2026 Award Winners Spotlight: Gene Powell, PGA!

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 Professionals through his work in professional education. Since 1997, he has served as an adjunct faculty member for the PGA Golf Management program, presenting to thousands of students at PGA University locations, the PGA Education Center in Port St. Lucie and PGA Frisco. He has also served as faculty for the PGA Master Professional and Certified Professional Programs and as a mentor to professionals working through the PGA’s education pathways.

That national influence is a huge reason why he’s a worthy recipient of the 2026 Professional Development Award, an honor he’s now received three times.

A renowned instructor and PGA Master Professional, Gene’s pull with his fellow professionals in the Southern Ohio Section is legendary. The longtime chair of the Section Education Committee, Gene helped launch the Spring Teaching Conference, a local educational opportunity now called the Teaching & Coaching Summit. What started as a small gathering of local expertise is now a massively attended event where Southern Ohio pros get the opportunity to learn from some of the country’s leading instructors. 

Gene’s Section work continued through the Section apprentice orientation, one-on-one mentorship and specialized education for PGA Professionals and Associates.

In addition to the three Professional Development Awards, Gene is also a two-time winner of the SOPGA Teacher & Coach of the Year Award, a testament to his work ethic and relentless pursuit of excellence. He has pursued more than 20 honors and certifications throughout his career, guided by a simple philosophy: “If you are standing still, you are getting passed.”

That philosophy has become a hallmark of Gene’s career. He has never treated learning as something that ends when the certificate is framed or the award is handed out. He has spent decades turning what he learns outward—into mentorship, education and a steady push to make the PGA Professionals around him better. And, in doing so, he’s helped make the Association better, too.