Special Awards

 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW A COMPLETE LIST OF ILLINOIS PGA SPECIAL AWARD WINNERS THROUGH 2023
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 2022 ILLINOIS PGA SPECIAL AWARD WINNERS

Guidelines:
Nominations should be based on a candidate’s entire past experience and commitment to continuing one’s contributions and assistance.

  • Achievements during the past five years should be emphasized.
  • The Illinois PGA Special Awards Committee will select a recipient based on the criteria.

Ineligible Categories:

  • Current Chairman of the Illinois PGA Special Awards Committee
  • Class “F” and “Reserve” members (formerly Inactive Members)
  • Associates

NOTE: All Illinois PGA Special Awards are based on the previous year
(i.e. 2022 Illinois PGA Special Awards are for the 2021 calendar year).

Please read the Award descriptions below


​GOLF PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

The Illinois PGA Golf Professional of the Year Award is one of the highest honors the Association can bestow on a working club professional whose total contributions to the game best exemplify the complete PGA Professional. This award embraces a wide range of services executed by the club professional. Golf Professional of the Year Guidelines:

  • Demonstration of outstanding qualities of leadership.
  • Demonstration of strong moral character.
  • Maintain a substantial record of service to the Illinois PGA & the game of golf.
  • Well-regarded as a model PGA Professional.

ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

The Illinois PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Award bestows special recognition to an Assistant PGA Professional (Class A-8). The following guidelines are used to determine nominees for this prestigious award.

  • ​Demonstration of outstanding qualities of leadership.
  • Demonstration of strong moral character.
  • Maintain a substantial record of service to the Illinois PGA & the game of golf.
  • Well-regarded as a model PGA Professional.

BILL HEALD AWARD

The Bill Heald Career Achievement Award is presented to a PGA member of the Illinois PGA for a career of service to employers, mentoring, community service, playing ability, teaching, junior golf, education and going above and beyond the duties of a PGA Professional and has not been previously honored as the Illinois PGA Golf Professional of the Year.

BILL STRAUSBAUGH AWARD

 

The Illinois PGA Bill Strausbaugh Award is designed to recognize PGA Professionals who by their day-to-day efforts have distinguished themselves by mentoring their fellow PGA Professionals in improving their employment situations and through service to the community. Bill Strausbaugh Award Guidelines:
  • Demonstration of record of service to the Illinois PGA and the PGA of America.
  • Proven leadership ability.
  • Involvement in civic activities and local charitable causes within the community.
  • Recognized as someone of outstanding character.

THE DEACON PALMER AWARD

The Illinois PGA The “Deacon Palmer Award” bestows special recognition on a PGA Golf Professional who personally displays outstanding integrity, character and leadership, in the effort to overcome a major obstacle in their life.  This individual is an unsung hero/heroine at their facility and in their community, who serves to inspire, empower and assist others, both inside and outside of the game.

  • Candidate must have been a Class ‘A’ PGA member in good standing and/or Associate for a minimum total of 10 years combined.
  • Candidate must be well regarded as a model PGA member, demonstrating outstanding leadership traits and strong moral character.
  • Candidate has developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire, empower, and encourage success and achievement in individuals regardless of obstacles, disabilities, and personal challenges or otherwise.
  • Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service to the PGA of America, fellow PGA Professionals, their facility and the community in the effort to enhance and improve the quality of life for all individuals.
  • Candidate must have maintained a continual record of service and promotion of the game of golf and golf industry.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD 

The Illinois PGA Distinguished Service Award honors individuals who display leadership and humanitarian qualities, including integrity, sportsmanship and enthusiasm for the game of golf.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARD

The Illinois PGA Horton Smith Award recognizes the PGA Professional who is the model educator of PGA Golf Professionals. This award is designed to give special recognition to an individual PGA Professional for outstanding and continuing contributions to professional education. Horton Smith Award Guidelines:

  • Demonstration of outstanding qualities of leadership
  • Demonstration of strong moral character
  • Maintain a substantial record of service to the Illinois PGA & the game of golf
  • Well-regarded as a model educator of PGA Golf Professionals
  • Continuing education records will serve as a resource for verification of programs taught by the nominee

MERCHANDISER OF THE YEAR

The Illinois PGA Merchandiser of the Year Award is designed to recognize those PGA Professionals who have excelled as business persons/merchandisers in the promotion of golf. The Illinois PGA honors one PGA Professional in three separate categories: Private, Public and Resort facilities. Merchandiser of the Year Guidelines:

  • PGA member in good standing.
  • Overall credit rating.
  • Credit rating within the industry.
  • Community involvement.

THE PATRIOT AWARD

The Illinois PGA Patriot Award bestows special recognition on 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. 

  • Candidate must currently be a Class A PGA member in good standing as either a PGA Associate or Member for a minimum total of 10 years.
  • Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of contribution and support to the United States Armed Forces and its Active Duty and Reserved personnel and veterans through PGA HOPE or another supported military/ service-based program.
  • Candidate must have displayed proven interest, concern, and ability to provide opportunities and experience for active duty, reservists, and veterans to learn and play golf through PGA HOPE or another supported military/ service-based program.
  • Candidate must have shown an ability to inspire fellow PGA members with an emphasis in the area of service to the military through PGA HOPE or another supported military/ service-based program.
  • Candidate must have maintained a continual record of service, promotion of the game of golf and proven interest and ability to provide opportunities and experiences for military personnel to learn, play and participate in the game through PGA HOPE or another supported military/ service-based program.
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AWARD

The Illinois PGA Player Development Award is designed to recognize a PGA Professional for extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievements in the area of player development. This award considers the PGA Professional’s growth of the game leadership commitment at the Section and National levels and the impact made at the facility. The Player Development Award Guidelines:

  • Contributions to Section and National Play Golf America initiatives
  • Quantity, quality and diversity of player development programs
  • Use of Play Golf America tools and resources
  • Quality of best practices, including uniqueness of ideas, increase in rounds/revenues, retention and customer satisfaction
  • Inspiration of fellow PGA Professionals in the area of player development

PGA GOLF EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

The Illinois PGA Golf Executive of the Year Award 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 the PGA can bestow, 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 model PGA Golf Professional. The PGA Golf Executive of the Year Guidelines:

  • Candidate must be a PGA member in good standing. 
  • Candidate must be well regarded as a model PGA member.
  • Demonstration and acknowledgment as an individual of outstanding leadership and strong moral character.

TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Illinois PGA Teacher of the Year Award is designed to recognize a PGA Professional who is an outstanding teacher of golf among the ranks of PGA membership. This award is based on a professional’s overall performance in teaching; unusual, innovative and special teaching programs initiated or implemented; articles published; as well as outstanding golfers the professional has instructed. Teacher of the Year Guidelines:

  • Recognized as an outstanding teacher of golf among the ranks of PGA membership.
  • Initiation and/or implementation of unusual, innovative and/or special teaching programs.
  • Publication of articles, books, magazines, etc.
  • Instruction of outstanding golfers.

YOUTH PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AWARD

The Illinois PGA Youth Player Development Award (formally the Junior Golf Leader Award) recognizes the PGA Professional who is a leader in junior golf and who reflects the ideals of those who work with youth. Illinois PGA Youth Player Development Award Guidelines:

  • Demonstration of involvement in the promotion and development of junior golf
  • Support of National junior golf programs
  • Proven interest, concern and ability to provide opportunities and experience for juniors to learn and play golf
  • Recognized as someone of outstanding character