BOYLSTON, Mass. — The Maine Chapter is proud to announce that Jan Murken, PGA has been named their 2024 Golf Professional of the Year.
Murken is entering his 5th season at The Woodlands Club where he currently serves as the Director of Golf after beginning his career as an Assistant Professional at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, and later as Lead Assistant at Essex County Country Club and Baltusrol Golf Club.
At The Woodlands Club, Murken leads by example. He sets the tone and expectations for his team while dedicating himself to enhancing the member and guest experience every single day. His priority is to put his staff in the best position to succeed by instilling a mindset that no task is beneath them. From regripping golf clubs to cleaning golf carts, Murken is willing to do whatever needs to be done in order to provide an exceptional experience for his members.
Murken does his best to embody all qualities of a PGA of America Professional, but perhaps his most exemplary attribute is his passion for development of his Professional staff. He advocates for his assistants to pursue their passions and provides valuable insight to guide their paths for future success within the golf industry. Through his mentorship, he has helped place his assistants and fellow Professionals into roles that ensure they are able to thrive at the Woodlands Club as well as other premier facilities. Like his mentors before him, playing a small role in developing a well rounded Professional who will be successful elsewhere in the future, is his biggest motivation and reward.
Murken tries to give back to the Chapter, Section, and Maine State Golf Association whenever possible. Prior to this award, he was previously recognized as the Maine Chapter Merchandiser of the Year in 2020 in the Private category. Murken is extremely humbled and grateful to receive this award and to be a part of such a talented group of award winners in Maine. He would like to thank his wife Valerie for her never ending support, his newborn twin girls Margaret and Phoebe, his Professional Staff who make him look good every day, and the entire membership at The Woodlands Club for allowing him to serve as their Director of Golf.
Murken is one of nine winners of the Maine NEPGA Chapter to earn recognition for their service and dedication to their profession in 2024. The Chapter looks forward to celebrating these recipients throughout the 2024 season and at the NEPGA Awards Banquet this fall.
The complete list of the ten individuals recognized as 2024 Maine Chapter Award Winners includes:
