Special Awards

2025 Special Awards Timeline

*For the award categories with more than five nominees, the Special Award Sub Committee will reduce the number of candidates to be placed on the ballot to a maximum of five in each category. 

ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

• Strengths as a player/teacher/merchandiser/tournament administrator/businessperson and overall golf professional
• Contributions made to the success of the candidate’s facility and the game of golf itself
• Character, image, and integrity of the candidate
• Examples of the candidate’s mentors

BILL STRAUSBAUGH AWARD

• Involvement and significant contribution through mentoring of fellow PGA Professionals/Associates/PGM students
• Recognition as a person of outstanding integrity and character that reinforces the values and image of the association
• Level of service and activity to the Section, Association, and the game itself
• Previous awards and participation in non-golf community/civic activities

GOLF EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

• Performed outstanding services for a multiple facility/course management/ownership operation, Allied Association, or golf industry executive management position
• Served in an executive management position for at least three years
• Maintained substantial record of service to the Association and the promotion of golf as well as helping to further educate, train and mentor their fellow PGA professionals through innovation and support of player development
• Be well regarded as a model PGA member and possess outstanding qualities of leadership, vision, courage and strong moral character
• Developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire fellow PGA members as a PGA Professional

GOLF PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

• Strengths as a player/teacher/merchandiser/tournament administrator/leader/mentor and lifelong example of a model golf professional
• Examples of contributions made to candidate’s facility and the game of golf within the Michigan Section
• Previous awards and non-golf community involvement

MERCHANDISER OF THE YEAR (PRIVATE, PUBLIC AND RESORT)

• Summary of exemplary retail philosophy and image
• Examples of excellence in profit margin/stock turn/cost of goods/sales/dollars per round/inventory mix and other metrics used to evaluate golf shops
• Innovation in displays, merchandising techniques, staff training and the overall success and growth of the candidate’s operation
• Continued education and advancement in the retail arena

PATRIOT AWARD

• Contributions and support of the US Armed Forces personnel and veterans
• Examples of providing opportunities for US Armed Forces personnel and veterans to learn and play golf
• Outstanding leadership and a strong moral character
• Continued growth and success in programs and fundraising for Folds of Honor or other similar military initiatives

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AWARD

• Recognition as a PGA Professional for extraordinary efforts in administering Play Golf America initiatives
• Development of candidate’s own programs that support both growth and exposure to the game of golf
• Overall image of the professional as a teacher/coach
• Use of innovative techniques and specialty certifications that enhance the candidate’s programs and ability as a golf instructor

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARD

• Candidate’s contributions, techniques and support of both National and Section Education programs and seminars
• Articles or programs that directly relate to education of fellow PGA Professionals
• Contributions made by the candidate to grow and strengthen the image of a PGA Professional
• Examples of the candidate’s leadership and networking ability

TEACHER & COACH OF THE YEAR

• Overall impact on teaching/coaching at the candidate’s facility to include number/hours of lessons/clinics and dollars generated
• Unusual, innovative or special teaching programs initiated or implemented
• Instructional articles, videos or publications written or produced
• Examples of innovative techniques/technologies used or specialty certifications that enhance the candidate’s programs, lessons and ability as an instructor
• Continued education and training in the area of golf instruction

YOUTH PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AWARD

• Number of participants and length/frequency of junior golf clinics
• Amount and overall size of junior golf tournaments
• Teacher-to-student ratio and agenda of junior golf program to include goals and metrics of success
• Previous awards or non-golf community/civic involvement

Awards that require the candidate must have been a Class A PGA member in good standing for a minimum total of 10 years to win National Award: Golf Executive, Golf Professional, Teacher & Coach of the Year, Bill Strausbaugh, and Professional Development Award.

Awards that require the candidate must have been a Class A PGA member in good standing and/or Associate for a minimum total of 10 years combined to win National Award: Player Development, Youth Player Development, and Patriot Award.

Criteria includes:

• Strengths as a player/teacher/merchandiser/tournament administrator/business person and overall golf professional.
• Contributions made to the success of the candidate’s facility and the game of golf itself.
• Character, image and integrity of the candidate.
• Examples of the candidate’s mentors.

Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Award Winners

Criteria includes:

• Involvement and significant contribution through mentoring of fellow PGA professionals/apprentices/PGM students.
• Recognition as a person of outstanding integrity and character that reinforces the values and image of the association.
• Level of service and activity to the section, association and the game itself.
• Previous awards and participation in non-golf community/civic activities.

Bill Strausbaugh Award Winners

The Deacon Palmer Award honors a PGA Professional who personally displays outstanding integrity, character and leadership in the effort to overcome a major obstacle in their life.

