Industry News

PGA Jr. League #GameChanger Award winners honored at 2025 PGA Show

A total of 144 PGA of America Golf Professional and LPGA Professional PGA Jr. League coaches received awards based upon program size and other player engagement criteria

Editors:
For photos of the award winners attending the PGA Show, click here.
For provided headshots of all the award winners, click here.
For video of the ceremony, click here.

FRISCO, Texas and ORLANDO, Fla. (Jan. 29, 2025) – During the 2025 PGA Show last week, PGA Jr. League Coaches took the stage Wednesday (Jan. 22) for the #GameChanger Awards ceremony emceed by NBC’s Lauren Thompson, celebrating their accomplishments in expanding opportunities for kids to learn and enjoy the game of golf.

PGA Show
ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 22: 2024 PGA Jr. League Game Changer award recipients pose together on the industry stage during the PGA Show at Orange County Convention Center on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Darren Carroll/PGA of America)

The full list of 2024 #GameChanger Award recipients organized by category (25 largest programs in the country, largest program in each PGA of America Section and Player Engagement Award) can be found here.

Since its inception in 2019, the #GameChanger Awards celebrate PGA Jr. League Coaches who go above and beyond to grow the game. The awards honor the 25 largest PGA Jr. League programs in the country as well as the largest programs in each of the 41 PGA of America Sections.

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In 2022, a Player Engagement #GameChanger Award was added to celebrate Coaches who embrace an array of programming. This year, Coaches who lead 40 or more active PGA Jr. League players; host multiple age divisions and seasons of PGA Jr. League; host a PGA Family Golf event; and have completed ADM (American Development Model) certification and one additional course through the PGA Coach platform will receive a Player Engagement Award.

“The #GameChanger Awards have become a yearly highlight for the PGA of America, applauding the incredible efforts of our Coaches to engage young players and make golf accessible to more families,” said Steve Tanner, Senior Director of Player Engagement for the PGA of America. “These Coaches are at the heart of providing impactful experiences that transcend golf, and we’re proud to celebrate their achievements.”

About the PGA of America
The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals who love the game, are expert coaches, operators and business leaders, and work daily to drive interest, inclusion and participation in the sport. The PGA of America owns and operates numerous championships and events, including major championships for men, women, seniors and the Ryder Cup, one of the world’s foremost sporting events. For more information, visit PGA.com and follow us on X, Instagram and Facebook.

About PGA Jr. League
PGA Jr. League brings families and friends together around fun, team golf experiences for kids ages 17 and under, with expert coaching from PGA of America Golf Professionals. Visit PGAJrLeague.com for more information, and follow @PGAJrLeague on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.

Media Contacts:
Hayley Wilson, Alday PR, hayley@aldaypr.com
Jesse Dodson, PGA of America, jdodson@pgahq.com


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