Indiana PGA 2026 Special Award Winners
February 24, 2026 (MUNCIE, IN)
The Indiana PGA recognized its 2026 Special Award recipients during the Annual Business Meeting held February 23-24 at the Horizon Convention Center in Muncie, Indiana. The annual meeting brings PGA Professionals from across the state together to celebrate the best of the profession, share ideas, learn from industry leaders, and honor those whose dedication and service continue to strengthen golf in Indiana.
Congratulations to all of our 2026 Special Award winners on this well-deserved recognition.
Mark Nance, PGA
Indianapolis PXG
2026 Indiana PGA Golf Professional of the Year
The Indiana PGA Golf Professional of the Year Award is one of the highest honors a PGA Professional can receive, recognizing outstanding leadership, service, and overall impact on the game. Mark Nance’s career reflects excellence across nearly every area of the profession.
Currently managing the Indianapolis PXG store, Nance has successfully transitioned from green-grass operations into the retail sector, applying the same leadership, customer focus, and mentorship that defined his earlier roles. For more than 30 years, he has been a driving force behind PGA WORKS initiatives, helping create pathways and opportunities for underrepresented groups within the game. His commitment to mentoring PGA Members and Associates has made him a trusted resource and respected leader throughout the Section.
Nance’s recognition is also historic, as he becomes the first Black PGA Professional to earn Indiana PGA Golf Professional of the Year honors. His career is defined by giving back, advocating for inclusion, and investing in the future of the profession through service and mentorship.
Chris Drake, PGA
Golf Galaxy
2026 Indiana PGA Teacher of the Year
The Teacher of the Year Award recognizes PGA Professionals who demonstrate exceptional skill, innovation, and leadership in instruction. Chris Drake has dedicated his career to helping golfers of all abilities improve through thoughtful coaching systems and individualized instruction.
Drake is widely recognized for developing innovative teaching models, including Speed Gears and the Success Roadmapping Process, which simplify improvement while encouraging long-term player development. His work with golfers like Bryce Baldwin highlights his ability to adapt instruction to each student’s unique needs, fostering confidence and measurable progress.
In addition to teaching, Drake is a leader within the Indiana PGA, sharing best practices and encouraging fellow professionals to prioritize instruction as a cornerstone of their careers. His creativity, consistency, and commitment to helping golfers succeed make him a deserving recipient of this award.
Mike Asbell, PGA
Golf Club of Indiana
2026 Indiana PGA Player Development Award Recipient
The Player Development Award recognizes PGA Professionals who demonstrate extraordinary dedication to growing the game. Mike Asbell has built his career around creating pathways that introduce new players to golf and keep them engaged long-term.
Asbell is actively involved in PGA Junior League, PGA HOPE, PGA Coach, and multiple player development initiatives, consistently designing programs that balance accessibility, instruction, and sustainability. His leadership extends beyond his own facility, as he frequently helps fellow professionals develop programming models that both grow participation and generate revenue.
Having previously earned the Roger Lundy Youth Player Development Award, Asbell’s continued focus on player development at every level underscores his commitment to growing the game across Indiana.
Devin Dale, PGA
Etna Acres Golf Course
2026 Roger Lundy Youth Player Development Award Recipient
The Roger Lundy Youth Player Development Award honors PGA Professionals who exemplify leadership in junior golf. Devin Dale’s passion for youth development is evident through his hands-on involvement in junior programming and community engagement.
At Etna Acres Golf Course, Dale has expanded junior opportunities through PGA Junior League and affordable, family-focused programming. His commitment to making golf welcoming and accessible has led to increased junior participation and deeper family engagement at his facility.
This recognition carries special meaning, as Dale follows in the footsteps of his grandfather, Gene Kaufman, who received the same award in 2009. Together, their shared legacy reflects a multigenerational commitment to growing the game for young golfers.
Crystal Morse
2026 Indiana PGA Patriot Award Recipient
The Patriot Award recognizes PGA Professionals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to supporting military veterans through golf. Crystal Morse has played a vital role in the growth and success of PGA HOPE programming in Indiana.
Through her leadership, organizational support, and genuine care for participants, Morse has helped create environments where veterans feel welcomed, supported, and connected. Her work behind the scenes ensures programs run smoothly while fostering meaningful relationships that extend beyond the golf course.
Crystal’s dedication to service exemplifies the spirit of PGA HOPE and highlights golf’s ability to positively impact lives through community and shared experience.
Doug Booth, PGA
Deer Track Golf Club
2026 Indiana PGA Deacon Palmer Award Recipient
The Deacon Palmer Award honors PGA Professionals who demonstrate extraordinary integrity, perseverance, and character in overcoming significant life challenges. Doug Booth’s career is a testament to resilience and lifelong service to the game.
