Arlington's own Mike Berneburg has nabbed the Texas Recreation and Park Society (TRAPS) North Region Recreation Professional of the Year award, a nod to his contributions in making golf accessible and engaging to the community. Recognized at the TRAPS North Region Conference in Denton, Berneburg has been instrumental in driving programs that support veterans, youth, and the municipal golf industry, as reported by the City of Arlington.
Stepping onto the course of community outreach, Berneburg's backing of PGA HOPE speaks volumes. Providing adaptive golf clinics for vets and active-duty members at no cost, he's ensuring that Arlington serves those who've served the country. But it's not just about those who've already made their mark; Berneburg's also looking at the future, initiating Youth on Course, which, besides sounding like something straight out of a utopian playbook, lets juniors swing on Arlington's greens for a mere five bucks a round.
And not just content with local initiatives, Berneburg has also taken on the bigger stage, serving as Arlington's frontman for the Veritex Bank Championship. This PGA Korn Ferry Tour event put Arlington on the map in the golf and sports tourism industries. His prior posts include Head Golf Professional at Lake Arlington Golf Course and Meadowbrook Park Golf Course, manning the greens and fairways from 2011-2024.
Clearly not someone to settle for par, Berneburg's achievements drew praise from Parks, Recreation & Culture's Dr. Venera Flores-Stafford, who told the City of Arlington, "Mike’s vision, professionalism, and dedication consistently raise the bar—not only for Arlington Golf but for our field as a whole." Panache aside, his UT Dallas Business Administration degree and PGA Membership since 2012 only solidify his credibility in the golfing sphere.
