Calling them “leaders among leaders,” PGA of America President John Lindert introduced the 2024 PGA National Award recipients at a special presentation on the PGA of America Industry Stage presented by CapTech at the PGA Show Wednesday afternoon.
Beginning with 2024 PGA Golf Professional of the Year Tony Pancake, PGA of America Director of Golf at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Indiana, Lindert recognized the passion for service and leadership each national award recipient has demonstrated at the local, Section and national level.
Moderated by PGA of America Master Professional Brian Crowell, PGA, General Manager at Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point in New York, the Class of 2024 PGA National Award recipients was heralded as “the best of the best” among 30,000 members of the PGA of America.
Joining PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year Pancake as national honorees are 2024 PGA of America Teacher & Coach of the Year Joe Hallett, PGA, Director of Instruction at Vanderbilt Legends Club in Franklin, Tennessee; PGA of America Golf Executive of the Year Kelly Williams, PGA, General Manager at Greenbrier Golf & Country Club in Lexington, Kentucky; Bill Strausbaugh Award recipient Jim Smith Jr., PGA, COO and Director of Golf at Philadelphia Cricket Club in Flourtown, Pennsylvania; and PGA of America Professional Development Award honoree Crystal Morse, PGA, Head Professional at The Legends Golf Club in Franklin, Indiana.
Dean Kandle, PGA, General Manager at St. Davids Golf Club in Wayne, Penn., was introduced as the 2024 PGA of America Professional Development Award recipient, while Connie DeMattia, PGA, Director of Instruction at Cantigny Golf in Wheaton, Illinois, was feted as the 2024 PGA of America Youth Player Development Award honoree.
Jon DePriest, PGA, Director of Golf at Sunset Hills Country Club in Edwardsville, Illinois, was introduced as the recipient of the 2024 Patriot Award, while Mark Egly, PGA, owner and Director of Instruction at the Des Moines Driving Range in Des Moines, Iowa, was recognized as the recipient of the 2024 Deacon Palmer Award. The Iowa PGA Section was spotlighted as the winner of the 2024 Herb Graffis Award for its ongoing commitment to growing the game.
Merchandising masters Morgan Jewell, Robert Koontz and Jason Loomis were also introduced at the special ceremony as the 2024 PGA of America Merchandisers of the Year for private, resort and public facilities, respectively.
Jewell, PGA, Head Golf Professional at Floridian National Golf Club in Palm City, Florida, has helped double the club’s membership, triple rounds played, and doubled golf shop sales since taking the job in 2015.
Koontz, PGA, Head Golf Professional at the Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort in Indiana, is a 32-year veteran of the golf business who manages three golf shops at the resort.
Loomis, PGA General Manager at Great River Golf Club in Milford, Connecticut, has doubled golf shop revenues at the public Sacred Heart University course in four years.
All national 2024 PGA of America Award recipients will receive their awards and be celebrated at the PGA of America’s 2024 Annual Meeting in November in Grand Rapids, Michigan.