Monty Elam | 2018 Deacon Palmer Award Winner

Watch Monty’s National Special Award Video

In 2007, Monty had a routine eye procedure that went terribly wrong and left him completely blind. After six months, a special procedure enabled him to regain limited sight in his left eye, while he remained completely blind in his right eye.

The advice from health professionals was to give up his dream and leave the golf business. However, Monty knew that was NOT an option, as he was ready to tackle the new challenges he faced, while determined to continue his lifelong passion as a PGA Member. Elam’s ability to adapt to different situations, combined with his knowledge of club operations and impeccable attention to detail, has allowed him to re-assume a leadership role at his club.

Monty, a 23-year PGA Member, is an advocate for individuals with special needs, as his facility hosts several programs annually for golfers with disabilities. Monty is an inspiration through his actions and commitment to excellence on a daily basis.

The Award honors outstanding individuals who display leadership and humanitarian qualities, including integrity, sportsmanship and enthusiasm for the game of golf.

Distinguished Service Award Winners

Criteria includes:

• Performed outstanding services for a multiple facility/course management/ownership operation, Allied Association, or golf industry executive management position
• Served in an executive management position for at least three years
• Maintained substantial record of service to the Association and the promotion of golf as well as helping to further educate, train and mentor their fellow PGA professionals through innovation and support of player development
• Be well regarded as a model PGA member and possess outstanding qualities of leadership, vision, courage and strong moral character
• Developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire fellow PGA members as a PGA Professional

Golf Executive of the Year Award Winners

Criteria includes:

• Strengths as a player/teacher/merchandiser/tournament administrator/leader/mentor and lifelong example of a model golf professional.
• Examples of contributions made to candidate’s facility and the game of golf within the Michigan Section.
• Previous awards and non-golf community involvement.

Golf Professional of the Year Award Winners

* National Award Winner

In recognition for providing exceptional media coverage in helping the PGA Member and Association become more visible.

Media Award Winners

Criteria includes:

• Summary of exemplary retail philosophy and image.
• Examples of excellence in profit margin/stock turn/cost of goods/sales/dollars per round/inventory mix and other metrics used to evaluate golf shops.
• Innovation in displays, merchandising techniques, staff training and the overall success and growth of the candidate’s operation.
• Continued education and advancement in the retail arena

Merchandiser of the Year-Private Award Winners

*National Award Winner

Criteria includes:

• Summary of exemplary retail philosophy and image.
• Examples of excellence in profit margin/stock turn/cost of goods/sales/dollars per round/inventory mix and other metrics used to evaluate golf shops.
• Innovation in displays, merchandising techniques, staff training and the overall success and growth of the candidate’s operation.
• Continued education and advancement in the retail arena

Merchandiser of the Year-Public Award Winners

Criteria includes:

• Summary of exemplary retail philosophy and image.
• Examples of excellence in profit margin/stock turn/cost of goods/sales/dollars per round/inventory mix and other metrics used to evaluate golf shops.
• Innovation in displays, merchandising techniques, staff training and the overall success and growth of the candidate’s operation.
• Continued education and advancement in the retail arena

Merchandiser of the Year-Resort Award Winners

Criteria includes:

• Contributions and support of the US Armed Forces personnel and veterans.
• Examples of providing opportunities for US Armed Forces personnel and veterans to learn and play golf.
• Outstanding leadership and a strong moral character.
• Continued growth and success in programs and fundraising for Folds of Honor or other similar military initiatives.

Patriot Award Winners

Criteria includes:

• Recognition as a PGA Professional for extraordinary efforts in administering Play Golf America initiatives.
• Development of candidate’s own programs that support both growth and exposure to the game of golf.
• Overall image of the professional as a teacher/coach.
• Use of innovative techniques and specialty certifications that enhance the candidate’s programs and ability as a golf instructor.

Player Development Award Winners

Criteria includes:

• Candidate’s contributions, techniques and support of both National and Section Education programs and seminars.
• Articles or programs that directly relate to education of fellow PGA Professionals.
• Contributions made by the candidate to grow and strengthen the image of a PGA Professional.
• Examples of the candidate’s leadership and networking ability.

Professional Development Award Winners

*National Award Winners

Criteria includes:

• Overall impact on teaching/coaching at the candidate’s facility to include number/hours of lessons/clinics and dollars generated.
• Unusual, innovative or special teaching programs initiated or implemented.
• Instructional articles, videos or publications written or produces.
• Examples of innovative techniques/technologies used or specialty certifications that enhance the candidate’s programs, lessons and ability as an instructor.
• Continued education and training in the area of golf instruction.

Teacher & Coach of the Year Award Winners

Criteria includes:

• Number of participants and length/frequency of junior golf clinics.
• Amount and overall size of junior golf tournaments.
• Teacher to students ratio and agenda of junior golf program to include goals and metrics of success.
• Previous awards or non-golf community/civic involvement.

Youth Player Development Award Winners