The Jacksonville Area Golf Association announced its 2024 JAGA Award winners at the organization’s end-of-year Annual Meeting at Deerwood Country Club. The 2024 JAGA Awards nominating committee consisted of Cary Helton, Jeff Johnstone, Jim Loftin, John Milton, Fred Seely and Ryan Wharton.
CLUB EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
Tony Street
Jax Beach Golf Club, Head Golf Professional
From the first day of his arrival Tony Street embraced Jax Beach Golf Club's ethos of providing a fun, welcoming golf experience for all. First-time players and touring professionals alike have come to enjoy the Jax Beach vibe. When not overseeing a tee sheet which saw some 65,000 rounds in 2024, Tony has ensured players have great course conditions, a welcoming staff and a well-stocked pro shop reflecting the Jax Beach ‘Muni' feel.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Susie Fonde
Committee Member, First Coast Women’s Amateur Championship and Member, Jacksonville Golf and Country Club
No stranger to the local Jacksonville golf community, Susie Fonde grew up in Jacksonville and is the daughter of the late lifetime PGA of America member Buster Reed. Her playing titles are numerous and include winning the inaugural First Coast Women’s Amateur and two subsequent titles, in addition to five Jacksonville Women’s Golf Championships over the span of four decades.
DIRECTOR EMERITUS (Special Recognition Award)
Fred Seely
JAGA Past President and JAGA Director, Timuquana Country Club
Fred Seely is JAGA’s longest-serving member, having joined JAGA in 1979. He is a three-term president (1983, 2016 and 2017). His vast knowledge of and contacts within the Jacksonville-area community, its leaders and the golf scene have been instrumental in the growth JAGA has experienced during his 45-year tenure.
EARL & ELEANOR KELLY LONG-TERM SERVICE AWARD
Duke Butler III
JAGA Director, TPC Sawgrass and Life Member, PGA of America
Duke Butler III has dedicated his life to playing, promoting, teaching and officiating what he likes to refer to as “the greatest game” through his affiliations with the PGA TOUR, PGA of America, Houston Golf Association, JAGA, junior golf, Moore-Myers Children’s Fund, and numerous other charities and organizations.
JAGA DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Gregg Deiboldt
JAGA Director, Sawgrass Country Club
Gregg Deiboldt has been a JAGA member since 2014 and active in every aspect of the organization. He embodies the spirit of JAGA’s mission and has been a key player in developing tournament schedules, recruiting and organizing clubs and volunteers, and directing all facets of its major championships as well as one-day tournaments.
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Dean Grunewald
Director of Golf, The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach
Dean Grunewald joined The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach in February 2023 as Director of Golf, continuing a career of accomplishment and achievement in the Northeast Florida golf community, which has been marked by many personal relationships and fostering positive golf experiences for golfers of all ages and abilities.
SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR
Alan Brown
Director of Course and Grounds, Timuquana Country Club
Alan Brown graduated from the University of Tennessee with a B.S. in Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Design, with a concentration in Turfgrass Management. He initiated his career in south Florida as an assistant superintendent, making stops at several prominent clubs – Pine Tree, Seminole, Old Marsh and Lost Tree Village. His first head superintendent role was at The Floridian.
