PGA Investigates City GM
The general manager at Clustered Spires Golf Course is under investigation by the Professional Golfers’ Association of America, according to documents obtained by The Frederick Extra. The PGA’s investigation of Scott Peterson [pictured left] stems from a complaint filed with the PGA regarding Peterson’s October 2016 testimony at the trial of his predecessor, Don Frost.
Jon Guhl, executive director of the PGA Middle Atlantic section said he could “not comment on anything internal to a PGA membership.”
Frost was fired as head pro and general manager at Clustered Spires in May 2015. Charged with multiple counts of theft in July 2015, Frost was found not guilty of reduced charges on October 24, 2016.
Frederick City hired Peterson, an assistant at Clustered Spires, to replace Frost in June 2015.
Peterson was interviewed by Frederick City Police, who began investigating Frost in February 2015. He also provided police evidence he obtained from Frost’s office, and testified for the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office against Frost in October.
The complaint against Peterson with the PGA alleges that Peterson lied under oath during testimony at Frost’s trial. Peterson recanted or admitted he misspoke, according to his testimony, several times during cross examination.
During his testimony on Oct. 20, 2016 in Frederick County Circuit Court, Peterson Winik dismantled Peterson’s testimony to the state and his initial statements to Det. Steven Petruzzello and the City of Frederick’s human resources manager Kathryn Nicolato.
Peterson testified that he worked four days a week, 8 - 10 hours a day between Oct. 2012 and December 2012, but his time sheets indicated that he worked less than 18 hours in October and fewer hours in the colder months of November and December. When Winik pressed him, Peterson said he could not recollect the specific hours.
Peterson also had to recant his earlier testimony that he had observed the receipt of golf grips to the pro shop when Winik pointed out that no invoices for grips were recorded from October 2012 through December 2012.“It must be my mistake then,” Winik said. Peterson responded that no, “it is my mistake.”“Let’s get right down to it,” Winik said. “It’s not a mistake at all. It’s a lie!”
Peterson also floundered on the question of a missing K-Vest, a training tool used to help golfers improve their swing. In his statement to police, Peterson said that Don Frost had stolen the K-Vest, which was later found at the Clustered Spires golf course.
He also said that he took photos of Frost's desk calendar in his office, and made statements about contracts that he told Winik he had only heard about, but never seen. The photos were given to The Frederick News Post for a story about Frost.
When asked why Peterson went to an elected official, Alderman Donna Kuzemchak, and didn't follow the chain of command at the city with his complaints about Frost, Peterson said he played phone tag with former Deputy Director of Parks Roelkey Myers. Myers later testified that Peterson made an appointment to see him, broke it, and upon further questioning, later said he only wanted a recreation card, and to thank Myers for allowing him to travel to Florida with Frost.
Under Winik's questioning, Peterson testified that he was unqualified for the job of head pro and general manager, but that the city had given him a year to meet the PGA certification requirement. As of today, Peterson has the credential.
The complaint to the PGA alleges that Peterson lied under oath, but no formal charges have been filed against Peterson, and may or may not influence the outcome. “An issue here [in making a determination of an infraction] is that he [Peterson] has not been charged with perjury,” said Quinn Sullivan, who testified for the defense as a golf expert. A golf professional, Quinn managed courses in Maryland and Virginia for more than 40 years.
Perjury, including lying under oath is a misdemeanor, subject to up to 10 years’ imprisonment and civil fines. Filing perjury charges, especially against its own witnesses, however, “almost never” happens, Winik said.
The State’s Attorney’s Office does have the option of referring the case to a special prosecutor, according to Frederick County State’s Attorney Charlie Smith.“It’s not required by law,” Smith said in an email. “But if it would create an appearance of impropriety, or an actual conflict of interest, we would most certainly refer to another State’s Attorneys’ Office.”
The PGA’s Code of Ethics Bylaws are fairly broad in defining violations. “The commission by a member or apprentice of any act that is unlawful or contrary to honesty and professional integrity, whether the act is committed in the course of the member’s or apprentice’s actions as a PGA Golf Professional or otherwise, whether committed within or outside the member’s or apprentice’s Section, and whether or not the act is a felony or misdemeanor, may constitute a cause for discipline.”
A PGA ethics committee will determine if Peterson violated the PGA’s Code of Ethics, likely by the end of the month, according to multiple sources. The committee can impose a variety of punitive measures from a slap on the wrist to permanent expulsion, according to its Ethics Bylaws and Regulations.
Sullivan’s known Frost since he was 10 years old, “working” at Frederick’s VFW golf course, now closed. Sullivan was the director of the course at the time. Today he’s squarely on Frost’s side.
“Scott Peterson’s actions don’t represent what the PGA stands for,” Sullivan said, “and you can quote me on that.”
Some would disagree. Frederick’s Mayor Randy McClement, Director of Public Works Zack Kershner, Deputy Director of Parks Bob Smith, and Frederick City Police Lt. Jason Keckler wrote letters to the PGA in support of Peterson. Dated Jan. 11 and Jan. 6, letters from McClement, Kershner and Smith all state that Peterson is “an exemplary employee,” with “high moral character.” All attribute the success of Clustered Spires to Peterson’s leadership since June 2015, and call his policies “effective and transparent.” Read McClement’s, Kershner’s and Smith’s letters here, here and here.
