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For a guy who majored in journalism in
college and dabbled in real estate, Dennis Darak marvels
that he has worked over four decades in the golf business.
Golf is part of Dennis's heritage, thanks
to his father, John Darak Sr., the longtime head
professional at Beaver Lakes Country Club (now The Club at
Shadow Lakes) who was inducted into the Beaver County Sports
Hall of Fame in 1993. Dennis learned the game of golf from
his father, and that led to Dennis's impressive career as
the executive Director of the Tri-State Section PGA (TSPGA).
In 1968, Dennis graduated from Hopewell
High School, where he was a four-year letterman on the golf
team and a captain his senior year. In 1973, Dennis
graduated from Point Park University, where he earned a
bachelor's degree in journalism and communications and
played on the golf team.
After college, Dennis worked as a
clubhouse assistant at the Aliquippa Golf Club, and, later
that year, upon the recommendation of his father, Dennis
applied for a job at the TSPGA.
Dennis was hired as executive director of
the TSPGA in 1973 and, when he retired in 2016, he was the
longest-tenured executive director/CEO among the 41
nationwide sections of the PGA of America. Dennis has
received many honors for his work in golf, including being
the recipient of the Tri-State PGA Distinguished Service
Award in 1998, being inducted into the Tri-State PGA Hall of
Fame in 1998, and being honored as one the WPGA's First 100
Years History Makers in 1999.
Over the course of his 43-year career,
Dennis conducted more than 2,500 golf events, including
Clubs for Kids, Drive-Pitch & Putt Sectional and Regional
Qualifiers, and National Long Drive Championship Section &
Regional Qualifiers. Dennis founded the PGA sectional Las
Vegas Pro-Am, which is currently in its 25th season, and he
served as a tournament committee member at events such as
the U.S. Open and PGA Championship at the Oakmont Country
Club and the Ryder Cup Championship and Senior PGA
Championship at the Laurel Valley Golf Club.
When he retired, Dennis was recognized for
his years of service at the National PGA Meeting, for his
outstanding dedication, contributions, and service to
growing the game of golf.
Dennis is a life-long resident of Beaver
County. He and his wife Karen have two sons: Dennis Jr. and
David. |
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