Ben Derauf, Tournament Director

Ben Derauf is the director of golf at Heron Bay Golf Club.  Previously, Ben was the head professional and merchandise manager at Palm-Aire Country Club in Pompano Beach, Fla. Prior to that, he worked in the golf industry in Arizona and Minnesota. Ben was trained in complex golf management under master professionals at the Golf Academy of America and through the University of North Dakota.  Ben brings a diverse, countrywide perspective of golf operations to the Dixie Amateur. He can be contacted at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or 954-796-2000.

 

Brian Quinn, Chair, Tournament Committee

Brian Quinn, a four-year letter winner at Temple University in Philadelphia (1987-90) and a professional golfer for 16 years, is in his fifth season as head golf coach at TU. He is the director of instruction at the BQ Golf Academy in Conshohocken, Pa. In addition, Quinn, tournament director of the Big 5 Invitational, teaches a number of professional and top amateur players.

Quinn earned All-Atlantic 10 honors as a senior in 1990. He helped the Owls to the NCAA tournament in 1987 and to a pair of NCAA East Regionals in 1989 and 1990. The team also won the ECAC Championship and was second at A-10s in 1990. He won 17 professional tournaments, including the 2003 Massachusetts Open Championship. Quinn also won the Greater Portland Open with a course-record 11-under par 61, a record that still stands today at the Riverside Golf Course. He was forced to retire from playing after a back injury in 2004.

Quinn is on the board of directors for the AM8 Foundation of fellow Temple Owl Aaron McKie and the First Tee of Philadelphia. To contact Quinn, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 610-941-9646.

Steve Buck, Marketing and Partnership Coordinator

Steve Buck is Marketing and Partnership coordinator for Dixie Amateur.

Former General Manager Woodlands Country Club. Committee Chairman; VIP Concierge/Will-call WGC Cadillac Championship @ Doral.

Volunteer for various South Florida golf events, charities and fund raisers.  Steve can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

John Hand, Tournament Committee

John Hand is the Membership Sales Manager, Florida Region, for ClubLink. The IT sales representative has numerous years’ experience in sales and the golf industry.

John acted as the leader of the Dixie marketing team in 2012 and honorary starter for the Men's and Women's events.

John Finlayson, Tournament Committee

John Finlayson is the Vice-President, Florida Region, for ClubLink. The former collegiate quarterback has 23 years’ experience in the golf industry and has been a member of the PGA of Canada for 15 years.

John has served on the RBC Canadian Open Joint Tournament Committee and was the Director of Operations at Glen Abbey Golf Club when it played host to the 2009 Open.

 

Tim Green, Tournament Committee

Tim Green is Executive Director, Sales and Marketing, for ClubLink and has been a member of the PGA of Canada since 1991.

Tim’s comprehensive background in tournament planning, marketing and operations includes sitting on the Joint Tournament Committee for the 2004, 2008 and 2009 RBC Canadian Opens at Glen Abbey Golf Club. He was a member of the organizing host site committee for the Champions Tour’s Montreal Championship at Club de golf Le Fontainebleau in 2010 and 2011. He was the host professional at the CN Canadian Women’s Open and the Telus Skins Game in 2001 as well as the 2002 RBC Canadian Open.

 

John Gordon, Tournament Committee

John Gordon is Director, Communications, for ClubLink, and brings more than 25 years’ experience in the golf industry to the Dixie Amateur.

Through past roles as director of communications for the Royal Canadian Golf Association and executive director of the Golf Association of Ontario, John has acquired an extensive background in the planning, logistics, and execution of major tournaments such as the RBC Canadian Open, the Canadian Amateur Championship, and the World Amateur Team Championships.

A veteran writer, author and broadcaster, John has written for most major golf magazines, was the golf columnist for one of Canada’s national newspapers, and has authored eight books on golf. He has covered many amateur and professional tournaments, including all four majors as well as the Ryder and Presidents Cups.