The New Jersey Section of the PGA of America announced Sept. 9 its 2025 annual award recipients, led by Spirit Golf Management president Mike Attara, who was named 2025 NJPGA Golf Professional of the Year, the highest honor for a PGA of America golf professional within the section.
A PGA of America Golf Professional for more than 35 years, Attara was recognized for his leadership, strong moral character and a substantial record of service to the NJPGA, PGA of America, and the game of golf.
Attara founded Spirit Golf Management in 2009, backed by a vision to create a boutique Northeast regional management firm with the mission of “Growing the Game One Club at a Time.” Since that time, he has led and mentored dozens of golf professionals and currently employs eight PGA of America members who serve as general managers, head professionals and director of instruction, and six PGA Associates, working toward their membership.
Attara’s commitment to service, mentorship and positively impacting lives through the game of golf is strengthened by his six years on the NJPGA Board of Directors and more than 16 years on the New Jersey Golf Foundation Board of Directors, where he serves as president.
Attara is joined by an esteemed list of PGA of America Golf Professionals who were selected as 2025 NJPGA Special Awards winners because of their passion, commitment to excellence, and extraordinary efforts to elevate the profession.
“The New Jersey Section is fortunate to have so many terrific PGA of America Golf Professionals, world class facilities and incredible partners, which makes the selection process so difficult each year,” said Chris Bauer, executive director, New Jersey PGA Section.
The New Jersey PGA plans to recognize the award recipients at the NJPGA Fall Meeting on Monday, Oct. 27, at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club and, in conjunction with NJ Golf, on Thursday, Oct. 30, at the Celebration of Golf at Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit.
