STPGA Secretary wins 2021 PGA Professional Development Award

Southern Texas PGA • January 26, 2022

Spring, TX (January 26, 2022) - Today, the PGA of America announced its most recent class of National Award Winners and this year, Dr. Rich Ballinger, Director of Sam Houston State University’s PGA Golf Management program and current Secretary of the Southern Texas PGA won the PGA Professional Development Award. 

 

This award is given out to an individual for outstanding and continuing contributions to Golf Professional education. All 41 sections that make up the PGA of America nominate deserving winners from across the country for this award and the STPGA is extremely proud that one of our own won this award. 

 

Dr. Rich Ballinger spends his days mentoring and raising the next generation of PGA Professionals at Sam Houston State where he has been leading the program since 2005 when the program started. During this time, more than 130 students have graduated from the program and became PGA Professionals. His mentorship with his students lasts long beyond their time spent at Sam Houston as he continues to offer guidance throughout their career.

 

Besides from his work each day with students, Rich has taken his experience and been actively involved with the PGA of America at both a section and national level. Rich has served on the National Apprentice Task Force, the PGA/PGM Task Force, and National Education Committee, just to name a few. His involvement in these groups enables Rich to make contributions to the materials and the delivery of the PGA/PGM program that is offered to Associates and PGA Golf Management students nationwide as well as national initiatives to ensure our PGA Members are the best in the world! 


At a local level, Rich was elected Secretary of the Southern Texas PGA in 2021 and helps chair the Member Services Committee that focuses on educational programs for the 800 PGA Members within this section. He has helped expand the Annual Meeting and created a Coaching and Teaching Summit

Spring, TX (January 26, 2022) - Today, the PGA of America announced its most recent class of National Award Winners and this year, Dr. Rich Ballinger, Director of Sam Houston State University’s PGA Golf Management program and current Secretary of the Southern Texas PGA won the PGA Professional Development Award. 

 

This award is given out to an individual for outstanding and continuing contributions to Golf Professional education. All 41 sections that make up the PGA of America nominate deserving winners from across the country for this award and the STPGA is extremely proud that one of our own won this award. 

 

Dr. Rich Ballinger spends his days mentoring and raising the next generation of PGA Professionals at Sam Houston State where he has been leading the program since 2005 when the program started. During this time, more than 130 students have graduated from the program and became PGA Professionals. His mentorship with his students lasts long beyond their time spent at Sam Houston as he continues to offer guidance throughout their career.

 

Besides from his work each day with students, Rich has taken his experience and been actively involved with the PGA of America at both a section and national level. Rich has served on the National Apprentice Task Force, the PGA/PGM Task Force, and National Education Committee, just to name a few. His involvement in these groups enables Rich to make contributions to the materials and the delivery of the PGA/PGM program that is offered to Associates and PGA Golf Management students nationwide as well as national initiatives to ensure our PGA Members are the best in the world! 


At a local level, Rich was elected Secretary of the Southern Texas PGA in 2021 and helps chair the Member Services Committee that focuses on educational programs for the 800 PGA Members within this section. He has helped expand the Annual Meeting and created a Coaching and Teaching Summit where PGA Professionals learn how to be the best teacher they possibly can be! His proudest accomplishment was starting a mentor program to help retain new PGA Professionals within the industry. 


Rich’s pursuit for education has led him to becoming a Certified Professional in General Management and Golf Operations, as well as becoming a PGA Master Professional in General Management. Rich is one of 14 PGA Master Professionals in Texas and the only PGA Master Professional in General Management in the state. Rich has also completed a Master of Business Administration degree and Doctor of Education degree. 

 

The Southern Texas PGA is excited to congratulate Dr. Rich Ballinger as the 2021 National PGA Professional Development Award recipient. He will be honored in November 2022 at the PGA of America Awards Banquet in Phoenix, Arizona. 

where PGA Professionals learn how to be the best teacher they possibly can be! His proudest accomplishment was starting a mentor program to help retain new PGA Professionals within the industry. 


Rich’s pursuit for education has led him to becoming a Certified Professional in General Management and Golf Operations, as well as becoming a PGA Master Professional in General Management. Rich is one of 14 PGA Master Professionals in Texas and the only PGA Master Professional in General Management in the state. Rich has also completed a Master of Business Administration degree and Doctor of Education degree. 

 

The Southern Texas PGA is excited to congratulate Dr. Rich Ballinger as the 2021 National PGA Professional Development Award recipient. He will be honored in November 2022 at the PGA of America Awards Banquet in Phoenix, Arizona. 

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