Special Awards

John Marino, PGA – Old Chatham CC

The Carolinas PGA is proud to announce John Marino, PGA of Old Chatham Golf Club as the 2021 Carolinas PGA Golf Professional of the Year. John’s service to the Carolinas PGA started close to 20 years ago about the time he arrived in the Section back in 2001. John was elected twice to be Area Director and then served on the Executive Board bringing his total years served to 14 years on the Board culminating with his election to become president of the section in 2016. John currently serves on the Governance Committee continuing his dedicated service to the Section. He has always encouraged all of his staff to have the autonomy to make decisions in the best interest of the club and for the member they are servicing. He inspires his fellow golf professionals by doing the same things that inspires himself…. to be his best.

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
Jimmy Hamilton, PGA – Wildwood Green GC

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
Mary Thomas, PGA | Bermuda Run CC

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
Paige Cribb, PGA | Coastal Carolina

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
Kevin Britt, PGA | Carolina CC

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
Anne Marie Goslak, PGA | Greensboro CC – Farm Course

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)
Bill Glenn, PGA | Roaring Gap 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)
Tyler Yancey, PGA | Pine Needles Lodge & GC

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)
Casey Cook, PGA | Founders Group

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
Josh Webb, PGA | Sedgefield CC

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
Karl Kimball, PGA | Hillandale GC

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
Briana Niemnann, PGA/LPGA | Kiawah Island Club – Cassique

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.