SOPGA Member News

Columbus, OH – Allie White has an extra gear. Clear as day and obvious to anyone. And she’s found it a lot in 2026. Add a Southern Ohio PGA Women’s Professional Championship trophy to an already crowded cabinet. White shot an outrageous

Patriot Award…There is a difference between teaching someone golf and giving them a reason to keep coming back. At Little Miami Golf Center, Jennifer Ridle, PGA has spent the last three years building PGA HOPE into something that extends well

Columbus, Ohio – The 30th Ohio Cup. That pretty much says it all.  Three decades after the Southern Ohio PGA and Northern Ohio PGA Sections first turned their statewide rivalry into a Ryder Cup-style competition, the event has become something

Merchandiser of the Year – Private…There are golf shops, and then there is the golf shop at Muirfield Village Golf Club. For Peter Dornisch, PGA, the challenge is not simply knowing what golfers want. It is knowing which golfer is

Meet the four candidates for the two at-large seats on the Section Board of Directors. Voting opens at 9 AM on Friday, October 16 and will close Monday, October 19 during the 2026 Fall Meeting. David Hartke, PGA Head Professional – Losantiville

The Southern Ohio PGA Hall of Fame honors the people whose influence on the game outlasts the careers that first made them known. Established in 1997, the Hall of Fame recognizes PGA of America Golf Professionals whose excellence as players, leaders,

Merchandiser of the Year – Public…At a facility that sees nearly 40,000 rounds a year, keeping a golf shop relevant is no small task.  At Beavercreek Golf Club, Steve Klick has found a way to do it with a level of attention to detail and

Player Development Award…“Grow the game.” Golf says it a lot. Sometimes it means building a new driving range. Sometimes it means getting more rounds on the books. Sometimes it means putting a few more young golfers on a leaderboard. But if

Youth Player Development Award…While legacies have a way of coming into focus late, Chris Yoder’s impact can be seen and felt without the benefit of time or years. One trip to a PGA Jr. League event or a Team Ohio training camp and the impact

Professional Development Award…Gene Powell has spent much of his career teaching golf. But some of his most important lessons have never taken place on a golf course. For nearly three decades, Powell has helped shape the next generation of PGA