Special Awards

2021 Golf Professional of the Year – Alice Plain, PGA – Vail Golf Club

The Colorado PGA Golf Professional of the Year is awarded to a PGA Professional for overall performance including leadership and service and promotion of the game of golf. Overall performance at the member’s facility, level of service to the PGA Section and to the Association, and image as a golf professional are some of the criteria considered for this award.

While this honor should be awarded based on a professional’s entire record, emphasis should be placed on his/her performances and achievements over the past three years.

Past Golf Professional of the Year Winners

2021 Teacher of the Year Winner – Leighton Smith, PGA – Leighton Smith Golf

This award bestows special recognition on a Colorado PGA Professional for excellence in golf instruction, along with overall performance. While the candidate’s entire record should be taken into consideration, emphasis should be placed on a member’s performance over the past three years. Promotion of golf, use of teaching aids, involvement in junior golf activities, teaching techniques, service to the Section as a volunteer instructor at Section clinics, and articles published are some of the criteria considered for this award.

IMPORTANT NOTE: PGA Teacher of the Year candidates are encouraged to attend or instruct at two National Teaching workshops, National seminars, the PGA Teaching & Coaching Summit within the past five years or have completed the PGA Certified Professional Program in Teaching. (This criteria is required only if the winner will be submitted as a National candidate)

Past Teacher of the Year Award Winners

2021 Professional Development Award Winner – Brad Skupaka, PGA – GOLFTEC HQ

This award is designed to recognize a Colorado PGA Professional for their outstanding and continuing contributions in developing and improving educational opportunities for the PGA Professional. Voluntary contributions to National PGA and Section education programs are also considered for this award.

While nominations will be based on the candidate’s total career and experience, strong emphasis will be given to achievements over the past three years.

Past Professional Development Award Winners

2021 Bill Strausbaugh Award Winner – Jeremy Beck, PGA – GOLFTEC HQ

This award is presented to Colorado PGA Professionals who have shown outstanding integrity, commitment to mentoring PGA Professionals and have made a significant impact on the careers of PGA Professionals. The award also considers the member’s service to the Association, Section and involvement in community and charitable activities.

Past Bill Strausbaugh Award Winners

2021 Youth Player Development Award Winner – Jason Witczak, PGA – The Club at Pradera

This award is designed to recognize a Colorado PGA Professional who is a leader in junior golf, reflects the image and qualities that juniors can emulate, and provides opportunities and experiences for juniors to learn and play golf. A member’s contributions to Sectional and National junior programs, and involvement in the promotion and development of junior golf at the facility and community levels are some of the criteria considered for this award.

Past Youth Player Development Award Winners

2021 Public Merchandiser of the Year – Cody Hasten, PGA – Haymaker Golf Course

2021 Private Merchandiser of the Year – Tristen Fay, PGA – Fort Collins Country Club

2021 Resort Merchandiser of the Year – Jim Miller, PGA – Sonnenalp

The Merchandiser of the Year award recognizes Colorado PGA Professionals who have demonstrated superior skills as merchandisers in the promotion of golf. Awarded in three categories (Private, Resort and Public/Municipal/Military/Semi-Private), credit rating, community involvement, staffing, inventory, displays and merchandising techniques are some of the criteria considered for this award.

Past Public Merchandisers of the Year

Past Private Merchandisers of the Year

Past Resort Merchandisers of the Year

2021 Player Development Award Winner – Stefanie Ferguson, PGA – Experience Golf

This award recognizes a Colorado PGA Professional who has displayed extraordinary and exemplary contribution and achievement in player development.

Past Player Development Award Winners

2021 Assistant Golf Professional of the Year – Ethan Malzahn, PGA – Denver Country Club

The Colorado PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year is awarded to a PGA Member or Associate for overall performance including leadership, service, and promotion of the game of golf. Overall performance at the member’s facility, level of service to the PGA Section and to the Association, Colorado PGA Assistant Professional Association and image as a golf professional are some of the criteria considered for this award. Finally, active participation in programs such as tournaments, education, and volunteer service to the Section is considered.

NOTE: Two (2) letters of recommendation, one being from the nominee’s head professional, must be submitted with the application.
While this honor should be awarded based on a professional’s entire record, emphasis should be placed on his/her performances and achievements over the past three years.

Past Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Award Winners

2020 Charles “Vic” Kline Award Winner – Josh Miller, PGA – GOLFTEC Headquarters

The Charles “Vic” Kline award is presented annually to a member of the Section Board of Directors. The award is presented in recognition of outstanding service and leadership to the Section. Overall performance as a member of the Board of Directors and image as a golf professional are some of the criteria considered for this award.

Past Vic Kline Award Winners

2021 Warren Smith Award Winner – Rick Cole, PGA – Life Member

The Warren Smith Award is awarded to a PGA Professional for special contributions to the game of golf, the Colorado Section, junior golf and their facility. The successful candidate will bestow special recognition for outstanding contributions to the game and the Section. Contributions to community charities, junior golf and facility are some of the criteria considered.

The honor should be awarded based on a professional’s entire career as a PGA Member. Due to the special circumstances with this award, the Committee reserves the right to only recognize an individual for this award when warranted.

Past Warren Smith Award Winners

2021 Todd Phipers Media Award Winner – Not Awarded in 2021

Named after the last Denver Post sports writer, the Todd Phipers Media Award recognizes individuals for their contributions in the area of promotion and public awareness, and has helped to elevate the status of the PGA Professional and Colorado Section. Contributions to the Section programs, scope of exposure, and results of exposure are considered.

The Committee will review a candidate’s entire career, and it is not necessary for the candidate to be a PGA Member.

Past Todd Phipers Media Award Winners

2020 President’s Award Winner – Bob Longmire – Creator of PGA Jr. Golf and Doubles Golf

The President’s Award is given annually to an individual who through their efforts and contributions have promoted and enhanced the PGA professional, the Section, and the game of golf and contributed to the betterment of the golf professional vocation.

The Committee will review a candidate’s entire career, and it is not necessary for the candidate to be a PGA member.

Past President’s Award Winners

2021 Noble Chalfant Award Winners – Kyle Heyen, PGA – Hiwan Golf Club, and Warren Smith, PGA

For Distinguished Service to the Colorado Section PGA

Noble Chalfant, PGA, was the Colorado PGA Honorary President in 1957.  In honor of Noble’s exemplary work in establishing the Colorado Section, the 2009 Colorado Section Board of Directors created the Noble Chalfant Award for Distinguished Service to the Colorado Section PGA.

Upon establishing this award the 2009 Colorado PGA Board of Directors was unanimously in favor of inducting the class of 1957 officers as the inaugural inductees in the newly established Noble Chalfant Award on Friday November 6, 2009.

Past Noble Chalfant Award Winners

2021 Patriot Award – Paul Surniak, PGA – Cheyenne Shadows Golf Club at Fort Carson

The Patriot Award is presented to a Colorado PGA 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. The following guidelines are used to determine nominees for this prestigious award:

• Contributions and support to the United States Armed Forces and its Activity-Duty personnel and Veterans.
• Proven interest, concern, and ability to provide opportunities and experience for Active-Duty personnel and Veterans to learn and play golf.
• Demonstration and acknowledgement as an individual of outstanding leadership and strong moral character.

Past Patriot Award Winners