To win a North Florida PGA Section award is to define what it means to be a PGA Golf Professional. Twelve North Florida PGA Golf Professionals have been selected for this year’s Section Awards, as recognized by their peers, for their outstanding achievements throughout 2023. The NFPGA Section Awards recognize the exemplary service, dedication, and accomplishments of NFPGA Members on and off the course.
Join us on Sunday, June 9th, as we recognize the following members at the NFPGA Annual Meeting and Celebration of Members. Sincerest congratulations to all the award winners!
PGA Golf Professional of the Year
Brian Riddle, PGA | Head Golf Professional, TPC Sawgrass
The PGA Golf Professional of the Year is among the highest honors the Association can bestow on a working club professional whose total contributions to the game exemplify the complete PGA Golf Professional. This award embraces a wide range of services executed by the club professional.
Teacher & Coach of the Year
Noah Vinyard, PGA | Director of Instruction, Countryside Country Club
The Teacher & Coach of the Year is designed to recognize a PGA Golf Professional who is an outstanding teacher of golf among the ranks of PGA membership. This award is based on a professional’s overall performance in teaching, unusual, innovative, and special teaching programs initiated or implemented, articles published, and outstanding golfers the professional has instructed.
PGA Assistant of the Year
Nick Nuzzo, PGA | Assistant Golf Professional, TPC Sawgrass
The PGA Assistant of the Year is designed to recognize the Assistant PGA Golf Professional whose enthusiasm, growth, and leadership of the facility and involvement in the Chapter reflect the potential to lead and contribute to the future of the game and industry.
Bill Strausbaugh Award
Rob Anderson, PGA | General Manager, Old Memorial Club
The Bill Strausbaugh Award is designed to recognize PGA Golf Professionals who, by their day-to-day efforts, have distinguished themselves by mentoring their fellow PGA Golf Professionals in improving their employment situations and through service to the community.
PGA Professional Development Award
Missy Williams, PGA | Head Golf Professional, Tara Golf & Country Club
The Professional Development Award recognizes the PGA Golf Professional, who is the model educator of PGA Golf Professionals. This award is designed to give special recognition to an individual PGA Golf Professional for outstanding and continuing contributions to professional education.
Patriot Award
Bob Biroscak, PGA | Life Member
The Patriot Award is presented to the PGA 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.
Deacon Palmer Award
Tom Shea, PGA | Teaching Professional, Brooksville Country Club
The Deacon Palmer Award honors the PGA Golf Professional who personally displays outstanding integrity, character, and leadership in the effort to overcome a major obstacle in their life.
Youth Player Development Award
Jack Aschenbach, PGA | Tournament Director, North Florida Junior Golf Foundation
The Youth Player Development Award recognizes the PGA Golf Professional who has displayed outstanding leadership in junior golf and reflects the ideals of those working with youth.
PGA Player Development Award
Thomas Gullo, PGA | Director of Instruction, Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club
The Player Development Award recognizes the PGA Golf Professional who has contributed extraordinarily to player development. This award considers the Professional’s growth of the game, leadership, commitment at the Section and National levels in player development, and the meaningful impact made at the facility.
PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Private)
Rob Anderson, PGA | General Manager, Old Memorial Club
The Merchandiser of the Year is designed to recognize those PGA 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.
PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Public)
Mike Tuohy, PGA | Head Golf Professional, Esplanade at Azario Lakewood Ranch
The Merchandiser of the Year is designed to recognize those PGA Golf Professionals who have excelled as business persons/merchandisers in the promotion of golf. The PGA honors PGA Golf Professionals in three categories: Private, Public, and Resort facilities.
PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Resort)
Brian Riddle, PGA | Head Golf Professional, TPC Sawgrass
The Merchandiser of the Year is designed to recognize those PGA Golf Professionals who have excelled as business persons/merchandisers in the promotion of golf. The PGA honors PGA Golf Professionals in three categories: Private, Public, and Resort facilities.