Teacher of the Year Svejda, Stauffer and Elliott Win Player Development Award
Seth Svejda Wins Teacher of the Year
Riverside, Iowa – Seth Svejda of Ken Schall Golf Performance Studios has been named the 2025 Teacher of the Year by the Iowa PGA. This honor is based on a professional’s entire record of achievements over their career. The award is determined based on the nominee’s overall impact in teaching at the nominee’s facility, unusual, innovative, or special teaching programs initiated or implemented, instructional articles, videos or publications written or produced, list of outstanding golfers whom the nominee has instructed, involvement in junior golf activities and in the community and innovative contributions.
When asked on what this means to win this award Svejda responded with, “As a teacher, we don’t show up every day to win awards. We teach because we want to give back to a game that has given us so much. Personally, golf has taken me to college, provided me with my dream career serving others, surrounded me with hardworking, kind, and genuine friends and colleagues, led me to my wife, and offered me an escape when life gets hectic. While I know I can never fully repay what the game has given me, I am determined to try.
Receiving an award like this is simply recognition of the progress I’m making toward my goal of giving back. It’s a true honor to have my name alongside fellow nominees who have made a far greater impact on the game, such as Ken Schall, Mark Egly, and Sarah Bidney. I feel beyond blessed to carry on and grow the Ken Schall Golf brand and legacy, and I think this is a great start.”
Every year since 2023 he has had the most appointment hours of any employee at the business. Many times, this involves coming in before the business opens AND staying after closes to fit in a couple of students that need a last-minute lesson, or that cannot get in during our normal business hours. When it comes to the teaching at the Studio, he believes he has made several giant changes to how lessons are “designed” or “flow” at the studio since the time he started at the business in 2022.
When he started at the business the bays in the back were very bare boned. Ken had his front bay well set up, however, the rest of the space was completely different as the back 2 bays were initially designed for simulation, not teaching. The bays in the back where Sam and Seth taught had some tech that was under-utilized, and some that they needed to add. To draw a mental picture of what they were doing, Sam was running Trackman off his iPad, which was connected to a TV so the student could see, and he would then use his personal phone on a tripod to move around the room and get videos (which would end up dying by midday). This was clunky, inefficient, and provided a suboptimal experience for the customer. Svejda completely transformed the space into a more streamlined, professional area. Instead of using an iPad to run Trackman, they switched to PCs (which the business already had in place), and then they got a couple more HDMI cords so they could use the projectors and the TVs at the same time. Ball flight shows up on the Projector, Trackman and Video showing up on the TV.
Lastly, they purchased some used iPhones, and wall-mounted them with power connected to run the entire day without dying, and without killing instructors personal phones. While this might seem like a simple idea, and it was, this was simply not being done when he started.
When he started at the business, the main feedback after lessons for the students was written notes that would get sent to the student via Trackman after the lesson. The issue with this is two-fold. One, the instructor did not receive a copy of these notes, and two, they were sent via email which students would accidentally delete or couldn’t find over time. Not to mention these notes would take several minutes at the end of a lesson to complete. When Seth started, he remembered having students come back after 2-3 weeks and he could not remember what they did and had no way of finding what they did. It was simply less than the best. 2 months into being at the business, he showed everyone how to do screencasts.
Although this didn’t fully solve the issue of lesson recall, it significantly improved their efficiency and gave students a far more personalized and meaningful review tool. This didn’t solve all of their problem but it was a step in the right direction.
In 2023, Seth pushed the business towards Skillest, an online coaching platform. This solved ALL their problems. Videos would get sent to the student after the lesson, voice-overs could be made, and notes could be shared. All in an app that the student AND the instructor could access. Most importantly though, was the student’s ability to message and have access to their instructor after the lesson. While lessons are important, the students’ time spent practicing and working on what was done is many times more important. If they can’t ask questions or make sure they are on the right path while they’re doing this, he believes we are failing as teachers. Again, not a complex idea, but this simply wasn’t being done when he started at the business.
As of January 1st, 2025, Seth became the proud owner of Ken Schall Golf. Buying Ken Schall Golf came with many hurdles and challenges but also allowed him to add to the business in ways that Seth thought could help golfers. Every winter during lessons, Seth always had players ask him where to practice over the wintertime, and every year he had to refer people away from their business. This year will be different though with the addition of their Practice Memberships & Bay Rentals. Via a remote access door system and software company, they were able to set up their facility so that Members can access the Studio, Trackman, and SAM Lab from 5am to 11pm! One of the most important things they wanted to offer with their memberships was a QUIET place to practice. A true practice environment if you will. Not a sports bar, not an entertainment studio, a true place to hone your game and take it to the next level with everything that you would have access to in a lesson with us. Trackman, cameras, practice tools/games, and training aids. This makes our facility an even more complete place to round out your game. Equipment, repair, lessons, and practice all under one roof. Their Membership is currently at 34 people after getting into the game late this year on January 15th, but they are poised to add to that number in a huge way this off-season!
