Gateley wins GSPGA Professional of the Year In recognition of her impressive role as a PGA member, Marie Gateley (Baton Rouge Country Club) has been chosen as the 2021 Gulf States PGA Golf Professional of the Year, which is the highest honor paid to a GSPGA Professional. Gateley is the first assistant Marie Gateley professional and first female to be the recipient of the Gulf States PGA Golf Professional of the Year Award. “What an honor it is to have been named the 2021 Gulf States PGA Golf Professional of the Year.To have been nominated by my peers and selected by our committee is truly special, and my family and I could not be happier,” she said.“The Thank Yous are endless because I would not be here without the every-day help, mentorship and support of many others. I am so fortunate to be a member of the best Section within the PGA of America and I am proud to be a part of everything they are accomplishing" David Coleman (Assistant Louisiana Director of the Veteran Golfers Association) was named the recipient of The Patriot Award. This award is presented to a PGA professional who personifies patriotism through the game of golf and demonstrates unwavering commitment and dedication to the men and women who have valiantly served and protected the United States of America. Coleman resides in Bossier City, La. Tim Yelverton (Teaching David Coleman Professional at Old Waverly Golf Club in West Point, Miss.) has earned his second Gulf States PGA Teacher of the Year Award.This award recognizes the recipient's exceptional teaching ability and dedication to teaching the game. In recognition of his continued Adam Scott, (Mississippi State University PGA Golf Management in Starkville) has been chosen as this year's PGA Professional Development Award winner for the second year in a row, acknowledging his commitment to furthering the education of fellow professionals. Jake Narro, the Head Golf Coach at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, La., has been selected as the Bill Strausbaugh Award winner in recognition of his leadership and valued involvement with the community. Taylor Ross (Assistant Professional at the Country Club of Jackson) has displayed exemplary leadership as an assistant professional and continues to serve as an outstanding representation of her class earning her the title of Assistant Professional of the Year. The Merchandisers of the Year are selected based on their skills in the promotion of golf including merchandising ability and technique, inventory levels and turn rate, shop display, and attention to detail. Tim Basel (Head Professional at Mississippi State Jake Narro Adam Scott Tim Yelverton efforts to grow the game at the youth level,Assistant Professional at Baton Rouge (La.) Country Club Bobby Flanagan has been awarded the 2021 Youth Player Development Award.This award acknowledges the recipient's passion to promote the game by sharing knowledge and skills with today's youth, benefiting the future of golf in the Section. University Golf Course) has been named Merchandiser of the Year in the Public category. In the Private category, PGA Head Professional Robert Smith (Squire Creek Country Club in Choudrant, La.) has earned the distinction of Merchandiser of the Year. PGA Head Professional Sean Racki (Dancing Rabbit Golf Club in Choctaw, Miss.) won the Merchandiser of the Year in the Resort category.This is the seventh time that Racki has won this award. Accepting his first Gulf States PGA award this year is William Heirtzler (Head Professional at Bayou Oaks at City Park of New Orleans). He won the Section's Player Development Award winner.This award honors his CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE TEE TO GREEN GOLF MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021 ONLINE ISSUE PAGE 6
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