Colorado PGA Special Awards
This year the Colorado PGA will be using a new online awards tool called OpenWater to collect and manage award nominations, as well as award applications. This tool will help create a more efficient and streamlined process both at the Section and National Award levels.
To submit a nomination, you must create an account and complete the nomination form(s). You can log back into OpenWater to submit more nominations at any time during the nomination period which ends on February 15, 2021.
How to Get Started!
- Click on the below link to begin.
- On our OpenWater homepage, click on the “Submit a Nomination” button to create a new account. Once your account is created, you will be automatically redirected to the nomination form.
- Complete and submit the nomination form. (You will need to complete a brief form for each individual you wish to nominate.)
- Golf Professional of the Year Award
- Teacher of the Year Award
- Professional Development Award
- Bill Strausbaugh Award
- Youth Player Development Award
- Merchandiser of the Year (Public, Private, Resort categories)
- Player Development Award
- Assistant Professional of the Year
- Charles "Vic" Kline Award
- Warren Smith Award
- Todd Phipers Media Award
- President's Award
- Noble Chalfant Award
- Patriot Award
2020 Golf Professional of the Year – Ben Welsh, PGA – Frost Creek
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.
2020 Teacher of the Year Winner – Nick Clearwater, PGA – GOLFTEC HQ
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)
2020 Professional Development Award Winner – Mark Bacheldor, PGA – UCCS PGA Golf Management
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.
2020 Bill Strausbaugh Award Winner – Scott Erwin, PGA – Maroon Creek Club
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.
2020 Youth Player Development Award Winner – Tom Young, PGA – Black Canyon Golf Club at Montrose
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.
2020 Private Merchandiser of the Year – Jeff Seltz, PGA – The Club at Rolling Hills
2020 Public Merchandiser of the Year – Matt Schalk, PGA – Colorado National Golf Club
2020 Resort Merchandiser of the Year – Not Awarded
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
2020 Player Development Award Winner – Ed Oldham, PGA – Ed Oldham Golf and The Ranch Country Club
This award recognizes a PGA member who has made extraordinary contributions and achievements in conducting and/or supporting Play Golf America initiatives.
2020 Assistant Golf Professional of the Year – Ryan Bakken, PGA – Thorncreek Golf Course
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.
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.
2020 Warren Smith Award Winner – Joe Assell, PGA – GOLFTEC HQ
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.
2020 Todd Phipers Media Award Winner – Not Awarded in 2020
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.
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.
2020 Noble Chalfant Award Winners – Not Awarded in 2020
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.
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.
2020 Awards Schedule
West Chapter
October 5, 2020 – Nominations Open
December 15, 2020 – Nominations Close
February 16, 2021 – Nominee Applications Due
CO PGA Spring Meeting – Awardees Recognized
Colorado PGA
December 11, 2020 – Nominations Open
February 15, 2021 – Nominations Close
April 16, 2021 – Nominee Applications Due
August 9, 2021 – Awardees Recognized
CLICK HERE to access the Colorado PGA Awards Nomination Form.
PGA of America Award Winners from Colorado Section
| Award | Name | Facility |
| 1958 Player of the Year | Dow Finsterwald, PGA | The Broadmoor |
| 1973 Golf Professional of the Year | Warren Smith, PGA | Cherry Hills CC |
| 1976 Horton Smith Award | Jim Bailey, PGA | |
| 1977 Horton Smith Award | Paul Runyan, PGA | Green Gables CC |
| 1990 Private Merchandiser of the Year | Keith Schneider, PGA | Castle Pines GC |
| 1997 Junior Golf Leader | Alan Abrams, PGA | Indian Tree GC |
| 1999 Teacher of the Year | Mike McGetrick, PGA | McGetrick Golf Academy |
| 2000 Golf Professional of the Year | Charles “Vic” Kline, PGA | Indian Tree GC |
| 2003 Resort Merchandiser of the Year | Russ Miller, PGA | The Broadmoor |
| 2007 Junior Golf Leader | Danny Harvanek, PGA | The GC at Bear Dance |
| 2008 Bill Strausbaugh Award | Clayton Cole, PGA | Cherry Hills CC |
| 2009 Players Development Award | Kyle Heyen, PGA | Hiwan GC |
| 2010 Junior Golf Leader | Ann Finke, PGA | CC of Colorado |
| 2011 Herb Graffis Award | Colorado PGA | |
| 2012 Private Merchandiser of the Year | George Kahrhoff, PGA | The CC at Castle Pines |
| 2012 Public Merchandiser of the Year | Dale Smigelsky, PGA | Collindale GC |
| 2015 Public Merchandiser of the Year | Jim Hajek, PGA | Fossil Trace GC |
| 2017 Public Merchandiser of the Year | Mark Pfingston, PGA | The GC at Bear Dance |
| 2018 Herb Graffis Award | Colorado PGA |