Thursday, January 31, 2013 (East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania) – Great Bear Golf Club has named Matthew McKeon as the club’s PGA Head Professional at the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. “We are extremely happy to have Matt as our new head pro. He brings private club experience and unbounded energy to Great Bear,” said Rob Howell, General Manager.
McKeon has worked at Plainfield Country Club in Plainfield, New Jersey since 2006 in the position of First Assistant Professional under Golf Director Scott Paris. Plainfield Country Club is an exclusive private equity club with 330 golfing members. Its course was designed by Donald Ross in 1921 and plays 18,000 rounds annually. The golf course at Plainfield Country Club is rated in the top 100 in the United States by Golf Digest, Golfweek and Golf Magazine, and hosted the 1978 U.S. Amateur, the 1987 U.S. Women’s Open and the prestigious Barclay’s Championship (PGA Tour FedEx Playoff) in 2011 and will host again in 2015.
Matt has extensive operating and teaching experience that he brings to Great Bear in his first Head Professional position including golf management and staffing, tournaments, player development, women and youth golf and instruction and merchandising.
On his new position, Matt says. “I am excited to take on the challenge of making the Great Bear golfing experience better than ever. Our goal is to build the membership base and keep the club as private as possible. I believe my experience of operating a private club will be a huge advantage in enhancing the member experience at Great Bear.”
As a member of the NJPGA, McKeon has qualified for the 2013 PGA National Championship that will take place at Sunriver Resort, Oregon from June 23 – 26. In addition to playing in this year’s National Championship, he has won and placed in numerous NJPGA tournaments and was named one of the Top 25 Professionals by the NJPGA in 2012.
Prior to Plainfield, McKeon was an assistant professional at the Lost Tree Club in North Palm Beach, Florida and at the Sagamore Resort in Bolton Landing, New York. McKeon earned his Bachelor’s Degree at Sierra Nevada College in 2002. Matt was recently married to the former Seton Thomas and they plan to relocate to the area as soon as possible.
Great Bear Golf Club is scheduled for a much anticipated grand re-opening in the spring of 2013. For information about membership please contact David Shebelsky, Director of Membership at: (570) 223-2000 or www.greatbeargc.com.
About Great Bear Golf Club
18 Holes – Par 71 – 7,025 Yards – Tee to Green Bent Grass – Tee to Green Irrigation – No Parallel Fairways
“Integrating the three lakes, several streams, wetlands, small bridges and rolling terrain, Nicklaus has created a course that presents itself differently to golfers of varying skill. For the experienced player, the course offers interesting challenges and pro tees that will bring out your strongest game. Yet it’s also designed to be a course with the ultimate in playability, ensuring enjoyable round after round, revealing its intricacies and craftsmanship the more you play it. Great Bear is destined to be one of the Golden Bear’s great ones.” – www.Nicklaus.com
- Architecture Award 2007-2008 & Top 20 Courses in Pennsylvania – Golf Digest
- Americaʼs Best Courses – Golfweek
- Rated 4 Stars – GolfLink.com
- Top 100 US Women-Friendly Courses – Golf for Women
- Host to a Nationwide Tour Qualifier
Great Bear Golf Club Contact Information
Mr. Rob Howell – General Manager
Email: rhowell@greatbeargc.com
Phone: (570) 223-2000 / Fax: (570) 223-8510
Postal Address:
One Great Bear Way, East Stroudsburg, PA 18302-8275
Website: www.GreatBearGC.com
