The North Florida PGA is proud to recognize the outstanding PGA Professionals who continue to make a meaningful impact on the game of golf, their facilities, and communities throughout our Section. Thank you to everyone who submitted an application for the 2026 North Florida PGA Awards. We look forward to formally recognizing all Chapter and Section award winners during the North Florida PGA Awards Celebration at the 2027 PGA Show on Thursday morning. We are excited to celebrate this year’s honorees and achievements.
2026 Section Award Winners
- Golf Professional of the Year
- Teacher & Coach of the Year
- Golf Executive of the Year
- Bill Strausbaugh Award
- Professional Development Award
- Patriot Award
- Youth Player Development Award
- Player Development Award
- Merchandiser of the Year - Private Category
- Merchandiser of the Year - Public Category
- Merchandiser of the Year - Resort Category
- Assistant of the Year
- Superintendent of the Year
- Sales Professional of the Year
Golf Professional of the Year
Mark Rummings, PGA | Soleta Golf Club
The Golf Professional of the Year is among the highest honors the Section and Chapters bestow on a PGA Golf Professional. It represents the individual whose contributions to the game exemplify the highest standards of the PGA Golf Professional. The award embraces and considers the wide range of services executed on the job and in the community as a foundation for recognition as a “model” PGA Golf Professional.
Teacher & Coach of the Year
Stephen Arnold, PGA | Longboat Key Club
The Teacher & Coach of the Year recognizes a PGA Golf Professional who is an outstanding PGA Teacher and Coach. This award is based on a PGA Golf Professional’s overall performance in teaching and coaching, unusual, innovative, and unique teaching programs initiated or implemented, articles published, and outstanding golfers the PGA Professional has instructed.
Golf Executive of the Year
Bruce Gerlander, PGA | Walt Disney World Golf
The Golf Executive of the Year bestows special recognition on a PGA Golf Professional who has performed outstanding services for a multiple facility/course management/ownership operation, Allied Association or golf industry executive management position. As one of the highest honors, candidates must possess outstanding qualities of leadership, vision, courage, strong moral character, and a substantial record of service to the Association and the game of golf. Individuals honored with the PGA Golf Executive of the Year award will be held as a model PGA Golf Professional.
Bill Strausbaugh Award
Patrick Dill, PGA | Omni ChampionsGate Resort
The Bill Strausbaugh Award recognizes a PGA Golf Professional who, by their day-to-day efforts, have distinguished themselves by mentoring their fellow PGA Golf Professionals in improving their careers and through service to the community.
Professional Development Award
Melissa Williams, PGA | Tara Golf & Country Club
The Professional Development Award recognizes a PGA Golf Professional who is a model educator of PGA Golf Professionals. This award is designed to give special recognition to a PGA Professional for outstanding and continuing contributions to professional development.
Patriot Award
Reagan Davis, PGA | World Golf Village
The Patriot Award recognizes a 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.
Youth Player Development Award
Gregory Coffin, PGA | Peak Performance Golf
The Youth Player Development Award recognizes a PGA Golf Professional for extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievements in youth development. This award considers the PGA Golf Professional’s youth development leadership commitment and who reflects the ideals of those working with youth.
Player Development Award
Mike McClellan, PGA | Lakewood National Golf Club
The Player Development Award recognizes a PGA Golf Professional for extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievements in player engagement. This award considers the PGA Golf Professional’s growth of the game leadership commitment and the impact made at the facility.
Merchandiser of the Year – Private Category
Matt O’Brien, PGA | Seminole Legacy Golf Club
The Merchandiser of the Year – Private Category recognizes the PGA Golf Professional who excels as a merchandiser of products and services at a private facility.
Merchandiser of the Year – Public Category
Mike Tuohy, PGA | Esplanade at Azario Lakewood Ranch
The Merchandiser of the Year – Public Category recognizes the PGA Golf Professional who excels as a merchandiser of products and services at a public facility.
Merchandiser of the Year – Resort Category
Jeremy Craft, PGA | Grand Cypress Golf
The Merchandiser of the Year – Resort Category recognizes the PGA Golf Professional who excels as a merchandiser of products and services at a resort facility.
Assistant of the Year
Philip Hoffman, PGA | The Founders Golf Club
The Assistant Professional of the Year recognizes an NFPGA Assistant Professional whose enthusiasm, growth, and leadership to their facility and involvement in their Chapter and the Section reflect the potential to lead and contribute to the future of the game and industry.
