The Northern Ohio PGA has added a new honor to its annual awards lineup, and the inaugural recipient is a name well known throughout the region’s golf community: Matt Creech, PGA, owner of The Golf Dome.
With nearly three decades of leadership across private clubs and player development facilities, Creech has set a standard of vision, innovation, and service that the Section sought to recognize with its first-ever Executive of the Year Award.
Matt Creech, PGA: Northern Ohio PGA Executive of the Year
This is the first time in the 79-year history of the Northern Ohio Section that an Executive of the Year Award has been presented. How else would the board of directors acknowledge Matt’s vision, commitment, innovation, insight and overall contributions to the section and the game? A career that has spanned nearly 30 years and touched so many lives and embarked on so many projects deserves such an award.
His career began at Mayfield Country Club and extended to Sand Ridge where he served 18 years as Director of Golf Operations before eventually becoming general manager of both clubs and guiding them through periods of transformation that entailed elevating standards and programming in all aspects. In his final two years he attracted 320 new members through all levels and helped solidify it as one of the premier clubs in Northeast Ohio by reversing a $500,000 operating loss into a $2 million surplus.
During his career he has served the Northern Ohio Section in a number of varied areas. His service is defined by consistent impact, as well as its longevity and depth to the organization. He served two terms on the Section’s Board of Directors, from 2009-2010 and 2015-2016. He served two years each as the Section secretary, vice president and president. He currently is in his third year as an Honorary President.
Previously, he chaired the Growth of the Game Committee, was a member of the Tournament Committee and the Hall of Fame Committee. In 2007 he attained PGA Certified Professional status in the areas of golf operations and general management.
Three years ago, he entered a new chapter by purchasing, rebranding and operating The Golf Dome training facility in Chagrin Falls with the mission of providing complete player development for all golfers. In 2024 he became the owner-operator of Tanglewood Golf & Grounds operations and led a resounding revitalization of the property and its operations, increasing rounds from 23,000 to 32,000.
The Golf Dome has become one of the top teaching and junior golf sites, delivering more than 3,000 lessons a year and conducting clinics seven days a week, annually serving more than 1,000 junior players in the largest program in Northern Ohio.
NOPGA Section Awards Dinner
Thirteen professionals including Matt will be honored during the section awards dinner on December 7th at the Cary Blair Center, adjacent to Westfield Country Club.
The winners, selected by the NOPGA Selection Committee, exemplify excellence and dedication within the golfing community. The evening will also include special recognition for the 2025 Hall of Fame inductees and Junior Tour Players of the Year.
The awards dinner will commence with cocktails and registration at 4:30 p.m., followed by the awards presentation and dinner starting at 5:30 p.m. The event will be moderated by Jimmy Hanlin, PGA, who will engage award winners on stage as they share their career stories and insights.
Ticket Information:
● Date: Sunday, December 7, 2025
● Registration: 4:30-5:30 p.m.
● Dinner & Awards: 5:30-8:30 p.m.
● RSVP Deadline: November 28, 2025
● Ticket Price: $85 per person
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If you have any questions about the event, please contact the Northern Ohio PGA at 216-765-1214.
— story by Tim Rogers, NOPGA Media