Awards

The nomination period for the 2026 PGA of Ottawa Awards is officially open!

Each year, the PGA of Ottawa Awards provide us with an opportunity to recognize the outstanding Professionals within our Zone who demonstrate leadership, service, professionalism, innovation, and a commitment to advancing the game and our Association.

This year, we are introducing a simplified nomination process designed to make it easier for every member to participate.

One Form. All Award Categories.

Rather than completing a separate nomination form for each award, members can now submit their nominations across the various award categories through one streamlined online form.

For each nomination, we simply ask you to provide:

• Award Category
• Nominee's Name
• Your Name
• A brief note explaining why you believe the individual deserves consideration

You do not need to prepare a lengthy submission. At this stage, we simply want to identify the deserving Professionals within our Zone who should be considered.

Your Role

Take a few minutes to review the PGA of Ottawa member list below and consider the Professionals who have made an impact this year.

Who has demonstrated exceptional leadership?
Who consistently provides outstanding service?
Who has helped grow the game?
Who has been a mentor, innovator, teacher, leader, or ambassador for the PGA of Canada?

This is your opportunity to recognize them.

Award Eligibility

The member list below includes current professional titles as recorded in the PGA of Canada National database and is provided as a reference to assist with nominations.

Please note that a member's current employment title does not necessarily restrict them to one award category. Members may be eligible for different awards depending on the specific eligibility requirements of each category.

A brief description and eligibility information for each award is included in the nomination form to help you make your selections.

About the Awards Committee

Once nominations close, the Awards Committee will oversee the evaluation and selection process.

• The identities of Awards Committee members will remain confidential throughout the selection process.

• The Committee is composed of a cross-section of individuals from within our Zone and the golf industry.

• Any Committee member who is nominated for an award must recuse themselves from evaluating or voting in that category.

• Appropriate conflict-of-interest procedures will be followed throughout the process.

• The Awards Committee Chair oversees the process and does not participate in voting except where required to address a conflict or procedural matter.

Tyler Fitzgerald serves as the 2026 Awards Committee Chair.

Questions regarding the nomination or awards process can be directed to tfitzgerald@camelotgolf.ca.

Recognize Someone Who Deserves It

The strength of our awards program depends on the participation of our membership.

There are outstanding PGA Professionals throughout the Ottawa Zone doing exceptional work every day. We encourage everyone to take a few minutes to recognize the colleagues, mentors, leaders, and fellow Professionals who deserve consideration.

Don't assume someone else will nominate them.

Submit your nominations by Monday, August 31, 2026

Bud Malloy Head Professional of the Year

This award is one of the honors the association can bestow on a working club professional whose total contributions to the game best exemplify the complete PGA of Canada professional. Consideration should be given to: quality of leadership; managerial skills; record of service to the Association and the game of golf; regard for other PGA of Canada Club Professionals and their regard for him/her.

2025 Finalists
Tara McInroy - Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club
Roger Beale - Rideau View Golf Club

Class A Professional of the Year

The PGA of Canada Class “A” Professional of the Year Award is the highest honor the Association can bestow on a working Class “A” Professional at a golf course whose total contributions to the game best exemplify the PGA of Canada Class “A” Professional. Candidate should demonstrate outstanding qualities of leadership, customer service and be a well-regarded role model to other PGA Professionals. Must be working in a pro shop at a golf course.

2025 Finalists
Dan McNeely - Rideau View Golf Club
Duncan Heywood - The Royal Ottawa Golf Club

Executive Professional of the Year

This award is one of the honors the association can bestow on a working Executive Professional whose total contributions to the game best exemplify the complete PGA of Canada professional. This award embraces a wide range of services executed by the Executive Professional including; leadership; outstanding management; service to the Association and the game of golf; highly esteemed among colleagues.

2025 Finalists

Derek MacDonald - Whitetail Golf Club
Chris Barber - The Landings Golf Course & Teaching Centre
Dany Lacombe - Clublink

Harold Blackmon Apprentice Professional of the Year

The PGA of Canada Apprentice Professional of the Year Award is the highest honor the Association can bestow on a working Apprentice Professional. Guidelines for consideration include: outstanding leader and role model; ambitious; professional development. Must be working in a pro shop at a golf course and be an Apprentice Professional at the beginning of the year.

2025 Apprentice Professional of the Year Finalists
- Madison Barber - The Landings Golf Course & Teaching Centre
- Cameron Boyd - Camelot Golf & Country Club

Kevin Haime Junior Leader of the Year

This award is designed to pay recognition to PGA of Canada members who are leaders in junior golf who: demonstrate involvement in promotion and development of junior golf; support of National Jr programs; proven interest, concern and ability to provide opportunities and experience for juniors to learn and play; outstanding character.

2025 Junior Leader of the Year Finalists

James Sperinck - The Meadows Golf & Country Club
Derek MacDonald - The Royal Ottawa Golf Club

Coach of the Year

The Ben Kern Coach of the Year Award is designed to recognize a PGA of Canada professional who is an outstanding coach among the ranks of the PGA of Canada membership. This award is based on a professional's overall performance in coaching; unusual, innovative, and special coaching programs initiated or implemented; articles published; as well as outstanding golfers the professional has coached.

While Ben Kern's playing resume is impressive, it was his work as a teacher and coach that define his status as a PGA of Canada and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member. Kern was a co-author of the Future Links golf program; initiated and chaired Canada's first Teaching and Coaching Symposium; and coordinated the completion of the PGA of Canada's Teaching Certification Program.

2025 Coach of the Year Finalists
Scott Hay - GolfTec
Derek MacDonald - The Royal Ottawa Golf Club

Retailer of the Year

This award recognizes those PGA of Canada Professionals who have demonstrated superior skills as merchandisers in the promotion of golf. This award is given for excellence in golf shop operations and consideration is given to: demonstration of skill in planning and promotion of sales by presenting products on a timely basis through specialized marketing techniques. Must be a Class “A” Member.

2025 Retailer of the Year Finalists

Tara McInroy - Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club
Sarah Landry - Club de golf Rivermead
Paul Carrothers - The Royal Ottawa Golf Club

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