GREENSBORO, NC (December 2, 2024) – The Carolinas PGA is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Section Special Awards. Presented annually, these prestigious awards recognize the top eleven PGA Professionals in North and South Carolina, as chosen by the Special Awards Committee. This committee’s mission is to honor individuals who exemplify excellence and dedication within the PGA community.

The Golf Professional of the Year Award, the highest distinction for a PGA Professional, celebrates outstanding performance in their role, exceptional service to the Section, leadership, professionalism, ability to inspire peers, and dedication to promoting the game of golf.

The Carolinas PGA is proud to announce Jason Sutton, PGA, Director of Instruction at Colleton River Club, as the 2024 Carolinas PGA Golf Professional of the Year. A PGA Member for nearly 30 years, Sutton has been a valued member of the Carolinas Section since 1997.  Because of his continuous quest for knowledge and for his willingness to share information and mentor others, he has been nicknamed “The Guru.” 

After starting as a head golf professional at Northstone Country Club in Huntersville, NC, Sutton discovered his passion for teaching and transitioned to a career in instruction. His journey began at the Dana Rader Golf School, where he honed his skills and became one of the nation’s leading instructors. Sutton later served as Director of Instruction at Carmel Country Club in Charlotte, NC, before taking on his current role at Colleton River Club in Bluffton, SC, in 2021.

Beyond his professional roles, Sutton has significantly contributed to the section as Chairman of the Teaching and Coaching Committee. Under his leadership, the committee has grown immensely, organizing key events like the Fall Teaching Summit in Pinehurst and the Super Show Winter Teaching Summit in Greensboro. Sutton has also shared his expertise as a keynote speaker at numerous events. Six years ago, he launched his podcast, The Golf Guru Show, to share his journey and best practices to young professionals and other coaches.

Sutton’s career is marked by numerous accolades. In 2009, he was named to Golf Digest’s Best in the State list. He received the Carolinas Section Palmer Maples Teacher of the Year award in 2013, the PGA Professional Development Award in 2015, the Bill Strausbaugh Award in 2023 and was recognized as the #1 instructor in North Carolina by Golf Digest in 2017. That same year, he was named to Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Teachers list.

The section is proud to bestow this most deserving honor to Sutton for his accomplishments as an outstanding PGA Golf Professional. The following additional award winners will be recognized at the Special Awards & Honors Dinner Presented by Club Car on February 16, 2025 at Greensboro Country Club in conjunction with the Carolinas PGA Super Show. 

 

GOLF PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR 

Jason Sutton, PGA | Colleton River Club

BILL STRAUSBAUGH AWARD 

Eric Schultz, PGA | Colleton River Club

PGA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARD 

Gabriella Story, PGA | Campbell University PGA Golf Management

PALMER MAPLES TEACHER OF THE YEAR 

Sean Kennedy, PGA | The Cliffs at Mountain Park

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AWARD 

Ryan Dailey, PGA | Operation 36 Golf

YOUTH PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AWARD 

Andrew Kiger, PGA | The Club at 12 Oaks

MERCHANDISER OF THE YEAR (PRIVATE) 

Joel Stark, PGA | Country Club of Charleston

MERCHANDISER OF THE YEAR (PUBLIC) 

Casey Cook, PGA | East Coast Golf Management

ASSISTANT PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR 

Cynthia Graham, PGA | The Dunes Golf & Beach Club

PATRIOT AWARD 

Angel Diaz, PGA | Project Golf

COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD 

Kevin Reardon, PGA | Providence Country Club 

 

Please join us in congratulating this group of outstanding professionals! 

 

About the Carolinas PGA

Since its inception in 1923, the Carolinas PGA Section has been committed to nurturing and improving the quality of the game for the thousands of golfers using its member facilities. The largest of the PGA’s forty-one sections, the Carolinas PGA Section of the Professional Golfers’ Association boasts nearly 2,400 professional members and represents more than 700 golf facilities within North and South Carolina as well as portions of southern Virginia. 

 

Media Contact

Cami Terkildsen, PGA WORKS Fellow, Carolinas PGA Section, (336) 398-2675, cterkildsen@pgahq.com