Alumni Golf Awards

Larkin Gross ’19

2021 PGA National Player of the Year
2021 Mid-Atlantic PGA Section Player of the Year
2021 Mid-Atlantic PGA Section Championship Winner
2020 Mid-Atlantic PGA Section Assistant Player of the Year

Aaron Purviance ’18

2021 Utah PGA Section Assistant Player of the Year

Sydney Syster ’18

2021 Illinois PGA Section Merchandiser of the Year (Private)

Claire Castetter ’17

2018 Illinois PGA Section Assistant of the Year

Noah Miller ’17

2021 Alabama PGA Chapter Player Development Award

Brandon Gaydorus ’15

2019 Golf Digest’s 50 Best Golf-Fitness Trainers in America

Gabriella Miller ’15

2021 Operation 36 Top 50 Coaches

Briana Sweeny Niemann ’15

2020 Carolinas PGA Section Assistant of the Year
2019 Carolinas PGA Section Youth Player Development Award
2018 Carolinas PGA Section Youth Player Development Award

Christopher Biggins ’14

2021 Alabama-Northwest Florida Section Assistant of the Year
2021-2022 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America (Southeast)
2016 Alabama-Northwest Florida PGA Youth Player Development Award

Dakun Chang ’14

2018 Illinois PGA Section Championship Winner

Loretta Giovannettone ’14

2021 South Florida PGA Section Championship Winner

Alex McGann ’13

2020 PGA Philadelphia Section Merchandiser of the Year (Resort)
2019 Philadelphia PGA Section Merchandiser of the Year (Resort)

Lucas Langelier ’13

2021 New England/New Hampshire PGA Section Assistant of the Year

Sean Moffat ’13

2016 Western New York Section Assistant Golf Professional of the Year

C.J. Nafus ’12

2019-21 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State (New Jersey)
2021-22 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America (Northeast)

Kaitlyn Sharpless-Pimentel ’12

2019 Golf Digest’s 50 Best Golf-Fitness Trainers in America

David Angelotti ’11

2021-22 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America (Southeast)

Mario Bevilacqua ’11

2019-21 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State (Nevada)
2021-22 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America (West)

Ryan Burchett ’11

2015 Merchandiser of the Year (Public)

Preston Combs ’11

2021 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State (Florida)
2021-22 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America (West)
2019-20 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State (California)
2018 Southern California N Chapter PGA Section/Chapter Teacher of the Year

Liam Friedman ’11

2017 New England PGA Section Champion

Ryan Mills ’11

2021 Operation 36 Top 50 Coaches

Josh Speight ’11

2020 Mid-Atlantic PGA Section Player of the Year
2017 Mid-Atlantic PGA Section Champion

Dustin Toner ’11

2016 Iowa Section PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Private)

Wyatt Worthington ’11

First African American to win one of the PGA’s tournament series events

Morgan Jewell ’10

2018 South Florida PGA Section for Merchandising (Private)

Bobby Peterson ’10

2012 Gulf States PGA Assistant Professional of the Year
2011 Gulf States PGA Louisiana Chapter Assistant Professional of the Year

Alaina Swain ’10

2019-21 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State (Florida)
2021-22 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America (Southeast)
2018-19 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America (Southeast)
2017-18 New York Section Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State
2016-17 Golf Digest Best Young Teachers

Matt Bova ’09

2019 Carolinas PGA Section Horton Smith Award
2014 Carolinas PGA Assistant of the Year

John Brown ’09

2016 US Kids Golf Top 50 Kids Instructor

Nicklaus Cannon ’09

2016 Carolinas Section Assistant Golf Professional of the Year

Sara Dickson ’09

2021 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State (Florida)
2021-22 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America (Southeast)
2019-20 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State (Massachusetts)
2018-19 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America (Northeast)
2017 Metropolitan Section Assistant Golf Professional of the Year
2017-18 New York Section Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State
2015 Metropolitan Section PGA Women’s Player of the Year

