Our Leadership Team
Board of Directors
Leadership is important to any organization and integral to its success. We are very fortunate and priveleged to have an excellent and diverse leadership team and Board of Directors that is made up of who’s who in the golf inductry and in business along the Grand Strand. Project Golf has been able to make the impact it has on our Disabled Veterans, Underserved Youth and Newcomers to the game and the success it has experienced in such a short period of time because of the diligent and unwaivering support and guidance they have provided. We are proud to present:
GARY SCHAAL
Executive Director, Project Golf
Gary Schaal turned a big spotlight on Myrtle Beach golf when he was elected the 28th president of the PGA of America, the largest professional sports organization in the world. He served in that capacity from 1992 to 1993.
Schaal began his career as an assistant golf pro in Myrtle Beach and became a member of the Carolinas PGA Section in 1976. He quickly became a head pro and, later, co-owner of several local golf courses. During the 1980s and early 1990s, he served the community and his profession as president of the Carolinas Section PGA and as a member of the PGA TOUR’s Tournament Policy Board. Along the way, he was recognized with numerous awards, including the CPGA Horton Smith Trophy and CPGA Professional of the Year.
A member of the Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame and a designated “living legend” through the PGA of America’s “Legends of the PGA” Program, Schaal was inducted into the PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame in 2005.
“Gary has been instrumental in so many things in Myrtle Beach during his career that it’s hard to list them all,” said Shelley P. Kenney, PGA head professional at Wachesaw Plantation Club where Schaal serves on the Board of Directors. “He was a founder of the Professional Golf Management Program at Coastal Carolina University. He helped bring the Senior PGA Tour Championship to Myrtle Beach. He helped to bring a Tournament Players Club (TPC) to Myrtle Beach. His name lends instant credibility to any project or golf event in Myrtle Beach and will continue to do so for many years to come.”
Angel Diaz
Director, Project Golf
Angel Diaz, a PGA professional and retired Navy veteran, was named director of Project Golf on July 26, 2021. Diaz will look to use his background in the golf business with the organizational and leadership skills he developed during 22 years of service in the U.S. Navy.
“There is something for everyone in the Project Golf community,” Diaz said. “Learning and playing the game of golf parallels an individual’s life journey. One must have the motivation to start and the desire to achieve. The rest falls into place when you have fun along the way. I look forward to growing the game of golf in the Myrtle Beach area.”
After retiring from the Navy, Diaz, who also has a bachelor’s degree, graduated from the Golf Academy of America and worked for eight years as a PGA professional in the Myrtle Beach area. Diaz worked at True Blue Golf Club, TPC Myrtle Beach and he was the lead assistant at Wachesaw Plantation Club, a private Tom Fazio design, just prior to joining the Project Golf team.
WILL MANN
Director, PGA Golf Management Program, Coastal Carolina University, Past President, PGA of America
Will Mann is the 31st president of The PGA of America. He earned a bachelor’s degree in forestry from NC State University.
Mann has the leadership and business perspective of an experienced and successful golf course owner, director of golf and golf course superintendent. Mann has a history of service to the PGA of America on both a section and national level. He was inducted into the Carolinas PGA Section Hall of Fame in 2002 and into the PGA of America Hall of Fame in 2005. Mann was recognized as a Legend of the PGA of America in 2013.
ALLEN TERRELL
Director of Coaching, Dustin Johnson Golf School
Allen Terrell is the swing instructor for a number of the game’s best young talents. Leading that stable is PGA TOUR professional Dustin Johnson. Johnson is a mainstay at the top of the Official World Golf Rankings and has more than 20 wins on the PGA TOUR. Terrell’s relationship with Dustin dates back to his formidable years in the early 2000s and he has remained the one instructional constant throughout his major-winning career.
Allen and Dustin stay in constant communication, frequently work together in Florida and Terrell also travels to a large number of TOUR events throughout the year to get Johnson’s game tuned up for competition.
Recognized as one of the nation’s top instructors, Terrell has been awarded numerous awards in recent years. Ranked as a Top 100 Instructor in America by Golf Magazine and Best in State by Golf Digest, Terrell is the Director of Coaching at the Dustin Johnson Golf School, which was just named as a Top Golf Academy in the Southeast by Golf Digest.
