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.
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.
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.
The PGA Golf Executive of the Year Award bestows special recognition on a PGA Golf Professional who has performed outstanding services for a multiple facility/course management/ownership operation, Allied Association or golf industry executive management position. As one of the highest honors the PGA can bestow, candidates must possess outstanding qualities of leadership, vision, courage, strong moral character, and a substantial record of service to the Association and the game of golf. Individuals honored with the PGA Golf Executive of the Year award will be held as a model PGA Golf Professional.
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.
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.
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 Section education programs are also considered for this award.
This award recognizes a SOPGA member who has made extraordinary contributions and achievements in conducting and/or supporting growth of the game initiatives.
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.
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.
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.
The SOPGA’s Deacon Palmer Award bestows special recognition on a PGA Golf Professional who personally displays outstanding integrity, character and leadership, in the effort to overcome a major obstacle in their life.
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 Associate golf professional; 2) services to the Section, Chapter or Association; 3) leadership ability and; 4) promotion of golf.
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.
1975 – Walker Inman, PGA
1979 – Gene Samborsky, PGA
1982 – El Collins, PGA
1983 – Jim Gerring, PGA
1984 – Jim Slominski, PGA
1985 – Marty Kavanaugh II, PGA
1986 – Rob Bragg, PGA
1987 – Phil Stockdale, PGA
1988 – Bob Hoskins, PGA
1989 – Geoff Hensley, PGA
1990 – John Marchi, PGA
1991 – Marty Kavanaugh II, PGA
1992 – John Marchi, PGA
1993 – Gary Taylor, PGA
1994 – Ray Rash, PGA
1995 – Gary Taylor, PGA
1996 – Mike Crotty, PGA
1998 – John Marchi, PGA
1999 – Jim Slominski, PGA
2000 – Dan Peters, PGA
2001 – Bob Harrison, PGA
2002 – Larry Drehs, PGA
2003 – Ray Finnearty, PGA
2004 – Tod Hecht, PGA
2005 – Steve Lambert, PGA
2006 – Gil Gusweiler, PGA
2007 – Steve Groves, PGA
2008 – Brian Jones, PGA
2009 – Larry McIntyre, PGA
2010 – Bob Hauer, PGA
2011 – Dennis Wells, PGA
2012 – Geoff Hensley, PGA
2013 – Brad Zeitner, PGA
2014 – Tom Bach, PGA
2015 – Larry Dornisch, PGA
2016 – Ed Kline, PGA
2017 – Jimmy Logue, PGA
2018 – Joe Zinchini, PGA
2019 – Jeff Olson, PGA