Superintendent of the Year
Clay Batson | Soleta Golf Club
The Superintendent of the Year Award recognizes a Golf Course Superintendent in the Section who is exemplary in the agronomic operations of a golf course. It represents the individual who is not only a model Golf Course Superintendent but also someone well-regarded as a supporter of their PGA Professionals and the Section.
Sales Professional of the Year
Robert Klapka | TaylorMade Golf Company
The Sales Professional of the Year Award recognizes a Sales Professional whose total contributions to the business of the game exemplify supporting a golf facility within the Chapter.
2026 East Central Chapter Award Winners
Golf Professional of the Year
Ryan Gray, PGA | Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club
The Golf Professional of the Year is among the highest honors the Section and Chapters bestow on a PGA Golf Professional. It represents the individual whose contributions to the game exemplify the highest standards of the PGA Golf Professional. The award embraces and considers the wide range of services executed on the job and in the community as a foundation for recognition as a “model” PGA Golf Professional.
Teacher & Coach of the Year
Matt Borchert, PGA | Isleworth
The Teacher & Coach of the Year recognizes a PGA Golf Professional who is an outstanding PGA Teacher and Coach. This award is based on a PGA Golf Professional’s overall performance in teaching and coaching, unusual, innovative, and unique teaching programs initiated or implemented, articles published, and outstanding golfers the PGA Professional has instructed.
Bill Strausbaugh Award
Patrick Dill, PGA | Omni ChampionsGate Resort
The Bill Strausbaugh Award recognizes a PGA Golf Professional who, by their day-to-day efforts, have distinguished themselves by mentoring their fellow PGA Golf Professionals in improving their careers and through service to the community.
Youth Player Development Award
Rod Perry, PGA | Crane Lakes Golf & Country Club
The Youth Player Development Award recognizes a PGA Golf Professional for extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievements in youth development. This award considers the PGA Golf Professional’s youth development leadership commitment and who reflects the ideals of those working with youth.
Player Development Award
Sean Stewart, PGA | Grand Cypress Golf
The Player Development Award recognizes a PGA Golf Professional for extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievements in player engagement. This award considers the PGA Golf Professional’s growth of the game leadership commitment and the impact made at the facility.
Merchandiser of the Year
Jeremy Craft, PGA | Grand Cypress Golf
The Merchandiser of the Year recognizes the PGA Golf Professional who excels as a merchandiser of products and services at a private facility.
Assistant of the Year
Brandon Hartlage | Isleworth
The Assistant Professional of the Year recognizes an NFPGA Assistant Professional whose enthusiasm, growth, and leadership to their facility and involvement in their Chapter and the Section reflect the potential to lead and contribute to the future of the game and industry.
2026 Northern Chapter Award Winners
Golf Professional of the Year
Dean Grunewald, PGA | The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach
The Golf Professional of the Year is among the highest honors the Section and Chapters bestow on a PGA Golf Professional. It represents the individual whose contributions to the game exemplify the highest standards of the PGA Golf Professional. The award embraces and considers the wide range of services executed on the job and in the community as a foundation for recognition as a “model” PGA Golf Professional.
Teacher & Coach of the Year
Matthew Sheehan, PGA | St. Johns Golf & Country Club
The Teacher & Coach of the Year recognizes a PGA Golf Professional who is an outstanding PGA Teacher and Coach. This award is based on a PGA Golf Professional’s overall performance in teaching and coaching, unusual, innovative, and unique teaching programs initiated or implemented, articles published, and outstanding golfers the PGA Professional has instructed.
Bill Strausbaugh Award
Matt Stewart, PGA | Hammock Dunes Club
The Bill Strausbaugh Award recognizes a PGA Golf Professional who, by their day-to-day efforts, have distinguished themselves by mentoring their fellow PGA Golf Professionals in improving their careers and through service to the community.
Youth Player Development Award
Justin Brown, PGA | TPC Sawgrass
The Youth Player Development Award recognizes a PGA Golf Professional for extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievements in youth development. This award considers the PGA Golf Professional’s youth development leadership commitment and who reflects the ideals of those working with youth.
Player Development Award
Aaron Russell, PGA | Sawgrass Country Club
The Player Development Award recognizes a PGA Golf Professional for extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievements in player engagement. This award considers the PGA Golf Professional’s growth of the game leadership commitment and the impact made at the facility.
Merchandiser of the Year
Nate Marozzi, PGA | Sawgrass Country Club
The Merchandiser of the Year recognizes the PGA Golf Professional who excels as a merchandiser of products and services at a private facility.
