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Special Awards

2024 Special Awards Recipients

Golf Professional of the Year

Pat Bernot, PGA

GOLFTEC Easton

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 presented by GOLFTEC

Chase Wilson, PGA

Columbus Country Club

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

Chris Yoder, PGA

Scioto Country Club

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

Dave MacLaughlin, PGA

The Golf Club at Little Turtle

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

Ken Corliss, PGA

The Golf Club of Dublin

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.

Professional Development Award

Jim Simminger, PGA

ALL iN GOLF

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

Jackie Buckley, PGA

Scioto Country Club

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

Matt Brewer, PGA

Cincinnati 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

Anthony Andrews, PGA

Blue Ash Golf Course

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 Professional of the Year

Wyatt Wilson, PGA

NCR Country Club

The SOPGA recognizes the PGA Member and Associate 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.

Associate of the Year

Maddie Nichelson

The Meadow Links & Golf Academy

The SOPGA recognizes the PGA Member and Associate 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.

Sales Rep of the Year

Emily Ransone, PGA

Cleveland/Srixon/Nike

The Southern Ohio PGA recognizes a sales representative (hard or soft goods) serving the Section who has made significant contributions to the game of golf at the Section level and within his/her company and whose overall performance as a sales representative including service to accounts, overall integrity, courtesy, and professionalism is second to none.

Past Award Winners

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

2019 – Jeff Olson

2020 – Ken Kaiser

2021 – Rob Karnes

2022 – Ryan Coll

2023 – Matt Starr

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

2019 – Mike Deiters

2020 – Brad Smith

2021 – Don Sargent Jr.

2022 – Chris Yoder

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

2019 – Eric Eby

2020 – Ken Corliss

2021 – Harry Alexander

2022 – Jeff Grant

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

2019 – Eric Thielsen

2020 – Daniel Sorgini

2021 – Ryne Burnett

2022 – Matt Starr

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

2019 – Rob Karnes

2020 – Kevin Stanton

2021 – No Recipient

2022 – Steve Jurick

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 – No Recipient

2016 – Steve Marino

2017 – Anthony Andrews

2018 – Tom West

2019 – Krissy Austin

2020 – Krissy Austin

2021 – Anthony Andrews

2022 – Tom West

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

2019 – Barry Hinckley

2020 – Ryan Coll

2021 – Jimmy Logue

2022 – Chad Gilligan

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

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 Gilligan

2014 – Joe Falardeau

2015 – Ryan Coll

2016 – Jared Jones

2017 – Jim Simminger

2018 – Gip Hoagland

2019 – Matt Brewer

2020 – Ben Bastel

2021 – Evan Hartnett

2022 – Jamie Brewer

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 Brewer

2011 – Greg Hart

2012 – Ben Wolfe

2013 – Ryan Jacocks

2014 – Chris Bussell

2015 – RD Erwin

2016 – Krissy Austin

2017 – Johnathan Christopherson

2018 – Ashley Thomas

2019 – Ashley Thomas

2020 – Ben Chandler

2021 – Matt Powell

2022 – Hannah McCrabb

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

2020 – Larry King

2021 – Dennis Wells

2022 – Chase Wilson

2014 – Geoff Hensley

2015 – James McDonough

2016 – Doug Stultz

2017 – Doug Stultz

2018 – Tom Bach

2019 – Ken Kaiser

2020 – Mike Stills

2021 – Mike Stills

2022 – Matt Starr

2013 – Bob Purdy

2014 – Devon Holden

2015 – Blake Kearney

2016 – Devon Holden

2017 – Deb Pickering

2018 – Jenni Young

2019 – Christa Petitt

2020 – No Recipient

2021 – No Recipient

2022– Kathy Keller