Ryan Benzel is a terrific golfer, as evidenced by his tie for second place at the 2007 PGA Professional National Championship and his 71st-place finish at last summer’s PGA Championship.
But Benzel also has the people skills and work ethic to be an outstanding club pro, and it was those abilities that led to him being named on Monday as the new head pro at Mill Creek Country Club.
Currently an assistant pro at Seattle Golf Club, the 29-year-old Benzel will start at Mill Creek CC on March 31.
Benzel, who lives in Bothell, could not be reached for comment on Monday, but in a statement released by the club he said he was “very honored to be selected out of what I can only guess was a very strong pool of candidates.”
Mill Creek CC had more than 50 applicants for its vacant head pro position and Benzel was one of three finalists.
“I’m really excited to get Ryan,” said Barney Dotson, president of Mill Creek CC’s nine-member board of directors. “He’s going to be a big asset to the club.”
“Ryan brings a sophistication, commitment to excellence and determination that compliments our existing strategic goals,” said Simon Spratley, Mill Creek CC’s general manager, in a statement. “Our members are going to be thrilled with his addition and he raises our competitive bar. I am delighted to welcome Ryan to our family here at Mill Creek Country Club.”
Benzel will assume his new job at a time of continuing change at Mill Creek CC, one of two private golf clubs in Snohomish County. Last summer the club wrapped up a long legal process to transition from a corporate-owned facility to one that is now owned by the members.
“We’ve had an exciting time in the last six months with folks chipping in and doing a lot of projects around the club,” Dotson said. “And now everybody is excited about getting a new pro. We think we’re going to put our mark on golf at Mill Creek Country Club.”
Because of his playing prowess, Benzel is expected to continue to compete at various regional and national events in the coming years. According to Dotson, that topic was addressed during the interview process.
“I think he understands that first and foremost is being the head professional at Mill Creek,” Dotson said. “And I think that’s where he’s centered right now … I don’t see him being gone all the time. There are certain events he wants to play in and we agreed to let him play.”
In addition to his accomplishments in 2007, Benzel won the Pacific Northwest PGA Rosauers Open in 2005, and was the PNPGA’s Section Player of the Year in 2005 and the Western Washington PGA Chapter Player of the Year in 2005 and 2006. He also won the Washington State PGA Match Play Championship in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
Benzel replaces Don Montague, who resigned late last year.
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