17 winners recognized special awards ceremony
VACAVILLE, Calif. – The Northern California PGA is proud to announce the 17 recipients of its 2010 Annual Section Awards. Section awards are given to PGA Professionals and industry leaders who have excelled in the game and business of golf.
Gus Jones, PGA Head Golf Professional at Martis Camp Club in Truckee, California and President of the Sierra Nevada Chapter Board of the Northern California PGA Section (SNCPGA) is this year’s Golf Professional of the Year, 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. Jones is being recognized for his great leadership, his efforts to grow the game, and his expansive volunteer work.
“It will be an honor for us to recognize Gus Jones and the many other deserving award recipients,” said NCPGA Awards Chairman Cathy Jo Johnson. “Each brings their own brand of leadership, dedication, and creativity to the game and serves as role models for the community. In addition, they bring a wealth of expertise and enjoyment to the golfing public through their special events, instructional programs for all ages and levels, club fitting and Pro Shop merchandise.”
PGA Golf Instructor John Snopkowski of Santa Teresa Golf Club in San Jose, Calif. has been named Teacher of the Year. He is recognized for his mastery of teaching and coaching over the past 20 years, which includes a leading junior golf program, beginner adult program, and book entitled, “The Practice Effect.” People of all ages and playing levels are encouraged to contact their local golf facility to learn about programs led by PGA Golf Instructors that can help them learn or hone the game of golf.
PGA Director of Instruction Scott Prenez of Diamond Oaks Golf Course in Roseville, California will receive the Horton Smith Award for his outstanding service and contributions toward educational opportunities for the PGA Professional, growth of the game events, and charitable organizations in the community. PGA Life Member John Hughes of Reno, Nevada will receive the Bill Strausbaugh Award for his leadership, mentoring and charitable involvement.
The Junior Golf Leader Award is given to PGA Director of Golf Stuart Smith of Somersett Golf and Country Club in Reno, Nevada, for his leadership, dedication and contributions to junior golf programs.
The NCPGA Merchandiser of the Year awards span three categories: Public, Private and Resort. Assistant General Manager & PGA Director of Golf Rodney Wilson of Harding Park Golf Course in San Francisco, Calif. is the Public Merchandiser of the Year, and PGA Head Professional Pat Gould of Peach Tree Country Club in Marysville, Calif. is the Private Merchandiser of the Year, and PGA Lifetime Member and PGA Head Professional Lou Eiguren of Genoa Lakes Golf Club and Resort in Genoa, Nevada is the Resort Merchandiser of the Year. All three award winners and their merchandising teams have excelled in golf shop operations. This award recognizes PGA Professionals who have demonstrated superior skills as merchandisers in the promotion of golf.
PGA Professional Shaun Barnes of Haggin Oaks Golf Complex in Sacramento, Calif. has garnered the Club Fitter of the Year Award for his exceptional skill in fitting golfers with the right equipment. Ryan Farb, PGA Assistant Professional at Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach, Calif., is named Assistant Apprentice of the Year for his leadership roles within the NCPGA Assistant/Apprentice Division.
PGA Head Golf Professional Angie Rodriguez of Mountain Course at Incline Village, Nevada, is being honored with the 2010 Growth of the Game-PGA Presidents’ Plaque award for her innovative approaches to program development. Over the past five years, Rodriguez has introduced thousands of people to the game and helped them recognize the many benefits of golf.
Two time winner PGA Head Professional Jason Schmuhl of Windsor Golf Club in Windsor, Calif. earns top honors as Player of the Year (Regular Division) proudly presented by Yamaha Golf Cars. PGA Head Professional Mike Cook of Mountain Springs Golf & Country Club in Sonora, Calif. garnered the Senior Player of the Year honors PGA Life Member Gary Plato of San Jose, Calif. earned the Super Senior (65+ years) Player of the Year award, both presented by Nike Golf. PGA Apprentice Steve Watanabe, Jr. of The Bridges Golf Club in San Ramon, Calif. wins the Assistant Player of the Year award. All Players of the Year were awarded this distinction based upon their 2010 Tournament Year Point Standings.
PGA Professional Bobby Schultze of Oakley and Icon Sports, a division of Oakley, in Foothill Ranch, Calif. is recognized as the Sales Representative of the Year. Schultze brings both expertise and excitement to the products he sells, delivering exceptional service and product education to our Section members. Frank LaRosa of ESPN 1320 AM radio in Sacramento, Calif. for its Sports Media Person of the Year Award. With his daily radio golf reports, blogs on the station website, and golf column for Senior Magazine, LaRosa has been a loyal supporter and participant for numerous NCPGA events and a 2005 recipient of this award.
Awards Ceremony
The NCPGA recognized its 2010 Annual Section Award Winners on Sunday, December 5 at the NCPGA Special Awards Ceremony & President’s Dinner at the North Ridge Country Club in Fair Oaks, Calif. This event, a highlight for the year, was held the evening prior to the NCPGA Annual Meeting. More than 200 Golf Professionals, Industry Professionals, family and friends were in attendance.
For more information about the Northern California PGA visit www.ncpga.com.
Contact:
Jennifer Noel
jnoel@pgahq.com
Nancy Maul
nmaul@pgahq.com
