Southwest PGA News The Southwest Professional Golfers’ Association of America 10685 N. 69th Street Scottsdale, AZ 85254 Tel: 480-443-9002 Fax: 480-443-9006 IMMEDIATE RELEASE . . . . Contact: BILL IBRAHIM November 15, 2019 Senior Director of Operations & Public Relations 480-443-9002 ext. 101 – Office 630-675-8995 – Cell [email protected]

The Southwest PGA Merchandiser of the Year for Public Facilities – Brent Lingel, PGA General Manager of Rolling Hills Golf Course in Tucson, Ariz., is the recipient of the Southwest PGA Merchandiser of the Year for Public Facilities.

Lingel, 37, was born and raised in Tucson, where he started playing golf at the age of 12 after his grandfather introduced him to the game. In order to earn free practice and playing privileges, Lingel took his first job working in the cart barn, helping clean carts and pick the driving range at the Davis- Monthan Air Force Base Golf Course (now named General William Blanchard Golf Course).

At Salpointe High School in Tucson, Lingel lettered in both baseball and golf, where he was a two-time, all-city member of the baseball team and captain of the golf team. Following graduation, Lingel played college baseball at Central College in Coolidge, where the team captured the 2002 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Championship. After Central Arizona College, Lingel moved over to and played on their golf team for two seasons. He completed his education graduating from the in Tucson, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management.

Following graduation, Lingel accepted a PGA Apprentice position at Tucson Country Club. During his six years at the facility, he earned his membership in the PGA of America in 2008. The following year he returned to the General William Blanchard Golf Course as the PGA Director of Golf. He then served for six years as the PGA Head Golf Professional at Keeton Park Golf Course in Dallas, Texas before accepting his current position at Rolling Hills.

Lingel believes to have a successful merchandising operation one has to take risks, which in turn, keeps customers returning. He has an everchanging mentality and understanding of what’s trending and what’s on the way out. He works closely with numerous sales representatives on a regular basis on new and exciting options which helps him provide a positive experience for his customers.

Lingel is a certified PGA Professional in Golf Operations and currently working towards a PGA Master Professional distinction. This is Lingel’s second Public Merchandiser of the Year Award, having previously earned the same recognition in the Northern Texas PGA in 2017. He was also honored with the 2014 Northern Texas PGA Player Development Award and as the Southwest PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year in 2010. The Southern Chapter of the Southwest PGA recently named Lingel the 2019 Southern Chapter PGA Professional of the Year.

Lingel and his wife, Katie, live in Tucson, Ariz., and are the parents of a daughter, Lilly.