Staff WriterThe PGA of America Awards lit up the Omni PGA Frisco Resort on Tuesday night, where twelve of the Association’s finest professionals were honoured for their skill, service, and heart — both on and off the course.
Hosted by Sirius XM’s PGA of America Radio voice David Marr III, the evening stood as a reminder of what the game is really built on: people who give their all for it. Among the night’s highlights were Scott Paris, named PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year; Jason Baile, crowned Teacher & Coach of the Year; and Tony LaFrenere, recognised as Golf Executive of the Year.
“Our PGA of America National Award recipients represent the impact our more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals have on this great game,” said PGA of America President Don Rea Jr. “Their expertise in our game is felt throughout the industry, but most importantly, within their local communities on a daily basis.”
A Lifelong Servant of the Game
Scott Paris, the PGA Director of Golf at Plainfield Country Club in Edison, New Jersey, earned the Association’s highest honour — the PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year. Since joining Plainfield in 1997, Paris has transformed the club’s culture and its role in the community, helping to launch the First Tee of Plainfield — the first chapter ever located at a private club.
“Plainfield Country Club is a special place,” said Paris. “We’ve got some communities near us that need some help and we’ve made it a priority to help them with the First Tee, the Evans Caddie Scholarship and the New Jersey Caddie Scholarship. There’s nothing more valuable than an education.”
Paris, humble to the core, credited those who helped him get there. “I reached out to so many who had been impactful in my career and my life,” he said. “Boy, I needed a lot of help, and I got it along the way.”
Teaching Beyond Technique
For Jason Baile, the PGA of America Teacher & Coach of the Year, golf has always been about connection. As Director of Instruction at Jupiter Hills Club in Tequesta, Florida, he’s coached names like Lucas Glover, Peter Uihlein, and Bud Cauley, yet remains as focused on mentoring juniors and club members as he is on Tour stars.
“I think this is the best professional night I’ve ever had in my life,” Baile said from the stage. “From the beginning, I just wanted to coach. I never set out to coach the best players in the world. I just felt like if you kept coaching, better players would find you.”
His daughter, Blake, joined him on stage to ask what his favourite thing about being a coach was. His answer was pure heart: “One of my favourite things about being a coach is building relationships. I don’t want our whole relationship to just be about golf.”
A Visionary Leader
Away from the fairways but never far from golf’s spirit, Tony LaFrenere, Executive Director of the Schaumburg Park District in Illinois, earned the PGA of America Golf Executive of the Year. He’s overseen the transformation of Schaumburg Golf Club into a thriving community hub, a symbol of his belief that golf belongs to everyone.
“The journey has been incredible, and it’s truly a full-circle moment,” said LaFrenere. “I grew up in Schaumburg, fell in love with the game in Schaumburg, and now have the honour and privilege of serving the community of Schaumburg.”
Honouring Service and Spirit
The evening also paid tribute to those who serve in quieter, but no less powerful, ways. Adam Relan, PGA Director of Golf at Bide-A-Wee Golf Course in Virginia, received the Patriot Award for his tireless work with PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) — the flagship military program of the PGA of America REACH Foundation.
“You spend one hour at a HOPE program and it will change you,” Relan said. “When I couldn’t serve like my father, my grandfather and my nephew, PGA HOPE has become my way to give back.”
Jason Epstein, PGA Director of Golf & Athletics at Congressional Country Club, earned the Bill Strausbaugh Award for his mentorship and leadership across decades in the game. “Golf has given me everything I have,” he said. “I don’t really think of it as growing the game of golf, but as giving back to it.”
A Legacy Remembered
A poignant moment arrived with the posthumous Deacon Palmer Award for Kammy Maxfeldt, the beloved Head Professional of Birchwood Country Club, who passed away in 2024 following a courageous seven-year battle with cancer. Her sister, Darcy Bomer, accepted on her behalf as the room rose in tribute.
The Heart of the Profession
From Pam Elders of Boca West Country Club, winner of the Player Development Award, to Mike Suhre of Oak Brook Golf Club, honoured for Youth Player Development, the message was clear: mentorship matters.
“None of us got up here without help,” said Elders. “We had mentors in our life that gave us inspiration to be here.”
Retailing the Game Right
Recognised as PGA Merchandisers of the Year were Danny Rainbow (SentryWorld, Resort), James Ondo (The Apawamis Club, Private), and Matt Adamski (Sweetens Cove, Public) — three professionals who’ve turned pro shops into experiences.
Growing the Game
The Herb Graffis Award, honouring exceptional Section programming, went to the Northern Texas PGA Section for its ongoing dedication to developing new players and community initiatives.
As the 109th PGA Annual Meeting begins at the Omni PGA Frisco Resort, the PGA of America Awards remind the golf world of something simple but vital — the game’s greatest strength will always be its people.
