In 2020, the Pacific Northwest Section PGA selected the top professionals in 10 categories, as recognized by their peers, for outstanding performance during an exceptionally challenging year. 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.
Besides celebrating our hard-working PGA Professionals, the awards are a great way to learn from some of the best and brightest in our Section. We invite you to watch the 10-minute interviews with our 2020 PNW PGA Special Award winners at your convenience. Please enjoy these informational and inspiring videos! Access the video playlist here.
John Grothe, PGA, of Willamette Valley CC in Canby, OR received the Section’s highest honor in being chosen as the 2020 Golf Professional of the Year. Currently the President of the Oregon Chapter, John lives and breathes the mantra of “play, teach, promote”. John not only understands the value of teaching the game to his members, but he also appreciates continued education for self-improvement. John has given back to the association, promoting through his work with the Chapter and Section Boards and serving on various committees.
Marcus King, PGA of Sahalee CC in Sammamish, WA is recognized as the Bill Strausbaugh Award recipient. Marcus specializes in mentoring and promoting PGA Members as General Managers and elevating PGA members into “non-traditional” leadership positions at their facility. Marcus has and continues to serve a multitude of charitable causes. Most notable are the Special Olympics where he has served at the local, state, national and international levels.
Jason Aichele, PGA of Meadow Springs CC in Richland, WA was selected as the 2020 Teacher of the Year. Winner of this award five times previously, Jason maintains the gold standard with his teaching philosophy, which is to “customize the experience to allow each student to achieve their goals while enjoying the game of golf”. Despite the difficulties presented by COVID-19, Jason managed to sign up 90 kids for a modified fall offering of PGA Junior League. He also maintains one of the largest single facility PGA Junior League programs in the Pacific Northwest.
Harold Bluestein, PGA of Harold Bluestein Golf, LLC in Vancouver, WA is recognized as the Professional Development Award recipient. Harold has spent the majority of his career in the development of players, PGA Professionals and himself. He has shown a gift for identifying, developing and administering educational programs that are relevant to today’s PGA Members and Associates.
Greg Manley, PGA of Meridian Valley CC in Kent, WA has been selected to receive the Patriot Award. He has demonstrated unwavering support for the men and women in America’s Armed Forces through the Muckleshoot Casino Washington Open Pro-Am Benefiting the Folds of Honor. Greg’s leadership has also inspired Meridian Valley’s membership and Board to conduct a variety of events that have raised additional funds for the American Lakes Veterans Course.
Nick Pollock, PGA of Seattle GC in Shoreline, WA was named the 2020 Assistant Golf Professional of the Year. Nick met the challenges of COVID-19 by creating a computerized tee time system and online pro shop – none of which existed at his facility before 2020. Nick has completed two PGA Certifications. He is a CMA member and serves on the Western Washington Chapter PGA Board and Assistants’ Committee.
Ryan Young, PGA of Chambers Bay GC in Tacoma, WA was honored with the Player Development Award. He previously won this award in 2016. In 2020, Ryan ran 27 programs, with 200 more participants than the previous year, despite the stay-at-home order in Washington due to COVID-19. During that time, Ryan offered remote coaching, helping 120 students from his living room. He also offers virtual golf clinics through the Wounded Warriors Project.
Jared Lambert, PGA of Salishan Spa & Golf Resort received the Youth Player Development Award. Jared is also the Tournament Director for the Central Oregon Junior Golf Association. Jared’s creative and proactive approach to the 2020 season paid off, as he had a 12% increase in summer camp participation and over 500 participants between his nine COJGA events. One of his new programs, “GOLF with the PRO”, was also well received.
Bob Scott, PGA of Meadow Wood GC in Liberty Lake, WA has been selected as the Deacon Palmer Award recipient for “displaying outstanding integrity, character and leadership to overcome a major obstacle in their life.” After a misdiagnosis in 2013, Bob was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma of the brain in 2015. Bob’s staff organized a fundraiser, with over 350 people participating. After surgery and treatments, Bob returned to work in the spring of 2016. Today, he is cancer free!
Jeff Ellison, PGA of Lacey, WA was honored with the Perry Williams Award for his service to the Section’s Rules of Golf Committee. Jeff was the Pacific Northwest PGA Section’s Director of Tournament Operations from 1990-2004, and CEO from 2004-2020. He assisted the Rules Committee and answered the Rules Helpline the entire time.