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2019 Special Awards Recipients

Golf Professional of the Year: Jeff Olson, The Golf Club of Dublin

The SOPGA Golf Professional of the Year is awarded to a PGA member for overall performance as a golf professional, leadership, service and promotion of the game of golf. Overall performance at the member’s facility, level of service to the SOPGA Section and to the Association, and image as a golf professional are some of the criteria considered for this award.

Teacher of the Year: Mike Deiters, Medow Links & Golf Academy

This award bestows special recognition on a SOPGA Professional for excellence in golf instruction, along with overall performance. Promotion of golf, use of teaching aids, involvement in junior golf activities, teaching techniques, and articles published are some of the criteria considered for this award.

Youth Player Development Award: Eric Theilsen, GOLFTEC - Dublin

This award is designed to recognize a SOPGA Professional who is a leader in youth golf, reflects the image and qualities that juniors can emulate, and provides opportunities for juniors to learn and play golf. A member’s contributions to Sectional and National youth programs and involvement in the promotion and development of youth golf at the facility and community levels are some of the criteria considered for this award.

Patriot Award: Ken Kaiser, Coldstream Country Club

The Patriot Award is presented to a PGA Professional who personifies patriotism through the game of golf and demonstrates unwavering commitment and dedication to the men and women who have valiantly served and protected the United States of America.

Bill Strausbaugh Award: Eric Eby, NCR Country Club

This award is presented to a SOPGA member who has shown outstanding integrity, commitment to mentoring PGA Professionals and has made a significant impact on the careers of PGA Professionals. The award also considers the member’s service to the Association, and involvement in community and charitable activities.

Horton Smith Award: Rob Karnes, Dayton Country Club

This award is designed to recognize a SOPGA member for their outstanding service and contributions in developing and improving educational opportunities for fellow PGA Professionals. Voluntary contributions to National PGA and Section education programs are also considered for this award.

Player Development Award: Matt Starr, Meadow Links & Golf Academy

This award recognizes a SOPGA member who has made extraordinary contributions and achievements in conducting and/or supporting growth of the game initiatives.

Merchandiser of the Year – Private: Barry Hinkley, Jefferson Golf & Country Club

Recognizes SOPGA members who have demonstrated superior skills as merchandisers in the promotion of golf. Awarded in two categories (Private and Public/Municipal/Military/Semi-Private). Credit rating, community involvement, staffing, inventory, displays and merchandising techniques are some of the criteria considered for this award.

Merchandiser of the Year – Public: Krissy Austin, The Golf Club of Dublin

Recognizes SOPGA members who have demonstrated superior skills as merchandisers in the promotion of golf. Awarded in two categories (Private and Public/Municipal/Military/Semi-Private). Credit rating, community involvement, staffing, inventory, displays and merchandising techniques are some of the criteria considered for this award.

Assistant Member of the Year: Matt Brewer, Cincinnati Country Club

The SOPGA recognizes the PGA Member and Apprentice Assistant of the Year for their growth in their development as a golf professional as well as commitment to a career in the PGA. Criteria for these awards are based on: 1) overall performance as an Assistant golf professional; 2) services to the Section, Chapter or Association; 3) leadership ability and; 4) promotion of golf.

Assistant Associate of the Year: Ashley Thomas, GOLFTEC – Blue Ash

The SOPGA recognizes the PGA Member and Apprentice Assistant of the Year for their growth in their development as a golf professional as well as commitment to a career in the PGA. Criteria for these awards are based on: 1) overall performance as an Assistant golf professional; 2) services to the Section, Chapter or Association; 3) leadership ability and; 4) promotion of golf.

