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Special Awards

The 2023 Special Awards & Honor winners have been announced!

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Special Awards - 2023

Golf Professional of the Year

Paige Cribb, PGA | Coastal Carolina University PGM Program

The Carolinas PGA is proud to announce Paige Cribb, PGA, Director of Student Support at Coastal Carolina University’s PGA Golf Management Program, as the 2023 Carolinas PGA Golf Professional of the Year. Cribb has been a PGA Member for almost 27 years and has served the Carolinas Section on the board for 12 years, starting as the Grand Strand Area Director, running for Secretary in 2014 and eventually becoming the Carolinas PGA Section’s first female President in 2018. Following her time as Honorary President, Paige was elected as the District 10 Director in 2022, representing the Carolinas, Kentucky and Middle Atlantic Sections on the PGA of America Board of Directors. Paige was appointed in 2018 by then PGA President Suzy Whaley to serve on the PGA Board of Control. Currently, she is the board liaison to the PGA Golf Management University National Committee, serves on the Audit Committee and co-chairs the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion National Committee. 

In her job as Director of Student Support for the PGA Golf Management Program, Paige lectures in the classroom, coaches, mentors, and academically advises 210+ students at Coastal Carolina University. One of Paige’s greatest strengths which parlays into leadership ability would be authenticity. She is real, no agenda. Paige listens to understand, not to respond. She believes this attitude leads to trust and connection. Leaders are faced with challenging issues.  Leading with integrity, at the heart of decisions, is of utmost importance to her. Paige believes people don’t care what you know until they know you care, and she breathes this everyday working with young people at Coastal Carolina University.

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
Kevin Britt, PGA | The Carolina Country 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
Jason Sutton, PGA | Colleton River Club

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
Brock White, PGA | Methodist University PGM Program

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
Robbie Fritz, PGA | Greensboro Country 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
Jim Hardy, PGA | Longleaf Golf & Family 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)
Tyler Gosselin, PGA | Greensboro 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)
Benji Boyter, PGA | The Sea Pines Resort

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)
Alex Bowers, PGA | The Hackler Course at Coastal Carolina University

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
Travis DeJohn, PGA | Cedarwood Country Club

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
Brian Oliver, PGA | Etowah Valley Golf Club

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
Bob Brooks, PGA | Gillespie Golf Course

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.