John Kulow of Monterey Country Club in Palm Desert has been named 2021 PGA Golf Professional of the Year, the Southern California PGA’s preeminent prize among its annual awards.
Kulow, who is a member of the SCPGA’s board of directors, received the award for “overall performance as a golf professional, leadership, service and promotion of the game of golf.”
The SCPGA’s annual awards will presented at the President’s Dinner at South Hills Country Club in West Covina on Dec. 12, 2022, which is a bit of a coincidence since Kulow recently announced that he is leaving Monterey Country Club to become general manager at South Hills.
Kulow, who previously was manager at Scholl Canyon Golf Course in Glendale and head professional at Candlewood Country Club in Whittier, also received the SCPGA’s Tom Addis PGA Professional Award in 2018.
Rich Sessinghaus of Scholl Canyon was selected the SCPGA’s PGA Teacher of the Year for “excellence in golf instruction along with overall performance as a golf professional.” Promotion of golf, use of teaching aids, involvement in junior golf activities, teaching techniques and articles published are some of the criteria considered for this award.
Monica Stratton of Carlsbad Golf Center was chosen for the SCPGA Clubfitter Award, which “bestows recognition to a PGA golf professional who is an expert in the field of club fitting.” Those considered for this award promote club fitting at his or her facility, helps PGA members to further their knowledge in the effects that proper clubs have on a golf ball.
Cody Franke of Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert will receive the SCGA’s Assistant Golf Professional Award, which is awarded for “overall performance as a golf professional, leadership, service and promotion of the game of golf.” This nominee reflects the qualities and image that promote the PGA professional to club members.
Kimberly Falcone of La Jolla Country Club was chosen to receive the Bill Strasbaugh Award, which is “presented to PGA members who by day-to-day efforts that have made significant contributions through mentoring PGA professionals in improving their employment situations.” The award also considers the integrity and character of the PGA member, their service to the association, community involvement and charitable organizations.
Jackie Riegle of Monarch Beach Golf Links in Dana Point was selected as winner of the PGA Player Development Award for “extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievements in the area of player development.” This award considers the PGA Professional’s growth of the game leadership commitment at the Section and National levels and the impact made at the facility.
Heidi Richardson of Encinitas Ranch Golf Course was selected as recipient of the Youth Player Development Award, which “bestows recognition to a PGA Golf Professional who is a leader in junior golf.” The nominee also reflects the image and qualities that juniors can emulate and provides opportunities for juniors to learn and play golf.
Ross Marcano of Barona Creek Golf Club in Lakeside is SCPGA Merchandiser of the Year for the Resort Category, with Thomas Chu of San Diego Country Club in Chula Vista earning the award in the Private Club Category, and Brian Hughes of the Greg Norman Course at PGA West in La Quinta winning in the Public Award Category. These awards recognize PGA professionals who have demonstrated superior skills as merchandisers in the promotion of golf.
The Southern California PGA was established in 1924 and today is comprised of 1,799 PGA professionals working at more than 500 facilities within the section.
For more information about the SCPGA, go to https://scpga.com/