Lastly, this fall they will be renovating the studio to move from 3 bays to 5 bays. This addition will allow them to add to their staff, take on almost double the number of members, and do some winter camps this year that just seemed impossible with how the space was previously arranged. It would be much easier to just keep things the same and stick with the status quo for the next couple years, but these changes are going to allow them to have a much bigger impact on the Des Moines Golf Community.
One of the reasons Seth chose to accept the job at Ken’s was to learn from him. Last year, they started doing monthly teaching meetings where they will discuss certain topics going on in the world of instruction, talk about different drills, swing theories, how to handle different situations with students and parents, and recently, they have been going through Cameron McCormick’s teacher education program that they offer through Altus to give us other things to talk about and learn. They started doing this monthly, it has now almost just become an “off-season” thing when we slow down enough to breathe, but none-the-less, this has been great not just for Sam and Seth, but he hopes for Ken as well. They get to bring new ideas and things that he hasn’t seen or heard yet that are going on in the golf instruction world.
One of the biggest impacts Seth feels he has on fellow professionals is assistance and encouragement
through the PGA Associate Program, as he came to membership through that route. Seth knows how difficult it can be to complete some of the assignments. Working at Ken Schall Golf, they have many of the tools and things needed to help associates that are going on the teaching and coaching route complete their assignments. They have multiple teachers that they can observe, they do fittings on a daily basis, and they have a repair room where they can measure and learn about the effect equipment has on the golf swing and ball flight.
This past fall, Seth attended an event at UNL PGM and spoke to a ton of interns about what they do at the studio. Many of them are incoming freshmen who aren’t sure where they want to go in golf. Most of the facilities that show up at that event are Golf Courses. When Seth started, that’s the only route that he thought was possible. By going to that event, he hoped to showcase that there is a ton more to the golf industry than just being at a Green Grass facility. In the future, Seth hopes to host an intern or so a year and provide them with valuable insight and information that will hopefully help them make a more educated choice about their career path in golf.
Lastly, Seth hopes that through their social media, other professionals see what they can do for their businesses and courses. Seth knows that most of what he has done at Ken Schall Golf is not groundbreaking, but it was to their facility. To him, that’s the value of a PGA Professional. It might seem simple to us, but that doesn’t mean that everyone has heard of the idea before. Do simple things well, and good things will come.
Emersen Motl, 2025 Charlie Burkart Scholarship Winner had these nice words to say about Svejda, “Seth’s impact on myself and his other students cannot only be felt during lessons, but beyond them as well. I carry his words with me during each round I play, helping me find strength during times of pressure. His dedication to the wellbeing and progress of others is truly unmatched. He has even taken the time to support me outside of the studio by coming to watch me play in several tournaments, including the State Championship. His presence and dedication have meant the world to me.”
Karli Kerrigan Director of Competitions at Iowa Golf Association has these nice words to say, “Beyond teaching, Seth also thrives in the mentor role. Two of his juniors stand out as examples of his lasting influence. Emersen Motl was recently named a 2025 Herman Sani Scholar through the IGA Foundation, and received the Charlie Burkhart Scholarship from the Iowa PGA. She embodies many of Seth’s best qualities thanks to his guidance and mentorship. The Herman Sani scholarship is awarded to high school graduates who are currently involved in the game but who also plan to have a career in the golf industry. Emersen will enroll in the University of Nebraska Lincoln’s Professional Golf Management program in a few weeks, hoping to follow in Seth’s footsteps.”
This is Svejda’s first Iowa PGA Section Award.
The Iowa PGA Congratulates Seth Svejda as our 2025 Teacher of the Year.
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Chris Stauffer Wins Youth Player Development Award
Chris Stauffer of Brown Deer Golf Club has been named the 2025 Iowa PGA Youth Player Development honoree. This honor is based on the Professional’s entire record, with emphasis placed on his/her performance and achievements over the past two years. The honoree should also promote junior golf throughout the Section.
When asked what this means to win this award Stauffer responded with, “I am very honored to receive this award and would like to share my deepest gratitude to those who have supported me in growing the game! Being able to influence the incoming generations of the game has brought me such incredible purpose and fulfillment in my role as a golf professional. I look forward to continuing growing the game I love!”
