Award Winners
Golf Professional of the Year Award
Brian Riddle, PGA | TPC Sawgrass The PGA Golf Professional of the Year is among the highest honors the Section and Chapters bestow on a Club Professional. It represents the individual whose contributions to the game exemplify the highest standards of the PGA Club 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 Club Professional.
Teacher & Coach of the Year
Noah Vinyard, PGA | Countryside Country Club The PGA Teacher and Coach of the Year Award recognizes a PGA Professional who is an outstanding PGA Teacher and Coach. This award is based on a PGA 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.
2023 Rolex Player of the Year
Greg Koch, PGA | Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Orlando, Grande Lakes
2023 Rolex Women’s Player of the Year
Stephanie Connelly-Eiswerth, PGA | San Jose Country Club
2023 Rolex Senior Player of the Year
Jonathan Mansfield, PGA | Clearwater Country Club
2023 Rolex Assistant Player of the Year
Sandra Changkija, PGA | ChampionsGate Golf Club
NFPGA Assistant of the Year
Nick Nuzzo, PGA | TPC Sawgrass The NFPGA Assistant of the Year Award recognizes an NPGA 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.
Bill Strausbaugh Award
Rob Anderson, PGA | Old Memorial Golf Club The Bill Strausbaugh Award recognizes a PGA Professional who, by their day-to-day efforts, have distinguished themselves by mentoring their fellow PGA Professionals in improving their careers and through service to the community.
PGA Professional Development Award
Missy Williams, PGA | Tara Golf & Country Club The PGA Professional Development Award recognizes a PGA Professional who is a model educator of PGA Professionals. This award is designed to give special recognition to a PGA Professional for outstanding and continuing contributions to professional development.
Patriot Award
Bob Biroscak, PGA | Life Member The Patriot Award recognizes a PGA 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 | Brooksville Country Club The Deacon Palmer Award recognizes a PGA Golf Professional who personally displays outstanding integrity, character, and leadership while overcoming a significant obstacle in their life. This PGA Professional is an unsung hero/heroine at work and in their community who inspires, empowers, and assists others inside and outside the game.
PGA Youth Player Development Award
Jack Aschenbach, PGA | North Florida Junior Golf Foundation The PGA Youth Player Development Award recognizes a PGA Professional for extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievements in youth development. This award considers the PGA Professional’s youth development leadership commitment and who reflects the ideals of those working with youth.
PGA Player Development Award
Thomas Gullo, PGA | Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club The PGA Player Development Award recognizes a PGA Professional for extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievements in player engagement. This award considers the PGA Professional’s growth of the game leadership commitment and the impact made at the facility.
PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Private)
Rob Anderson, PGA | Old Memorial Golf Club The Merchandiser of the Year recognizes the PGA Professional who excels as a merchandiser of products and services at a private facility.
PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Resort)
Brian Riddle, PGA | TPC Sawgrass The Merchandiser of the Year recognizes the PGA Professional who excels as a merchandiser of products and services at a resort facility.
PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Public)
Mike Tuohy, PGA | Esplanade at Azario Lakewood Ranch The Merchandiser of the Year recognizes the PGA Professional who excels as a merchandiser of products and services at a public facility.