LEXINGTON, KY (March 2, 2020) - The Kentucky PGA Section is excited and proud to announce its 2020 Special Awards recipients. This annual tradition showcases those within the state of Kentucky who have made significant impacts on golfers throughout the state in a variety of fields. From merchandising to player development to mentoring their peer PGA Member Professionals, these men and women set the standard of how a PGA Member Professional should operate. The Kentucky Section is fortunate to have each of these folks serving the Association, its Members and Associates and congratulates them on these prestigious awards.

Chad Martin, PGA (Golf Professional of the Year) - Chad is entering his fourth year as the PGA Head Golf Professional at The Country Club of Paducah, the historic club located in western Kentucky. He has quickly established himself as one of the Section’s most popular Member Professionals, befriending many of his peers in the Section while creating many positive impacts on his staff and the Club’s membership. As his nominator described, “Chad believes in leading from the front and by example. His leadership style is to allow staff to take ownership of their department while knowing that their Head Golf Professional will be there to support or help them with any issues that arise.”

Before his arrival in the Kentucky Section, Chad was in the Carolinas Section where he began his career in the golf industry. He was involved in their Section right from the beginning, which included terms as a Chapter Secretary and as their Area II Director. The desire to serve came with him to Kentucky where he has had an active role, which includes a recent appointment as the Kentucky Section’s Secretary.

Jake Martin, PGA (Assistant Golf Professional of the Year) - Jake has been described as the “ultimate assistant professional.” His work ethic is unquestioned and is a high performer in all fields of the golf industry. His ideas and concepts have changed Big Spring Country Club in a significantly improved manner. He wants to provide the best service possible, whether it’s in tournament operations, staff training, youth golf, women’s golf, and many other fields. Jake frequently plays golf with the Big Spring members and in our KPGA Section events. One of his greatest traits is the mindset that every new task is an opportunity to shine and gives his best effort each time as a result. Big Spring and the Kentucky Section are both fortunate to have him involved in such an integral way. 

Eric Gilliland, PGA (Deacon Palmer Award) - Since his colon cancer diagnosis at the age of 35, Eric has used his platform as a PGA Professional to grow funds and awareness to combat early onset colon cancer. His PGA Golf Day 100 Hole effort has raised over $60,000 in support of the Colon Cancer Prevention Project and the mission of the Kentucky Golf Foundation. In recognition of his efforts, Eric was named to the Board of the Colon Cancer Prevention Project in January 2019. This past January, he was named an officer, assuming the role of secretary. As a result of their efforts for the last decade, higher cancer screening rates in Kentucky have resulted in a 25% reduction in incidence and a 28% reduction in mortality. All the while, Kentucky has improved from 48th to 20th in colon cancer rates.

Colby Wollitz, PGA (Player Development Award) - Colby Wollitz has established himself as one of the Section’s finest when it comes to shaving strokes off a golfer’s game. In the spring of 2019, a group of 16 students experienced an average improvement of 12.25 strokes in the span of just a couple months. Those who attend his golf schools or get individual instruction have become synonymous with those that win on the Kentucky PGA Junior Tour, advance past Local Qualifying in Drive Chip & Putt, succeed with their teammates in PGA Jr. League, and so much more. The vast line of students taught by Colby and their successes on the golf course showcase his talent in player development.

Mitchell Moore, PGA (Teacher of the Year) - There are not many golf instructors you can find who are as dedicated to their craft and provide a better experience to their students than Mitchell Moore. His teaching facility at Hopkinsville Golf & Country Club provides services to golfers ranging from 6 to 80 years old, professionals to beginners, across 5 different states, and with 10 different colleges. Mitchell is certified in TPI Level 1, ADM, BodiTrak, and SeeMore as both a Fitter and Instructor. Mitchell has demonstrated what it takes to be a premier instructor in today’s world and has produced some of the finest golfers in the region as a result.

