Wisconsin PGA Rolls Out Their Annual Golf Professional Award Winners – Showcasing Contributions To The Game of Golf
Golf Professional of the Year Awarded to Bill Graham of Chenequa Country Club in Hartland
The Wisconsin Section of the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (WPGA) presents their class of 2024 Special Award recipients. This year’s group of award winners are being recognized for their expertise, leadership and performance in the golf business. Each of the eleven PGA Professionals exude enthusiasm for the game of golf and are dedicated to making it better. The recipients will formally receive their awards during the annual WPGA Special Awards Dinner held at Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells on February 28. The Wisconsin PGA awards are supported by the Wisconsin Golf Sales Association and PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
“Once again our committee was blown away by the quality of applicants we received,” said Jeff Ellingson, former WPGA president and committee chair. “Every award was very competitive, with several deserving candidates in each category. This year’s class of winners is a perfect representation of what Wisconsin PGA Golf Professionals bring to the game day in and day out.”
Grabbing the top billing this year is Golf Professional of the Year Bill Graham, head PGA professional at Chenequa Country Club in Hartland. This is Graham’s second Golf Professional of the Year honor (2011) and his tenth WPGA Special Award. Read more about Graham, click here.
“For me this award is the culmination of a professional rebirth of sorts,” Graham wrote after being informed of his selection. “Events of the past several years have made me question what my lifespan would be in our industry. This recognition has validated the decisions I have made to continue to do the work that I love.
The following is the complete list of 2024 Wisconsin PGA Special Award Winners (full descriptions of each award are located below or available online, click here):
- Golf Professional of the Year – Bill Graham, PGA, Chenequa Country Club (Hartland)
- Assistant Golf Professional of the Year – Gunnar Stapp, PGA, Hidden Glen Golf Club (Cedarburg)
- Teacher and Coach of the Year – David Roesch, PGA, David Roesch Golf (Brookfield)
- Bill Strausbaugh Award – Jonathan Stuart, PGA, Sand Valley Resort (Nekoosa)
- PGA Professional Development Award – Scott Kennedy, PGA, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College (Fennimore)
- Player Development Award – Mike Tabbert, PGA, Glen Erin Golf Club (Janesville)
- Youth Player Development Award – Scott Walecki, PGA, Brown Deer Park Golf Course (Milwaukee)
- Patriot Award – Jack Gaudion, PGA, The Legend Clubs (Wales)
- Merchandiser of the Year (Private) – Brian Bishop, PGA, Maple Bluff Country Club (Madison)
- Merchandiser of the Year (Public) – Shaun Finley, PGA, The Oaks Golf Course (Cottage Grove)
- Merchandiser of the Year (Resort) – Danny Rainbow, PGA, SentryWorld (Stevens Point)
About the Wisconsin PGA Annual Awards Process
The Wisconsin PGA honors golf professionals annually. Professionals are nominated by fellow professionals for an award(s). After a professional is nominated, it is his or her choice as to whether to submit materials for consideration. Materials are generally due by early December. The materials are then reviewed by a different sub-committee for each award. The WPGA past president takes their feedback and finalists are determined. Once the finalists have been selected, their materials are forwarded on to the finalist committee made up of the district directors, independent directors and the WPGA executive director. The finalist committee votes on their top choice for each award. Once all the votes have been compiled, the winners are notified and then the information is released to the general public early in the calendar year. The winners are recognized for their accomplishment at the annual Spring Meeting Awards Dinner. A description of each award category is located below.
About the Wisconsin PGA
The Wisconsin Section is one of the 41 sections that comprise the regional entities of the PGA of America. Over 500 members and associates belong to the Wisconsin Section, stretching from areas in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to almost the entire state of Wisconsin. Annually, the Wisconsin Section conducts over 40 professional events, operates their foundation – PGA Reach Wisconsin, and participates in several growth-of-the-game activities including PGA Junior League, Drive, Chip and Putt and PGA HOPE. Wisconsin PGA Office is located at 11350 W. Theo Trecker Way in West Allis, Wis.
About the PGA of America
The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals who love the game, are expert coaches, operators and business leaders, and work daily to drive interest, participation and inclusion in the sport. The PGA of America owns and operates numerous championships and events, including major championships for men, women, seniors and the Ryder Cup, one of the world’s foremost sporting events. For more information, visit PGA.com and follow on X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
WISCONSIN PGA SOCIAL MEDIA
**Follow along as the WPGA features one special award recipient daily.**
Instagram: @wisconsinpga
Facebook: facebook.com/WisconsinPGA
Twitter: @wisconsinpga
CONTACT: For more information, photos and to schedule interviews, contact:
Beth O’Reilly of O’Reilly Public Relations at bethoreillypr@gmail.com
Chris Hoel of the Wisconsin PGA at choel@pgahq.com
OVERVIEW OF WPGA SPECIAL AWARDS
Golf Professional of the Year – Recognizes a WPGA Golf Professional who has performed outstanding services as an overall PGA Professional. As one of the highest honors the WPGA can bestow, candidates must possess outstanding qualities of leadership, strong moral character, and a substantial record of service to the Association and the game of golf.
– Bill Graham, PGA, Chenequa Country Club (Hartland)
Assistant Professional of the Year – Recognizing outstanding services as an overall PGA Professional/Associate. As one of the highest honors the WPGA can bestow, candidates must possess outstanding qualities of leadership, strong moral character, and a substantial record of service to the Association and the game of golf.
– Gunnar Stapp, PGA, Hidden Glen Golf Club (Cedarburg)
Teacher and Coach of the Year – Recognizing a WPGA Golf Professional who has performed outstanding services as a golf teacher and coach.
– David Roesch, PGA, David Roesch Golf (Brookfield)
Bill Strausbaugh Award – Presented to a PGA Professional who by their day-to-day efforts have distinguished themselves by mentoring their fellow PGA Professionals in improving their employment situations and continuing contributions to professional education.
– Jonathan Stuart, PGA, Sand Valley Resort (Nekoosa)
PGA Professional Development Award – The award is designed to give special recognition to an individual PGA Professional for outstanding and continuing contributions to professional education.
– Scott Kennedy, PGA, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College (Fennimore)
Player Development – Recognizes a WPGA Golf Professional, who has displayed extraordinary contribution and achievement in the area of player development. The award considers the PGA Professional’s growth of the game leadership, commitment at the Section and National levels in the player development arena, and the meaningful impact made at the facility.
– Mike Tabbert, PGA, Glen Erin Golf Club (Janesville)
Youth Player Development Award – Recognizing excellence in junior golf and youth development.
– Scott Walecki, PGA, Brown Deer Park Golf Course (Milwaukee)
Patriot Award – This award goes to a PGA Professional who embodies patriotism and shows dedication to the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
– Jack Gaudion, PGA, The Legend Clubs (Wales)
Merchandisers of the Year (Private, Public & Resort) – Recognizes a WPGA Golf Professional who has performed outstanding services in the area of golf merchandising.
– Private – Brian Bishop, PGA, Maple Bluff Country Club (Madison)
– Public – Shaun Finley, PGA, The Oaks Golf Course (Cottage Grove)
– Resort – Danny Rainbow, PGA, SentryWorld (Stevens Point)
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
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