Chris has been involved in years past with their club’s PGA Junior League teams as a coach. He has also coached several of the local high school golf teams of which there have been a handful of State Golf Tournament qualifiers. Chris also organized and ran several district/sectional qualifier tournaments
Chris works tirelessly developing strong interpersonal relationships with the youth members to practice more and spend more time playing golf. That passion has led to more of their own professionals spending time with their families/teams playing and practicing golf outside of lesson structures.
Chris has started several youth golf programs locally and continues to work on growing the local high school golf teams with over 130 kids trying out for local high school boys’ teams and over 50 girls trying out for their local high school teams.
Chris has also worked hard to promote Brown Deer’s youth membership, filling it out completely for the last 5 years with over 100 youth members each year.
Brian Wernimont of Brown Deer Golf Club has these nice words to say, “Chris has jumped full speed into trying to create the next generation of golfer in Iowa. In addition to hundreds of individual lessons that include numerous juniors, he has created his own golf academy that features dozens of options for all levels of players to start and/or improve their game. He also helps me coach the Liberty golf teams and still has hours of interactions and instruction with his former players from Regina HS. he is an excellent candidate for exactly what the Youth development award is all about.
This is Stauffer’s first Iowa PGA Section award.
The Iowa PGA Congratulates Chris Stauffer as our 2025 Youth Player Development Award recipient.
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Shawna Elliott Wins Player Development Award
Shawna Elliott of Crow Valley Golf Club has been named the 2025 Iowa PGA Player Development honoree. The Player Development Award is designed to recognize a PGA Professional for extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievements in the area of player development. This award considers the PGA Professional’s growth of the game leadership commitment at the Section and National levels and the impact made at their facility.
When asked what this means to win this award Elliott responded with, “Winning this award is deeply meaningful because golf has always been more than a game to me—it’s a journey that allows people to discover their inner greatness. The game has blessed me with incredible opportunities, relationships, and lessons, and my passion is helping others experience that same journey. Through golf, I strive to create environments where players can explore their potential, build confidence, and uncover strengths they didn’t know they had. This recognition reinforces my commitment to continue using the game as a pathway for self-discovery and growth for the next generation of golfers.”
A 2010 graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas PGA Golf Management Program and 2013 Master’s graduate in Hospitality, Elliott has built her teaching philosophy around Whole in One—a mind, body, and swing approach that integrates sound fundamentals, biomechanics, and community.
Elliott’s teaching style focuses on helping golfers understand how their bodies move and how that movement connects to their swing. Drawing on her TPI training and experience, she simplifies complex concepts into clear, fun instruction that helps golfers gain distance, improve consistency, and play with confidence. She has also collaborated with medical professionals to introduce players to the role of movement, fitness, and wellness in performance, ensuring her students develop a holistic understanding of the game.
Her programs have been especially impactful in growing women’s and girls’ golf. At Palmer Hills, she launched a dedicated Girls Golf program that quickly became a supportive, thriving community. She also expanded women’s programming through tailored clinics designed for every level of play, building confidence, friendships, and a sense of belonging through the game.
In 2024, Elliott introduced a new series of adult player development programs at Crow Valley Golf Club, including innovative offerings such as Couples on Course with her husband, Andrew. These programs have created meaningful opportunities for adults to learn together, strengthen relationships, and stay engaged with golf. By fostering inclusive and community-driven experiences, Elliott has expanded the reach of player development and brought more members into the game.
Alongside her teaching, Elliott continues to mentor the next generation of PGA Professionals. She provides apprentices and university students with opportunities to shadow, teach, and interact with members, building their skills in a real-world environment. Her collaboration with fellow PGA professionals further strengthens these efforts and expands access to quality instruction.
On a national level, Elliott serves on the PGA University Committee, where she helps shape programs that connect university students with careers in teaching and player development. The committee is actively working towards launching a quarterly University Road Show featuring industry leaders on topics such as leadership, wellness, and brand building—equipping students with the tools to thrive in the modern golf profession.
“Shawna brings not only deep knowledge of golf instruction and player development but also a genuine commitment to growing the game and mentoring others,” said Jon Waddell of Palmer Hills Golf Course. “Her thoughtful, encouraging approach makes her an excellent choice for this award.”
Through her Whole in One philosophy, Elliott has consistently grown participation, strengthened community, and inspired both players and professionals. Her leadership continues to make a lasting impact on the game of golf in Iowa and beyond.
This is Elliott’s first Iowa PGA Section award.
The Iowa PGA Congratulates Shawna Elliott as our 2025 Player Development Award.
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