Derrick Griffitts, PGA (Youth Player Development Award) - Derrick Griffitts’ daily to-do list is among the largest of any Member within the Kentucky Section, but Derrick has always made sure that developing youth golfers is one of the key focuses in his career. His work on the Player Development Committee since 2017 has allowed him more involvement in programs like PGA Jr. League, Golf in Schools, Youth on Course, Drive Chip & Putt, and the Middle School State Championship. Derrick’s involvement with community programs in addition to his service in these programs has paid significant dividends for the youth of Shelbyville and the surrounding areas. Consequently, it is safe to say Derrick has been a driving force in bringing joy to the children of Kentucky through golf. 

Kevin Childers, PGA (Bill Strausbaugh Award) - Kevin Childers challenges himself to be persistent in inspiring his assistants to set themselves apart from other professionals within the industry. He has always been an advocate of giving his staff the autonomy and independence to do their job. Throughout his career, he has mentored his staff and continually coached them to help advance through the industry. Simultaneously, he has stressed the importance of a work-life balance so that the pursuit of happiness for each of his teammates is met. As a leader, Kevin has successfully demonstrated how to make a positive and meaningful impact on people’s lives.

Sara Stephens, PGA (Horton Smith Award) - One is hard-pressed to find a Member in the Kentucky Section who is as passionate about golf and its teachings than Sara Stephens. Sara is currently the Chair of the Education Committee and was previously the Chair of the Player Development Committee. Her service to the Membership has been evident since the day she got involved and is only bound to continually increase knowing her dedication to the game and our Members. If it wasn’t for Sara, so many of the educational experiences we take for granted would not be possible and we should all be appreciative for the sacrifices she makes to better our careers.

Corey Stith, PGA (Private Merchandiser of the Year) - Corey Stith is no stranger to successfully managing a public golf shop, as he won the 2017 and 2018 Public Merchandiser of the Year awards. He recently took on a new venture by becoming the Head Golf Professional at Elizabethtown Country Club, entering the realm of private facilities. Once again, Stith’s work in merchandising was extremely successful despite the new scenery, as he estimates a 2019 gross merchandise sales figure in between $140,000 and $150,000. It has become clear that Corey’s merchandising practices are styles to emulate.

Robert Costello, PGA (Public Merchandiser of the Year) - Since his arrival at Nevel Meade Golf Club as their Head Golf Professional, Robert Costello’s impact has been felt on all aspects of their operation. Perhaps none has been more positively affected than their golf shop. Robert estimates that 80% of his time at Nevel Meade is dedicated to merchandising. That amount of dedication has been evident with each passing year. At the end of 2017, Nevel Meade’s gross merchandise sales was $81,404. In 2018, it bumped up to $122,543. This past year, the amount skyrocketed to an estimated $155,000. The impressive work in the Nevel Meade golf shop coupled with Robert’s customer service has made this a must-visit for golfers.

Matthew Laurance (Media Representative of the Year) - Matthew Laurance moved to Lexington six years ago and immediately proposed doing a golf show on ESPN Sports Radio 1300/92.5. Since then, his show, BackSpin Golf has been the only golf-radio show in central Kentucky. Each week from March through October, Matthew interviews PGA Members, superintendents, college coaches and players, and so many more who have an impact on the game of golf. Matthew has played a vital role in spotlighting these people and giving them the recognition they deserve. Without Matthew’s hard work and dedication, that spotlight might never be shown on these people.

Robb Spencer (Sales Representative of the Year) - Robb Spencer has been one of the busiest members of the golf industry in recent years. Robb is an independent representative who works with Ahead, Bushnell, Camelbak, Nextbelt, 2Under, Heritage Creations, Maui Jim, GT Tour Supplies and Ecco. Robb’s work is not limited to just Kentucky, as he works in several different states servicing Golf Professionals. Even with the number of companies he works with and the states he does his business in, Robb provides the model example of what it takes to be a sales representative and provides the finest service to our Kentucky PGA Membership.