Are you or someone that you know making significant contributions to the game of golf in your community, or are you thinking outside the box and advancing the game? The Northern California Section of the PGA of America presents the following special awards to recognize the outstanding performances and superior achievements of our Section PGA Professionals, PGA Associates and Industry Representatives. Based on the individuals’ entire career, emphasis is placed on the last five years of achievements and is presented to recognize extraordinary accomplishments both on and off the course.
2022 NCPGA Award Nominations are simple through OpenWater!
The Northern California PGA Section is using an online awards system called OpenWater to collect and manage nominations as well as award applications. This platform creates a more efficient and streamlined process both at the Section and National Award levels.
To submit a nomination you must create an account and complete the very simple nomination form(s). You can log back into OpenWater to submit more nominations at any time during the nomination period which is open through July 25, 2022.
Special Award Exemptions:
- Members of the Special Awards Committee and Section Staff are not eligible for nomination.
- Previous year’s Award Winners may not be nominated for the same/repeat award (no “back to back” winners).
How to Get Started for Nominations:
- Click on the link below to begin.
- Complete the fields in the “Create a New Account” area to create your OpenWater account. Once your account is created you will be redirected to the Nomination form.
- Complete and submit the Nomination form. You will need First name, Last Name, and Email for each individual you wish to nominate. You will be asked to complete a brief statement (optional) about your nominee.
Click Here to Begin the Nomination Process!
TIMELINE:
- Phase 1: Nominations period June 10 – July 25, 2022.
- Nominators will receive a confirmation email for each person that he/she nominates.
- July 26-31 Nominees will be reviewed to ensure he/she meets eligibility requirements.
- Phase 2: Award Application period August 1 – 31, 2022
- Nominees will receive an email with link to the appropriate Award application which he/she will complete.
- Completed award application must be submitted by the deadline of August 31, 2022.
- Phase 3: Judging period September 1-25, 2022
Any questions, contact Suzy Schneider at the NCPGA Section Office.
2022 NCPGA Special Awards Committee
The Special Awards Committee is here to assist you with the nomination process. Please contact your chapter representative or the committee chair with your questions. The Committee is made up of one representative from each Chapter, along with previous year’s Award Winners that accept the invitation to serve on the Committee.
| Committee | Title/Representation | Facility | Cell phone | |
| Scott Kirkwood, PGA | Section Board Liaison/Co-Chair | Monterey Peninsula Country Club | (831) 373-1556 | |
| John Hermans, PGA | Sierra Nevada Chapter/Co-Chair | Montreux Golf & Country Club | (920) 843-2091 | |
| Sam Frick, PGA | Sierra Nevada Chapter | Tehama Golf Cub | (218) 536-1782 | |
| Pat Steffes, PGA | Bay Area Chapter | Lake Merced Golf Club | (920) 251-9276 | |
| Riley Ramones, PGA | Monterey Bay Area Chapter | The Preserve Golf Club | (831) 402-7494 | |
| Greg Wenzel, PGA | Sierra Nevada Chapter | Washoe Golf Course | (775) 527-0017 | |
| Ted Mattila, PGA | North Coast Chapter | Buckingham Golf & Country Club | (707) 349-4672 | |
| A.J. Musser, PGA | North State Chapter | North Ridge Country Club | (916) 612-5067 | |
| John Hughes, PGA | San Joaquin Valley Chapter | Woodbridge Golf & Country Club | (209) 369-2371 | |
| Mark Naylor, PGA | Bay Area Chapter | Round Hill Country Club | (925) 934-8211 | |
| Shelby Zell | Staff Liaison | NCPGA Section Office | (707) 449-4742 |
NCPGA Special Awards Descriptions
**Indicates nationally recognized award by the PGA of America Awards Program. 2022 award recipients who meet the criteria for submission to the national award will be submitted to the PGA of America Special Awards Program in 2023.
Golf Professional of the Year**
The NCPGA Golf Professional of the Year Award is one of the highest honors the Association can bestow on a working club professional whose total contributions to the game best exemplify the complete PGA Professional. This award embraces a wide range of services executed by the club professional (the finest exhibition of spirit, determination, business acumen, professionalism, promotion of the game of golf as well as service to the Section and the Association).
NOTE: In order to be submitted on behalf of the Section to the PGA National Awards Program, the NCPGA Award Winner must be a Class A PGA member in good standing for a minimum total of 10 years.
Teacher of the Year**
The NCPGA Teacher of the Year Award is designed to recognize a PGA Professional who is an outstanding teacher of golf among the ranks of PGA membership. This award is based on a professional’s overall performance in teaching; unusual, innovative and special teaching programs initiated or implemented; articles published; as well as outstanding golfers the professional has instructed.
NOTE: In order to be submitted on behalf of the Section to the PGA National Awards Program, the NCPGA Award Winner must be a Class A PGA member in good standing for a minimum total of 10 years & Candidate must be a Master Professional or Certified Professional in Teaching & Coaching OR, must have attended or conducted a minimum combined total of TEN (10) national teaching workshops, teaching/coaching summits or sectional teaching workshops or teaching/coaching summits within the last FIFTEEN (15) years.
