Sarasota, Fla. (Nov. 12, 2026) – Sara Bay Country Club—a member-owned private golf club holding a significant place in American golf history—announces the hiring of Shane Fiala, PGA, as its Head Golf Professional. Fiala becomes the 16th golf professional in the club’s 100-year history, joining a distinguished roster that began in 1926 with the legendary Tommy Armour.
Most recently, Fiala was Head Golf Professional at Philadelphia Cricket Club. Prior, he was Lead Assistant at Round Hill Club (Greenwich, Conn.) and held positions at Naples (Fla.) National Golf Club, The Country Club (Chestnut Hill, Mass.), and Wianno Club (Osterville, Mass.). He is a 2019 graduate of Coastal Carolina University, where he earned his bachelor’s in accounting and professional golf management.
“I’m honored to join Sara Bay at such an exciting moment in the club’s history,” said Fiala. “The opportunity to serve a membership with such a deep appreciation for the game—and to help carry forward the legacy of this remarkable club—is incredibly meaningful. With my fiancée’s ties to the area, we’re also thrilled to make Southwest Florida our home and become part of the Sarasota community.”
Fiala’s appointment perfectly complements other exciting developments as Sara Bay begins its second century. The club will soon unveil a multi-million-dollar renovation of its original, Spanish-Renaissance-style clubhouse. That follows the recent renovation of its Donald Ross-designed layout—long regarded as one of the famous architect’s finest creations. Kris Spence oversaw the restoration of the greens, green surrounds, and angles of play originally designed by Ross but changed over a century of play.
In 1926, the just-opened Ross course attained a spot in golf history, hosting the “Match of the Century” between Walter Hagen and Bobby Jones. It was also the site of the PGA Senior Championships in 1940 and 1941, as well as the LPGA Sarasota Open from 1952-54 and the Symetra Sara Bay Classic from 2012-17.
“As Sara Bay enters its second century, we’re honoring the traditions that have defined this club while making thoughtful investments in its future,” said club president Perry Pogany. “Shane’s appointment is an important part of that progress. His experience at renowned clubs, and his leadership and commitment to exceptional member service will help us build on our proud history and ensure that Sara Bay continues to thrive for generations to come.”
Fiala begins his tenure on November 14th following the retirement of Daren King, who served as Sara Bay’s Head Golf Professional for 26 years. Golf Business Network assisted the club in its search.
For more information, visit https://sarabaycc.org.
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