The Pacific Northwest Section PGA selected the top professionals in 12 categories, as recognized by their peers, for outstanding performance during 2022. The winners listed below – including Howie Pruitt, Golf Professional of the Year – represent the very best of the PNW PGA’s 1,200 PGA Professionals in Washington, Oregon, Northern Idaho, Western Montana, and Alaska.
Please join us in congratulating our award winners for their exceptional work this year! They will be honored at the PNW PGA Special Awards Ceremony to be held on May 21, 2023 at The Home Course in DuPont, WA. Register here.
Merchandiser of the Year – Public
Dan Porter, PGA of Avondale Golf Club was recognized as the 2022 PNW PGA Merchandiser of the Year – Public category. Dan owns his own 1,900 sq. ft. shop and has built it into a successful family business. Sales have been very impressive, almost doubling since 2020 and increasing 20% over 2021. With up to 150 kids enrolled in his junior golf programs, he offers kids their own shopping area and carries unique items. From the family approach to running his shop, to the commitment to golf’s youngest generation, Dan has created a shopping experience that truly makes kids and families feel welcome.
Merchandiser of the Year – Resort
Bruce Christy, PGA of Whitehorse Golf Club was selected at the 2022 PNW PGA Merchandiser of the Year – Resort category. Bruce has consistently increased sales for 16 consecutive years. He shows incredible business acumen with his cost of goods sold, as well as a creative flair for merchandising with beautiful shop displays that are well-organized and frequently updated. What stands out most about Bruce, however, is his team approach and the dedication that he shows for his staff. He mentors them in an inclusive environment, training them in every facet of the buying process.
Merchandiser of the Year – Private
Brett Eaton, PGA of Tacoma Country & Golf Club was named the 2022 PNW PGA Merchandiser of the Year – Private category. Previously honored with this award in the Resort category in 2014, Brett has taken his success in merchandising to several of Washington’s premium courses. He is known for his unique promotions, successful sales and attention to detail. One of his programs awarded customers Golden Tickets with purchase of Titleist golf balls, which were used for fantastic prize drawings. Another program, during March Madness, invited members to shoot a basketball to earn deeper discounts with more difficult shots made. Additionally, he hosted a wedge clinic that resulted in 59 Titleist wedges sold in a four-hour period.
Player Development Award
Scott Erdmann, PGA of Oswego Lake Country Club was honored with the Player Development Award. Scott doesn’t just create programs, he creates community and opportunities. As Director of Instruction, Scott offers a multitude of instructional programs with an outstanding level of member participation. His quality programs celebrate personal milestones to keep members engaged, while his adaptability brings in new students of all ages year after year. His latest accomplishment, the “Scoring Method” program, implements “a results based coaching system that is rooted in learning on the golf course.” With the demand for his player development programs continuing to rise, he created an additional job opportunity at his club.
Youth Player Development Award
Jason Aichele, PGA of Meadow Springs Country Club was conferred the Youth Player Development Award. Jason has continually grown his PGA Jr. League program year after year. With over 180 students, he now runs the largest program in the Pacific Northwest Section PGA and one of the top 10 in the country. Besides PGA Jr. League, he offers multiple junior golf academies for beginner to collegiate level players. His year-long golf academy has led to 30 collegiate golfers over the past 10 years. Not only does Jason strongly impact the lives of junior golfers, but he has also been involved in mentoring many PGA Professionals throughout his career.
Professional Development Award
Jeff Coston, PGA of Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club was bestowed the Professional Development Award, an award that goes to a PGA model educator. Jeff is passionate about the development of PGA Professionals, sharing his knowledge through numerous articles, podcasts and teaching seminars. In 2022, he held a multi-day in-person seminar as well as a hugely popular online seminar though the Pacific Northwest Section PGA. One of the top players in the Section, as well as a great mentor, Jeff is a wealth of knowledge and an open book to any Professional or Associate who wants to learn and grow.
Patriot Award
Vince Domenzain, PGA of Stone Ridge Golf Club received the Patriot Award. Vince is improving the lives of veterans with golf instruction, golf course access, friendship, and fundraising. His Southern Oregon Military Appreciation Golf Tournament raised over $300,000 for local veterans’ programs. His club was chosen to host the David’s Chair Golf Tournament and he also runs a PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) program. With a WWII veteran for a father, and a son who is actively serving in the U.S. military, Vince is passionate about giving back to our nation’s veterans and creating a community for them through golf.
Bill Strausbaugh Award
Steve Prugh, PGA of Manito Golf & Country Club was recognized for being an outstanding mentor with the Bill Strausbaugh Award. During his long tenure at Manito Golf & Country Club, Steve has mentored numerous pros to become award-winning PGA Professional themselves, including Gordon Corder (2019 & 2021 PNW PGA Merchandiser of the Year – Private award winner), Mark Gardner (2022 PNW PGA Hall of Fame inductee), and Dan Porter (2022 PNW PGA Merchandiser of the Year – Public award winner). A long-serving member of the Board of Directors, Steve was Section President from 2011-2012 and continues to serve the association on the chapter and section level.
Perry Williams Award
Howie Pruitt, PGA, of Aspen Lakes Golf Course received the Perry Williams Award. He has served the PNW PGA Rules Committee for eight years (2014-present). In 2022, he was a rules official at the Pelzer Golf Oregon Open Invitational. Howie attended 4 USGA/PGA rules workshops and shares his rules of golf knowledge on the PNW PGA rules helpline.
Teacher of the Year
Derek Siesser, PGA of Indian Canyon Golf Course was selected as the 2022 Teacher of the Year. In 2022, Derek’s students combined for 12 wins, 9 Junior State Qualifiers, 2 USGA Championship Qualifiers, 23 personal low scores and 92 strokes lower on handicap. But Derek’s qualifications for this award go beyond the golf lessons he teaches. He emerged as a leader in teaching and growing the game in 2019, winning the PNW PGA Player Development award that year, and once again has proven himself an innovator. Through his new Inland Empire Golf Academy, he not only teaches golfers of all abilities, but also mentors other PGA Professionals and Associates and helps them find better work-life balance.
Assistant Golf Professional of the Year
Wesley Boone, PGA of Overlake Golf & Country Club was named the 2022 Assistant Golf Professional of the Year. He excels in his duties, especially in the fields of player development, junior golf and member service. Additionally, he mentors his fellow PGA Associates, providing opportunities for them to grow their resumes and generate additional income. He understands the demands of the golf industry and keeps staff members motivated and compensated, with the hopes of retaining them. Even with his full workload, Wesley also takes the time to be involved in the PGA, volunteering on the Western Washington Chapter PGA Community Outreach Committee.
Golf Professional of the Year
Howie Pruitt, PGA, of Aspen Lakes Golf Course received the Section’s highest honor in being chosen as the 2022 Golf Professional of the Year. Howie is the consummate professional and his service to his facility, the Oregon Chapter and the Pacific Northwest Section PGA is unparalleled. He has distinguished himself at his club, growing the game of golf with his philosophy of keeping it fun and accessible. Howie has served admirably as an officer of the Pacific Northwest Section for four years and as President for an extended term of three years. He led the Section through the loss of the previous president, oversaw the hiring of a new CEO, managed complicated issues during the COVID-19 pandemic, and transformed the Section leadership model. His efforts have elevated the Section nationally, improving relations with the PGA of America and bringing recognition to the Section.