DAYTON, OH — The Southern Ohio PGA is proud to congratulate the newest member of the PGA of America in our section, Ryan Wilkinson, PGA! Ryan was elected to membership in December of 2024 and is an Assistant Professional at Worthington Hills Country Club in Columbus.
Say hello to Ryan today via email at rwilkinson@worthingtonhills.com
The SOPGA caught up with Ryan to talk about his journey to becoming a member of the PGA of America.
SOPGA: Who or what inspired you to get involved with the GAME of golf?
Ryan Wilkinson, PGA: My journey began while playing high school golf and working at Marion Country Club, where I was fortunate to learn under Mike Stills, PGA. He was the first PGA Professional I worked for, and his passion for growing the game and introducing people to golf left a lasting impression on me. Mike gave me my very first lesson, and I saw improvement almost immediately. That experience sparked something in me—I wanted to help others find the same joy and progress in golf that I did. From that moment forward, my goal has been to help as many people as possible enjoy this great game.
SOPGA: Who or what inspired you to get involved with the BUSINESS of golf?
RW: Again, I would have to say Mike Stills. His enthusiasm for both playing and teaching golf showed me how fulfilling a career in this industry could be. Watching the impact he had on others inspired me to follow the same path and dedicate myself to growing the game.
SOPGA: What are you most looking forward to pursuing now that you are a PGA of America Member?
RW: I’m most excited about the opportunity to teach and inspire people through golf. It’s one of the few sports someone can enjoy for a lifetime—even into your 90s—and I want to help shape those experiences for as many players as possible. Being able to introduce new golfers to the game, while also helping experienced players continue to grow, is what drives me.
SOPGA: What about the game makes you LOVE golf?
RW: I love that golf can never truly be perfected. No matter your skill level, there is always something to improve, a new challenge to overcome, or another goal to strive for. That endless pursuit of progress is what keeps me passionate about the game.
SOPGA: Have there been any mentors who have assisted your career along the way to PGA Membership that you would like to thank?
RW: Absolutely. Mike Stills, PGA; Justin VanHeukelom, PGA; and Ben Bastel, PGA have each been incredible mentors throughout my journey. Their guidance, support, and examples of professionalism have been instrumental in helping me reach PGA Membership.
Ryan Wilkinson, PGA, at Worthington Hills CC.