2023 SCPGA Section Awards

The Southern California PGA Section Awards celebrate PGA Professionals who have excelled in their profession as well as those who have volunteered and given of themselves to serve the Section and the golf community. Congratulations to all of the Southern California PGA Section Award Winners! These individuals will be celebrated for their accomplishments at the 2023 SCPGA President’s Dinner on December 3 at Mission Hills Country Club.

SCPGA Golf Professional of the Year

Todd Keefer, PGA

Las Posas Country Club

Awarded for overall performance as a Golf Professional and for leadership, service, and promotion of the game of golf.  Also considered is the overall performance at their facility, the level of service to the Southern California Section and the Association, as well as their image as a Golf Professional.

SCPGA Teacher & Coach of the Year

Josh Alpert, PGA

Good Swings Happen 

Awarded for excellence in golf instruction and coaching, along with overall performance as a Golf Professional. Promotion of golf, use of teaching aids, involvement in junior golf activities, teaching techniques, and articles published are some of the criteria considered for this award.

SCPGA Clubfitter Award

David Anderson, PGA

KBS Golf Experience

This award bestows recognition to a PGA Golf Professional who is an expert in the field of club fitting. Some of the considered criteria for this award are promoting club fitting at their facility and helping both PGA members and assistants further their knowledge on the effects of properly fitted equipment. 

SCPGA Assistant Golf Professional Award

Justin Hight, PGA

Santa Barbara Golf Club

Awarded for overall performance as a Golf Professional in leadership, service, and promotion of the game of golf. This Professional reflects the qualities and image that promote the PGA Professional to their members and their facility.

SCPGA Bill Strausbaugh Award

Rick Rielly, PGA

Wilshire Country Club

Presented to a PGA Professional who, by their day-to-day efforts, have made significant contributions through the mentoring of PGA Professional’s employment. The award also considers the integrity and character of the PGA Professional, their service to the Association, and their involvement in community and charitable organizations.

SCPGA Player Development Award

Heather King, PGA

Miramar Memorial Golf Course

The Player Development Award is designed to recognize a PGA Professional for extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievements in the area of player development. This award considers the PGA Professional’s growth of the game leadership commitment at the Section and National levels and the impact of their efforts at their facility. 

SCPGA Tom Addis III Professional Development Award

Randy Chang, PGA

The Journey at Pechanga

Bestows special recognition to a PGA Professional for outstanding service and contributions to developing and improving educational opportunities for the PGA Golf Professionals in Southern California. In 2020, this award was renamed to honor SCPGA and PGA of America Past President, Tom Addis III, PGA.

SCPGA Youth Player Development Award

Mitch Stout, PGA

Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club

Bestows recognition to a PGA Golf Professional who is a leader in junior golf. This Professional reflects the image and qualities that juniors can emulate and provides opportunities for juniors to learn and play golf.

SCPGA Merchandisers of the Year

Private Category: Clayton Moe, PGA

Stone Eagle Golf Club

Resort Category: Joseph Williams, PGA

Indian Wells Golf Resort 

Public Award Category: Aaron Castillo, PGA

Arrowood Golf Course

This award recognizes those PGA Professionals who have demonstrated superior skills as merchandisers in the promotion of golf and retail at their facility and in the Section. The award is given for excellence in golf shop operations in three categories: Private, Public, and Resort.  

ABOUT THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA

The Southern California Section was established in 1924, and today it consists of over 1,600 golf Professionals working at over 450 facilities within the Section. The mission of the Southern California Section (SCPGA) mirrors the purpose of the PGA of America: To promote the enjoyment and involvement in the game of golf and to contribute to its growth by providing services to golf professionals and the golf industry. For more information on the Southern California PGA, visit scpga.com, follow @scpga on Twitter, Instagram, and find us on Facebook. 

Media Contact:

Bryce Seiver, Southern California PGA, 951-331-4714 bseiver@pgahq.com;

Danny Cross, Southern California PGA, 951-331-4727, dcross@pgahq.com