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PGA GOLF: O’Shaughnessy inducted into WNYPGA Hall
Oak Run Golf Course owner and operator made a positive mark on the PGA
BUFFALO — Joe O’Shaughnessy, owner and operator of Oak Run Golf Course in the Town of Lockport, was inducted this week as the 26th member of the Western New York PGA Golf Hall of Fame at a dinner at the Country Club of Buffalo.
O’Shaughnessy, who has the distinction of having introduced Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson before a national television audience at the 2006 PGA Championship, was inducted for “superior accomplishments and contributions in the game of golf.”
O’Shaughnessy began his golf career as the assistant professional at Niagara Frontier Country Club in Youngstown, then held head golf professional positions at the Lockport Town and Country Club and Niagara County Golf Course.
In 1988, O’Shaughnessy purchased land, then designed and built Oak Run, which opened three years later.
O’Shaughnessy has been a PGA Member since 1975. A member of the PGA Quarter Century Club, he was also a member of the WNYPGA Board of Directors from 1986 to 2008, and served as the section’s secretary, vice-president and president from 1999 to 2005.
In 2005, O’Shaughnessy was elected as a director to the National PGA Board of Directors until 2008, where he served as chairman of the Special Awards, Merchandiser of the Year, and Apprentice committees.
Western New York PGA awards received include the Merchandiser of the Year award in 1986, the Horton Smith award for contributions to education in 1988, 1989, and 1990, and the Golf Professional of the Year award in 2001.
In August of 2006, O’Shaughnessy, then the Western New York’s District IV Director of the PGA of America, was asked to introduce the pairing of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Geoff Ogilvy at the first tee during the second round of the PGA Championship at the Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Ill.
TNT cable network broadcasters introduced O’Shaughnessy, who introduced the threesome before their round.
Upon his return to Lockport, O’Shaughnessy reflected on his brief time spent with and watching Phil and Tiger.
“The funny thing about announcing the three was I had no idea I was going to be on television. They miked me up and handed me a card to read. I didn’t even know that the broadcast had started,” O’Shaughnessy said.
He also enjoyed some brief conversations with Woods, who won the tournament.
“Tiger’s so focused that you would swear that he’s in another world. I don’t think he realizes there’s a crowd around him at all times. And his demeanor is always positive,” O’Shaughnessy said.
“He’s very sincere and well spoken and conducts himself fantastically. His speech after the awards ceremony was beautiful. He thanked all of us who worked there and the Medinah Country Club. This was the first tournament that I’ve seen him from up close. He’s probably one of the most athletic tour players around.”
O’Shaughnessy also took part in the Wanamaker Trophy presentation and locals again got a glimpse of O’Shaughnessy standing behind Woods.
“I was in the back row, then PGA President Roger Warren said, ‘Joe, come up front here. There’s a spot for you.’ It wasn’t planned.”
O’Shaughnessy and his wife, Brenda, have two daughters, Amy and Kelly.
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