Wednesday, January 22, 2025

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.