positive energy!
At the young age of 12, Mike started going to the local nine hole golf course with the plan of caddying to supplement his paper route income. Caddying sparked Mike’s passion for the game and the very next year he purchased a junior level membership at the local course. Mike has been playing golf since that day and became interested in volunteering to give back to the game that has been such a special part of his life. Kathy Light, a great friend of Mike’s, started his interest in volunteering. She asked him to help at two U.S. Women’s Open Sectional qualifiers as well as encouraged him to attend the USGA/PGA Rules School. Mike continues to love volunteering at a wide variety of events and feels rewarded sharing his passion for golf.
Course Rating Volunteer of the Year - Mary Ann Riccio
The 2017 Course Rating Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Mary Ann Riccio, of Bonita Springs. In the gracious 23 years that Mary Ann has been involved with the FSGA, she has been actively rating courses in Section 28, Collier/Lee counties. As a Course Rating Captain, she has demonstrated strong dedication, great leadership, and a positive perspective. Mary Ann enjoys being part of a wonderful course rating team and continuing her lifelong passion for golf.
Golf has been a part of Mary Ann’s life for over 60 years after learning to play the game from her father when she was a teenager. Mary Ann has always been active and had a career teaching physical education at the University level. When she retired from teaching she moved to Florida to continue playing the game she loved. In 1994 she started volunteering in course rating and found it was a perfect fit for her. Six years later Mary Ann became a Course Rating Captain. Mary Ann takes pride in sharing her passion and staying active in the game of golf as a course rating volunteer!