Assistant of the Year
Jackson Cheek | Ponte Vedra Inn & Club
The Assistant Professional of the Year recognizes an NFPGA Assistant Professional whose enthusiasm, growth, and leadership to their facility and involvement in their Chapter and the Section reflect the potential to lead and contribute to the future of the game and industry.
2026 Southwest Chapter Award Winners
Golf Professional of the Year
Mark Rummings, PGA | Soleta Golf Club
The Golf Professional of the Year is among the highest honors the Section and Chapters bestow on a PGA Golf Professional. It represents the individual whose contributions to the game exemplify the highest standards of the PGA Golf Professional. The award embraces and considers the wide range of services executed on the job and in the community as a foundation for recognition as a “model” PGA Golf Professional.
Teacher & Coach of the Year
Greg Lewandrowski, PGA | GOLFTEC – Sarasota
The Teacher & Coach of the Year recognizes a PGA Golf Professional who is an outstanding PGA Teacher and Coach. This award is based on a PGA Golf Professional’s overall performance in teaching and coaching, unusual, innovative, and unique teaching programs initiated or implemented, articles published, and outstanding golfers the PGA Professional has instructed.
Bill Strausbaugh Award
Mike Tuohy, PGA | Esplanade at Azario Lakewood Ranch
The Bill Strausbaugh Award recognizes a PGA Golf Professional who, by their day-to-day efforts, have distinguished themselves by mentoring their fellow PGA Golf Professionals in improving their careers and through service to the community.
Youth Player Development Award
Vanessa Fassler, PGA | Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club
The Youth Player Development Award recognizes a PGA Golf Professional for extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievements in youth development. This award considers the PGA Golf Professional’s youth development leadership commitment and who reflects the ideals of those working with youth.
Player Development Award
Mike McClellan, PGA | Lakewood National Golf Club
The Player Development Award recognizes a PGA Golf Professional for extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievements in player engagement. This award considers the PGA Golf Professional’s growth of the game leadership commitment and the impact made at the facility.
Merchandiser of the Year
Aaron Crooks, PGA | Soleta Golf Club
The Merchandiser of the Year recognizes the PGA Golf Professional who excels as a merchandiser of products and services at a private facility.
Assistant of the Year
Jack Lynam | Esplanade at Azario Lakewood Ranch
The Assistant Professional of the Year recognizes an NFPGA Assistant Professional whose enthusiasm, growth, and leadership to their facility and involvement in their Chapter and the Section reflect the potential to lead and contribute to the future of the game and industry.
2026 West Central Chapter Award Winners
Golf Professional of the Year
Justin Sheehan, PGA | Pelican Golf Club
The Golf Professional of the Year is among the highest honors the Section and Chapters bestow on a PGA Golf Professional. It represents the individual whose contributions to the game exemplify the highest standards of the PGA Golf Professional. The award embraces and considers the wide range of services executed on the job and in the community as a foundation for recognition as a “model” PGA Golf Professional.
Teacher & Coach of the Year
Dustin Olehowski, PGA | Old Memorial Golf Club
The Teacher & Coach of the Year recognizes a PGA Golf Professional who is an outstanding PGA Teacher and Coach. This award is based on a PGA Golf Professional’s overall performance in teaching and coaching, unusual, innovative, and unique teaching programs initiated or implemented, articles published, and outstanding golfers the PGA Professional has instructed.
Youth Player Development Award
Gregory Coffin, PGA | Peak Performance Golf
The Youth Player Development Award recognizes a PGA Golf Professional for extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievements in youth development. This award considers the PGA Golf Professional’s youth development leadership commitment and who reflects the ideals of those working with youth.
Player Development Award
Jim Slattery, PGA | Belleair Country Club
The Player Development Award recognizes a PGA Golf Professional for extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievements in player engagement. This award considers the PGA Golf Professional’s growth of the game leadership commitment and the impact made at the facility.
Merchandiser of the Year
Luke Arentz, PGA | Old Memorial Golf Club
The Merchandiser of the Year recognizes the PGA Golf Professional who excels as a merchandiser of products and services at a private facility.
Assistant of the Year
Michael Ramos, PGA | Belleair Country Club
The Assistant Professional of the Year recognizes an NFPGA Assistant Professional whose enthusiasm, growth, and leadership to their facility and involvement in their Chapter and the Section reflect the potential to lead and contribute to the future of the game and industry.