During his 55 years as a golf professional, serving golf facilities in Illinois, Michigan, Georgia and Florida, Roger has maintained a high level of enthusiasm and passion for all aspects of this great game of golf. He has grown to appreciate and learn from those who play the game and the golf professionals and amateurs who serve the game of golf.

Roger played collegiate golf at Eastern Illinois University receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education. Following college, he became member of the PGA of America. He then went on to serve as Head Golf Professional, Flint Golf Club, Flint, MI, Director of Golf , The Landing Club, Savannah, GA and Manager/Head Golf Professional, Hawk’s Nest Golf Club, Vero Beach, FL.

During his years in Flint, MI, Roger developed the golf instruction program for the Flint Junior Golf Association. It was and still is the largest local junior golf association in the country with over 1300 participants. Roger served the PGA as President of the Michigan Section PGA followed by election to National Director – PGA of America.

Roger chaired the 1981 National PGA Junior Championship and served on committees hosting the National Club Professional Championships, Ryder Cup Matches and PGA Championships. He was recipient of the 1985 National Bill Strausbaugh Award for contributions in Employment and Golf Facility Relations.

Roger attained “PGA Master Professional” classification in 1988. In 1991, he was the co-founder of the Savannah Junior Golf Association and founder of the Coastal Empire Youth Golf Tour.
Following his retirement from Hawk’s Nest Golf Club in 2007, he founded and currently serves as President of the Indian River Golf Foundation. Roger currently competes on the Treasure Coast Senior Golf Tour.

Elected to Michigan Section PGA Hall of Fame – October, 2022

rogervandykeirgf@gmail.com
(772) 713-9593