Twelve recipients to be honored at the 2017 PGA annual meeting in Austin, Texas.
Darrell Kestner, PGA, Director of Golf at Deepdale Golf Club (Manhasset, N.Y.), has been named the 64th recipient of the PGA Golf Professional of the Year Award. This is the highest annual honor given to a PGA of America Professional and recognizes individuals for “qualities of leadership, strong moral character, and a substantial record of service” to the PGA and the game of golf.
A PGA Member for 33 years, Kestner is recognized for his consistent track record of excellence, encompassing his complete body of work as an accomplished player, distinguished instructor, passionate mentor to his assistants and devoted volunteer.
He is the only PGA Club Professional since World War II to compete in major championships in five different decades, including 11 PGA Championships and eight U.S. Opens. He shot a tournament record 17-under-par in capturing the 1996 PGA Professional Championship (then called the PGA Club Professional Championship). Complementing his playing ability, Kestner has taught top PGA Tour golfers, including Ray Floyd, Nick Price, Tom Kite and Nick Watney. Among his other notable students are: “The Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred, IBM CEO Louis Gerstner, Deutsche Bank CEO Seth Waugh and real estate magnate Lew Rudin.
A multiple Metropolitan PGA Section award-winner, Kestner was inducted into the Section’s Hall of Fame in 2010, as well as the Long Island Senior Golf Association Hall of Fame in 2012.
Other country club and resort winners include:
- Bill Strausbaugh Award: John Kennedy, PGA Life Member (retired), formerly of Westchester Country Club (Rye, New York)
- Patriot Award: Kevin McKinley, PGA, Director of Golf at Treetops Resort (Gaylord, Mich.)
- Deacon Palmer Award: Sam Depe III, PGA, Director of Golf Operations at Hickory Heights Golf Club (Bridgeville, Pa.)
- PGA Merchandiser of the Year–Private Facilities: Mike Strlekar, PGA, Director of Golf at Montclair Golf Club (West Orange, N.J.)
- PGA Merchandiser of the Year –Public Facilities: Mark Pfingston, PGA, Head Golf Professional of Bear Dance Golf Club (Denver, Colo.)
- PGA Merchandiser of the Year–Resort Facilities: Zack Chapin, PGA, Head Golf Professional of Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club (Arcadia, Mich.)
Click here to see the PGA’s complete list of winners.
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