2020 – Ken Kaiser, PGA
2021 – Rob Karnes, PGA
2022 – Ryan Coll, PGA
2023 – Matt Starr, PGA
2024 – Pat Bernot, PGA
2025 – Andy Montgomery, PGA
1986 – Dick Plummer, PGA
1987 – JR Ables, PGA
1988 – Jim Childs, PGA
1989 – Don Shock, PGA
1990 – Dick Plummer, PGA
1991 – Guy Amicon, PGA
1992 – JR Ables, PGA
1993 – Joe Giles, PGA
1994 – Rocky Nelson, PGA
1995 – Gary Howlett, PGA
1996 – Jim Childs, PGA
1998 – Jeff Belen, PGA
1999 – Timothy Wilkins, PGA
2000 – Jim Irvin, PGA
2001 – Gil Roosmann, PGA
2002 – David Hunter, PGA
2003 – David Hunter, PGA
2004 – David Hunter, PGA
2005 – Jim Irvin, PGA
2006 – Tim Lambert, PGA
2007 – Sean English, PGA
2008 – Don Sargent, Jr., PGA
2009 – Tim Lambert, PGA
2010 – Don Sargent, Jr., PGA
2011 – Paul Hobart, PGA
2012 – Don Sargent Jr., PGA
2013 – Don Sargent Jr., PGA
2014 – Brad Smith, PGA
2015 – Jon Decker, PGA
2016 – Gene Powell, PGA
2017 – Pat Bernot, PGA
2018 – Brian Jones, PGA
2019 – Mike Deiters, PGA
2020 – Brad Smith, PGA
2021 – Don Sargent Jr., PGA
2022 – Chris Yoder, PGA
2023 – Brian Fennen, PGA
2024 – Chase Wilson, PGA
2025 – Gene Powell, PGA
1983 – Bob Foppe, PGA
1985 – Steve Messerschmidlt, PGA
1986 – Tom Littlepage, PGA
1987 – Marty Kavanaugh II, PGA
1988 – Bob Hauer, PGA
1989 – Marty Kavanaugh II, PGA
1990 – Geoff Hensley, PGA
1992 – Greg Sanders, PGA
1993 – Greg Sanders, PGA
1994 – Tim Lindemann, PGA
1995 – Tim Lindemann, PGA
1996 – Tim Lindemann, PGA
1998 – Tim Lindemann, PGA
1999 – Wade Reynolds, PGA
2000 – Steve Lambert, PGA
2001 – Lowell Dencer, PGA
2002 – Tim Lindemann, PGA
2003 – Geoff Hensley, PGA
2004 – Longaberger GC, Dan Ackerman, Eric Barto, Josh Coad, PGA & Phil Stockdale, PGA
2005 – Joe Zinchini, PGA
2006 – Nick Wolfe, PGA
2007 – Doug Stultz, PGA
2008 – John Marchi, PGA
2009 – Geoff Hensley, PGA
2010 – Geoff Hensley, PGA
2011 – Bill Stines, PGA
2012 – Doug Stultz, PGA
2013 – Alex Brickley, PGA
2014 – Melissa Yeazell, PGA
2015 – Joe Zinchini, PGA
2016 – Larry Dornisch, PGA
2017 – Derek Kinzer, PGA
2018 – Dennis Wells, PGA
2019 – Eric Eby, PGA
2020 – Ken Corliss, PGA
2021 – Harry Alexander, PGA
2022 – Jeff Grant, PGA
2023 – Brian Jones, PGA
2024 – Ken Corliss, PGA
2025 – Rob Karnes, PGA
1988 – Mike Crotty, PGA
1989 – Mike Crotty, PGA
1990 – Mike Crotty, PGA
1991 – Mike Crotty, PGA
1992 – Harry Alexander, PGA
1993 – Harry Alexander, PGA
1994 – Garay Goecke, PGA
1995 – Garay Goecke, PGA
1996 – Harry Alexander, PGA
1998 – John Brown, PGA
1999 – Bob Stuhlman, PGA
2000 – Zack Fink, PGA
2001 – Pat Bayley, PGA & Andy Theilman, PGA
2002 – Steve Pacella, PGA
2003 – Harry Alexander, PGA & Randy Neufarth, PGA
2004 – Joel Suggs, PGA
2005 – Dennis Wells, PGA
2006 – Gerry Hammond, PGA
2007 – Dennis Wells, PGA
2008 – Frank Rust, PGA
2009 – Matt Staar, PGA
