2017 PGA of America National Award Recipients
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2017-11-06
Darrell Kestner Receives PGA Golf Professional Of The Year Award, David Leadbetter PGA Teacher Of The Year, And Nine PGA Professionals Honored At 2017 PGA Annual Meeting In Austin, Texas. (Photo/PGA of America)
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Florida — PGA Golf Professional of the Year Darrell Kestner and PGA Teacher of the Year David Leadbetter led a contingent of 11 PGA Professionals who were honored during the PGA of America’s 2017 National Awards celebration at the Hilton Austin on Wednesday, Nov. 1, in conjunction with the 101st PGA Annual Meeting in Austin, Texas.
The recipients of the 2017 PGA of America National Awards included:
- PGA Golf Professional of the Year: Darrell Kestner, PGA, Deepdale G.C. - Manhasset, New York
- PGA Teacher of the Year: David Leadbetter, PGA, David Leadbetter Golf Academy - ChampionsGate, Florida
- PGA Youth Player Development Award: Brendon Elliott, PGA, Little Linksters LLC - Deltona, Florida
- Bill Strausbaugh Award: John Kennedy, PGA Life Member, formerly Westchester C.C. - Rye, New York
- Horton Smith Award: Jeff Adkerson, PGA, Mississippi State University - Starkville, Mississippi
- PGA Player Development Award: Tom Morton, PGA, Haggin Oaks Golf Complex - Sacramento, California
- Patriot Award: Kevin McKinley, PGA, Treetops Resort - Gaylord, Michigan
- Deacon Palmer Award: Sam Depe III, PGA, Hickory Heights G.C. - Bridgeville, Pennsylvania
- PGA Merchandiser of the Year – Private Facilities: Mike Strlekar, PGA, Montclair G.C. - West Orange, New Jersey
- PGA Merchandiser of the Year – Public Facilities: Mark Pfingston, PGA - Bear Dance G.C. - Denver
- PGA Merchandiser of the Year – Resort Facilities: Zack Chapin, PGA, - Arcadia Bluffs G.C. - Arcadia, Michigan
- Herb Graffis Award: Gateway PGA Section (parts of Missouri and Illinois)
“The 2017 class of national award recipients were all truly deserving of this recognition, having distinguished themselves as inspirational leaders, mentors, and pioneers among their peers,” said PGA President Paul Levy. “The PGA of America proudly recognizes them for their unwavering commitment to represent the PGA Professional and the game of golf at the highest of levels.”
For more information on the individual award winners, click here.