Special Awards

The nomination period for 2024 Illinois PGA Special Awards has closed.   The 2024 Awards slate will be announced the week of January 20, 2025

 

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

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 2023 ILLINOIS PGA SPECIAL AWARD WINNERS

 

Nomination 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.

Requirements for All Special Awards:

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

Ineligible Categories:

  • Nominees for National Office
  • Class “F” or “Inactive” members
  • Associates
  • PGA National Headquarters Staff and PGA Section Staff are not eligible for National Awards (Excluding Employees of PGA Golf Properties or Section Golf Properties).

 

Please read the Award descriptions below


GOLF PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

The Illinois PGA Golf Professional of the Year Award bestows special recognition on an Illinois PGA Golf Professional who has performed outstanding services as an overall PGA Professional. As one of the highest honors the Illinois PGA can bestow, candidates must possess outstanding qualities of leadership, strong moral character, and a substantial record of service to the Section and the game of golf. Individuals honored with the Illinois PGA Golf Professional of the Year award will be held as a model PGA Golf Professional.

Award Criteria:

  • Candidate must have been a Class A PGA of America member in good standing for a minimum total of 10 years.
  • Candidate has developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire fellow PGA members as a PGA Professional.
  • Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service to the Section and game of Golf, as well as helping to further educate and train their fellow PGA professionals.
  • Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service and promotion toward the Growth of the Game of Golf.

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.

Award Criteria:

  • ​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 “Bill Strausbaugh Award” bestows special recognition on a PGA of America Golf Professional, who personally displays outstanding integrity, character, and leadership through a commitment to mentoring and making significant impacts on the careers of PGA of America Professionals. In the spirit of the award, “mentoring” shall be defined as follows:

“Mentoring is supporting professionals to manage their own development so they can maximize their PGA of America career potential. The PGA of America mentor empowers, enables, advises, challenges, and encourages professionals to enhance their professional skills, strengthen their level of service, improve their work performance, and become the PGA of America Member that they aspire to be.” 

Award Criteria:

  • Candidate must have been a Class A PGA of America member in good standing for a minimum total of 10 years.
  • Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service to the Illinois PGA in the effort to further the careers of fellow PGA of America Professionals as a mentor, counselor, teacher and advisor.
  • Candidate has developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire fellow PGA of America members with an emphasis in the area of leadership and service to the Association, individual PGA of America Professionals and the community at-large.
  • Candidate must have maintained a continual record of service and promotion of the game of golf and golf industry within the specific area of employment and club relations. 

THE DEACON PALMER AWARD

The Illinois PGA “Deacon Palmer Award” bestows special recognition on an Illinois 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. 

Award Criteria:

  • Candidate must have been a Class ‘A’ PGA of America member in good standing and/or Associate for a minimum total of 10 years combined.
  • Candidate must be well regarded as a model Illinois 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 Illinois PGA, 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 “PGA Professional Development Award” bestows special recognition on an Illinois PGA Golf Professional, who personally displays a strong desire for lifelong education to include outstanding and continuing contributions to professional education.

Award Criteria:

  • Candidate must have been a Class A PGA member in good standing for a minimum total of 10 years. 
  • Candidate has developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire fellow PGA members with an emphasis in the area of education and training of PGA Professionals.
  • Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service to the Illinois PGA and the game of golf to further educate and train fellow PGA members, Associates, and industry stakeholders.
  • Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service and promotion toward the growth of the game.
  • Candidate must be one of the following: Master Professional, Certified Professional, served as an Association Subject Matter Expert (SME), adjunct PGA faculty member, OR have conducted and/or taught at a minimum combined total of TEN (10) national education programs/workshops (to include PGA PGM) or sectional education programs/workshops within the last TEN (10) years. 

MERCHANDISER OF THE YEAR

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

Award Criteria:

  • PGA member in good standing.
  • Overall credit rating.
  • Community involvement.
  • Demonstration of skill in planning and promotion of sales by presenting products to his/her market on a timely basis, and through the use of specialized merchandising techniques that include display and advertising. 

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.  

Award Criteria:

  • 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 2 game through PGA HOPE or another supported military/ service-based program. 

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AWARD

The Illinois PGA Player Development Award bestows special recognition on a PGA Golf Professional, who has displayed extraordinary and exemplary contribution and achievement in the area of player development. The award considers the PGA Professional’s growth of the game leadership, commitment at the Section and National levels in the player development arena, and the meaningful impact made at the facility. 

Award Criteria:

  • Candidate must currently be a Class A PGA member in good standing as either a Member or Associate for a minimum total of 10 years.
  • Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service to the PGA of America, Section, facility, and golf industry in the area of Player Development.
  • Candidate has developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire fellow PGA members with an emphasis in the area of Player Development.
  • Candidate must have maintained a continual record of service and promotion of the game of golf and golf industry in the effort to grow meaningful participation in the game.

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 Illinois 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 Illinois PGA Golf Executive of the Year award will be held as a model PGA Golf Professional.  

Award Criteria:

  • Candidate must have been a Class A PGA member in good standing for a minimum total of 10 years.
  • Candidate has developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire fellow PGA members as a PGA Professional.
  • Must have served in an executive management position for at least three years.
  • Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service to the Section and game of Golf, as well as helping to further educate and train their fellow PGA professionals. 
  • Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of leadership, service and promotion toward the game of Golf.

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.

Award Criteria:

  • Candidate must have been a Class A PGA member in good standing for a minimum total of 10 years.
  • Candidate has developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire fellow PGA members with an emphasis on Teaching and Coaching.
  • Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service to the game of golf, as well as helping to further educate their fellow PGA professionals with an emphasis on Teaching and Coaching.
  • Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service and promotion toward the growth of the game.
  • Candidate must be a Master Professional or Certified Professional in Teaching & Coaching OR, must have attended or conducted a minimum combined total of TEN (10) national teaching workshops, teaching/coaching summits or sectional teaching workshops or teaching/coaching summits within the last FIFTEEN (15) years. 

YOUTH PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AWARD

The Illinois PGA Youth Player Development Award bestows special recognition on a PGA Golf Professional, who has displayed extraordinary and exemplary contribution and achievement in the area of youth player development. The award considers the PGA Professional’s focus on Youth through their growth of the game leadership, commitment at the Section and National levels in the youth player development arena, and the meaningful impact made upon youth through the introduction and participation in the game.  

Award Criteria:

  • 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 service to the PGA of America, Section, facility, and golf industry in the area of Youth Player Development.
  • Candidate has developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire fellow PGA members with an emphasis in the area of Youth Player Development.
  • Candidate must have maintained a continual record of service, promotion of the game of golf, as well as proven interest and ability to provide opportunities and experiences for youth to learn, play and participate in the game.