Special Awards

Rocky Brooks, PGA – Sedgefield Country Club

The Carolinas PGA is proud to announce the 2020 Golf Professional of the Year, Rocky Brooks, PGA. A member for nearly 30 years, Brooks currently serves as Director of Golf at Sedgefield Country Club and has spent the last 20 years molding Sedgefield into what it is today. He has dedicated himself as a professional through service on the Section Board for 10 of the last 14 years, development of community outreach programs such as The First Tee of the Triad, and maintained close collaboration with the PGA TOUR in hosting the Wyndham Championship. He strives to inspire his fellow professionals in his service as a CPGA Board Member. Rocky hopes every young professional he has come in contact with has gained some knowledge from him as well as some respect for the association they represent. Brooks’ inspiration to other clubs does not go unnoticed either. The high standard he demands daily at Sedgefield and his commitment to providing a great club experience serves as a benchmark for the 14 other properties that make up McConnell Golf.

The highest honor paid to a PGA Professional, the Golf Professional of the Year Award honors excellent overall performance as a golf professional at his/her facility, level of service to the Section, leadership ability, image and the ability to inspire fellow professionals, and promotion of the game of golf.

Palmer Maples Teacher of the Year
Allen Terrell, PGA | Dustin Johnson Golf School

This award bestows special recognition on a PGA Professional who has performed outstanding service as a golf instructor.  The award winner has made a tremendous impact on teaching and golf instruction in the Section, had involvement in junior golf activities at his/her facility and the community, provided innovative contributions to golf instruction, and any articles written for publication.

Bill Strausbaugh Award
Brian Gerard, PGA | Kiawah Island Golf Resort

This award is presented to a PGA member, who by his/her day-to-day efforts has made significant contributions through mentoring of PGA Professionals and impacting their careers. The award also considers the integrity and character of the PGA member, service to the Section, and involvement in community and charitable activities.

PGA Professional Development Award
Josh Wagaman, PGA | Kiawah Island GR – Cougar Point

The Horton Smith Award is designed to recognize individual PGA Professionals for their outstanding and continuing contributions to developing and improving educational opportunities for the PGA Professional. They are to have made contributions to the Section’s educational program including meetings and seminars held with the Carolinas Section, developed articles and materials which benefit and relate to education, and built the image of both the PGA Professional and the Association.

Player Development Award
Casey Cline, PGA | Rick Murphy Golf Academy

This award is designed to recognize individual PGA Professionals for their extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievements in the area of Player Development.  This award considers the Professional’s growth of the game leadership commitment at the Section and National levels, plus the impact made at his/her own facility.

Youth Player Development Award
Robbie Fritz, PGA | Greensboro Country Club

This award is designed to recognize a PGA Professional who is a leader in junior golf, reflects the qualities and ideals of those who work with our nation’s youth, and provides opportunities and experiences for juniors to learn and play golf.  In addition, they showcase integrity as an individual and acceptance by junior golfers as a person of outstanding character are the criteria for this award.

Merchandiser of the Year (Private)
John Marino, PGA | Old Chatham Country Club

This award recognizes PGA Professionals who have demonstrated superior skills as merchandisers in the promotion of golf.  The criteria considered for this award are: PGA member in good standing, credit rating with the industry, overall credit rating, community involvement, staff training, inventory mix, displays, merchandising techniques, details and innovation, shop operations, merchandising philosophy, and merchandising performance (profit margin, turn rate, cost of goods, sales).

Merchandiser of the Year (Resort)
JT Symons, PGA | The Currituck Golf Club

This award recognizes PGA Professionals who have demonstrated superior skills as merchandisers in the promotion of golf.  The criteria considered for this award are: PGA member in good standing, credit rating with the industry, overall credit rating, community involvement, staff training, inventory mix, displays, merchandising techniques, details and innovation, shop operations, merchandising philosophy, and merchandising performance (profit margin, turn rate, cost of goods, sales).

Merchandiser of the Year (Public)
Martha Hudson, PGA | Tobacco Road Golf Club

This award recognizes PGA Professionals who have demonstrated superior skills as merchandisers in the promotion of golf.  The criteria considered for this award are: PGA member in good standing, credit rating with the industry, overall credit rating, community involvement, staff training, inventory mix, displays, merchandising techniques, details and innovation, shop operations, merchandising philosophy, and merchandising performance (profit margin, turn rate, cost of goods, sales).

Assistant Professional of the Year
presented by Srixon / Cleveland Golf / XXIO /ASICS
Briana Sweeny, PGA | Kiawah Island Club – Cassique

The Assistant Golf Professional of the Year is awarded to an individual who showcases overall excellence as an Assistant Professional. They exude a quality level of service, promotion of the game, image, and overall performance at his/her facility.

Patriot Award
Brad Clayton, PGA | Brad Clayton’s PuzzleDuck Golf

The CPGA Patriot Award bestows special recognition on a PGA Golf 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.

Community Impact Award
(new for 2020)
Brett Miller, PGA | Miller Management Associates

The Carolinas PGA Community Impact Award bestows special recognition on a PGA Professional who excels in community involvement through their time, actions, talents and dedication. The honoree should serve as a role model for compassion and service while striving to make the world a better place by helping others in his/her community. This individual should have a proven impact in community outreach programs, fundraising and/or service on community organization boards.