Greensboro, NC. (December 1, 2020) – The Carolinas PGA is honored to announce the winners of the 2020 Section Special Awards. Distributed annually by the Carolinas PGA, the top twelve most deserving Carolinas PGA Professionals are selected by the Special Awards Committee, whose mission is to recognize the best and brightest PGA professionals in North and South Carolina.

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.

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.

In addition to the Carolinas’ eleven annual awards, the Community Impact Award has been added to list of honors for 2020. Numerous professionals in the Carolinas are vehemently dedicated to community involvement and making an impact to all demographics and many organizations. This does not go unnoticed and deserves to be recognized. We are excited to announce Brett Miller, PGA as the inaugural Community Impact Award Winner.

2020 Carolinas PGA Special Award Winners

Golf Professional of the Year
Rocky Brooks, PGA | Sedgefield Country Club
Bill Strausbaugh Award
Brian Gerard, PGA | Kiawah Island Golf Resort
PGA Professional Development Award
Josh Wagaman, PGA | Kiawah Island GR – Cougar Point
Palmer Maples Teacher of the Year
Allen Terrell, PGA | Dustin Johnson Golf School
Player Development Award
Casey Cline, PGA | Rick Murphy Golf Academy
Youth Player Development Award
Robbie Fritz, PGA | Greensboro Country Club
Merchandiser of the Year (Private)
John Marino, PGA | Old Chatham Country Club
Merchandiser of the Year (Resort)
JT Symons, PGA | The Currituck Golf Club
Merchandiser of the Year (Public)
Martha Hudson, PGA | Tobacco Road Golf Club
Assistant Professional of the Year
presented by Srixon / Cleveland Golf / XXIO /ASICS
Briana Sweeny, PGA | Kiawah Island Club – Cassique
Patriot Award
Brad Clayton, PGA | Brad Clayton’s PuzzleDuck Golf
Community Impact Award
(new for 2020)
Brett Miller, PGA | Miller Management Associates