Krueger Wins Strausbaugh Award
Riverside, Iowa – Aaron Krueger of the Wakonda Club has been named the 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.
“Anytime you get recognized for a Section Award it’s special,” said Krueger. “I’m not sure who nominated me, but it’s an honor to be recognized by my peers. This means a lot to me.”
Krueger joined the Wakonda Club in 2011, where he is the Director of Golf. Krueger has a handful of people on his staff including a Head PGA Professional, Assistant PGA Professional and a couple of guys that work in his shop working towards becoming PGA Professionals. One major point of emphasis for Krueger is to show his staff and younger kids what it means to be a PGA Professional. He does this by leading by example as well as sharing his experiences in this industry.
The Bill Strausbaugh Award is one of many Iowa PGA awards that Krueger has won in his career. He was the 2017 Iowa PGA Professional of the Year, he won the Player Development Award in 2014, he was the Private Merchandiser of the Year in 2014 and 2010 and he was the 2007 Iowa Assistant PGA Professional of the Year.
Krueger’s impact on the Iowa PGA Section goes behind his accolades. He is currently the Iowa PGA Section President and served as the Vice President the last two years prior to being elected President. He was also the Secretary for the Iowa PGA Board of Directors.
In addition to his position within the Section, Krueger has shown great dedication to the charitable side of golf. He has been highly involved with the Iowa PGA Section Foundation, serving on its board, and also plays a big role in the Wakonda Club’s hosting of the Principal Charity Classic each year, a PGA TOUR Champions event that raises roughly 4.3 million dollars for local children.
Aaron’s service to the Iowa PGA not only lifts the brand of the Iowa Section, but also lifts the brand of the PGA of America. From attending National Board Meetings, to holding multiple positions with the Section, Aaron has positively affected so many in the Golf industry and in his community. The Iowa PGA is proud to announce President Aaron Krueger as the 2018 Iowa PGA Bill Strausbaugh Award Winner.
Watt Wins Horton Smith Award
Riverside, Iowa – Glen Oaks Country Club Director of Golf, Steve Watt has been named the 2018 Horton Smith Award winner. The Horton Smith 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.
“I am humbled to be recognized for such a great award in the Horton Smith Award,” said Watt. “This is a great achievement in my career.”
Watt currently holds the Education Chair position for the Iowa PGA. Since taking the position he has been responsible for finding speakers and presenters such as Dana Garmany (CEO and Founder of Troon Golf), Michael Breed and he has confirmed John Easterbrook, PGA to be a speaker at the 2018 Iowa PGA Fall Meeting.
Watt has worked hard to show his leadership and expand upon his networking by attending events such as the PGA Merchandise Show, the Teaching and Coaching Summit as well as the Youth and Family Golf Summit. Watt is also serving as a Board Member for the Iowa PGA.
In addition to Watt’s dedication to the being a leader within the section, he has shown great dedication to promoting the game of golf in the community. Watt hosted the 2018 Iowa PGA Professional Championship, the 2018 USGA US Open Qualifying, the 2018 Drive, Chip & Putt Sub-Regional, the 2018 Zach Johnson Drake Invitational for the third time and the 2018 Iowa Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Steve has shown great passion and energy to the game of golf within the Iowa PGA Section as well as within his community. He’s energy to manage his members as well as serve the Iowa PGA Section is second to none.