Stafford, Va. – For his dedication to the educational programs throughout the Middle Atlantic Section, Patrick D. Coyner has been named the recipient of the 2017 Horton Smith Award.
Pat helped secure keynote presenters for the 2016 MAPGA Teaching Summit and, thanks to his network within the teaching community we saw an overwhelmingly positive response to his selections. Additionally, he hosted the 2016 APA Spring Teaching Seminar, where he helped educate Section Assistant Professionals on how to become more proficient and secure in their teaching abilities. He has been a vital piece to the education puzzle over the past few years, presenting at the 2015 Spring Teaching Seminar and 2015 MAPGA Teaching Summit. He was also the host for the 2015 East Coast Junior Summit and in 2014, hosted the Trackman University National Workshop. This is the second award that Pat has received from the Middle Atlantic PGA; his first was the 2015 Teacher of the Year award.
Pat was born on March 12, 1973 in Deland, Fla. to Joe D. Coyner Jr., and Jane (Burdette) Coyner. With his father being an Army helicopter pilot, Pat and his family were frequently moving; rarely staying in the same place for more than two years. The Coyner family was a very tight knit family and Pat remains very close to his three sisters Julie, Jennifer, and Kate. Pat grew up playing all sports, but when his dad introduced him to golf at the age of 10, he became addicted to the game. Pat’s passion for the game continued to grow at the age of 11 after he was lucky enough to attend a junior clinic, and play a few holes with PGA Tour players Mark Wiebe, Donnie Hammond, and the late great Payne Stewart.
When he was 12 years old, Pat started cleaning clubs and washing carts for the Member-Guest tournament at Williamsburg Country Club. After graduating high school in 1991, he received a golf scholarship from the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, where he won two collegiate events, was named the team MVP twice, and served as the team captain from 1994-1995.
Pat took his first golf professional job at Hunt Valley Golf Club in 1997. He then moved on to The Woodlands Golf Club in Windsor Mill, Md. in 1998 and stayed one year until he moved to Bonnie View Country Club in Baltimore, Md. In the spring of 2001, Pat became the Assistant Professional at Woodholme Country Club in Baltimore, Md. Two years after earning his PGA Membership in 2006, Pat became a Teaching Professional at Woodholme and then in 2011, accepted the position as Director of Instruction at the Country Club of York in York, Pa. During his stint in Florida at the Core Golf Academy from 2012-13, Pat was named the Head Coach of the Russian National Team, and traveled to Prague, Czech Republic for the European Championships. In January, 2014, Pat moved his talents back to the Baltimore area where he is currently the Director of Instruction at Baltimore Country Club in Baltimore, Md.
Pat feels strongly that it is important to present at and attend educational seminars that span a variety of topics pertaining to the role of a PGA Professional. Through the platforms of magazine articles, or Sectional and National seminars, he feels it is important to continuously educate young professionals, as well as seasoned veterans, so that every member of the Association is continually growing and evolving as a PGA Professional. Pat is convinced that it is through these learning opportunities, that professionals stay relevant and remain the leaders and experts in the world of golf.
Pat serves as a member of the MAPGA Mentoring Committee, and holds the position of Chair of the Northern Chapter Player Development Committee. He recently spoke to the PGM Program at University of Maryland Eastern Shore, where he educated future professionals on all aspects of the golf profession, and helped troubleshoot some questions, concerns, and goals that the students had about all of their future avenues.
Pat and his wife Amy have been married for 16 wonderful years and have two beautiful children, Jackson (13) and Henry (11). He credits much of his success to his wife and his parents who gave him the support to chase his dreams. Pat’s philosophy in golf is to always strive to be the best, but realize that failure is a part of growing. Failure builds character, and helps you appreciate success when it finally comes.
Contact:
Ethan Brady
ebrady@pgahq.com
