The H&B PGA Professionals Program has grown exponentially through the years, from fewer than 15 members just a decade ago to over ten times that amount today. In light of this astonishing growth, Haversham & Baker created The Society of Links Captains to honor those PGA Professionals who have built celebrated careers while providing their members with numerous exceptional overseas golf experiences.
The inaugural class received their awards, as well as a $1000 contribution to the golf charity of their choice, in a ceremony at the annual H&B Private Club Reception during the 2018 PGA Merchandise Show, with two additional members following suit in 2019. It’s our distinct honor to welcome these PGA Professionals to The Society of Links Captains.
Ted Antonopoulos, Honorary Chairman
Mayacama Golf Club
Ted Antonopoulos is the Honorary Chairman of the Society of Links Captains, having led his members on 17 overseas H&B Expeditions, more than any other PGA Professional. Born and raised in Augusta Georgia, Ted was exposed to golf at an early age. His father George was an avid golfer and his brother Buddy was the Head Golf Professional at Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound Florida since that Club’s inception. Ted has been a Golf Professional for 37 years, serving the members of Mayacama Golf Club since its inception in 2001. Prior to joining Mayacama, Ted served a variety of other clubs including the TPC Sawgrass, PGA National, and Fishers Island Club. Throughout his professional career, Ted has received several distinguished awards including Merchandiser of the Year Honors in the South Florida PGA Section, and he also serves on the PGA and NCAA Rules Committees. Ted is also a Founding Board Member of the Sonoma County Children’s Charities, which promotes the annual fundraiser to benefit several children’s charities in Sonoma County.
John McMullen, Founding Member
Hillcrest Country Club
John McMullen is a Founding Member of the Society of Links Captains having led his members on 13 H&B Expeditions across the pond. Growing up in a small town in Northern California, John first dreamed of glory on the baseball diamond, the game he says remains top in his heart today. He soon took up golf and landed his first job at a local course, honing his short game in the evenings while picking the range by hand. The hard work in his youth eventually paid off in the form of a scholarship to the University of San Francisco where he played all four years. After college John spent six years navigating the Canadian, Australian and South American tours. A shoulder injury eventually led him back stateside where he accepted his first private club position at Alister Mackenzie’s Meadow Club of Montecito. John later joined the staff of Mayacama Golf Club under fellow Society member Ted Antonopoulos before joining Sonoma Golf Club as Head Professional. After 10 years at Sonoma, John moved south to Los Angeles and his current role at Hillcrest Country Club.
Nick Papadakes, Founding Member
Onwentsia Club
Nick Papadakes is a Founding Member of the Society of Links Captains having led his members on 12 overseas H&B Expeditions. Nick took up the game at the age of 9 while living in a small-town in Iowa. In 1993, he was hired by Sawgrass CC in Florida where he laid the foundation of his career in the golf business. In 2001, Nick returned to the Midwest and became the Assistant Professional at Conway Farms. He would soon move into his first Head Professional position at Old Elm Club in 2007 before joining historic Onwentsia Club in 2015. Nick has received numerous awards in the Illinois PGA Section, notably the Horton Smith Award which he has won twice. He was most recently honored with the Bill Strausbaugh Award for his service to the community and his work mentoring fellow PGA Professionals as they establish careers of their own.
Lindy Miller, Inducted – 2019
Shady Oaks Country Club Club
The Society of Links Captains is honored to induct Lindy Miller, PGA of Shady Oaks Country Club and Captain of 7 H&B Expeditions across the pond. While an All-American at Oklahoma State University, Miller and his teammates won a pair of NCAA national championships. Making the 1977 Walker Cup team earned him a spot in the 1978 Masters where he finished tied for 16th and took home low-amateur honors. He returned to Augusta the next year as a professional and cashed a $1750 check for his efforts. After life on Tour, Lindy served as Head Professional and later Director of Golf at Mira Vista Country Club for 22 years. In 2009, he returned home to historic Shady Oaks Country Club in Fort Worth, where he had worked as a teenager and caddied for the great Ben Hogan. In 2016, he was inducted into the Texas Golf Hall of Fame and named Professional of the Year by the North Texas section of the PGA. In addition to his role at Shady Oaks, Lindy serves in Corporate Development and Patron Relations for the Ben Hogan Foundation.
CJ Parry, Inducted – 2019
Glenmoor Country Club
CJ Parry’s career in golf actually began on the slopes of Lake Placid, New York as a ski racer with gold medal dreams. A self-described sports fanatic, CJ’s 13 varsity letters in 7 sports earned him a place in his hometown hall of fame. After completing his degree at the University of Wyoming – where his ski team took home the 1985 NCAA Championship – he returned to New York to complete his MBA at Binghamton University. While he pursued graduate school, CJ took an Assistant Professional job at the Country Club of Ithaca, and the rest as they say is history. CJ soon found himself working in operations for the Central New York Section of the PGA and in 1994 was named both President and Professional of the Year. Soon the allure of the Rockies again pulled CJ to the west, where he’s served as Director of Golf at Glenmoor Country Club outside of Denver since 1997. In 2019, CJ will Captain his 10th H&B Expedition to the British Isles and Spain.
Jeff Mory, Inducted – 2020
Conway Farms Golf Club
Jeff Mory grew up on a 9-hole course in Springfield, Illinois where he honed his game to a scholarship at the University of Kentucky and later Northern Illinois University. In 1990 he became the head golf coach at Northwestern University, leading the Wildcats for seven successful seasons before leaving to join Conway Farms in 1997. He co-founded the Wildcat Golf Academy in 2011, where he’s served as a teacher and mentor to the next generation of competitive golfers on Chicago’s North Shore. When he’s not at Conway Farms, this proud husband and father of five can often be found on the ski slopes, a yoga mat, or even the boxing ring. This year, Jeff will lead his 10th H&B Expedition to the British Isles and Spain.