Eric Eshleman ’09M

2019-21 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State (Alabama)
2019 National PGA Professional of the Year
2017 Alabama & Northwest Florida PGA Section Professional of the Year
2017-18 Alabama Section Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State
2016 Dixie Section PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Private)

Adam Farabaugh ’09

2021 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State (Michigan)
2021-22 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America (Midwest)

Justin Klemballa ’09

2021 Operation 36 Top 50 Coaches
2019-21 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State (Arizona)
2021-22 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America (Southwest)
2020 Operation 36 Top 50 Coach
2018 Top 50 Kids Coach
2018-19 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America (Southwest)
2017 Top 50 Kids Teacher
2016-17 Golf Digest Best Young Teachers

Jake Pleczkowski ’09

2021-22 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America (Southeast

Brian Rashley ’09

2013 Philadelphia PGA Merchandiser of the Year

Kyle Sanders ’09

2018 South Florida PGA Section Championship Winner

Junko Suzuki ’09

2013 Association of Golf Merchandisers Premier Golf Shop Award
2013 Metro Chapter in the Southern California PGA Section Merchandiser of the Year (Resort)
2012 Association of Golf Merchandisers Premier Golf Shop Award

James Walden ’09

2016 Georgia Section PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Public)

Greg Ciavarelli ’08

2014 Northern California Section Club Fitter of the Year

Willy DiStefano ’08

2014 North Florida Section Merchandiser of the Year (Public)
2012 North Florida Section Merchandiser of the Year (Public)

Devin Gee ’08

2017 Tri-State PGA Player of the Year

Katie Pius (Dick) ’08

2014 Illinois PGA Assistant of the Year Award

Matthew Pivko ’08

2020 PGA Southwest Florida Chapter Merchandiser of the Year (Private)
2019 North Florida/Southwest Chapter Merchandiser of the Year

Rick Sutton ’08

2018 South Florida PGA Section Assistant of the Year

Michael Sweeney ’08

2021-22 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America (Northeast)
2020 Metropolitan PGA Section Youth Player Development Award
2019-20 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State (New York)
2018-19 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America (Northeast)
2016-17 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers

Josh Wagaman ’08

2020 Carolinas PGA Section Professional Development Award
2016 Carolinas Section PGA Merchandisers of the Year (Resort)
2015 CPGA Resort Merchandiser of the Year
2011 CPGA Assistant Professional of the Year

Colby Wollitz ’08

2021 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State (Kentucky)
2021 Kentucky PGA Section Teacher of the Year
2021-2022 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America (Mid-Atlantic)
2020 Kentucky PGA Section Player Development Award
2017 Kentucky PGA Youth Player Development Award
2016 Kentucky PGA Youth Player Development Award

Travis Alley ’07

2019 Northern California Section Merchandiser of the Year

Jeremy Anderson ’07

2019-21 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State (Arizona)
2021-22 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America (Southwest)
2020 GRAA Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional
2018-19 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America (Southwest)
2018 Southwest PGA Section/Chapter Teacher of the Year

Nick Bova ’07

2019-21 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State (New Jersey)
2020 PGA New Jersey Section Teacher of the Year
2021-22 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America (Northeast)

Chase Brannon ’07

2011 Tennessee Section Assistant Golf Professional of the year
2009 Tennessee Section Assistant Player of the Year

Tyler Caviness ’07

2019 Kentucky PGA Section Horton Smith Award
2017 Association of Golf Merchandisers Excellence in Education Award
2016 Association of Golf Merchandisers Excellence in Education Award

Chad Middaugh ’07

2019-21 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State (Ohio)
2021-22 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America (Midwest)
2018-19 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America (Midwest)
2017-18 Ohio Section Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State
2016-17 Golf Digest Best Young Teachers

Justin Sheehan ’07

2019-21 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State (Florida)
2021-22 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America (Southeast)
2017-18 Florida Section Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State
2016-17 Golf Digest Best Young Teachers

