Special Awards

2018 Golf Professional of the Year – Ty Thompson, PGA – Crosshairs Consulting

The Colorado PGA Golf Professional of the Year is awarded to a PGA member 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

2018 Teacher of the Year Winner – Dan Sniffin, PGA – Omni Interlocken Resort

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 Play Golf America Days 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

2018 Horton Smith Award Winner – Ben Welsh, PGA – Frost Creek Club

This award is designed to recognize a Colorado PGA member for their outstanding and continuing contributions in developing and improving educational opportunities for the PGA golf 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 Horton Smith Award Winners

2018 Bill Strausbaugh Award Winner – Stuart Bruening, PGA – The Golf Club at Bear Dance

This award is presented to Colorado PGA members 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

2018 Youth Player Development Award Winner – Erin Diegel, PGA – Legacy Ridge Golf Course

This award is designed to recognize a Colorado PGA golf 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

2018 Private Merchandiser of the Year – Jake O’Dell, PGA – The Club at Flying Horse

2018 Public Merchandise of the Year – Brian Carlson, PGA – Walnut Creek Golf Preserve

2018 Resort Merchandiser of the Year – Jeff Hanson, PGA – Red Sky Golf Club

The Merchandiser of the Year award recognizes Colorado PGA members 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 Private Merchandisers of the Year

Past Public Merchandisers of the Year

Past Resort Merchandisers of the Year

2018 Player Development Award Winner – Trent Wearner, PGA – Trent Wearner Golf Academy

This award recognizes a PGA member who has made extraordinary contributions and achievements in conducting and/or supporting Play Golf America initiatives.

Past Player Development Award Winners

2018 Assistant Golf Professional of the Year – Ed Marzec, PGA – Country Club of the Rockies

The Colorado PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year is awarded to a PGA member or apprentice 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

2018 Charles “Vic” Kline Award Winner – Spencer Zinn – West Edge Energy

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

2018 Warren Smith Award Winner – Kyle Heyen, PGA – Hiwan Golf Club

The Warren Smith Award is awarded to a PGA professional for special contributions to the game of golf, the Colorado Section, junior golf and to 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

2018 Todd Phipers Media Award Winner – Joe Cole – Fox21 News (Colorado Springs)

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

2018 President’s Award Winner – Allen Walters – Colorado AvidGolfer

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