2010 – Mike Durant, PGA
2011 – Brian Kelly, PGA
2012 – Mike Durant, PGA
2013 – Ryan Coll, PGA
2014 – Dennis Wells, PGA
2015 – Rick Towle, PGA
2016 – Brian A. Jones, PGA
2017 – Matt Starr, PGA
2018 – Mike Deiters, PGA
2019 – Eric Thielsen, PGA
2020 – Daniel Sorgini, PGA
2021 – Ryne Burnett, PGA
2022 – Matt Starr, PGA
2023 – Ben Chandler, PGA
2024 – Chris Yoder, PGA
2025 – Chris Yoder, PGA
2007 – Derek Kinzer, PGA
2008 – Paul Hobart, PGA
2009 – Tom Bach, PGA
2010 – Dennis Wells, PGA
2011 – Matt Starr, PGA
2012 – Melissa Yeazell, PGA
2013 – Tod Hecht, PGA
2014 – Kyle Voska, PGA
2015 – Andrew Horner, PGA
2016 – Matt Starr, PGA
2017 – Brian Fennen, PGA
2020 – Larry King, PGA
2021 – Dennis Wells, PGA
2022 – Chase Wilson, PGA
2023 – Tom Harris, PGA
2024 – Jackie Buckley, PGA
2025 – Ben Chandler, PGA
1980 – Jim Slominski, PGA
1982 – Bob Hauer, PGA
1985 – Bob Foppe, PGA
1986 – Marty Kavanaugh II, PGA
1987 – Guy Amicon, PGA
1988 – Marty Kavanaugh II, PGA
1989 – Gary Taylor, PGA
1990 – Marty Kavanaugh II, PGA
1991 – Gary Taylor, PGA & John Marchi, PGA
1992 – Gary Taylor, PGA
1994 – Jim Slominski, PGA
1995 – Larry Drehs, PGA
1996 – Ray Rash, PGA
1998 – Tom McAdoo, PGA
1999 – Mike Crotty, PGA
2000 – Tom Kendrick, PGA
2001 – Joel Suggs, PGA
2002 – Steve Jurick, PGA
2003 – Pat Bayley, PGA
2004 – Pat Bayley, PGA
2005 – Brent Sipe, PGA
2006 – Joe Zinchini, PGA
2007 – Jim Kincaid, PGA
2008 – Andy Fisher, PGA
2009 – Ed Mitchell, PGA
2010 – Brian Jones, PGA
2011 – Alex Brickley, PGA
2012 – Gene Powell III, PGA
2013 – Larry Drehs, PGA
2014 – Gene Powell, PGA
2015 – Paul Hobart, PGA
2016 – Jimmy Logue, PGA
2017 – Paul Hobart, PGA
2018 – Dave Bahr, PGA
2019 – Rob Karnes, PGA
2020 – Kevin Stanton, PGA
2021 – No Recipient
2022 – Steve Jurick, PGA
2023 – Jim Simminger, PGA
2024 – Jim Simminger, PGA
2025 – Jeff McEldowney, PGA
1987 – Guy Amicon, PGA
1988 – Steve Danker, PGA
1990 – Jack Groezinger, PGA
1991 – Steve Danker, PGA
1992 – Larry Herrmann, PGA
1993 – Tom Kendrick, PGA
1994 – Gil Roosmann, PGA
1995 – Brian Hughes, PGA
1996 – Brian Highes, PGA
1998 – Brian Barnett, PGA
1999 – Guy Amicon, PGA
2000 – Brian Krinsky, PGA
2001 – Kelly Morrow, PGA
2002 – Pat Bayley, PGA
2003 – Mark Lammi, PGA
2004 – Ray Finnearty, PGA & Craig Goldsberry, PGA
2005 – Jack Groezinger, PGA
2006 – Dan Ackerman, PGA
2007 – Craig Goldsberry, PGA
2008 – Guy Amicon, PGA
2009 – Andy Horn, PGA
2010 – Steve Klick, PGA
2011 – Rodney Royster, PGA
2012 – Steve Klick, PGA
2013 – Ken Corliss, PGA
2014 – Andy Horn, PGA
2015 – No Recipient
2016 – Steve Marino, PGA
2017 – Anthony Andrews, PGA
2018 – Tom West, PGA
2019 – Krissy Austin, PGA
2020 – Krissy Austin, PGA
2021 – Anthony Andrews, PGA
2022 – Tom West, PGA
2023 – Krissy Austin, PGA
2024 – Anthony Andrews, PGA
