Callan Named Deacon Palmer, Anderson Named Patriot Award-
Chad Callan Wins 2025 Iowa PGA Deacon Palmer Award
Riverside, Iowa – Chad Callan, PGA of Sun Day Red has been named the 2025 Iowa PGA Deacon Palmer Award winner by the Iowa PGA Award’s Committee. The “Deacon Palmer Award” bestows special recognition on a PGA Golf Professional who personally displays outstanding integrity, character and leadership, in the effort to overcome a major obstacle in their life. This individual is an unsung hero/heroine at their facility and in their community, who serves to inspire, empower and assist others, both inside and outside of the game.
When asked on what this means to win, Callan responded with, “I would like to thank the nomination committee for all their hard work reviewing the candidates and selecting winners of each award. Special thanks to my doctor, Jon Piper,MD. My final thanks would be extended to my fantastic wife, Jenni. Dealing with me for months, trying to keep me positive while also maintaining the kids hectic schedules. I really appreciate her.”
In early June of 2024 Callan had surgery on his L5-S1 followed by a second surgery mid-August on his C5-C6. He was hardly able to walk, let alone get around to work or doing his favorite activities with his kids. Golf, the highlight of his day was taken away from him which played a negative role in his mental health. It was what he was excited to wake up and do. It was his stress reliever, his activity he did with members, friends and fellow Pros. Once healed and able to swing the club and get back out there, he realized he can overcome anything because he has a great support system.
In early of 2025 I was finally feeling pre-injury. So I’m back to my passion and over joyed to be accepting this award.
Joel Logan, Sales Representative of TaylorMade Golf has these nice comments to say, “As we all know in the section, Chad had 2 back surgeries earlier this season. I thought his golfing season was over before it started. With his dedication and love for the game, Chad did what it took to make it back to playing. Not only is he back playing but he does so at a high level. He was in contention and in the final group for the section championship last month.”
Callan was previously awarded the Private Merchandiser of the Year in 2015 and 2019.
The Iowa PGA Congratulates Chad Callan as our 2025 Iowa PGA Deacon Palmer Award.
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Terry Anderson Wins 2025 Iowa PGA Patriot Award
Terry Anderson, PGA Life Member has been named the 2025 Iowa PGA Patriot Award winner by the Iowa PGA Award’s Committee. The Patriot Award is presented to an Iowa PGA Professional who personifies patriotism through the game of golf and demonstrates unwavering commitment and dedication to the men and women who have valiantly served and protected the United States of America.
When asked on what this means to win, Anderson responded with, “I am humbled beyond belief. I do what I do with the veterans to try to pay them back for the sacrifices they made to provide me with the freedom that allows me to have had the successful career that I have had in the golf business.”
The GIVE program began in August of 2007. Lou King, the founder of the program, told him that he must be there for the opening day. After 18 years he is still showing up to teach the GIVE program participants and support the lead instructors Jim Dickerson, PGA, and current lead Mike Armes, PGA. Anderson became the Head PGA Golf Professional at the Elks Club in 2013. Every year since, he had the Elks Club host the National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic. It is a weeklong event where disabled veterans from all over the country come to the Iowa City area to have socialization through the game of golf. He does all the instructions at the Elks Club during the week with support of the staff assigned by the Veterans Administration to the group playing the Elks Club for the week. He also provides support and instruction while the veterans are out on the golf course playing by roaming from group to group. Having no military background or experience, this is the least he can do to thank those that have sacrificed themselves to give him the freedom to do and enjoy the career that he has had in the golf business.
For 18 years, he has been teaching injured veterans in the GIVE program. This is almost a year-round commitment. Anderson is present for the refresher courses on Saturday mornings during January, February and March. The actual new classes rotate every five weeks from April through October. For the past 12 years, I have hosted and been the lead instructor for the National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic group assigned to the Elks Club in Iowa City.
Consistently being present at GIVE classes makes it easy to establish relationships with the veterans and their golf partner. Seeing smiles on the faces of these individuals when they hit that golf shot that is effortless brings joy to his heart. The teamwork that Jim Dickerson, Mike Armes and himself have developed over the years has brought joy and a new sense of purpose to the veterans that we get to work with. He couldn’t begin to count all the kind words of thanks I have received from those I have helped in GIVE and the National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic.
Anderson’s response in return to them is always, “I can’t thank you enough for your service.”
He has been told by both Jim Dickerson and Mike Armes that his presence inspires others to join the “party” of teaching veterans. He has seen other PGA Golf Professionals attend a GIVE session shortly after he had contact with them while playing in an Iowa PGA Section event or having conversation at an IOWA PGA Section meeting.
SGM Jim Dickerson, PGA Life Member, Retired had these nice comments to say, “Terry has been involved with the GIVE Foundation since its inception in 2007. Terry was among the initial volunteer instructors and has volunteered continuously since. He participates not only during the golf season, but, he also regularly volunteers during the off season, January through March with the “refresher sessions.”
Nick Beelner, National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic, Director has this to say about Anderson, “Terry provides golf instruction to Veterans with profound disabilities who attend the NDVGC. This includes adapting his golf instructions to meet the needs of the Veteran populations served by this clinic. These populations include visual impairments, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, limb-loss, stroke with residual deficits, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis, amongst others.
Anderson has previously been awarded Golf Professional of the Year in 2004 and Bill Strausbaugh Award in 2023.
The Iowa PGA Congratulates Terry Anderson as our 2025 Patriot Award Winner.
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