16349 Phil Ritson Way, Winter Garden, FL 34787
Email: nflorida@pgahq.com Website: North Florida Office: (386) 256-1221
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On May 31st, the North Florida PGA held its Celebration of Members at Evermore Orlando Resort. The evening included welcoming three new Hall of Fame inductees: Duke Butler III, PGA, John Hughes, MPGA and Bill Hughes, MPGA. The night also included recognizing the 2026 NFPGA Award Winners for their outstanding accomplishments in the Section.
NFPGA Hall of Fame Class of 2026
Duke Butler III, PGADuke Butler III has dedicated his life to the advancement of golf through leadership, service, and volunteerism at both the national and local levels. A former standout at Texas A&M and PGA TOUR professional, Butler served as Executive Director of the Houston Golf Association and Tournament Director of the Houston Open for more than a decade, where he helped elevate one of the TOUR’s premier events while expanding its charitable reach. He later joined the PGA TOUR, rising to Senior Vice President, where he played a key role in tournament operations and contributed to initiatives that generated significant charitable impact across the country.
Since relocating to North Florida, Butler has become a highly influential leader within the regional golf community. As President of the Jacksonville Area Golf Association, he has helped strengthen the organization’s role in promoting and supporting the game at all levels. His leadership has led to the creation and growth of several impactful local initiatives, including junior golf instruction programs, high school competitions, and family-focused events designed to increase participation and accessibility.
In recognition of his commitment to growing the game, Butler was honored with the PGA of America’s National Junior Golf Leader Award in 1990.
Butler remains deeply engaged at the grassroots level, volunteering his time to mentor junior golfers, support aspiring collegiate players, and provide instruction through community-based programs. His lifelong commitment to service, player development, and charitable giving continues to shape and strengthen the game for future generations.
John Hughes, MPGA
John Hughes, PGA Master Professional, and North Florida PGA Past President, has devoted more than 25 years to advancing the game of golf through education, mentorship, and leadership, leaving a lasting impact on the North Florida PGA. One of the Section’s most dedicated volunteer leaders, Hughes has been an impactful leader within the Section, serving in numerous roles at both the Chapter and Section levels, including long-standing service on the North Florida PGA Board of Directors and leadership roles across education, finance, and governance.
In 2013, he was honored with the PGA of America’s National Professional Development Award, recognizing his contributions to education, mentorship, and the advancement of PGA Professionals.
A driving force behind professional development within the Section, Hughes founded and led the North Florida PGA Teaching and Coaching Summit, which has become a valuable and enduring educational program across the Section. Through this initiative and his broader service, he has helped elevate standards for instruction and created meaningful opportunities for PGA Professionals to grow and develop throughout their careers.
As CEO of John Hughes Golf at Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, he delivers thousands of hours of instruction annually while mentoring fellow professionals and producing educational content that reaches a global audience.
William (Bill) Hughes, MPGA
William (Bill) Hughes, PGA Master Professional, has built a distinguished career in golf operations and club management spanning more than four decades, including a significant and lasting impact within the North Florida PGA Section. After beginning his career as a Head Golf Professional and club owner in Ohio, Hughes joined the PGA TOUR’s TPC Network, where he held leadership positions at several premier facilities nationwide. His tenure culminated with his role as General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of TPC Sawgrass, one of the most recognized venues in golf.
During his time at TPC Sawgrass, Hughes oversaw transformative capital projects, including the completion of the clubhouse and extensive renovations to both championship courses, while also directing operations for THE PLAYERS Championship. His leadership helped further establish the facility’s global reputation and reinforced North Florida’s position as a premier destination for the game.
Beyond his operational leadership, Hughes has made meaningful contributions to the Section through mentorship, professional development, and community engagement. He has guided and influenced numerous PGA Professionals throughout his career, while also supporting a wide range of charitable initiatives and local organizations. His continued leadership, most recently serving as General Manager and COO of Glenn Kernan Club in Jacksonville, established the club as one of the nation’s most refined golf and lifestyle communities.
In 2015, Hughes received the PGA of America’s National Bill Strausbaugh Award, recognizing his outstanding commitment to mentoring PGA Professionals and supporting their career development.
Hughes currently resides in Bluffton, SC and is a Member of the Carolinas Section.
2026 NFPGA Award Winners
Congratulations to all the recipients for the ways they impact the game and the Section.
Golf Professional of the Year – Wes Tucker, PGA | St. Johns Golf Club
Golf Executive of the Year – Stefan Brunt, PGA | Sawgrass Country Club
Teacher & Coach of the Year – Shaun Webb, PGA | Athletic Motion Golf Club
Bill Strausbaugh Award – Darin Hoff, PGA | Evermore Orlando Resort
Professional Development Award – Emily Motta, PGA | Mountain Lake
Patriot Award – Mike Tuohy, PGA | Esplanade at Azario Lakewood Ranch
Deacon Palmer Award – Jamie West, PGA | Posthumous Award
Youth Player Development Award – Mike McClellan, PGA | Lakewood National Golf Club
Player Development Award – Monique Gesualdi, PGA | St. Johns Golf & Country Club
Merchandiser of the Year – Private Category – Rich Podwalski, PGA | Atlantic Beach Country Club
Merchandiser of the Year – Public Category – Mike Tuohy, PGA | Esplanade at Azario Lakewood Ranch
Merchandiser of the Year – Private Category – Brian Riddle, PGA | TPC Sawgrass
Assistant Professional of the Year – Nick Nuzzo, PGA | TPC Sawgrass
2025 Rolex Player of the Year – Sandra Changkija, PGA | Sugar Mill Country Club
2025 Rolex Women’s Player of the Year – Sandra Changkija, PGA | Sugar Mill Country Club
2025 Rolex Senior Player of the Year – David Hronek, PGA | GolfTEC – Sarasota
2025 Rolex Assistant Player of the Year – Andrew Hammet, PGA | Aileron Golf Club
In 2026, the NFPGA will host 12 Drive, Chip and Putt Local Qualifiers, two Subregional Qualifiers, and a Regional Qualifier. The local qualifiers schedule is in full swing with only a few more local qualifiers to be completed. For these events alone, the NFPGA is on track to see approximately 1,500 juniors participate at the local level! The turnout has been tremendous, the Host Professionals have provided a great opportunity for these juniors to compete at a variety of courses, and each facility has created a welcoming atmosphere. The Section had two new local qualifier host sites for 2026: Southern Hills Plantation Club in Brooksville, FL and Clearwater Country Club in Clearwater, FL.
The Subregional Qualifiers will be hosted at Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate on Saturday, August 8th and at The Conservatory at Hammock Beach on Sunday, August 16th. The Regional Qualifier will be hosted at TPC Sawgrass on Saturday, September 12th. All terrific host sites!
We look forward to continuing to provide juniors with an opportunity to compete in something as special as Drive, Chip and Putt.
