Orlando, FL – January 22, 2025 – Tom Dale, who serves as the PGA General Manager at Linville Golf Club
in Linville, NC was recognized at the opening ceremony of the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Florida for
leading the recovery efforts following the tragic flooding from Hurricane Helene. PGA of America President
Don Rea shared the incredible story of Dale’s leadership in the storm’s aftermath which devastated Western
Carolina last fall.
Dale rallied his entire staff, including fellow PGA professionals Bill Stines, Keith Crain and Wes Manus to close
the golf course and pivot to the club serving as a community kitchen to feed the people of Linville. In the early
weeks, his staff fed over 24,000 meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) at the club and delivered throughout the
community.
The club set up an emergency relief center where members, golf companies and fellow golf facilities collected
anything that a person might need, as many people lost everything. Dale’s dedicated staff handled six tractor
trailer loads of supplies ranging from water, diapers, first-aid supplies, batteries, clothes and other relief
supplies.
To ensure there was joy during the holidays, club members adopted 204 children and provided each with a gift
delivered to their school, and in turn invited the children to a Christmas shopping spree at the club to provide a
gift for their parents. And to top it all off, while providing these incredible services, Dale helped raise over $5
million dollars in cash and in-kind product donations through club members and professional contacts to help
with the recovery efforts.
Bill Stines, PGA was quoted as saying, “This TEAM EFFORT led by Tom Dale was one of the most impressive
things I have ever been a part of in my 40-year career as a Director of Golf.”
The world needs heroes during times of hardship, and Tom Dale and his incredible team at Linville Golf Club
are modern day heroes in every sense of the word.