The Southern Ohio PGA is excited to announce the 2025 Special Award winners, highlighted by The Southern Ohio PGA Golf Professional of the Year, Andy Montgomery, PGA, as well as Gene Powell, PGA, as the Teacher & Coach of the Year Award presented by GOLFTEC.
Montgomery and Powell join 12 other PGA of America Members being recognized and honored for their tremendous contributions this year!
Montgomery, Director of Golf, Kinsale Golf & Fitness Club – A fixture at SOPGA Tournaments and a leader of members across the section, Montgomery is another excellent choice to headline the 2025 Awards. This award is given annually to the PGA member for overall performance as a golf professional, as well as leadership, service and promotion of the game of golf. Montgomery has been the Director of Golf at Kinsale since 2006 after serving as an Assistant Professional at Tartan Fields and Riviera Golf Club. A graduate of The Ohio State University, Andy is from Worthington, Ohio and has been a steading presence in the Southern Ohio PGA Section for nearly 20 years.
Gene Powell, Director of Instruction at Four Bridges Country Club – A PGA Master Professional, a former Section chapter President and a multiple SOPGA Award winner, Powell is the definition of a golf instructor with the ability to mentor golfers at any age and ability level. In addition to being a US Kids Top 50 Masters Teacher, he’s also been a Golf Digest Best Teacher in Ohio since 2017. Powell has also been a faculty member teaching PGM programs at PGA Universities in various capacities since 1999. He’s presented to over 4,000 PGA Associates in his two decades of service at the PGA Education Center in both Port St. Lucie and PGA Frisco.
Below is a list of all of the Award winners:
Golf Professional of the Year
Andy Montgomery, PGA – Director of Golf at Kinsale Golf & Fitness Club and Scioto Reserve Country Club
Teacher & Coach of the Year presented by GOLFTEC
Gene Powell, PGA – Director of Instruction at Four Bridges Country Club
Bill Strausbaugh Award
Rob Karnes, PGA – Director of Golf at NCR Country Club
Golf Executive of the Year Award
Jeff Grant, PGA – General Manager at NCR Country Club
Patriot Award
Jeff Olson, PGA – Head Golf Professional at Wedgewood Golf & Country Club (previously with The Golf Club of Dublin)
Merchandiser of the Year – Private
Justin Armour, PGA – Head Golf Professional at New Albany Country Club
Merchandiser of the Year – Public
Derrick DeHart, PGA – Head Golf Professional at Dayton Country Club (previously at Stonelick Hills Golf Course)
Player Development Award
Ben Chandler, PGA – Director of Instruction for the Cincinnati Recreation Commission
Youth Player Development Award
Chris Yoder, PGA – Director of Youth Player Development at Scioto Country Club
Professional Development Award
Jeff McEldowney, PGA – Director of Instruction at GOLFTEC Dublin
Assistant Professional of the Year
Hannah McCrabb, PGA – Assistant Golf Professional at NCR Country Club
Associate of the Year
Adam Taulbee – Assistant Golf Professional at Elks Run Golf Course
Sales Representative of the Year
Jenny Gleason – Director of Women’s Golf at Scioto Country Club (previously with XXIO)
Deacon Palmer Award
Tod Hecht, PGA – PGA Life Member
The 2025 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.