PGA Professional Development Award**
The NCPGA Professional Development Award recognizes the PGA Professional who is the model educator of PGA Golf Professionals. This award is designed to give special recognition to an individual PGA Professional for outstanding and continuing contributions to professional education.
NOTE: In order to be submitted on behalf of the Section to the PGA National Awards Program, the NCPGA Award Winner must be a Class A PGA member in good standing for a minimum total of 10 years & must be one of the following: Master Professional, Certified Professional, served as an Association Subject Matter Expert (SME), adjunct PGA faculty member, OR have conducted and/or taught at a minimum combined total of TEN (10) national education programs/workshops (to include PGA PGM) or sectional education programs/workshops within the last TEN (10) years.
Bill Strausbaugh Award**
The NCPGA Bill Strausbaugh Award is designed to recognize PGA Professionals who by their day-to-day efforts have distinguished themselves by mentoring their fellow PGA Professionals in improving their employment situations and through service to the community.
NOTE: In order to be submitted on behalf of the Section to the PGA National Awards Program, the NCPGA Award Winner must be a Class A PGA member in good standing for a minimum total of 10 years.
Youth Player Development Award**
The NCPGA Youth Player Development Award (formerly the Junior Golf Leader) recognizes the PGA Professional who is a leader in junior golf and who reflects the ideals of those who work with youth.
NOTE: In order to be submitted on behalf of the Section to the PGA National Awards Program, the NCPGA Award Winner must currently be a Class A PGA member in good standing and involved in youth player development efforts as either a PGA Associate or Member for a minimum total of 10 years.
Merchandiser of the Year**
The NCPGA Merchandiser of the Year Award is designed to recognize those Class A PGA Professionals who have excelled as business persons / merchandisers in the promotion of golf. The NCPGA honors PGA Professionals in three categories: Private, Public and Resort facilities.
Player Development Award**
Awarded to PGA Professionals for their extraordinary & exemplary contributions to player development and promotion of the game.
NOTE: In order to be submitted on behalf of the Section to the PGA National Awards Program, the NCPGA Award Winner must currently be a Class A PGA member in good standing and involved in player development as either a Member or Associate for a minimum total of 10 years.
Patriot Award**
The Patriot Award is presented to a PGA 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.
NOTE: In order to be submitted on behalf of the Section to the PGA National Awards Program, the NCPGA Award Winner must currently be a Class A PGA member in good standing and involved in military programming efforts as either a PGA Member or Associate for a minimum total of 10 years.
Assistant Professional of the Year
The NCPGA Assistant Professional of the Year Award is designed to recognize a PGA Assistant Professional (A-8), or Associate (B-8) for their overall performance as an Assistant Professional. This award is based on a professional’s overall performance in leadership, service to the Section and community and promotion of the game of golf.
Club Fitter of the Year
The NCPGA Club Fitter of the Year Award is designed to recognize a PGA Class A Professional who has exhibited great knowledge in club fitting while striving to improve the game through properly fitted equipment.
Golf Course Superintendent of the Year
The NCPGA Golf Course Superintendent of the Year Award is bestowed an individual for their service and contributions to the game of golf within the Northern California PGA Section.
Sales Representative of the Year
The NCPGA Sales Representative of the Year Award is awarded to an individual for their service to Northern California PGA Professionals, their merchandising team members and to the Section.
Sports Media Person of the Year
The NCPGA Sports Media Person of the Year Award is awarded to an individual who has done an exceptional job in promoting and reporting the story of the PGA Professional in the Northern California Section.
Congratulations to our 2022 Section Award winners!
| Award | Winner |
| Golf Professional of the Year | Ted Antonopoulos, PGA
|
| Assistant Professional of the Year | Connor McDaniel
|
| Bill Strausbaugh Award | Carol Pence, PGA/LPGA
|
| Club Fitter of the Year | Tom Rezendes, PGA
|
| Merchandiser of the Year – Private Category | Kelsey Jo Holtsen, PGA
|
| Merchandiser of the Year – Public Category | N/A |
| Merchandiser of the Year – Resort Category | Dave Zorn, PGA
|
| Golf Course Superintendent of the Year | Matthew Dachowski
|
| PGA Professional Development Award | Andrew Workman, PGA
|
| Golf Salesperson of the Year | Richard Davison
|
| Player Development Award | Jared Butts, PGA
|
| Sports Media Person of the Year | N/A |
| Teacher & Coach of the Year | William Robins, PGA
|
| Patriot Award | Tim Burr, PGA
|
| Youth Player Development Award | Gene Bakkum, PGA
|
2022 Section Players of the Year
Player of the Year honors are awarded to the top PGA Professionals and Associates for exemplary play throughout the tournament season and are based upon the Year to Date Points List in the following five categories: Section POY, Senior POY, Super Senior POY, Women’s Division POY, and Assistant-Associate POY.
| Award | Winner |
| Section Player of the Year | Tom Johnson, PGA
|
| Senior Player of the Year | Mike Woods, PGA
|
| Super Senior Player of the Year | Scott Hoyt, PGA
|
| Women’s Division Player of the Year | Katherine Marren, PGA
|
| Assistant-Associate Player of the Year | John Crater III, PGA
|
