Delaney Named 2026 Iowa PGA Golf Professional of the Year-
Riverside, Iowa – Brian Delaney, PGA Head Professional at Davenport Country Club, has been named the 2026 Iowa PGA Golf Professional of the Year. The Golf Professional of the Year Award is the highest honor paid to an Iowa PGA Golf Professional. The honoree is chosen based on leadership abilities that stand above the rest, contributions made to their facility’s success, and excelling as an overall golf professional at the Iowa PGA Section level.
When asked what this means to win this award, Delaney responded, “It is an honor to be recognized by a group of your peers. The recognition humbles me. It is a blessing to be able to do what I love every day and call it a career. The game of golf and the golf community in Iowa have given me so much, and I hope I can give as much as I have gotten. This recognition would not be achievable without the support of my wife Anna, my family, my team, my mentors, and the amazing membership at Davenport Country Club.”
Delaney has mentored and developed 8 PGA Associates, including 4 current Associates on staff. He mentored Melanie Tomczuk, 2023 Iowa PGA Assistant Professional of the Year and current Program Director for First Tee Quad Cities. Delaney oversees a thriving Junior Golf Program serving over 200 youth golfers. Exceeded budget in each of the past 6 full seasons at Davenport Country Club (DCC).
Delaney’s professional staff has provided instruction to over 500 unique individuals this past year. He and his team conduct over 115 golf events each season, including 73 events for women, 2 for charity, and 12 dedicated exclusively to junior golfers. He directs and manages a team of 4 golf professionals, 1 merchandiser, 15 outside operations staff members, and 24 caddies.
He has promoted 2 Assistant Professionals internally from the outside operations staff during his tenure. DCC’s caddie program was revived in 2023 with the goal of helping caddies earn the Evans Scholarship (a full tuition and housing scholarship to partner universities). With a focus on caddies from in-need households, this offers life-changing college opportunities; DCC will submit its first applicant this year.
He has successfully guided the facility through major capital improvements, including a new irrigation system and cart path installation—while keeping the course operational. Coordinated all communication regarding course conditions/closures and adaptively rescheduled events to minimize disruption to the membership.
Delaney has the privilege of mentoring 4 current PGA Associates through their PGA Education Program and 1 merchandiser pursuing AGM Certification. Inspired peers through active industry engagement: presented to the Assistants Association, contributed to weekly Section best-practice communications, and published merchandising and operations best practices in PGA Magazine.
He has developed an innovative Junior Club Rental program providing season-long fitted equipment at an affordable rate, allowing families to swap clubs as juniors grow without recurring purchasing costs. Ensured consistent course access for youth golfers by reserving dedicated weekly block tee times paired with appropriate tees. He has utilized PGA Junior League as an effective bridge connecting recreational youth golfers to competitive tournament play. He has created a highly popular Golf and Fishing Camp, leveraging multi-sport interest to introduce kids to the game of golf in a fun environment.
Continued the “It’s OK League,” providing a supportive, highly social atmosphere for women to learn and enjoy the game. Instructed and custom-fitted high-performing golfers to build a competitive collegiate pipeline; DCC currently features 5 Division I rostered players alongside multiple Division III and NAIA collegiate student-athletes.
John Panek, PGA General Manager/COO of Davenport Country Club, also had some nice comments about Delaney, “One of Brian’s greatest strengths is his ability to grow the game. He continually looks for ways to introduce golfers to the game, improve the experience for existing players, and create opportunities for members and their families to become more engaged with golf. His efforts have played a significant role in the tremendous growth of our golf membership. Davenport Country Club now has 325 golf members and a waitlist for golf membership, something that speaks volumes about the quality of the golf experience and the leadership of our golf operation.”
PGA Life Member Joe Butler has these nice comments about Delaney, “Since retiring in 2021, I have had the opportunity to play at some of the very best golf facilities in our section, and to witness PGA members interacting with their members while attending to their daily responsibilities. Brian Delaney at DCC impressed me the most while attending these courses. DCC has it going on! There was so much activity, from the range, junior golf, member play, and customers in the proshop.”
Delaney won the Merchandiser of the Year for Private in 2022.
On behalf of the Iowa PGA Members, Associates and Iowa PGA staff we congratulate Brian Delaney as the 2026 Iowa PGA Golf Professional of the Year.
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The Iowa PGA Section also selected eleven other Award Winners. All will be honored at the Iowa PGA Special Awards Luncheon to be hosted by Riverside Casino & Golf Resort on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. The 2026 Iowa PGA Junior Tour Player of the Year winners will also be invited and honored.
2026 Iowa PGA Awards
Golf Professional of the Year
- Brian Delaney, Davenport Country Club
Assistant Professional of the Year
- Tatum Depuydt, Cedar Rapids Country Club
Golf Executive of the Year
- John Panek, Davenport Country Club
Bill Strausbaugh
- John Bermel, Pheasant Ridge Golf Course
Professional Development Award
- Brian Delaney, Davenport Country Club
Teacher of the Year
- Seth Svejda, Ken Schall Golf Performance Studio
Player Development Award
- Chelsea Soda, Echo Valley Country Club
Youth Player Development Award
- Sarah Bidney, Hyperion Field Club
Deacon Palmer Award
- Ron Thrapp, Emeis Golf Course
Patriot Award of the Year
- Michael McNamara, Blue Top Ridge at Riverside
Private Merchandiser of the Year
- Brian Delaney, Davenport Country Club
Public Merchandiser of the Year
- Mason Jobin, TPC Deere Run
Resort Merchandiser of the Year
- Michael McNamara, Blue Top Ridge at Riverside
Sales Representative of the Year
- Jim Owens, Callaway Golf
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