Golf Staff

Rick Pohle
Head Golf Professional

Rick Pohle was named Taconic Golf Club’s head golf professional on August 1, 1983 and officially began his duties in the spring of 1984 as only the third golf professional in the club’s history. Dick Baxter was the club’s first professional from 1924-1962 and was followed by Rudy Goff from 1963-1983.

He began his professional career in 1974 as the head professional at Freeport CC in Freeport, Maine before becoming an assistant professional at the Brunswick GC (Maine) in 1976. In 1977, he accepted the head professional position at the Gorham CC in Gorham, Maine – spending the next 7 seasons there before moving to Williamstown.

He became a “Class A” member of the PGA of America in 1978 and received his Quarter Century status in 2003. His list of accomplishments in the NENY PGA Section include:

• 1989 NENY Teacher of the Year
• 1992 NENY Section Player of the Year
• 1993 NENY Section Player of the Year
• 2001 inductee to NENY Hall of Fame
• 2003 NENY Roland Stafford Award for sportsmanship
• 2005 NENY Merchandiser of the Year
• 2006 NENY Senior Player of the Year
• 2009 NENY Senior Player of the Year
• 2010 NENY Bill Strassbaugh Award
• 2011 NENY Merchandiser of the Year

In addition, he has played in 6 National PGA Club Professional Championships, 7 National Senior Club Professional Championships and has won the NENY Vardon Trophy for scoring average 4 times.

Coaching the Williams College men’s golf team is another duty that has long been the responsibility of the club’s head professional and Rick’s teams have continued the success that Baxter’s and Goff’s teams previously had established. His team won the first NESCAC Conference Championship in 1984 and has since added another 9 titles (league record). In 1994, post-season play was adopted by the NESCAC Conference and his teams have qualified for 10 NCAA Championships – another league record. Finally, every Williams athlete knows the value of a “Little Three” Championship and during his tenure his teams have claimed 18 titles, including the last 14 in a row. In 2006, he was awarded the Gordon McCullough Award by the New England Intercollegiate Golf Association for contributions to college golf. Most recently, he was the recipient of the 2010 Labron Harris Award by the Golf Coaches of America for his contributions as a PGA member who’s duties include coaching college golf – he is the first Division III coach ever to be honored with this award. He has been NCAA North East Region “Coach of the Year” three times (1999, 2002 and 2008), in addition to being named NESCAC Conference “Coach of the Year” 5 times.

Rick is a 1972 graduate of the University of Maine (Orono), where he majored in Physical Education and Biology.

Cathy Pohle
Golf Shop Manager

Cathy Pohle is the ever efficient manager of the Golf Shop and the most complete source of information at Taconic Golf Club. A native of Brattleboro, Vermont – she received her college education at the University of Maine, graduating with a BS Degree in Education in 1972. She spent the next six years teaching physical education in the Bath and Topsham (Maine) school systems before moving on to the golf business.

In 1978, she took over the Food & Beverage operation at the Gorham CC in Gorham, Maine where her husband Rick was the head golf professional. Her attention to detail and hard work developed a very successful and profitable business venture which was instrumental in expanding the staff at the public facility. In addition, she found time to handle the financial aspects of the golf shop. With the move to Williamstown in 1983, she decided to devote full time to the golf shop aspect of the business and remains a tireless entity in that role today.

Her role in raising a family prompted her to devote many years as a volunteer coach in youth sports in Williamstown, assisting other coaches in a supportive capacity and ultimately served 6 years as president of the Williamstown Youth Center. She even found time to substitute teach in the elementary school system. In 1994, she took on the task of bringing women’s golf to Williams College when she started the women’s club team. The dream of attaining full varsity status came true 10 years later when the team was elevated to a varsity sport and she was named head coach. She served in that capacity for three more years (2004-2007) and guided the team to the  NCAA Championship in 2007, where they finished in 10th place in their first ever post-season appearance. For her efforts, she was honored with the East Region Coach of the Year Award.

Cathy and Rick reside in Williamstown and have two grown children – Joey is the head golf professional @ the Phildelphia Cricket Club in Flourtown, PA (a suburb of Philadelphia) – he and his wife Colleen live in Horsham, PA. and Becky is the Coordinator of the Golf Operations @ the Philadelphia Cricket Club and currently resides in Bryn Mawr, PA.

Kevin Bennison
Assistant Golf Professional

Kevin comes to us after spending the past six years as the assistant professional @ Pinehaven Country Club in Guilderland, NY. Prior to that he was the assistant professional @ Quaboag Country Club in Monson, MA for two seasons. In addition, he spend summers working in the golf shop at Orchard Creek GC (Altamont, NY) and Cobleskill G & CC (Cobleskill, NY) during his college years. Since 2007, he has been on the Board of Directors for the NENY PGA Assistants Association.

Kevin is a “Class A” member of the PGA of America having been elected to membership in 2009. Currently, he is enrolled in a PGA of America Certified Professional Program in Instruction to further enhance his skills in teaching. His plans are to offer a variety of lesson opportunities at the club, in addition to club fitting services. He has enjoyed great success in junior golf and has produced a number of accomplished players over the years at all levels. Not only have his teaching skills reached a high level, but Kevin is a fine player and enjoys playing in pro/ams and other events to represent his facility, as well as casual rounds at the club with members. Some of his most recent accomplishments include:

• Tied for 3rd in NENY PGA Assistant’s Championship (2009)
• Semi-finalist in NENY PGA Assistant’s Match Play Championship (2009)
• Represent NENY Section in Challenge Cup Matches vs Central NY PGA Section (2009)

Kevin is a 2003 graduate of Western New England College (Springfield, MA) with a degree in Business and Sports Management where he played #1 on the men’s varsity golf team.  As a complement to his golf career, Kevin is a certified high school basketball official and qualified to officiate collegiate games at the Division III level.

Kevin now resides in Williamstown, Massachusetts.

Marcel Potvin
Assistant Golf Professional

Marcel is another first timer to our staff, but is no stranger to the Berkshires having grown up in Stamford, VT and graduating from Drury HS in North Adams, MA. He is a Level II apprentice in the PGA of America Apprentice Program and working toward his full PGA membership status. Marcel spent two seasons as the 1st assistant at Spring Valley CC in Sharon, MA before moving on to a similar position at the Milton Hoosic Club in Canton, MA for the past two years.

Marcel brings a tremendous amount of supportive experience to the staff and will be be a big asset in all phases of our operation. He has spent a number of hours on the lesson tee with juniors, clinics and private instruction which will be a huge benefit to the club as we look to expand our golf instruction phase at the club. Also an accomplished player, Marcel looks forward to representing the club in local events and playing with members at TGC.

Marcel is a 2005 graduate of Berkshire Community College with an Associates Degree in Business Administration. In addition, he has a degree from San Diego Golf Academy in Myrtle Beach, SC in Applied Business and Golf Management. He and his wife (Sara) have relocated back in North Adams and are the proud parents of a three month old daughter (Audrey).