Marla Anderson is currently a Vice President for Wachovia, NA in Jacksonville, Fl.  She has spent 20 years in the banking industry specializing in providing financial solutions to commercial businesses.  Before banking she was a professional golfer on the Futures Tour, winning one event, and attempting to qualify for her LPGA tour card.  A graduate of Fletcher High School (1979) and a participant in Jacksonville junior golf Marla earned a full golf scholarship to Florida State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (1984).  She was part of the NCAA National Championship team (1981) and won the State of Florida Collegiate Championship (1980). Her amateur golf career included participation in several prestigious amateur events including USGA Junior Girls Nationals, five USGA Women Amateurs, a US Women’s Open and a USGA Women’s Mid Amateur. She currently lives in Jacksonville with her husband and two daughters.

Linda Carlson

Vice President

Linda worked as production manager for an advertising agency in York Pennsylvania. After raising five children, she went to work for an interior designer and eventually opened her own design business.

After her husband’s retirement from the radio broadcasting industry, they moved to Ponte Vedra Beach in 1995.  

Linda became involved with North Florida Junior Golf in 1996. She has been on the Board since 1999 and has served as Tournament Director of NFJG and Secretary of the Board.    

Linda is an avid golfer and plays mostly at Plantation at Ponte Vedra. She has been a member of the Jacksonville Women’s Golf Association since 1998.  Linda has also served as Secretary, Vice President and President of the Plantation Ladies Golf Association. 

James Knutzen

Treasurer

Jim Knutzen has been the president of James Knutzen & Associates, CPA’s, PA since 1977. The firm consists of seven CPA’s and specializes in audits for not-for-profit organizations. Jim has an undergraduate degree from the University of Washington in Seattle and advanced degrees from the University of North Florida and Loyola of New Orleans. Jim was a Navy based carrier pilot and then a CPA with Deloitte Touche prior to establishing his own firm. He and his wife of 37 years have two grown sons. Jim has been active in the Jacksonville community, serving on various boards over the years. He is an avid golfer and participates in various golf events in the community.

J. Howard Sheffield

Secretary

Howard Sheffield is a real estate attorney with Sheffield & Boatright, P.A.  He is a graduate of Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Risk Management – Real Estate, Cumberland Law School and University of Florida Law School with a Masters of Laws in Taxation.  He is a lifetime resident of Jacksonville, Florida, where he played junior golf, and continued on to play college golf.  He has a 10 year old son who plays golf and is looking forward to playing on the NFJG Tour.

Bill Hughes

PGA Tour Representative

Mr. Hughes has been with the TPC Network since September 1996, and has assumed the duties of General Manager at the TPC at Southwind and the TPC at River’s Bend. In 2003 he was transferred to TPC at Craig Ranch to oversee its opening and be the General Manager. Mr. Hughes was promoted to Regional Director, Operations in 2002 and is responsible for oversight of the TPC at Craig Ranch, TPC at Southwind, TPC at Sugarloaf and the TPC at Wakefield Plantation. Most recently he has taken on the task of General Manager at TPC Sawgrass.  

Mr. Hughes turned professional in 1979, worked as a Head Professional at Shawnee Country Club in Lima, Ohio and later accepted the position of General Manager/Director of Golf at Country Acres Golf Club in Ottawa, Ohio. Mr. Hughes has been a member of the PGA of America since 1984 and a PGA Master Professional since 1995.

Billy Dettlaff

PGA Tour Representative

Billy Dettlaff has spent over twenty years with the TPC Network and PGA TOUR.  He began his tenure with the Network as a General Manager at the TPC Eagle Trace in Coral Springs, Florida in 1987.  He has also served at TPC Michigan, TPC Jasna Polana, and TPC Sawgrass.  In 1999 he took a full-time regional role and a move to PGA TOUR Headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. He is currently the National Director of Golf based at TPC Sawgrass. 

Billy has over 35 years experience in the golf industry.  Billy is a second generation PGA Professional earning his “Class A” membership in 1981, in 1986 became the 58th PGA Master Professional, and is a member of the Quarter Century Club.  He has served at various levels of the PGA including: Chapter President; Section Vice-president; and numerous committee positions including the National Public Awareness Committee and currently serving on the National Employment Committee.  He has also been a speaker at many national PGA of America Education programs on golf management.   He has been recognized as a Chapter Golf Professional of the Year; Chapter and Section Horton Smith Award winner; and Section Merchandiser of the Year. He was also honored by Golf, Inc. Magazine in 2006 as one of America’s Twenty Most Admired Operators.

Billy has been published in numerous golf publications with articles covering merchandising, management, and golf instruction. He is also the author of A Storyteller’s Guide - The PLAYERS & TPC SAWGRASS, a unique historical piece. 

Ed Tucker

Tournament & Events Chair

Ed Tucker, age 46, grew up at the Beaches; graduate of Fletcher High School, attended Florida Community College Jacksonville, Director of Golf and Sports Operations at Amelia Island Plantation 1992 – 2004; Director of Golf Sawgrass Country Club 2004 to present; PGA Member 22 years; currently resides in Fernandina Beach with his wife Shelia and two children, Lauren and Kyle.

Richard Whittaker

Scholarship Chair

Richard Whittaker has degrees from the University of Florida and the University of North Florida.  He has worked for the Duval County Public Schools since the fall of 1971 as an Assistant Principal of Community Education, Assistant Principal for Student Services (twice),Physical Education Teacher, Head & Assistant Coach for middle school football, baseball, track& basketball.  During most of the 13 year coaching at Stilwell Middle School Richard was the Assistant Athletic Director and was the Athletic Director for the last few years before moving back into administration as an Assistant Principal for Student Services.  He and his wife of 34 years have 3 grown children.  Richard began volunteering with the NFJG when his youngest son, Kyle now 22, started playing on the “Titleist Tour”, now Level 1.  That eventually led to him becoming involved with the program as the Tournament Coordinator for Level 1 for the Summer and Winter events and later becoming a part of the Board.  Richard’s capacity with the Board has been to be the liaison between the board and parents.

Mike Lynch

PR/Marketing Chair

Mike Lynch is currently the Vice President-Owner of Golf Marketing Concepts, Inc. in Jacksonville, FL after being the Director of Golf at Windsor Parke Golf Club from 1998 to 2005.  He was elected to the PGA of America in 1992 where he has served on many different committees and held every office in the Northern Chapter PGA where he is currently serving as the Chapter Secretary.  He was a Board of Directors Founding Member of “Florida’s First Coast of Golf” and on the search committee for hiring its Director.  He was previously a Board Member and Rules Official for the PGA Tour Junior Golf Foundation and has returned as a Board Member for NFJG to serve as the PR and Marketing Chair.   He and his wife, Laura, have 5 children, Michael Jr., Shannon, Christopher, Maggie Rose and John Paul.

Clark Willey

Board Member