SWAG Pro-Am

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 CIPGA Chapter Special Awards Committee will select a recipient on the criteria

​Ineligible Categories:
– Class “F” and “Reserve” members (formerly Inactive Members)
– Associates (exception: B-8’s may be nominated for Assistant Golf Professional of the Year).
NOTE: All CIPGA Chapter Special Awards are based on the previous year
(i.e. 2022 CIPGA Chapter Special Awards are for the 2021 calendar year).
Please read the Award descriptions below
2022 CIPGA SPECIAL AWARD NOMINATION FORM

2022 CIPGA SPECIAL AWARD NOMINATION FORM

GOLF PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
The Central Illinois Chapter 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. Central Illinois PGA Chapter 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 CIPGA & the game of golf
  • Well-regarded as a model PGA Professional

ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
The Central Illinois Chapter PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Award bestows special recognition to an Assistant Professional (Class A-8 or B-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 CIPGA & the game of golf
  • Well-regarded as a model PGA Professional

BILL STRAUSBAUGH AWARD (Club Relations)

The Central Illinois Chapter 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. Central Illinois PGA Chapter Bill Strausbaugh Award Guidelines:
  • Demonstration of record of service to the Central Illinois PGA Chapter and Illinois PGA
  • Proven leadership ability
  • Involvement in civic activities and local charitable causes within the community
  • Recognized as someone of outstanding character 

HORTON SMITH AWARD (Education)
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. Central Illinois PGA Chapter Horton Smith Award Guidelines:

  • Demonstration of outstanding qualities of leadership
  • Demonstration of strong moral character
  • Maintain a substantial record of service to the CIPGA & 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 Central Illinois PGA Chapter 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 Central Illinois PGA Chapter honors one PGA Professional in combined categories: Private, Public and Resort facilities. 

  • PGA member in good standing.
  • Overall credit rating.
  • Credit rating within the industry.
  • Community involvement.
RICHIE HAMMEL AWARD
This award is presented to a Central Illinois PGA Chapter Professional for a career of distinguished service to the CIPGA, IPGA, and its members.  This individual demonstrates integrity and character reflecting positively upon the profession and is highly regarded as a role model professional within the industry.
  • Demonstration of outstanding qualities of leadership.
  • Demonstration of strong moral character.
  • Maintain a substantial record of service to the Central Illinois PGA Chapter & the game of golf.
  • Well-regarded as a model PGA Professional.

TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD
The Central Illinois PGA Chapter 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. Central Illinois PGA Chapter 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 Central 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. Central Illinois PGA Chapter 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

THE DEACON PALMER AWARD
The Central 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.

THE PATRIOT AWARD
The Central 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.

PGA GOLF EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
The Central 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.