Special Awards

Bob Byrnes, PGA | Hope Valley Country Club

The Carolinas PGA is proud to announce Bob Byrnes, Head PGA Professional of Hope Valley Country Club, as the 2022 Carolinas PGA Golf Professional of the Year. Byrnes has served 27 years in the Carolinas Section, 14 years as a Head Professional, and 11 years as a member on the Carolinas PGA Board of Directors, culminating with his term as President from 2020 to 2022. Bob continues to find new and innovative ways to grow the game of golf in the community and lead with integrity and passion. He runs his club with both a delegative and democratic leadership approach, preparing his staff for what they will face when they are the final decision makers in their own operation, and raising their level of accountability. 

Bob was one month into his Presidency with the Carolinas PGA when COVID-19 shut down the world. Bob worked diligently to lead the CPGA through the many challenging hurdles that the pandemic presented. Most notably working with the allied golf associations and state and local leaders to keep golf open continuously throughout the pandemic while executing safe and responsible events. Bob has inspired fellow golf professionals by setting a positive example of what a PGA Professional’s role is in today’s private club environment. The section is proud to bestow this most deserving honor to Bob for his accomplishments as an outstanding PGA golf professional. 

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
Krista Dunton, PGA – Berkeley Hall Club

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
Brock White, PGA | Methodist University PGM Program

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
Deron Lee, PGA | Kiawah Island Golf Resort – Oak Point

The PGA Professional Development 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
Cynthia Graham, PGA | The Dunes Golf & Beach Club

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
Frank Maynard III, PGA | UNC Finley Golf 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)
James Hylton, PGA | Secession 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 (Resort)
Sean Reardon, PGA | Barefoot Resort & Golf

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)
Chip Watson, PGA | Lonnie Poole Golf Course

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
Joel Stark, PGA | Country Club of Charleston

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
Bob Brooks, PGA | Gillespie Golf Course

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
Doug Hodges, PGA | SwingPals

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.