Past Award Winners

Golf Professional of the Year
1975 – Walker Inman
1979 – Gene Samborsky
1982 – El Collins
1983 – Jim Gerring
1984 – Jim Slominski
1985 – Marty Kavanaugh II
1986 – Rob Bragg
1987 – Phil Stockdale
1988 – Bob Hoskins
1989 – Geoff Hensley
1990 – John Marchi
1991 – Marty Kavanaugh II
1992 – John Marchi
1993 – Gary Taylor
1994 – Ray Rash
1995 – Gary Taylor
1996 – Mike Crotty
1998 – John Marchi
1999 – Jim Slominski
2000 – Dan Peters
2001 – Bob Harrison
2002 – Larry Drehs
2003 – Ray Finnearty
2004 – Tod Hecht
2005 – Steve Lambert
2006 – Gil Gusweiler
2007 – Steve Groves
2008 – Brian Jones
2009 – Larry McIntyre
2010 – Bob Hauer
2011 – Dennis Wells
2012 – Geoff Hensley
2013 – Brad Zeitner
2014 – Tom Bach
2015 – Larry Dornisch
2016 – Ed Kline
2017 – Jimmy Logue
2018 – Joe Zinchini
Teacher of the Year
1986 – Dick Plummer
1987 – JR Ables
1988 – Jim Childs
1989 – Don Shock
1990 – Dick Plummer
1991 – Guy Amicon
1992 – JR Ables
1993 – Joe Giles
1994 – Rocky Nelson
1995 – Gary Howlett
1996 – Jim Childs
1998 – Jeff Belen
1999 – Timothy Wilkins
2000 – Jim Irvin
2001 – Gil Roosmann
2002 – David Hunter
2003 – David Hunter
2004 – David Hunter
2005 – Jim Irvin
2006 – Tim Lambert
2007 – Sean English
2008 – Don Sargent, Jr.
2009 – Tim Lambert
2010 – Don Sargent, Jr.
2011 – Paul Hobart
2012 – Don Sargent Jr.
2013 – Don Sargent Jr.
2014 – Brad Smith
2015 – Jon Decker
2016 – Gene Powell
2017 – Pat Bernot
2018 – Brian Jones
Bill Strausbaugh (Community Relations)
1983 – Bob Foppe
1985 – Steve Messerschmidlt
1986 – Tom Littlepage
1987 – Marty Kavanaugh II
1988 – Bob Hauer
1989 – Marty Kavanaugh II
1990 – Geoff Hensley
1992 – Greg Sanders
1993 – Greg Sanders
1994 – Tim Lindemann
1995 – Tim Lindemann
1996 – Tim Lindemann
1998 – Tim Lindemann
1999 – Wade Reynolds
2000 – Steve Lambert
2001 – Lowell Dencer
2002 – Tim Lindemann

2003 – Geoff Hensley
2004 – Longaberger GC, Dan Ackerman, Eric Barto, Josh Coad & Phil Stockdale
2005 – Joe Zinchini
2006 – Nick Wolfe
2007 – Doug Stultz
2008 – John Marchi
2009 – Geoff Hensley
2010 – Geoff Hensley
2011 – Bill Stines
2012 – Doug Stultz
2013 – Alex Brickley
2014 – Melissa Yeazell
2015 – Joe Zinchini
2016 – Larry Dornisch
2017 – Derek Kinzer
2018 – Dennis Wells

