The top Pacific Northwest PGA professionals in 15 categories were recognized by their peers for outstanding performance during 2017. The winners listed below represent the very best of the Pacific Northwest Section’s 1,100 PGA Professionals in Washington, Oregon, Northern Idaho, Western Montana and Alaska.
These outstanding PGA Professionals will be honored at the Pacific Northwest Section Special Awards Ceremony, March 18 at Willamette Valley CC in Canby, OR.
Mike Montgomery, PGA, Head Professional at Sahalee CC received the Section’s highest honor in being named the 2017 Golf Professional of the Year. Mike is an accomplished PGA Professional with a career spanning over 19 years. He has been instrumental in the success of both Sahalee CC and Bellingham CC. Mike is a leader and model golf professional, showcasing both our Section and the PGA on a national level.
Carissa Simmons, PGA, of Meridian Valley CC in Kent, WA, was named the 2017 Assistant Golf Professional of the Year. She stepped up during managerial changes at her facility while continuing her player development program, including running a PGA Junior League Golf team. She also formed a group of female Golf Professionals to share best practices.
Cameron Milton, PGA, Head Professional at Polson Bay Golf Course in Polson, MT, received the Youth Player Development Award. In 2017, Cameron earned his US Kids Golf Certification. He grew his “Golf in Schools” program to reach over 500 kids via P.E. classes in two school districts and grew his PGA Junior League to six teams. He continues to offer a free junior camp to over 120 kids in rural Montana and the Flathead Indian Reservation.
Shanda Imlay, PGA, owner and Head Professional at FUNdaMental Golf and Learning Center in Oregon City, OR, was honored with the Player Development Award. A trendsetter in growth of the game initiatives, she has implemented several creative programs for players of all abilities. A true example of the passion and motivation that golf professionals should embody, she is also an outstanding volunteer, championing junior golf.
Doug Doxsie, PGA, Head Professional at Seattle Golf Club in, Shoreline, WA, was recognized for being an outstanding mentor with the Bill Strausbaugh Award. Fourteen of his Assistant Professionals have gone on to earn Head Golf Professional positions. He has 30+ consecutive years of leadership in Chapter and Section positions and has chaired or served on over 8 different committees, including Chapter and Section boards during this time.
Harold Bluestein, PGA, was honored with the Horton Smith Award, an award that goes to a PGA model educator. In 2017 his “High School Golf Coaches Workshop” grew to become an annual event and a model for other chapters in the Pacific Northwest. The workshop is a unique educational opportunity that brings together PGA Professionals and high school golf coaches, with the goal of developing young players and building successful golf programs.
Jeff Coston, PGA, who has owned and operated the Jeff Coston Golf Academy at Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine, WA since 1994, was named Teacher of the Year. Throughout his teaching career, Jeff has taught golfers of all levels—from juniors and beginners to advanced players including PNWPGA and PNGA Champions as well as players on the PGA, LPGA and Champions Tours. He has taught seminars with National PGA Teachers of the Year Mike Bender and Mike Adams. Jeff has been published in the local publication Inside Golf and done several national segments on The Golf Channel.
Don Kramer, PGA, of Moose Run GC in Fort Richardson, AK, received the Patriot Award, an award that goes to a PGA Professional who gives back to our nation’s veterans through the game of golf. In 2017 he hosted the inaugural PNW PGA Folds of Honor Tournament. Don, a 10‐year Air Force veteran, believes his mission at his facility is to support the active duty, veterans and their families—for whom he has created many programs.
Mark Rashell, PGA, of the Golf Club at Newcastle was named the 2017 Merchandiser of the Year for Public facilities. Mark is heavily involved in all aspects of the merchandising at Newcastle and has been successful at creating new programs each year. With his new “rolling rack” concept, Mark and his team were able to bring the golf shop to wherever it was needed. He also expanded his partnerships with companies to showcase their products on dedicated days.
Mark Nelson, PGA, of Circling Raven GC in Worley, ID was honored with the 2017 Merchandiser of the Year award for Resort facilities. Mark and his team had an amazing year with a great increase in sales. This stemmed from creative new ideas reached at monthly team meetings, as well as a strong commitment to rework some areas of the golf shop.
Greg C. Morris, PGA, Head Professional at Iron Horse GC in Whitefish, MT, received the 2017 Merchandiser of the Year award for Private facilities. Greg is involved in every aspect of his merchandising and is constantly updating the products. He works with a local iron worker to produce his fixtures in his pro shop, creating a unique presentation that is fun to shop.
Chuck West, PGA, of Harbour Pointe GC in Mukilteo, WA, was honored with the Perry Williams Award. He worked as a rules official at the 2017 Muckleshoot Casino Washington Open Invitational, an event he has volunteered at for the past decade. He was also a rules official at the 2017 Champions Tour Qualifiers.
Tim Olson, PGA has been recognized with the 2017 Deacon Palmer Award for outstanding performance in the face of a personal challenge. A fixture at Whitefish Lake Golf Club for 21 years, Tim has served his fellow professionals though service to the chapter and his community though his role at Whitefish Lake.
Russell Grove, PGA, Golf Coach at North Idaho College in Coeur D’Alene, ID, was recognized as the 2017 OMEGA Player of the Year. His incredible record this year included winning the Oregon Open Invitational and the PNW PGA Professional Championship. He also won the Inland Empire Chapter Championship.
Tom Sovay, PGA, of The Golf Club at Redmond Ridge in Redmond, WA, won the 2017 OMEGA Senior Player of the Year Award. He placed well in all the Section’s senior events and the Senior Washington Open Invitational. He won the PNW Senior Players’ Championship, earning a spot to advance to the 2017 Senior PGA Championship.
Derek Berg of Sahalee CC in Sammamish, WA, was recognized as the 2017 Assistant Player of the Year. He won the PNW National Car Rental PGA Assistant Championship, going on to place second in the National Car Rental PGA Assistant Championship. He also placed second at the Oregon Open Invitational.
To view past award winners, visit the PNW PGA History wiki.
Contact: Jeff Ellison, jellison@pgahq.com