Tag: class-of-2024

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Inductee

Tom DiFonzo

Tom DiFonzo was a longtime New Hampshire Golf Course Superintendent who made an immense impact on agronomy and turfgrass in the state through his work on the Board of Directors of the New Hampshire Golf Course Superintendents Association (NHGCSA). 

DiFonzo was the superintendent at Laconia Country Club for 18 years, a timeframe which included the 113th New Hampshire Amateur Championship.  During that time, he held every office on the Board of Directors for the NHGCSA, including serving two terms as their President.
 
DiFonzo was active in encouraging industry leaders to monitor and impact important legislation that could affect golf courses and the turfgrass industry. He was at the forefront of protecting New Hampshire courses by being present at the State House when needed and signing necessary petitions.  He served as the NHGCSA delegate for the national association for over 10 years and helped to grow the New Hampshire Chapter into a leader across the industry.  DiFonzo’s efforts with the NHGCSA has earned him an induction into the New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame for his contributions to bettering the game of golf here in the Granite State. DiFonzo’s induction will be posthumous as he lost a brave battle with cancer in 2018.

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Inductee

Larry Gallagher, PGA

Dedication and love for the game have been at the heart and soul of Larry Gallagher’s career.  Gallagher started playing golf in high school and acquired his first job at North Conway Country Club in 1970.  From there, he turned Professional and worked his way up through the PGA program.  He landed back at North Conway in 1991 where he served as Head Golf Professional for 25 years.  During his tenure at North Conway, Gallagher had a successful playing career and found even more success with the teaching and mentorship part of the job.

Some of Gallagher’s playing accomplishments include being the New Hampshire PGA’s Player of the Year in 1991 and 1995.  Over the years he won the New Hampshire PGA Stroke Play Championship, Match Play Championship, Senior Stroke Play Championship and various other Pro/Amateur events.

In 2001, Gallagher and his wife Kathy designed and trademarked The Liberty Ball which raised over $30,000 for The Red Cross as well as The Police and Firefighters Women’s and Children’s Fund of NYC.  Their efforts in raising funds through The Liberty Ball were recognized by President George H. W. Bush and President George W. Bush.  That same year he was honored as the New Hampshire PGA Professional of the Year.

Gallagher was also a well-recognized teacher of the game.  In 2007 and 2009, he was recognized by US Kids Golf for his work with junior golf at North Conway Country Club.  For all his years of service to the game of golf, he is now a Lifetime Member of the PGA of America.

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Inductee

Danny Arvanitis

Danny Arvanitis has made a name for himself around the state through his amateur playing accomplishments. His accomplishments include winning the 2001 New Hampshire Amateur Championship, winning four New Hampshire Mid-Amateur Championships, and most recently, winning the 2022 New Hampshire Senior Championship.  He has also competed in 13 USGA championship events over the years, which is an accomplishment on its own.

As a lifelong member of Derryfield Country Club in Manchester, Arvanitis has claimed 12 Manchester City Championship titles, the most any golfer has won.  He has been inducted into the Manchester City Hall of Fame and was the 2015 NHGA Champions Dinner Honoree.

As he continues to compete against the top in the state, Arvanitis finds the time to give back to the game as he has been the Head Coach of The Derryfield School Golf Team since 2011.  Prior to 2011, he was the Assistant Golf Coach for Southern New Hampshire University from 2008 to 2010.