2024 Award Winners
Golf Professional of the Year
Bruce Etter, PGA
Chattanooga Golf & Country Club
The Tennessee PGA Golf Professional of the Year Award is the highest honor paid to a PGA golf professional who has demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities, demonstrated a strong moral character, has maintained a substantial record of service to the Association and game of golf, and is well regarded as a model PGA Professional. The award is presented to an individual based upon their: Overall performance as a golf professional at his/her facility, level of service to his/her Section and to the Association, leadership ability, image, and ability to inspire fellow professionals, promotion and growth of the game of golf.
Bill Strausbaugh Award
Jason LePage, PGA
Cherokee Country Club
The Bill Strausbaugh Club Relations Award recognizes PGA Professionals who by their day-to-day efforts have made significant contributions through mentoring of fellow PGA Professionals. The award also considers the integrity and character of the PGA member, proven leadership ability, service to the Association, and involvement in community and charitable activities. The award is presented to an individual based upon their contributions to: building the image of the game of golf, the PGA Professional, and the Association, Involvement and significant contributions through mentoring of PGA Professionals and impacting their careers, Overall integrity and character of the PGA Member, and involvement in community and Association activities including civic and charitable activities.
Assistant Golf Professional of the Year
Jeremy Davis
Council Fire Club
The Tennessee Section Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Award is the highest honor paid to a PGA Assistant Golf Professional. The award is presented to an individual who has excelled in: Overall job performance at his/her facility, Level of service to his/her Chapter and Section, Leadership ability, Participation in Chapter and Section activities, and Promotion of the game of golf.
PGA Professional Development Award
Braxton Hunter, PGA
Fairways and Greens Golf Center
Established in 1970, the PGA Professional Development Award is designed to recognize golf professionals for their outstanding and continued contributions to developing and improving education opportunities for the PGA golf professional. The award is presented to and individual for their: Contributions to the National & Section PGA Education programs, Contributions and assistance toward the development of articles which benefit and relate to education, and Contributions to building the image of both the PGA Golf Professional and the Association.
Private Merchandiser of the Year
Bruce Bowen, PGA
The Olde Farm
Established in 1980, the PGA Merchandiser of the Year Award (Private/Public & Resort) recognizes those PGA golf professionals who have demonstrated superior skills as merchandisers in the promotion of golf. In order to be eligible for this award, the individual must be a PGA Member in good standing and employed at a private facility. The award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated ability in: Creating a successful merchandise plan, Merchandising performance, Merchandising philosophy, Inventory mix, Staff training and shop operations, and Effective use of specialized merchandising techniques including, displays, presentations, and advertising campaigns.
Public Merchandiser of the Year
Matt Poff, PGA
Gatlinburg Golf Course
Established in 1980, the PGA Merchandiser of the Year Award (Private/Public & Resort) recognizes those PGA golf professionals who have demonstrated superior skills as merchandisers in the promotion of golf. In order to be eligible for this award, the individual must be a PGA Member in good standing and employed at a private facility. The award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated ability in: Creating a successful merchandise plan, Merchandising performance, Merchandising philosophy, Inventory mix, Staff training and shop operations, and Effective use of specialized merchandising techniques including, displays, presentations, and advertising campaigns.
Richard Eller Growth of the Game Award
Jeremy Beachner, PGA
Pine Oaks Golf Club
Established in 2003, the Richard Eller Growth of the Game Award recognizes a Tennessee PGA golf professional for their outstanding and continuing contributions to the Growth of the Game. The award is presented to and individual who has: Established player development programs at their facility, Increased rounds of golf at their facility, Promoted golf to all sectors of players, Provided leadership in the area of Growth of the Game, Participated in National Growth of the Game initiatives and activities.
Teacher & Coach of the Year
T.J. Yeaton, PGA
Belle Meade Country Club
Established in 1986, the PGA Teacher and Coach of the Year Award bestows special recognition on a PGA golf professional who has excelled at teaching the game of golf. The award is presented to an individual based upon their: Overall performance as a golf professional at his/her facility, Leadership ability, image, and the ability to inspire fellow golf professionals, Use of teaching aids and the ability to illustrate their effectiveness, Involvement in junior golf activities at the facility and in the community, Service to his/her Section and the Association, Promotion of golf, Techniques for teaching small and large groups, and Articles written for publication in books and magazines.
Youth Development Award
Scott Hassee, PGA
Franklin Bridge Golf Club
Established in 1988, the PGA Youth Development Award is designed to pay recognition to a PGA golf professional who is a leader in junior golf, reflects the qualities and ideals of those who work with our nation’s youth, and provides opportunities and experiences for juniors to learn and play golf. The award is presented to an individual based upon their: Contributions to junior programs and events in the PGA Section, Involvement in the promotion and development of junior golf at their facility and the community, Support of PGA Junior Golf programs, Overall image, service, and leadership in the area of junior golf, and Overall integrity as an individual and acceptance by junior golfers as a person of outstanding character.