The Western New York Section PGA is proud to announce its 2011 Award Winners. The recipients will be honored at a banquet Monday evening at the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel in Niagara Falls, NY.

Merchandiser of the Year:
Resort: Dwayne Randall, Peek’n Peak Resort
Semi Private- Mike Sweazy, Wild Wood CC
Private: Steve Barber, Locust Hill CC
PGA Merchandisers of the Year Awards recognize those WNYPGA professionals who have excelled as businessmen/merchandisers in the promotion of golf. This person shall have demonstrated skill in the planning of sales by presenting products to his/her market on a timely basis, and through the use of specialized merchandising techniques such as displays, advertising, etc.

Junior Golf Leader- Eric Haile, Stafford CC
The WNYPGA Junior Golf Leader Award recognizes the WNYPGA Professional who is a leader in junior golf and who reflects the ideals of those who work with youth. Work by this PGA professional includes involvement in the promotion and development of junior golf at club level and support for national golf programs. The interest, concern and ability to provide opportunities and experience for juniors to learn and play golf are qualities of a successful junior golf leader.

Bill Strausbaugh Award- Tim Fries, Transit Valley CC
The 2011 Bill Strausbaugh Award is to honor a PGA member for service to his/her association, service to his/her fellow PGA professionals in helping them improve their employment situations, and service to the community.

President’s Plaque- Michael O’Connor, Kahkwa Club
The 2011 President’s Plaque is to honor a PGA Member that has contributed significantly and shown achievements in the area of player development through Play Golf America and Growth of the Game Programs.

Horton Smith Award- Ben Wilson, Ridgemont CC
WNYPGA Horton Smith Award is designed to give special recognition to an individual golf professional for outstanding and continuing contributions to professional education

TaylorMade Assistant Professional of the Year- Brad McCluski, Oak Hill CC
The TaylorMade Assistant Professional of the Year Award was established in 1998 to honor an Assistant Professional who has gone beyond the call of duty to promote the game of golf, their place of employment, and the WNYPGA

Teacher of the Year: Jon Hoecker, Brook-Lea CC
The WNYPGA Teacher of the Year Award is based on the professional’s overall performance in teaching; unusual, innovative and special teaching programs the professional has initiated or played a key role in implementing; articles written in books and magazines; as well as outstanding golfers the professional has instructed.

Golf Professional of the Year- Dan Antonucci, Niagara Frontier CC
WNYPGA Professional of the Year is determined annually by the Section to honor the working club professional whose total contributions to the game best exemplify the complete PGA golf professional. While the honor is based on the candidate’s entire record, special emphasis is placed on performance and achievement over the past five years in the following criteria: overall performance as a golf professional at his/her club, service to PGA Section and Association, leadership ability, image and ability to inspire fellow professionals and promotion of golf.