Requirements and Eligibility for the Bill Strausbaugh Award

The following requirements are for National Award Winners. Your Section may waive certain criteria for Section Award Winners.

The "PGA Bill Strausbaugh Award" bestows special recognition on a PGA Golf Professional, who personally displays outstanding integrity, character, and leadership through a commitment to mentoring and making significant impacts on the careers of PGA Professionals.  In the spirit of the award, “mentoring” shall be defined as follows:

“Mentoring is supporting professionals to manage their own development so they can maximize their PGA career potential.  The PGA mentor empowers, enables, advises, challenges, and encourages professionals to enhance their professional skills, strengthen their level of service, improve their work performance, and become the PGA Member that they aspire to be.”

Requirements: 

• Candidate must be a PGA member in good standing.  
• Candidate must be well regarded as a model PGA member.  
• Demonstration and acknowledgement as an individual of outstanding leadership and strong moral character.

Eligibility: 
The following persons are ineligible: 

• Previous National Bill Strausbaugh Award winners; 
• Past Presidents of the Association; 
• Current members of the Association Board of Directors; 
• Nominees for National Office; 
• Class "F" or "Reserved" members; 
• Associates; 
• PGA National Headquarters Staff and PGA Section Staff are not eligible for National Awards (Excluding Employees of PGA Golf Properties or Section Golf Properties).

Criteria: 
Bill Strausbaugh Award minimum criteria:

• Candidate must have been a Class A PGA member in good standing for a minimum total of 10 years.
• Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service to the PGA of America in the effort to further the careers of fellow PGA Professionals as a mentor, counselor, teacher and advisor. 
• Candidate has developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire fellow PGA members with an emphasis in the area of leadership and service to the Association, individual PGA Professionals and the community at-large.
• Candidate must have maintained a continual record of service and promotion of the game of golf and golf industry within the specific area of employment and club relations.

Guidelines for Selection: 
The candidate will be considered on the basis of the following:

1. Their entire PGA career with the primary emphasis on the service and commitment for mentoring fellow PGA Professionals as defined in the mentoring statement;  
2. Their performance and service to the Association and Section to include contributions to building and growing the image of the PGA Professional, the Association and game of golf through mentoring, as well as within the area of employment and club relations;
3. The significant impacts made on fellow Golf Professionals resulting in the advancement of skills, knowledge, work performance, and ultimately career advancement;
4. The significant influence made on PGA Professionals, facilities, and employers within employment and club relations resulting in the advancement of the PGA’s mission;
5. Overall integrity and recognition as a person of outstanding character by PGA Professionals and leaders within the community;
6. Other contributions provided to The PGA.