Fairborn, OH – The Southern Ohio PGA is excited to announce the 2024 Special Award winners, highlighted by the Southern Ohio PGA Golf Professional of the Year, Pat Bernot, PGA and Chase Wilson, PGA, who earned the Teacher and Coach of the Year Award presented by GOLFTEC. Bernot and Wilson are joined by eleven other PGA of America Golf Members in earning distinction for their work.
Bernot, PGA Director of Instruction at GOLFTEC Easton, has been named the 2024 Southern Ohio PGA Golf Professional of the Year. The award is given annually to a PGA member for overall performance as a golf professional, leadership, service and promotion of the game of golf. Bernot has served the Southern Ohio PGA in a variety of roles over the past 14 years, most recently as the President of the Southern Ohio PGA. As an instructor, he’s taught over 31,000 lessons to golfers of all skill levels and puts an emphasis on promoting the game to every demographic. Bernot has mentored countless Associates and helped them achieve their goal of earning PGA Membership.
Chase Wilson, PGA Director of Instruction at Columbus Country Club, is the 2024 Southern Ohio PGA Teacher & Coach of the Year presented by GOLFTEC. Since assuming the role of Director of Golf Instruction in 2018, Wilson has been instrumental in the development of instruction & club fitting at Columbus Country Club. Over the past five years, he has significantly expanded the women’s program through a variety of offerings, including individual lessons, social programs and group clinics. Similarly, the junior program has experienced remarkable growth under his leadership, with initiatives like the Junior Academy and PGA Junior League.
Golf Professional of the Year
Pat Bernot, PGA – Director of Instruction at GOLFTEC – Easton
Teacher & Coach of the Year presented by GOLFTEC
Chase Wilson, PGA – Director of Instruction at Columbus Country Club
Bill Strausbaugh Award
Ken Corliss, PGA – Assistant Professional at The Golf Club of Dublin
Patriot Award
Dave MacLaughlin, PGA – Director of Golf at The Golf Club at Little Turtle
Merchandiser of the Year – Private
Matt Brewer, PGA – Head Professional at Cincinnati Country Club
Merchandiser of the Year – Public
Anthony Andrews, PGA – Head Golf Professional at Blue Ash Golf Course
Player Development Award
Jackie Buckley, PGA – Director of Women’s Golf at Scioto Country Club
Youth Player Development Award
Chris Yoder, PGA – Director of Youth Player Development at Scioto Country Club
Professional Development Award
Jim Simminger, PGA – Owner, Director of Instruction at ALL iN GOLF
Assistant Professional of the Year
Wyatt Wilson, PGA – Assistant Professional at NCR Country Club
Associate of the Year
Maddie Nichelson – Assistant Professional at Meadow Links & Golf Academy
Sales Representative of the Year
Emily Ransone, PGA – Sales Rep for Cleveland/Srixon/Nike
The 2024 award winners will be celebrated during the annual Southern Ohio PGA Awards Dinner set to take place later this Fall. More information will be available in the coming weeks.
On behalf of the SOPGA Awards Committee, thank you to everyone who submitted nominations and applications for our awards process.