Nominations for the Philadelphia PGA Section’s 2026 awards class are now being accepted by the Section’s Awards Committee. To nominate a PGA of America Golf Professional for one of the awards listed below, please complete the form by clicking the below button. The nomination deadline is August 21.
- Golf Professional of the Year
- Teacher & Coach of the Year
- Professional Development Award
- Bill Strausbaugh Award
- Player Development Award
- Youth Player Development Award
- Merchandiser of the Year – Private Category
- Merchandiser of the Year – Public Category
- Merchandiser of the Year – Resort Category
- Justin Riegel Assistant Golf Professional of the Year
- Patriot Award
- Deacon Palmer Award
- Golf Salesperson of the Year
Descriptions for each award are listed below. Any questions about the awards nomination process should be directed to Philadelphia PGA Director of Operations Matt Frey, PGA, at mfrey@pgahq.com.
Award Descriptions
SUBMIT NOMINATIONS
Golf Professional of the Year: The Golf Professional of the Year award bestows special recognition on a PGA of America Member who has performed outstanding services as an overall PGA Professional. As one of the highest honors the Philadelphia PGA Section can bestow, candidates must possess outstanding qualities of leadership, strong moral character, and a substantial record of service to the Association and the game of golf. Individuals honored with the Golf Professional of the Year award will be held as a model PGA of America Golf Professional. Minimum criteria:
- Candidate must have been a Class A PGA Member in good standing for a minimum total of 10 years;
- Candidate has developed the image , reputation, and ability to inspire fellow PGA Members as a PGA Professional;
- Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service to the Association and game of golf, as well as helping to further educate and train their fellow PGA Professionals;
- Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service and promotion toward the growth of the game of golf.
Teacher & Coach of the Year: The Teacher & Coach of the Year award bestows special recognition on a PGA of America Member who has performed outstanding services as a golf teacher and coach. Minimum criteria:
- Candidate must have been a Class A PGA Member in good standing for a minimum total of 10 years;
- Candidate has developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire fellow PGA Members with an emphasis on teaching and coaching;
- Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service to the game of golf, as well as helping to further educate their fellow PGA professionals with an emphasis on teaching and coaching;
- Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service and promotion toward the growth of the game;
- Candidate must have attended or conducted a minimum combined total of 10 national teaching workshops, teaching / coaching summits or Section teaching workshops or teaching / coaching summits within the last 15 years.
Professional Development Award: The Professional Development Award bestows special recognition on a PGA of America Golf Professional who personally displays a strong desire for lifelong education to include outstanding and continuing contributions to professional education. Minimum criteria:
- Candidate must have been a Class A PGA Member in good standing for a minimum total of 10 years;
- Candidate has developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire fellow PGA Members with an emphasis in the area of education and training PGA Professionals;
- Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service to the PGA of America and the game of golf to further educate and train fellow PGA Members, Associates, and industry stakeholders;
- Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service and promotion toward the growth of the game;
- Candidate must be one of the following: Master Professional, Certified Professional, served as an Associate Subject Matter Expert (SME), adjunct PGA faculty member, or have conducted and/or taught at a minimum combined total of 10 national education programs / workshops (to include PGA PGM) or Section education programs / workshops within the last 10 years.
Bill Strausbaugh Award: The Bill Strausbaugh Award bestows special recognition on a PGA of America Golf Professional who personally displays outstanding integrity, character, and leadership through a commitment to mentoring and making significant impacts on the careers of PGA Professionals. In the spirit of the award, “mentoring” shall be defined as: “Mentoring is supporting professionals to manage their own development so they can maximize their PGA career potential. The PGA mentor empowers, enables, advises, challenges, and encourages professionals to enhance their professional skills, strengthen their level of service, improve
their work performance, and become the PGA Member that they aspire to be.” Minimum criteria:
- Candidate must have been a Class A PGA Member in good standing for a minimum total of 10 years;
- Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service to the PGA of America in the effort to further the careers of fellow PGA Professionals as a mentor, counselor, teacher and advisor;
- Candidate has developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire fellow PGA Members with an emphasis in the area of leadership and service to the Association, individual PGA Professionals, and the community at-large;
- Candidate must have maintained a continual record of service and promotion of the game of golf and golf industry within the specific area of employment and club relations.
