Donah Professional Development, Downing Wins Bill Strausbaugh Awards-
Luke Donah Wins Professional Development Award
Riverside, Iowa – Luke Donah of Cedar Rapids Country Club has been named the 2025 Professional Development Award winner. The Professional Development Award is based on a Professional’s entire record and achievements over their career. The guidelines for this award include various types of educational seminars brought to the section, contributions made to building the PGA image, leadership and networking ability, promotion of the game of golf within the community, techniques used to encourage membership support of the various seminars, articles written for publication in books or magazines and any sectional or nationally recognized coursed attended by the nominee which enhance the PGA Professional.
When asked on what this means to win this award Donah responded with, “It is an honor to receive the 2025 Professional Development Award. I have been the benefactor of the professional development efforts of many tremendous PGA Professionals throughout my career. To be recognized for passing along what has been passed to me, means a great deal to me.”
Donah is the co-chair of the Iowa PGA Education Committee. He continues to assist the Iowa PGA Staff with securing speakers for the Annual Iowa PGA Teaching and Coaching Summit as well as the Assistants Coaching and Teaching Summit.
Donah won the Merchandiser of the Year for Private in 2023.
The Iowa PGA Congratulates Luke Donah as our 2025 Professional Development Award.
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Mike Downing Wins Bill Strausbaugh Award
Mike Downing of Iowa PGA Section has been named the 2025 Bill Strausbaugh Award winner by the Iowa PGA Awards Committee. The Strausbaugh Award emphasizes the nominee’s performance and achievements over the past five years and is awarded to those who demonstrate day-to-day alternative methods of improving the employment conditions for the PGA Professional.
When asked on what this means to win this award Downing responded with, “Whenever you are recognized by your peers and chosen as the recipient of an award, it is very humbling and gratifying. I have been extremely fortunate to be surrounded by an amazing staff and support system that has allowed me to excel in this position. It is truly a honor to be this year’s Bill Strausbaugh award recipient.”
During his past five years with the Iowa PGA Section, he has overseen the Iowa Assistants Association, with a focus on professional development and mentoring to ensure that our future professionals are well-equipped and well-versed to become our next leaders. Downing has overseen close to 20 associates who have become Class A members and advanced in their career paths.
As PGA of America Golf Professionals, we are, by definition, professionals, and must act accordingly. Downing tries to lead by example and treat everyone the same as he would like to be treated. The biggest compliment he has received from his PGA peers is that they trust him. To Downing, that is as rewarding as it gets. A mentor of his growing up once told him. “You are only giving one thing in life, your name; it’s up to you to do what you want with it and how you will be thought of.” He has never forgotten it and try to live up to it every day.
Having met with over 100 facilities in the Iowa PGA Section, he also works closely with our Career Consultant, Kevin Drew, PGA. We have become a one-two punch for our members in all things related to employment, compensation, PDRs, and Deferred Compensation.
During meetings with facilities, members, and associates, having built trust, we can have honest conversations and can build obtainable game plans for better opportunities. Whether it is that at the current facility, developing a better skill set is needed, or focusing on where he or she would like to be in 2-5 years. That’s the fun part: working one-on-one to help them achieve their goals.
Like many before him, he’s just trying to make things better. He hopes that he has made a positive impact on the lives of our professionals, both professionally and personally. Again, he tries to lead by example and be Mike Downing. Nothing special, just consistent, honest, trustworthy, and treating others with the respect they deserve.
Butch Haverland, PGA Teaching Professional, Palmer Hills Golf Course, “Mike demonstrates what professionalism is. He has patience, is a great listener, and takes control of situations and makes things work properly. Let me also emphasize that Mike bails me out with help when it comes to dealing with the PGA Junior League, PGA Coach and Deferred compensation. He answers all my poor questions!”
This is Downing’ third Iowa PGA Section Award. He was awarded Bill Strausbaugh in 2022 and Professional Development in 2024.
The Iowa PGA Congratulates Mike Downing as our 2025 Bill Strausbaugh Award.
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