Kevin Swan ’07

2021 South Florida/Southwest Section Merchandiser of the Year (Private)
2021 PGA of America Master Professional Status

Brian Alley ’06

2020 PGA Middle Atlanta Section Merchandiser of the Year (Resort)
2017 Middle Atlantic Section Merchandiser of the Year (Resort)

Brian Gussis ’06

2019-21 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State (New Jersey)
2021-22 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America (Northeast)

Adam Horton ’06

2018 Inducted into the MU Hall of Fame

Cory Schneider ’06

2019 Carolinas PGA Section Player of the Year

Eric Dugas ’05

2019 Aloha PGA Section Championship Winner
2017 Aloha PGA Section Champion

Robbie Fritz ’05

2021 Operation 36 Master Top 50 Coaches
2021 GRAA Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional
2019-21 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State (North Carolina)
2021-22 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America (Mid-Atlantic)
2020 GRAA Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional
2020 Operation 36 Top 50 Coach
2020 Carolinas PGA Section Youth Player Development Award
2019 Carolinas PGA Section Teacher of the Year
2019 Operation 36 Top 50 Coach
2018-19 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America (Carolinas)

Billy Hoffman ’05

2019-21 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State (Virginia)
2021-22 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America (Mid-Atlantic)
2020 Middle Atlantic PGA Section Youth Player Development Award
2018 Top 50 Kids Coach
2017-18 Florida Section Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State

Mike Townsend ’05 (Deceased)

2015 Carolina PGA Section Championship

John Askew ’04

2018 New England PGA Section Deacon Palmer Award

Justin DeFont ’04

2020 Association of Golf Merchandisers Premier Golf Shop Award
2019 Southwest Florida PGA Chapter Merchandiser of the Year (Private)
2018 Florida Gulf Coast University PGA Golf Management Mentor of the Year
2017 Association of Golf Merchandisers Premier Golf Shop Award
2016 Troon Merchandiser of the Year

Peter Egazarian ’04

2021 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State (Connecticut)
2021 Connecticut PGA Chapter Player Development Award
2021 GRAA Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional
2021-22 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America (Northeast)
2020 GRAA Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional
2017 Northeast New York PGA Section Player Development Award

Daniel Gray ’04

2019-21 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State (Georgia)
2018-19 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America (Southeast)
2016 Illinois Section Horton Smith Award
2016-17 Golf Digest Best Young Teachers

Ryan Kalista ’04

2017 Top 50 Kids Teacher

Kallie Micklos ’04

2014 Southwest Section Merchandiser of the Year (Private)

Glen Murray ’04

2015 Southwest PGA Chapter Golf Professional of the Year
2011 North Florida PGA Section Merchandiser of the Year (Private)
2007 Marriott/Ritz-Carlton International Golf Professional of Year

Nathan Ollhoff ’04

2020 Minnesota PGA Section Professional Development Award
2016 Minnesota Section PGA Bill Strausbaugh Award

Kevin Roberts ’04

2002 New England Section’s Junior Golf Leader Award

Ryan Steele ’04

2020 PGA Indiana Section Merchandiser of the Year (Resort)
2019 Indiana PGA Section Merchandiser of the Year (Resort)

Eric Layton ’03

2019-21 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State (Virginia)
2019 Middle Atlantic PGA Section Youth Player Development Award
2017-18 Virginia Section Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State

Michelle Meadows-Kempe ’03

2013 Carolinas Section Merchandiser of the Year (Public)

Leighann Albaugh ’02

2019-21 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State (Virginia)
2020 GRAA Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional
2018 Mid-Atlantic PGA Section Youth Player Development Award
2018-19 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America (Mid-Atlantic)
2017 Top 50 Master Kids Teacher
2017 Middle Atlantic Section Junior Golf Leader
2017-18 Virginia Section Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State
2016-17 Golf Digest Best Young Teachers
2016 US Kids Golf Top 50 Kids Instructor
2015 Middle Atlantic Section Top 50 Kids Teachers Award

