Chris Gumbach of Bartlet was recently elected the 25th President of the Illinois Professional Golfers' Association of America at the Association's fall meeting. Gumbach previously served on the Illinois PGA Board of Directors from 2007-2012.
 
Gumbach, 40, succeeds Casey Brozek of Cary. Bozek will continue to serve on the Illinois PGA Board of Directors as Honorary President.

"The Illinois PGA is excited as Chris begins his term as President," said Michael Miller, executive director of the Illinois PGA. "His passion and dedication to assist his fellow PGA professionals, and his commitment to positioning the Association in an influential role within the community is inspiring. There is no doubt his leadership as President will help us continue to advance our mission of growing the game."
 
Born and raised in Binghamton, N.Y., Gumbach is in his 18th year at River Forest Country Club in Elmhurst, serving the past seven years as the PGA head golf professional.
 
Growing up in Binghamton, Gumbach was a standout golfer, competing on the Chenango Forks High School varsity golf team since the seventh grade. He wanted to make golf a career and entered the PGA Golf Management Program at New Mexico State University.
 
After graduating he began his professional career as an assistant at River Forest Country Club, where he interned the previous year.
 
Gumbach was elected to PGA Membership in 1997 and has served in a leadership capacity on the Illinois PGA Board of Directors since 2007. He also served on the Tournament Committee from 2007-2012 and was chairman of the Sponsorship Committee from 2010-2012. Gumbach was honored as the 1999 Illinois PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year.