We are thrilled to announce and congratulate the 2024 Tennessee Section Award Winners! These outstanding individuals have been selected through your nominations and voted on by the Awards Committee for their exceptional contributions to the game of golf, their communities, and our profession.
Each recipient embodies the values of excellence, dedication, and service that are the cornerstone of our Section. Their passion for the game, commitment to improving the lives of others, and tireless efforts to elevate the Tennessee golf community are truly inspiring.
Golf Professional of the Year
Bruce Etter, PGA – Chattanooga Golf and Country Club
Bruce Etter has been at Chattanooga Golf and Country Club for 27 seasons. He led a Committee that restored the golf course and is now recognized as a top 10 course in the state. He has served on the TN Section Board and has been the head of the Tournament Committee, Awards Committee, as well as the first-ever Sponsorship Committee. Etter has also served every office within his Chapter.
Bill Strausbaugh Award
Jason LePage, PGA – Cherokee Country Club
Jason LePage has been a member of the PGA of America since 1996 and has prided himself on giving back to the various sections he has been fortunate to be a part of. Since joining the Tennessee PGA Section in 2022, Jason has worked with our PGA Career Consultant to host a mentorship night at Cherokee Country Club. LePage was the recipient of the 2015 Bill Strausbaugh Award and the 2014 Merchandiser of the Year (Private) by the Indiana PGA Section.
Assistant Golf Professional of the Year
Jeremy Davis – Council Fire Club
Jeremy Davis has worked diligently as an Assistant Golf Professional. In his first year at Council Fire Club, he mainly worked with the merchandise side of the operation, handling invoices, setting up displays, and assisting in selecting products for the club. While this has been his primary role, he has also had a huge impact in tournaments. He ran the Council Fire and The Honors Pro-Am and has run multiple charity outings for the club.
PGA Professional Development Award
Braxton Hunter, PGA – Fairways and Greens Golf Center
Braxton Hunter has led the Knoxville chapter as President in addition to several leadership positions at the section level with the tournament committee, education committee and mentorship. He takes every opportunity to give back and is proud to be a PGA Professional. Hunter was named TNPGA Teacher and Coach of the Year in 2020 in addition to TNPGA Player of the Year.
Private Merchandiser of the Year
Bruce Bowen, PGA – Olde Farm Golf Club
Bruce Bowen’s merchandizing philosophy is to maintain an organized Shop floor, with attractive displays that are rotated quarterly, and to provide a variety of price points for my members and their guests to select from. He has previously been named Private Merchandiser of the Year in 2016 and 2018.
Public Merchandiser of the Year
Matt Poff, PGA – Gatlinburg Golf Course
As the General Manager at Gatlinburg Golf Course, Matt Poff embraces a merchandising philosophy centered around customer experience and community engagement. He believes that effective merchandising goes beyond simply displaying products; it should create an inviting atmosphere that enhances the guest’s overall enjoyment. Poff has received the TNPGA Richard Eller Growth of the Game Award in 2021.
Richard Eller Growth of the Game Award
Jeremy Beachner, PGA – Pine Oaks Golf Club
Beachner helps bring in other PGA Professionals into the following programs: PGA Junior League, PGA Hope, PGA Family, and The First Tee. He truly believes in these PGA programs and how they can help shape the lives of our fellow professionals and the communities we live in. By introducing these programs to our associates we can help make sure these programs survive for many years to come along with setting a great learning environment for the next wave of PGA Professionals. Beachner has been the recipient of the TNPGA Assistant of the Year in 2014.
Teacher & Coach of the Year
T.J. Yeaton, PGA – Belle Meade Country Club
T.J. Yeaton teaches roughly 1400 hours of private coaching sessions, golf clinics, golf schools, and various developmental programs. During the off-season months, he holds staff seminars to help mentor the assistant golf professionals at the club. At the Sectional level, Yeaton is on the Tennessee PGA Education Committee and has held seminars for assistant professionals on the subjects of teaching and coaching. At the National level, TJ is recognized by major publications such as: Golf Magazine as a “Top Teacher to Watch”, Golf Digest as a “Best Teacher in State” and “Best Young Teachers in America” and Golf Range Association of America as a “Top 100 Teacher”. He is also renowned for work done with players on the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour.
Youth Development Award
Scott Hassee, PGA – Franklin Bridge Golf Club
Scott Hassee and the Franklin Bridge team went into 8 schools with the SNAG Golf equipment for a total of more than 16 days of education. This in-school education and free instruction is a big component of growing the game and adding value to the community at the facility. They are slated to go to 12 schools this upcoming school year. In addition to this free service, Hassee has added a twice-a-month free education for junior golfers who have participated in at least one of our programs in the previous year.
We couldn’t be more proud of each of them and the incredible work they do to make our Section stronger and more vibrant. Their commitment to the game, the industry, and to each other is an inspiration to us all.
Thank you for your continued support and for being part of this incredible community. Together, we will keep building upon the legacy of excellence in Tennessee golf.