Brian Boss ’02

2014-2015 Club Manager of the Year for the Carolinas CMAA Chapter

Stephen Frederick ’02

2020 Philadelphia PGA Section Assistant of the Year
2019 Philadelphia PGA Section Assistant of the Year

Colin Gooch ’02

2017 Marriott Golf Professional of the Year
2017 Kentucky Merchandiser of the Year (Resort)

Nick Jacobi ’ 02

2021 Operation 36 Top 50 Coaches

Bryan Kienke ’ 02

2016 Philadelphia PGA Assistant Professional of the Year

Matt Klein ’02

2018 Southern Texas [Wester] PGA Section Professional of the Year
2012 Southern Texas PGA Assistant of the Year
2010 Southern Texas PGA Assistant of the Year

Kelly Scharf-Kuhlman ’02

2021 PGA Section/Chapter Youth Player Development Award (Michigan)
2014 US Kids Teacher-Honorable Mention
2012 US Kids Teacher-Honorable Mention

Craig Sandstrum ’02

2016 Carolinas PGA Youth Player Development Award
2015 Carolinas PGA Youth Player Development Award

Cameron S. Wiebe ’02

2013 Southeast Chapter Horton Smith Award
2012 South Florida Section Bill Straughsbaugh Award
2011 South Florida Section Merchandiser of the Year

Mike Wood ’02

2021 Philadelphia Chapter/Section Merchandiser of the Year (Private)

Aaron Croyle ’01

2021 Alabama-NW Florida PGA Section Player Development Award
2019 Alabama-NW Florida PGA Section Teacher of the Year
2018 Alabama-NW Florida PGA Section Youth Player Development Award
2017 Alabama & Northwest Florida PGA Section Horton Smith Award
2017-18 Alabama Section Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State

Tony Romansky ’01

2017 Tri State Section PGA Player Development Award
2014 Tri State Section Merchandiser of the Year

Joe Wuertemberger ’01

2020-21 GRAA Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional
2019-21 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State (Texas)
2018-19 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America (Southwest)
2017 Future Champions Top 25 Master Coach
2017-18 Texas Section Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State
2015-2016 Future Champions Top 25 Elite Junior Coach
2013-Present Golf Digest Best Teachers in Texas
2010-2012; 2013-Present Golf Digest Top Young Teachers
2008; 2009; 2010; 2011; 2012; 2013 US Kids Top 5- Teacher-Honorable Mention

Marianne Atwell Zabbo ’01

2018 Northern California PGA Section for Merchandising (Resorts)
2015 Northern California PGA Section for Merchandising (Resorts)

Rick Murrell ’00

2020 FJ Sales Rep of the Year
2015 Illinois PGA Section Salesperson of the Year

Pete Butt ’99

2015 Sales Rep of the Year Award for Footjoy

David Durham ’99

2016 Central Illinois Chapter of the Illinois PGA Section Horton Smith Award
2014 Central Illinois Chapter of the Illinois PGA Section Horton Smith Award
2011 Illinois Professional Golf Sales Association Salesperson of the Year (Hard Goods)

Scott Higgins ’99

2005 Northeastern New York section Assistant Golf Professional of the Year

Michael Jacobs ’99

2021 Golf Digest 50 Best Teachers in America
2021 Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Teachers in America
2020-21 Metropolitan PGA Section Professional Development Award
2019-20 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State (New York)
2017 Golf Digest 50 Best Teachers in America
2017-18 New York Section Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State
2016-17 Golf Digest Best Young Teachers
2016 Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Teachers in America
2012 Metropolitan Section PGA Teacher of the Year