Youth Player Development
1988 – Mike Crotty
1989 – Mike Crotty
1990 – Mike Crotty
1991 – Mike Crotty
1992 – Harry Alexander
1993 – Harry Alexander
1994 – Garay Goecke
1995 – Garay Goecke
1996 – Harry Alexander
1998 – John Brown
1999 – Bob Stuhlman
2000 – Zack Fink
2001 – Pat Bayley & Andy Theilman
2002 – Steve Pacella
2003 – Harry Alexander & Randy Neufarth
2004 – Joel Suggs
2005 – Dennis Wells
2006 – Gerry Hammond
2007 – Dennis Wells
2008 – Frank Rust
2009 – Matt Staar
2010 – Mike Durant
2011 – Brian Kelly
2012 – Mike Durant
2013 – Ryan Coll
2014 – Dennis Wells
2015 – Rick Towle
2016 – Brian A. Jones
2017 – Matt Starr
2018 – Mike Deiters
Horton Smith Award
1980 – Jim Slominski
1982 – Bob Hauer
1985 – Bob Foppe
1986 – Marty Kavanaugh II
1987 – Guy Amicon
1988 – Marty Kavanaugh II
1989 – Gary Taylor
1990 – Marty Kavanaugh II
1991 – Gary Taylor & John Marchi
1992 – Gary Taylor
1994 – Jim Slominski
1995 – Larry Drehs
1996 – Ray Rash
1998 – Tom McAdoo
1999 – Mike Crotty
2000 – Tom Kendrick
2001 – Joel Suggs
2002 – Steve Jurick
2003 – Pat Bayley
2004 – Pat Bayley
2005 – Brent Sipe
2006 – Joe Zinchini
2007 – Jim Kincaid
2008 – Andy Fisher
2009 – Ed Mitchell
2010 – Brian Jones
2011 – Alex Brickley
2012 – Gene Powell III
2013 – Larry Drehs
2014 – Gene Powell
2015 – Paul Hobart
2016 – Jimmy Logue
2017 – Paul Hobart
2018 – Dave Bahr
Merchandiser of the Year – Public
1987 – Guy Amicon
1988 – Steve Danker
1990 – Jack Groezinger
1991 – Steve Danker
1992 – Larry Herrmann
1993 – Tom Kendrick
1994 – Gil Roosmann
1995 – Brian Hughes
1996 – Brian Highes
1998 – Brian Barnett
1999 – Guy Amicon
2000 – Brian Krinsky
2001 – Kelly Morrow
2002 – Pat Bayley
2003 – Mark Lammi
2004 – Ray Finnearty & Craig Goldsberry
2005 – Jack Groezinger
2006 – Dan Ackerman
2007 – Craig Goldsberry
2008 – Guy Amicon
2009 – Andy Horn
2010 – Steve Klick
2011 – Rodney Royster
2012 – Steve Klick
2013 – Ken Corliss
2014 – Andy Horn
2015 – N/A
2016 – Steve Marino
2017 – Anthony Andrews
2018 – Tom West
Merchandiser of the Year – Private
1987 – Bob Foppe
1988 – Ray Rash
1989 – Paul Barkhouse
1990 – Geoff Hensley
1991 – Robert Maujer
1992 – Brett Steinhagen
1993 – Bob Ault
1994 – Walker Inman
1995 – Walker Inman
1996 – Walker Inman
1998 – Jim Childs
1999 – Marianne Sahms
2000 – Brent Sipe
2001 – Larry Dornish
2002 – Marianne Sahms
2003 – Brent Sipe
2004 – Gil Gusweiler
2005 – Kendric Perkins
2006 – Mike Durant
2007 – Brad Zeitner
2008 – Jim Childs
2009 – Larry Drehs
2010 – Bob Stephens
2011 – Paul Hollenbaugh
2012 – Larry Dornisch
2013 – Bill Stines
2014 – Jimmy Logue
2015 – Mark Welage
2016 – Ken Kaiser
2017 – Rob Karnes
2018 – Bill Stines
Merchandiser of the Year – Resort
1987 – Larry Herrmann
1999 – Joe Burbee & Peter Ryan
2000 – Dan Ackerman
2001 – Dan Ackerman
2002 – Dan Ackerman
2003 – Dan Ackerman
2004 – Dan Ackerman
2005 – Dan Ackerman
Member Assistant of the Year
1992 – Jeff Leckrone
1993 – Mark Anderson
1994 – Paul Hollenbaugh
1995 – Dave Longley
1996 – John Gauthier
1998 – Tim Mouser
1999 – Paul Hobart
2000 – Joe Morrow
2001 – Kent Stevens
2002 – John Newkirk
2003 – Ben Stewart
2004 – Ken Kaiser
2005 – Dave Yeazell
2006 – Joshua Coad
2007 – Sam Arnold
2008 – Rick Bailey
2009 – Jeff Radatz
2010 – Barry Hinckley
2011 – Josh Luehmann
2012 – Brandon Sullivan
2013 – Chad Giligan
2014 – Joe Falardeau
2015 – Ryan Coll
2016 – Jared Jones
2017 – Jim Simminger
2018 – Gip Hoagland
Apprentice Assistant of the Year
1994 – Steve Pinger
1995 – Andrew Fredette
1996 – Ed Grooms
1998 – Mike Stills
1999 – Mike Kelly
2000 – Andy Fisher
2001 – Missy Kennedy
2002 – Tim Vosler
2003 – Melissa Yeazell
2004 – Matt Stotler
2005 – Gip Hoagland
2006 – Nathan DeLany
2007 – Chris Casto
2008 – Chris Casto
2009 – Keith Fisher
2010 – Matt Baughman
2011 – Greg Hart
2012 – Ben Wolfe
2013 – Ryan Jacocks
2014 – Chris Bussell
2015 – RD Erwin
2016 – Krissy Austin
2017 – Johnathan Christopherson
2018 – Ashley Thomas
Player Development Award (Formerly President’s Plaque)
2007 – Derek Kinzer
2008 – Paul Hobart
2009 – Tom Bach
2010 – Dennis Wells
2011 – Matt Starr
2012 – Melissa Yeazell
2013 – Tod Hecht
2014 – Kyle Voska
2015 – Andrew Horner
2016 – Matt Starr
2017 – Brian Fennen
Patriot Award
2014 – Geoff Hensley
2015 – James McDonough
2016 – Doug Stultz
2017 – Doug Stultz
2018 – Tom Bach
Sales Representative of the Year
2013 – Bob Purdy
2014 – Devon Holden
2015 – Blake Kearney
2016 – Devon Holden
2017 – Deb Pickering
2018 – Jenni Young