Mark E. Darnell
Inducted 2000
Mark E. Darnell, a PGA Master Professional, was born in Indianapolis, Ind. At age 14, Darnell was one of the youngest Eagle Scouts in the country. He was an All-American and captained the golf team at Purdue University that won the NCAA Team Championship and two Big Ten Championships. During one NCAA Championship, Darnell was medalist runner-up to Jack Nicklaus. Darnell became the head golf professional at Augusta’s West Lake Country Club in the fall of 1968, and served there for 34 years. Darnell has conducted over 250 educational seminars and workshops throughout the United States and Canada. He was honored with the PGA’s National Horton Smith Award, given for outstanding and continuing contributions to golf education. Darnell was also named the National PGA Merchandiser of the Year. The West Lake Country Club golf shop was named one of America’s 100 best for 10 consecutive years. Darnell has trained 22 assistants who have since become head golf professionals.