During his career as a collegiate men’s golf coach, Terrell was named Conference Coach of the Year 11 times, was the NCAA Southeast Coach of the Year and a NCAA National Coach of the Year finalist while at Coastal Carolina University. He previously coached at Duke University.
In nearly two decades of player development, Terrell—who works with golfers at all levels, from juniors to adults, amateurs and professionals—has coached more than a dozen players on the PGA and European Tours to more than 30 victories.
He also has coached more than 20 NCAA All-Americans, 50 players on the Developmental Tours, 20 Conference Players of the Year, and more than 80 All-Conference recipients. In all, he has worked with more than 300 college golfers. He has coached over 50 juniors to college scholarships and worked with thousands of amateurs.
Among Terrell’s many professional accreditations, he is one of few in the world to achieve TrackMan University Master status. He is also an AimPoint Certified Instructor and a US Kids Certified Instructor.
Allen and The Dustin Johnson Golf School are committed to providing all clients with a comprehensive
game plan for long term development. While coaching on the PGA & European Tour for more than two decades, Terrell clearly understands there is no perfect model for every student. He understands the importance of having proper function instead of just proper form. Through proper physical screening, individualized workout plans, cutting-edge training techniques and efficient practice programs, every client will have a road map to a lifetime of continuous game improvement.
DENNIS NICHOLL
Head Pro, Dunes Golf and Beach Club
Dennis has been a part of the Dunes Club’s management team since 2007. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Central Michigan University. Dennis is also involved in many local golf associations and is one of only a handful of professionals in the country on TaylorMade Golf’s prestigious National Advisory Staff program.
MIKE SUMMER
Co-Owner of Cruz Accessories
Mike Summer is the co-owner of Cruz Accessories, a wholesale trend jewelry and accessories company. Established in 1986 as a retail operation, Cruz Accessories is one of the leading wholesale suppliers of trend jewelry and accessories in the country targeting the resort and specialty retail markets.
Key customers have included the Walt Disney Company, Busch Gardens (Sea World), American Eagle Outfitters (AEO), The Donna Karan Company (DKNY), Calvin Klein, Norwegian Cruise Lines and many others.
Mike attended Appalachian State University on an ROTC scholarship, graduated and was a Distinguished Military Graduate (DMG) receiving his commission as a Second Lieutenant in 1989. While in college Mike served as the President of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and was an Associated Certified Professional Ski Instructor teaching all levels of snow skiing from beginner to expert. Mike served in the Army from 1989 to 1994 leaving the service as a Captain in the Infantry branch. Prior to owning Cruz Accessories, Mike was an Industrial Engineering Manager for Collins & Aikman, an automotive textile company supplying automotive fabrics and headliner to the Big Three automakers. Mike has owned and operated Cruz Accessories for the last 22 years located in Murrells Inlet, SC and resides with his wife Tracy in Debordieu Colony, Georgetown, S.C. They have two children, W. Conner who graduated with a Business Management degree from Clemson University in December of 2018 residing in Daniel Island, S.C. and Caroline, a Senior Neuroscience major at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. In addition to coaching various sports teams for his children as they were growing up, Mike previously served on the business advisory board for Atlantic Bank & Trust, and was the fundraising chairman for Boy Scout Troop 360, Pawleys Island, S.C. Mike is active in his church, Prince George Winyah Episcopal in Georgetown, S.C. and has served there for many years as an usher and a docent for their annual fundraising event.
Bob Seganti
General Manager of Golf Operations, Caledonia & True Blue
Bob Seganti, has been a PGA professional for over 20 years and has 25 plus years’ experience in the Myrtle Beach Golf Industry. Bob is currently serving many Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality and Tourism Related Associations including President of the Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owners Association.
- President of the Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owners Association
- Vice President of the South Carolina Golf Course Owners Association
- Chairman of the Georgetown County Tourism Management Commission
- Member of Board of Directors for Golf Tourism Solutions
- Chairman of Golf Tourism Solutions Marketing Committee
- President of The Waccamaw Golf Trail Marketing Co-op
- Bob is the General Manager of Golf Operations for Ponderosa, inc. which owns and operates:
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club / True Blue Golf Club / Caledonia Golf Vacations / Caledonia W & E’s
Bob started in golf business as second career and has worked in almost every position at a facility. His expertise is in operations and promoting a team atmosphere at Ponderosa, Inc.