Joshua Olney ’99

2021 New England PGA Section Professional of the Year
2020-21 New England PGA Section Patriot Award

Peter Stefanchik ’99

2018 Metropolitan PGA Section Patriot Award

Bobby Acciardo ’98

2019 Middle Atlantic PGA Section Sales Rep of the Year
2018 Mid-Atlantic PGA Section Sales Rep of the Year
2009 Philadelphia PGA Salesperson of the Year
2008 National Titleist Sales Rep of the Year New Breed
2006 Philadelphia PGA Salesperson of the Year

Greg Ciavarelli ’98

2018 Northern California PGA Section Sales Rep of the Year

Cory Fisk ’98

2013 Sales Rep of the Year Award for Footjoy

Michael Manavian ’97

2021 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State (Florida)

Allen Terrell ’97

2021 Golf Digest 50 Best Teachers in America
2019-21 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State (South Carolina)
2020 PGA Carolinas Section Palmer Maples Teacher of the Year
2017 Future Champions of Golf Top 25 Elite Junior Golf Coach
2017-18 South Carolina Section Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State

Tony Traci ’97

2021 Tri-State Section Merchandiser of the Year (Private)
2016 Tri-State Section Golf Professional of the Year

Brent Bowen ’96

2000 Carolinas PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year

Billy Holbrook ’96

2020 PGA N Florida E Central Chapter Sales Professional of the Year

Jeremy A. Hyjek ’96

2011 MAPGA Merchandiser of the year (Resort)

Mark Rashell ’96

2018 National PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Public)
2016 Pacific Northwest PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Public)

Fred Van Steen ’96

2015 Ping’s Top 100 Fitters
2010 Ping’s National Fitter of the Year

Ryan Jenkins ’95

USA South Hall of Fame

Richard Parker ’95

2016 Colorado Section PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Resort)

Andrew Shuck ’95

2017 Bill Strausbaugh Award

Brian Bishop ’94

2018 Wisconsin PGA Section Professional of the Year
2015 Wisconsin PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Private)
2007 Wisconsin PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Private)

Billy Anderson ’93

2021 Quarter Century PGA Member

Eric Haile ’93

2014 Western New York Section Golf Professional of the Year
2013 Bill Strausbaugh Award
2012 Western New York Section Jr. Golf Leader Award

James Hanlin ’93

2016 Northern Ohio Section PGA Player Development Award

Michael Riddle ’93

2021 Quarter Century PGA Member

David Smith ’93

2012 Philadelphia Section Player Development Award

Dale Briggs ’92

2015 Ping’s Top 100 Fitters
2010 Ping’s National Fitter of the Year

Mike Krick ’92

2021 Quarter Century PGA Member
2017 Club Corp Professional of the Year

Sara Muldoon ’92

2019 National PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Resort)
2018 Philadelphia PGA Section Merchandiser of the Year (Public)
2016 Philadelphia Section PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Resort)
2015 Philadelphia Section Merchandiser of the Year (Resort)

Rob Pilewski ’92

2021 Quarter Century PGA Member
2007 Carolinas PGA Section Horton Smith Award
1999 Carolinas PGA Section Assistant Professional of the Year

Melissa Dziabo ’07

2021 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State (New Jersey)

Rick Gibson ’91

2015 Central Counties Chapter of the Philadelphia Section PGA Golf Professional of the Year

Kristina Kavanagh Blaylock ’90

2019 Induction into the MU Hall of Fame

Ron Cooke ’90

1998 Middle Atlantic PGA Section Championship

Nick Spinnato ’90

2018 Middle Atlantic PGA Section Resort Merchandiser of the Year
2014 Middle Atlantic PGA Section Resort Merchandiser of the Year

Holly Anderson ’89

2021 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State (Maryland)

Joy Bonhurst ’89

2019-21 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State (Maryland)
2019 Middle Atlantic PGA Section Teacher of the Year
2017 50 Best LPGA Teachers by Women’s Golf Journal

Darrell Bock ’88

2021 Quarter Century PGA Member

Mike Baker ’84

2019 Induction into the MU Hall of Fame