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Legacy Award

Southern Ohio PGA Legacy Award

The Legacy Award was created to supplement the SOPGA Hall of Fame. The award honors a Past President or prominent SOPGA Member who has shown exemplary devotion and commitment to enhancing the well-being of the Southern Ohio PGA. The Legacy Award recognizes moments from our history that helped pave the foundation of the Section or promoted the game of golf in an extraordinary manner.

2025 SOPGA Legacy Award Winner

The Legacy Award, which goes to a member who has shown exemplary devotion and commitment to enhancing the well-being of the Southern Ohio PGA, will be given to Cincinnati Country Club General Manager/COO Joe Zinchini, PGA. The 2018 Southern Ohio PGA Golf Professional of the Year, Zinchini’s reputation for service and professional development is renowned across the country, not just throughout the Section. As a past president of the Section, Zinchini spearheaded PGA REACH Southern Ohio initiatives and expanded perfectly timed professional development opportunities for anyone looking to enter the golf industry. Zinchini has received multiple SOPGA Awards; the Bill Strausbaugh Award (2015, 2005), the PGA Professional Development Award (2006).

Honorees

  • 2025 – Joe Zinchini, PGA
  • 2024 – Larry Dornisch, PGA
  • 2023 – John Marchi, PGA
  • 2022 – Bill Wood, PGA
  • 2021 – Mike Crotty, PGA
  • 2020 – Steve Groves, PGA
  • 2019 – George Long, PGA
  • 2018 – Tom Littlepage, PGA
  • 2017 – Ron Stephanek & Jack Grout, PGA
  • 2016 – Ed Mitchell, PGA
  • 2015 – Bob Harrison, PGA
  • 2014 – Gary Dixon, PGA
  • 2013 – Tommy Bryant, PGA & John Marchi, PGA
  • 2012 – Bob Hauer, PGA
  • 2011 – Jim Gilbert, PGA
  • 2010 – Jim Slominski, PGA
  • 2009 – Dick Plummer, PGA
  • 2008 – Jack Ortman, PGA
  • 2007 – Bob Foppe, PGA
  • 2006 –Elhanon ‘El’ Collins, PGA
  • 2005 – NCR Country Club
  • 2004 – Johnny Fisher, PGA
  • 2003 – Scioto Country Club
  • 2002 – Pete Brown, PGA and Joe Thomas, PGA
  • 2001 – The 1945 PGA Championship at Moraine CC