Campo named 2016 GSPGA
Professional of the Year
In recognition of his exemplary
role as a PGA member, PGA
General Manager Craig Campo of
Oak Wing Golf Club in Alexandria,
Louisiana has been chosen as
the 2016 Gulf States PGA Golf
Professional of the Year, the highest
honor paid to a Gulf States PGA
Professional.
“To win the top award in the
Section from my peers is a humbling
experience,” said Campo. “I feel
very honored and proud to represent
the Section as Golf Professional of
the Year.
“I have served on the awards
committee, and it is very difficult to
select one person for this award.”
Campo, who currently serves as
the Louisiana Chapter president,
said he values service and
engagement and encourages his
fellow professionals to get involved
in Section and Chapter activities.
“Not only are you giving back, but
you are able to learn from people in
these positions,” said Campo.
Hoppy Smith, PGA Director of
Instruction at Diamondhead (Miss.)
Country Club, earns his first Gulf
States PGA award this year with
his acceptance the Teacher of the
Year Award. This award recognizes
Smith’s exceptional teaching ability
and dedication to teaching the game.
“This has been a goal of mine
since 1996 when I got my card,” said
Smith, who is celebrating his 20th
year both as a PGA member and
golf professional at Diamondhead.
Smith said another goal of his
was to teach full time, which he was
able to accomplish when the Golf
Academy of Diamondhead opened
in 2012.
Smith stresses the importance of
offering new programs and cuttingedge technology to enhance the
teaching opportunities available at
your facility, stating that he’s “not
afraid to try out new equipment.”
Also hailing from Diamondhead
Country Club is the 2016 Gulf States
PGA Youth Player Development
Award Winner, PGA Director of
Golf Chris Altese. Altese’s talents
have been recognized before with the
Merchandiser of the Year Award,
however, this time the Section
chose to acknowledge his passion
to promote the game by sharing
knowledge and skills with today’s
youth, benefiting the future of
golf in the Section. His continuous
efforts to grow the game at the youth
level have greatly contributed to the
strength of Diamondhead’s junior
program.
Longtime PGA Head Professional
at Oakbourne Country Club in
Lafayette, Cliff Wagner has been
chosen as this year’s Horton Smith
Award winner, acknowledging
his commitment to furthering the
education of fellow professionals.
This award was also bestowed upon
him in 2014.
Todd Robertson, PGA Director
of Golf at Les Vieux Chenes Golf
Course in Youngsville, Louisiana, has
been selected as the Bill Strausbaugh
Award winner in recognition of his
leadership and valued involvement
with the community.
First-time Section award winner
Ian Wenzel, assistant professional
at the Country Club of Louisiana
in Baton Rouge, has displayed
exemplary leadership as an assistant
professional and continues to serve
as an outstanding representation
of his class earning him the title of
Assistant Professional of the Year.
The Merchandiser of the
Year is sele cted based on skills in
the promotion of golf including
merchandising ability and technique,
inventory levels and turn rate, shop
display and attention to detail.
Chris Burkstaller, PGA Director
of Golf at The Island Country Club
in Plaquemine, has been named
Merchandiser of the Year in the
Public category.
In the Private category, PGA
Head Professional Bobby Jacks of
Baton Rouge (La.) Country Club
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