Player Development Award: The Player Development Award bestows special recognition on a PGA of America Golf Professional, who has displayed extraordinary and exemplary contribution and achievement in the area of player development. The award considers the PGA Professionals growth of the game leadership, commitment at the Section and national levels in the player development arena, and the meaningful impact made at the facility. Minimum criteria:
- Candidate must currently be a Class A PGA Member in good standing and involved in player development as either a PGA Member or Associate for a minimum total of 10 years;
- Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service to the PGA of America, Section, facility, and golf industry in the area of player development;
- Candidate has developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire fellow PGA Members with an emphasis in the area of player development;
- Candidate must have maintained a continual record of service and promotion of the game of golf and golf industry in the effort to grow meaningful participation in the game.
Youth Player Development Award: The Youth Player Development Award bestows special recognition on a PGA of America Golf Professional, who had displayed extraordinary and exemplary contribution and achievement in the area of youth player development. The award considers the PGA Professionals focus on youth through their growth of the game leadership, commitment at the Section and national levels in the youth player development arena, and the meaningful impact made upon youth through the introduction and participation in the game. Minimum criteria:
- Candidate must currently be a Class A PGA Member in good standing and involved in youth player development efforts as either a PGA Member or Associate for a minimum of 10 years;
- Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service to the PGA of America, Section, facility, and golf industry in the area of youth player development;
- Candidate has developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire fellow PGA Members with an emphasis in the area of youth player development; Candidate must have maintained a continual record of service, promotion of the game of golf, as well as a proven interest and ability to provide opportunities and experiences for youth to learn, play and participate in the game.
Merchandiser of the Year (Private, Public and Resort Categories): The Merchandiser of the Year award is designed to recognize those PGA of America Golf Professionals who have excelled as business persons / merchandisers in the promotion of golf. The PGA honors PGA Professionals in three categories: Private, Public, and Resort facilities. Minimum criteria: Demonstration of skills in planning of sales by presenting products to their market on a timely basis, and through the use of specialized merchandising techniques that include display and advertising.
Justin Riegel Assistant Golf Professional of the Year: The Assistant Golf Professional of the Year award recognizes an PGA of America Assistant Golf Professional who displays extraordinary service and commitment at their facility and within the industry. The award considers a professionals focus on facility operations, section and/or community service and growth of the game. Minimum criteria:
- Candidate must be a PGA of America Member in good standing;
- Candidate must be well regarded as a model PGA Member;
- Demonstration and acknowledgement as an individual of outstanding leadership and strong moral character.
Patriot Award: The Patriot Award bestows special recognition on a PGA of America Golf Professional who personifies patriotism through the game of golf and demonstrates unwavering commitment and dedication to the men and women who have valiantly served and protected the United States of America. Minimum criteria:
- Candidate must currently by a Class A Member in good standing and involved in military programming efforts as either a PGA Member or Associate for a minimum total of 10 years;
- Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of contribution and support to the United States Armed Forces and Active Duty and Reserved personnel and veterans;
- Candidate must have displayed proven interest, concern, and ability to provide opportunities and experience for active duty, reservists, and veterans to learn and play golf;
- Candidate must have shown an ability to inspire fellow PGA Members with an emphasis in the area of service to the military;
- Candidate must have maintained a continual record of service, promotion of the game of golf, and proven interest and ability to provide opportunities and experiences for military personnel to learn, play and participate in the game.
Deacon Palmer Award: The Deacon Palmer Award bestows special recognition on a PGA Professional who personally displays outstanding integrity, character and leadership, in the effort to overcome a major obstacle in their life. This individual is an unsung hero / heroine at their facility and in their community, who serves to inspire, empower and assist other, both inside and outside of the game. Minimum criteria:
- Candidate must have been a Class A PGA Member in good standing and/or Associate for a minimum total of 10 years combined;
- Candidate must be well regarded as a model PGA Member, demonstrating outstanding leadership traits, and strong moral character;
- Candidate has developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire, empower, and encourage success and achievement in individuals regardless of obstacles, disabilities, and personal challenges or otherwise;
- Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service to be PGA of America, fellow PGA Professionals, their facility, and the community in the effort to enhance and improve the quality of life for all individuals;
- Candidate must have maintained a continual record of service and promotion of the game of golf and golf industry.
Golf Salesperson of the Year: The Golf Salesperson of the Year award recognizes a sales representative who shows a first class level of service to the industry and the PGA Professionals they serve within the Section. Consideration should be given to support in any way of the Section, charity or community.
About the Philadelphia PGA Section The Philadelphia PGA Section, covering eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware, is one of 41 geographical managing entities of the PGA of America. This Section manages nearly 900 PGA of America Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.
Contact: Matt Frey, Director of Operations, mfrey@pgahq.com
