PGA PGM Alumni Awards
Each year, our alumni, faculty, staff, and students get together for our Alumni Reception and Awards Ceremony. The reception gives alumni the chance to catch up with each other, and our students the opportunity to network.
We also take the time to celebrate the achievements of our alumni and students, with the announcement of award and scholarship winners.
The reception is held every January during the PGA Show in Orlando, Florida. Students attend the show as part of RPTM 397, an elective class that focuses on many aspects of the golf industry.
This year's Alumni Reception was held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 (5:30 PM - 7:00 PM) at the Rosen Plaza Hotel (Salons 11 & 12). All alumni were invited to attend.
Frank B. Guadagnolo Award for Mentoring Excellence
The award recognizes an outstanding alumnus who has shown excellence in mentoring PGM Students over the past year. This award is open to both industry and non-industry alumni. As the students are the individuals being mentored, the Student Society submits nominations and the Student Society Executive Board votes to choose the recipient.
Past Recipients:
2012: Joe Hughes ('99), General Manager, Penn State Golf Courses
2013: Jamie Kilmer ('99), Head Professional, Wheatley Hills Country Club
2014: David Reasoner ('01), Head Professional, Ridgewood Country Club
2015: Charlie Schuyler ('05), Director of Golf, Saucon Valley Country Club
2016: Matt Bakowicz ('12), Faculty Member, Penn State University
2017: Jacob Hoffer ('09), General Manager, Union League National Golf Club
2018: Josh Christopher ('17), Assistant Professional, Shinnecock Golf Club
2019: Jamie Hamilton ('05), Director of Community and Donor Engagement
2020: Josh Tremblay ('02), Director of Golf, Springfield Golf & Country Club
2021: Patrick Gunning ('08), Head Professional, Noyac Golf Club
2022: Sean Palmer ('07), General Manager, Union League Liberty Hill
2023: Jack Davis ('10), Director of Golf, Merion Golf Club
2024: Daniel “DJ” Joseph ('09), COO, Somerset Golf Club
2025: Michael Shank ('99), Head Professional, Wilmington Country Club
2026: Daniel Merrell ('13), Head of Coaching & Player Development, Penn State PGM & GTRC
Emerging Professional Award
The Emerging Professional Award recognizes graduates of the past ten (10) years who have demonstrated professional excellence and/or exemplary voluntary community involvement.
To be considered for the Emerging Professional Award, an individual must have received an undergraduate degree in the last ten (10) years, achieved outstanding professional excellence (e.g., leadership, and practice), and demonstrated exemplary community service.
Past Recipients:
2012: Patrick White ('08), PGA Head Professional, Woodland Country Club of Carmel
2013: Megan Padua ('09), PGA Teaching Professional, Maidstone Golf Club and Bonita Bay Club
2014: Patrick Gunning ('08), PGA Head Professional, Noyac Golf Club
2015: Michael Conley ('11), National Accounts Director, Oxford Golf
2016: Daniel Joseph ('09), PGA Head Professional, Somerset Hills Country Club
2017: Patrick Mastrian (’11), PGA Head professional, Rehoboth Beach Country Club
2018: David Wilson ('12), PGA Head Professional, Hyannisport Club
2019: Jacob Hoffer (’09), General Manager, Union League National Golf Club
2020: Jack Davis ('10), Head Professional, Essex Country Club
2021: Sean Golden ('13), Head Professional, Plainfield Country Club
2022: Ryan Hager ('16), Director of Instruction, Plainfield Country Club
2023: Connor Mulcahy ('16), Head Professional, Somerset Hills Country Club
2024: Tyler Santacroce ('13), Head Professional, St. David’s Golf Club
2025: Joe Doughty ('16), PGA Career Consultant, PGA of America
2026: Brittany Stewart (Morgan) ('19), Director of Retail, Oak Hill Country Club
2027 Nominees:
TBD!
Pride of the Lions Alumnus of the Year Award
The "Pride of the Lions" Golf Professional of the Year award was created by the PGM Alumni Group to recognize an outstanding Penn State PGM alumnus who has demonstrated professional excellence in the golf industry over the past five (5) years.
Past Recipients:
2005: Jason Diaz ('97), Head Professional, Atlantic Beach CC
2006: Joe Hughes ('99), General Manager, PSUGC
2007: Brian Esposito ('97), Founder, Par for the Cure
2008: Christopher Cain ('98), Director, UNLV PGM Program
2009: Mark Lammi ('99), General Manager, Westhaven Golf Club
2010: Hans Larson ('97), Head Professional, Westmoreland Country Club
2011: J.J. Weaver ('99), Golf Professional, Augusta National Golf Club
2012: Wade Gurysh ('97), Head Professional, Knollwood Country Club
2013: David Reasoner ('01), Head Professional, Ridgewood Country Club
2014: Charlie Schuyler ('05), Director of Golf, Saucon Valley Country Club
2015: Matt Hess ('05), Head Professional, The Club at Creighton Farms
2016: Josh Tremblay ('02), Head Professional, Springfield CC
2017: Kevin Wiest ('99), Head Professional, Kings Creek CC
2018: Patrick Gunning ('08), Head Professional, Noyac Golf Club
2019: Sean Palmer ('07), Director of Golf, Union League Torresdale
2020: Jonathan Turk ('03), Head Professional, Puerto Los Cabos
2021: Daniel “DJ” Joseph ('09), Head Professional, Somerset Hills Country Club
2022: Bill Ciccotti ('10), General Manager, Shooting Star
2023: Patrick White ('08), Director of Golf, Woodland Country Club
2024: Jonathan Gold ('08), Regional Director, PGA of America
2025: Mason Champion ('98), Vice-President, Morgan Stanley Wealth Mgmt.
2026: Jack Davis ('10), Director of Golf, Merion Golf Club
2027 Nominees:
TBD!
PGM Guiding Values Card
While PGMSS President in 2025, Daniel Read initiated and created the PGM Guiding Values card. This card is currently in printing production.
Once ready, the cards will be distributed to the full Penn State PGM student body. This card exemplifies what it means to be a member of Penn State PGM highlighted by our Core Principles of service, Tradition, and Excellence. See below for the front and back of the card.
