Longtime Old Elm pro inducted into PGA of America Hall of Fame

Local and longtime golf professional Don Wegrzyn was named as one of six inductees of the 2023 PGA of America Hall of Fame Class.

Wegrzyn spent nearly a half-century as an employee, including as director of golf, of Old Elm Club in Highland Park

According to a PGA bio of Wegrzyn, he began his career in golf as a caddie in 1947 at the Onwentsia Club in Lake Forest before becoming a door attendant in 1952 at Old Elm Club. He become the interim general manager and the director of golf during the 47 years he spent at the club.

A PGA member since 1962, Wegrzyn became a PGA master professional in 1994. He spent time on the PGA board, where he was education chairman and sat on a number of national committees. He also served on the Illinois PGA Board from 1972-1987, serving as president in 1980-81.

Wegrzyn also organized and operated a junior golf program that would later become The First Tee of Northeastern Illinois. The PGA of American Hall of Fame honor joins a long list of accolades for Wegrzyn, including: three-time Illinois Section PGA Professional Development Award winner (formally the Horton Smith Award), Illinois PGA Professional of the Year in 1980, Northern Illinois University Athletic Hall of Fame, the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame, The First Tee Leadership Award, and has had a scholarship named in his honor from the Old Elm Club.

The 2023 PGA of America Hall of Fame Inductees fall under four induction categories. Wegrzyn is the selection in the Golf Professional Category. 

The 2023 class also features Robert Dolan, Herb Wimberly, PGA; PGA Past President Suzy Whaley, LPGA Legend Kathy Whitworth and CBS Sports’ Jim Nantz. The class will be inducted at the 107th PGA Annual Meeting during a special ceremony on Nov. 8 at the Omni PGA Frisco Resort in Frisco, Texas.

“It is an incredible honor for the PGA of America to recognize and celebrate our six inductees who have made a real impact on the game of golf and the countless individuals they’ve inspired along the way,” PGA of America President John Lindert said in a statement. “Whether they proudly wear the PGA of America logo in their daily efforts, or have inspired golfers nationwide through their voice with continuous support of not only the sport, but the PGA of America, we honor their contributions to this great game we all love.”

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