2025 – Derek DeHart, PGA
1987 – Bob Foppe, PGA
1988 – Ray Rash, PGA
1989 – Paul Barkhouse, PGA
1990 – Geoff Hensley, PGA
1991 – Robert Maujer, PGA
1992 – Brett Steinhagen, PGA
1993 – Bob Ault, PGA
1994 – Walker Inman, PGA
1995 – Walker Inman, PGA
1996 – Walker Inman, PGA
1998 – Jim Childs, PGA
1999 – Marianne Sahms, PGA
2000 – Brent Sipe, PGA
2001 – Larry Dornish, PGA
2002 – Marianne Sahms, PGA
2003 – Brent Sipe, PGA
2004 – Gil Gusweiler, PGA
2005 – Kendric Perkins, PGA
2006 – Mike Durant, PGA
2007 – Brad Zeitner, PGA
2008 – Jim Childs, PGA
2009 – Larry Drehs, PGA
2010 – Bob Stephens, PGA
2011 – Paul Hollenbaugh, PGA
2012 – Larry Dornisch, PGA
2013 – Bill Stines, PGA
2014 – Jimmy Logue, PGA
2015 – Mark Welage, PGA
2016 – Ken Kaiser, PGA
2017 – Rob Karnes, PGA
2018 – Bill Stines, PGA
2019 – Barry Hinckley, PGA
2020 – Ryan Coll, PGA
2021 – Jimmy Logue, PGA
2022 – Chad Gilligan, PGA
2023 – Joe Falardeau, PGA
2024 – Matt Brewer, PGA
2025 – Justin Armour, PGA
1987 – Larry Herrmann, PGA
1999 – Joe Burbee, PGA & Peter Ryan, PGA
2000 – Dan Ackerman, PGA
2001 – Dan Ackerman, PGA
2002 – Dan Ackerman, PGA
2003 – Dan Ackerman, PGA
2004 – Dan Ackerman, PGA
2005 – Dan Ackerman
1992 – Jeff Leckrone, PGA
1993 – Mark Anderson, PGA
1994 – Paul Hollenbaugh, PGA
1995 – Dave Longley, PGA
1996 – John Gauthier, PGA
1998 – Tim Mouser, PGA
1999 – Paul Hobart, PGA
2000 – Joe Morrow, PGA
2001 – Kent Stevens, PGA
2002 – John Newkirk, PGA
2003 – Ben Stewart, PGA
2004 – Ken Kaiser, PGA
2005 – Dave Yeazell, PGA
2006 – Joshua Coad, PGA
2007 – Sam Arnold, PGA
2008 – Rick Bailey, PGA
2009 – Jeff Radatz, PGA
2010 – Barry Hinckley, PGA
2011 – Josh Luehmann, PGA
2012 – Brandon Sullivan, PGA
2013 – Chad Gilligan, PGA
2014 – Joe Falardeau, PGA
2015 – Ryan Coll, PGA
2016 – Jared Jones, PGA
2017 – Jim Simminger, PGA
2018 – Gip Hoagland, PGA
2019 – Matt Brewer, PGA
2020 – Ben Bastel, PGA
2021 – Evan Hartnett, PGA
2022 – Jamie Brewer, PGA
2023 – Ben Collie, PGA
2024 – Wyatt Wilson, PGA
2025 – Hannah McCrabb, PGA
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
2023 – Jerome Porter
2024 – Maddie Nichelson
2025 – Adam Taulbee
2025 – Tod Hecht, PGA
2025 – Jeff Grant, PGA
2014 – Geoff Hensley, PGA
2015 – James McDonough, PGA
2016 – Doug Stultz, PGA
2017 – Doug Stultz, PGA
2018 – Tom Bach, PGA
2019 – Ken Kaiser, PGA
2020 – Mike Stills, PGA
2021 – Mike Stills, PGA
2022 – Matt Starr, PGA
2023 – Brian Jones, PGA
2024 – Dave McLaughlin, PGA
2025 – Jeff Olson, PGA
2013 – Bob Purdy
2014 – Devon Holden, PGA
2015 – Blake Kearney
2016 – Devon Holden, PGA
2017 – Deb Pickering
2018 – Jenni Young
2019 – Christa Petitt
2020 – No Recipient
2021 – No Recipient
2022– Kathy Keller
2023 – Tim Botschner
2024 – Emily Ransone, PGA
2025 – Jenny Gleason