A 49-year PGA Member, Booth has served as Indiana PGA President, Golf Professional of the Year, and a golf course owner. Despite enduring decades of physical challenges related to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and numerous surgeries, he has remained actively involved in teaching and mentoring.
Booth’s ability to continue giving back to the game, even when unable to play, has inspired generations of PGA Professionals and exemplifies the values this award represents.
Ryan Ford, PGA
2026 Indiana PGA Bill Strausbaugh Award Recipient
The Bill Strausbaugh Award recognizes PGA Professionals who demonstrate outstanding commitment to mentoring and professional development. Ryan Ford has consistently prioritized giving back throughout his 18-year PGA career.
Ford has served on the Indiana PGA Board and numerous committees, including education, finance, and Associate development. He has embraced mentorship at every level, supporting Associates, serving as a mentor within the Section’s formal programs, and helping young professionals navigate the early stages of their careers.
His leadership and generosity continue to shape the future of the Indiana PGA.
Doug Hill, PGA
Old Oakland Golf Club
2026 Indiana PGA Professional Development Award Recipient
The Professional Development Award recognizes PGA Professionals who contribute significantly to education and lifelong learning. Doug Hill has made a lasting impact on Indiana PGA education through his service as Education Chair.
Hill focused on keeping educational offerings relevant, accessible, and engaging, helping the Section maintain strong participation rates. He continues to advocate for teaching and playing as foundational elements of the PGA profession while encouraging balance in an increasingly demanding industry.
His leadership has strengthened professional development opportunities for PGA Members and Associates statewide.
Dylan Lasecki, PGA
Meridian Hills Country Club
2026 Indiana PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year
The Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Award recognizes dedication, leadership, and commitment to the profession. At Meridian Hills Country Club, Dylan Lasecki plays an integral role in nearly every aspect of operations.
From managing staff and assisting with club leadership to teaching and supporting the Evans Scholars Caddie Program, Lasecki approaches each responsibility as a learning opportunity. His focus on women’s and junior golf has helped expand participation while fostering an inclusive club environment.
His professionalism, work ethic, and readiness for future leadership exemplify the values of the PGA pathway.
2026 Indiana PGA Merchandisers of the Year
The Merchandiser of the Year Awards recognize PGA Professionals who demonstrate excellence in golf shop operations through creativity, strategic planning, strong vendor relationships, and measurable retail performance across resort, private, and public facilities.
Phil Nelson, PGA
Resort Category
The French Lick Resort
As the Resort Category recipient, Phil Nelson has elevated the merchandising experience at The French Lick Resort by thoughtfully balancing tradition, luxury, and accessibility. Serving a uniquely diverse customer base—ranging from local regulars to once-in-a-lifetime destination guests—Nelson has developed a product mix that reflects the resort’s historic brand while appealing to modern tastes. His approach ensures that every guest, whether purchasing a logo cap or high-end apparel, leaves with a memorable retail experience that complements the championship atmosphere of the property.
Nelson’s success is rooted in attention to presentation, frequent display refreshes, and strong vendor partnerships that allow him to stay current with trends while maintaining consistency with the resort’s identity. His ability to anticipate guest needs, adapt inventory to seasonal traffic, and create a welcoming retail environment has positioned the French Lick golf shops as a destination in their own right and a model for resort merchandising excellence.
Konnor Kimmel, PGA
Private Category
Woodland Country Club
At Woodland Country Club, Konnor Kimmel has demonstrated how a strategic, member-focused approach can drive exceptional results within a private club setting. Operating within a smaller retail footprint, Kimmel maximizes every square foot of space through thoughtful merchandising, efficient inventory management, and a product mix tailored to Woodland’s active and diverse membership.
Kimmel places a strong emphasis on understanding member preferences, adjusting offerings seasonally, and maintaining a clean, organized, and inviting shop environment. His ability to balance exclusivity with accessibility has resulted in consistent sales performance while enhancing the overall member experience. Through careful planning, creativity, and attention to detail, Kimmel has established Woodland’s golf shop as a trusted and valued part of the club’s daily operations.
Kyle Demeter, PGA
Public Category
The Warren Course
In the Public Category, Kyle Demeter continues to set the standard for merchandising excellence at The Warren Course. Serving a high-traffic facility with a strong national brand presence, Demeter has successfully blended University of Notre Dame tradition with innovative retail strategies to drive sustained growth. His ability to align merchandise offerings with the identity of both the course and the university has resulted in a dynamic and consistently engaging golf shop.
Demeter’s merchandising philosophy emphasizes frequent display updates, strong vendor relationships, and a balanced product mix that appeals to a wide range of customers. His leadership has helped maintain steady year-over-year growth while ensuring the retail experience remains welcoming and reflective of the Warren Course’s reputation. Through strategic planning and hands-on involvement, Demeter has positioned the Warren Course as a leader in public-facility merchandising within the Indiana Section.