Southern California

Ed Winiecki, PGA Certified Professional serves as the PGA ExecuSearch Consultant for the Southern California PGA Section.

Winiecki has been working in the golf industry for more than 30 years. Originally from Arvada, Colorado he grew up with a love for the game of golf. His Dad and Grandpa were the two who introduced him to golf and helped him learn the game. His first job in the golf business was working at Indian Tree Golf Club in Arvada when he was just 12. Indian Tree had three of the greatest mentors for Winiecki to follow in the business: Charles “Vic” Kline, Alan Abrams and Bob McNamee, all past presidents of the Colorado Section and two national award winners. As Winiecki said, “They set the bar high in so many ways and I owe them a great deal, they really shaped my career at an early age.”

During the ’90s and 2000s in Southern California, Winiecki worked at various Country Clubs serving in many different capacities from Assistant Golf Professional, Head Golf Professional, Director of Golf, General Manager, Regional Manager, and Executive Director for the PGA TOUR-Nationwide TOUR. In the past 9 years, Winiecki moved to Northern California where he served on the Board of Directors for 7 years and most recently as Vice-President. He has been a part of three separate clubhouse openings as well as three different course openings. “I was very lucky to work under and mentor some great professionals and managers who helped shape my career.”

He is also certified in all six areas of expertise and currently working towards Master Professional Status: Golf Operations, General Management, Instruction, Retail, Ownership & Leasing, and Executive Management.

Winiecki is also a Certified Club Manager with the Club Management Association of America and is currently working towards his CCE status.

He served the Southern California Section as a board member for 8 years. He also served on the San Diego Chapter Board and is a Past President of the Inland Empire Chapter. Winiecki is a regular guest speaker at seminars and golf colleges on club management and has been a member of the Association of Golf Merchandisers for the past 21 years. He has volunteered time for charities, fundraisers, local junior and PGA events, and organizes, manages, and plays in a 100-hole golf marathon every year to raise money for Junior Golf. He has raised more than $180,000 in funds for Junior Golf and Special Olympics throughout his career.

Winiecki’s Accolades include Golf Professional of the year in 3 separate Chapters. He was awarded the 2010 Golf Professional of the Year in the Southern California Section and the 2017 Golf Professional of the Year in the Northern California Section. He was also awarded the 2006 Horton Smith Award and the 2008 Bill Strausbaugh award for the Southern California Section.

In addition to having had the opportunity to work and many high-end private clubs, Winiecki also worked for Troon, Kemper Sports, Greenway Golf, OB Sports, and ClubCorp. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Career Consultant position for the PGA of America.

Lastly, Winiecki said more than anything he enjoys his free time with his wonderful family: his wife, Cecily, daughter Nicole, son Nate, and their dog Bronco. They all love the great outdoors including skiing, fishing, hiking, football, traveling, and best of all playing golf together!