“I believe there is a tremendous opportunity to serve our veterans thru the game of golf while expanding Project Golf’s impact not only in the local community but regionally and nationally over time. Making programs easily adaptable to golf facilities with limited resources in terms of staffing and monetary resources will be the key to that expansion.
Bob is married to Tracy who also has 25 plus years in the Golf Industry. Tracy is the Operations Manager for Caledonia Golf Vacations. Bob and Tracy have 3 children. Austin 25 a 2018 Coastal Carolina Graduate. Morgan 23 a University of South Carolina graduate 2021 and Jared a Winthrop University 2021 graduate.
Karen Lombardi
Executive Director - Independent Energy Human Resource Association
Karen is a native of the Boston area who relocated to the DC area to work at US Customs. After a few years, she relocated to the Annapolis area to work for the Utility company in Maryland where she stayed for over 30 years in multiple roles in administration and Human Resources. Upon her exit from Constellation Energy, Karen accepted her current role as the Executive Director of the Independent Energy Human Resource Association (IEHRA) leading and organizing HR Conferences.
Karen has a strong passion for golf and purchased a home in Murrells Inlet in 2008 while visiting on a golf trip; she moved to the area full time in 2015. Karen is a member of the Wachesaw Plantation where she serves on many committees; most recently as the Secretary for the WLGA-18 group and member of the “Fun Group” golf team and book club. Karen enjoys staying active playing golf, pickleball, kayaking and traveling whenever possible. She is a member of Belin Methodist Church where she is involved with the Backpack Buddy program. Karen is also a volunteer for Neighbor to Neighbor an organization which provides rides to home-bound seniors in the Grand Strand.
When not working, golfing, or volunteering her time, you can find Karen cheering for her NE Patriots, Baltimore Ravens and now Tampa Bay Buccaneers (really just Tom Brady). In addition, her son and his family recently relocated to Mount Pleasant area which makes spoiling the grands extremely easy.
Jason Potter
Owner, Broker-In-Charge - Grand Strand Coastal Realty
Originally from the Northern Virginia area, Jason Potter and his family relocated to the Grand Strand in 2002. Jason is the Owner and Broker-In-Charge of Grand Strand Coastal Realty, located here in Central Myrtle Beach where he has been servicing and assisting his clients from all over the country (and world) with their relocation, purchase, investing and selling needs for close to 20 years.
Jason is deeply involved and connected within the community as well as his local Association of Realtors Chapter where he is a part of the graduating leadership class of 2021. When he is not assisting people with their dream of buying and or selling homes here in the area, Jason loves spending time with his wife Julia and two kids Matthew and Natalie. They can either be seen golfing as a family or riding to the beach with their golden doodle in their family golf cart to play in the sand! Jason Potter is a servant at heart and has a passion for mentoring and encouraging others. This can be seen best in his leadership roles within his industry , both locally and nationally, as well as his service at this local church, where he sits as treasurer. Jason also sits on the board of directors for Hug Your People, an organization started for raising awareness of the difficulties and hardships families go through surrounding pediatric cancer as well as fundraising for Baxley’s Wagons, a process where children are donated and gifted wagons with their favorite character and toys so they are more comfortable going to and from treatment during their stays in the hospital. Jason is a devout Christian and is bold in his faith and walk with Jesus trying to spread light everywhere he goes. Jason Loves God, His Family, His Church , he Loves People and Loves Myrtle Beach.
Jon Mackey
Director with Price Waterhouse Coopers(PwC)
Ryan McCullar
ATTORNEY | SOUTH CAROLINA INJURY LAWYER at JOYE LAW FIRM
Attorney Ryan McCullar represents people who have been injured in personal injury accidents such as car accidents and other motor vehicle accidents caused by the negligence of others. He also helps workers who have been injured on the job and need assistance obtaining workers’ compensation benefits. Ryan works out of Joye Law Firm’s Myrtle Beach office and represents clients in the surrounding area.
