As we head into our Championship golf season, the PGA of America is proud to welcome our new Chief Executive Officer, Terry Clark. An Independent Director who has served on the board since 2024, Terry joins the PGA of America from UnitedHealth Group, where he has served as Chief Marketing Officer since 2014, as well as Chief Marketing & Customer Officer, Optum, since 2022. In these roles, Terry has been instrumental in leading marketing, brand and customer experience efforts, with a strong focus on transforming how people experience an organization’s products and services. His extensive experience spans healthcare, technology and entertainment, having worked with major national corporations throughout his career.
Terry will add tremendous strategic insight, knowledge and leadership to help steer an exciting future for the PGA of America and our members. Welcome, Terry.
And in the spirit of exciting news for our Association, during the recent PGA Show in Orlando, it was a privilege to help recognize the 2026 PGA of America national award winners, headlined by Golf Professional of the Year Brian A. Crowell, Teacher & Coach of the Year Bernie Najar and Golf Executive of the Year Sean Palmer.
In total, 12 PGA of America Golf Professionals, along with the New England PGA Section as the Herb Graffis Award recipient, joined an accomplished fraternity of past winners whose passion, leadership and level of service define our Association, and place a stamp of excellence on our profession. They set the standard – making a difference every day at their facilities and within their communities.
Leading this distinguished group is PGA Master Professional Brian A. Crowell, President of Bally’s Golf and General Manager of Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point in Bronx, New York, recipient of the 2026 PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year Award. This is the highest honor bestowed upon a PGA of America Golf Professional, recognizing exceptional leadership, strong moral character and a substantial record of service to the Association and the game of golf.
Kudos to Crowell and the entire class of 2026 PGA national award winners, including:
• PGA of America Teacher & Coach of the Year: Bernie Najar, PGA, Caves Valley Golf Club, Owings Mills, Md.
• PGA of America Golf Executive of the Year: Sean Palmer, PGA, The Union League of Philadelphia (Pa.)
• PGA of America Professional Development Award: Robin Shelton, PGA, Newport Beach (Calif.) Country Club
• Bill Strausbaugh Award: Carl Alexander, PGA, The Golf Club of Purchase (N.Y.)
• Herb Graffis Award: New England PGA Section
• Deacon Palmer Award: Mike D’Agostino, PGA, Penfield (N.Y.) Country Club
• Patriot Award: Bo Preston, PGA, The Links at Boynton Beach (Fla.)
• PGA of America Player Development Award: Ryan Young, PGA, Chambers Bay, Tacoma, Wash.
• PGA of America Youth Player Development Award: Henry Stetina, PGA, New Mexico State University PGA Golf Management, Las Cruces, N.M.
• PGA of America Merchandiser of the Year, Public: Alex Abbruzza, PGA, TPC of Louisiana, Avondale, La.
• PGA of America Merchandiser of the Year, Resort: Jared Henzlik, PGA, Big Cedar Lodge, Ridgedale, Mo.
• PGA of America Merchandiser of the Year, Private: Chris Rowe, PGA, Whispering Pines Golf Club, Trinity, Texas
As we salute this distinguished group, let’s take pride in knowing these award winners further validate the true value of PGA of America Golf Professionals. Thanks and God bless.
Sincerely,
Don Rea Jr., PGA President, PGA of America