PGA Pro Matt Brown Elected Mayor of Gearhart, Oregon; Wins National Award

by Michael R. Abramowitz

In addition to receiving his national award November 10 at the Grand Hyatt in New York City as 2016 PGA Merchandiser of the Year-Public Category, Matt Brown was elected Mayor of Gearhart, Ore. last week, in a landslide.

“Total whirlwind – the last 24 hours have been crazy,” said Brown. “We were anxiously awaiting the results (Tuesday) night. They came in about midnight Eastern Time. We were up all night having newspapers call into town and celebrating.”

Using a “Matty for Mayor” campaign slogan, Brown won with nearly 80 percent of the vote in the coastal resort town of nearly 1,500. To compare, the previous mayoral election was decided by just five votes, and there was a recount.

“This whole week has been amazing, really one of the coolest weeks of my life,” said Brown.

The PGA General Manager and Head Professional at Highlands Golf Club in Gearhart will serve in the unpaid, volunteer mayoral position that he plans to work around his day job in the golf shop. The Gearhart City Council meets once a month.

“I plan on designating a day a week where I go to the city and see what’s going on, giving time to listen and talk to citizens, and get their feedback. Staying involved with the citizens and running the golf course. It will be a little bit of time management.”

Brown, 41, campaigned through traditional avenues, such as meet and greets, as well as modern day social media outlets.

“Being mayor is just like being a golf pro – you listen to what your members are going through and try to solve problems.”

Brown joins fellow Oregonian PGA Professional Bill Rosholt in the political circles. Rosholt, a member of the Pacific Northwest PGA Section Hall of Fame, served for five years as Union County (Oregon) Commissioner.

Brown attended Gearhart Elementary School, Seaside (Ore.) High School and Linfield College (McMinnville, Ore.), where he graduated with a degree in business. As a PGA professional, Brown served at Astoria Golf & Country Club, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort and Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club before returning to his hometown in 2006.

(Michael R. Abramowitz contributed to this article. Photos courtesy PGA of America.)