The Southwest Section PGA announced its 2011 Special Award Winners at its Annual Awards dinner on January 13, 2012 at Firesky Resort & Spa in Scottsdale.

Christopher Cain, Las Vegas resident, Director at the PGA Golf Management Program at University of Las Vegas was named 2011 PGA Golf Professional of the Year. It’s one of the highest honors the organization bestows on a working PGA professional whose total contributions to the game best exemplify the complete PGA Professional. Cain, A 12 Year member of the PGA of America, has an undergraduate from Penn State University and is currently nearing the completion of his PhD at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. He is currently serving as Honorary President of the Southern Nevada Chapter PGA, the PGA of America adjunct Faculty, and recently accepted a four year appointment to the PGA of America University Golf Management Accreditation Team.

Marty Jertson, PGA and Senior Design Engineer at PING, was named 2011 Bridgestone Player of the Year. Marty earned his first SWSPGA Player of the Year honor in 2011 and it looks like he will be a strong candidate for the foreseeable future. He won the SWSPGA PNC in 2010 and earned a spot in the PGA National PNC for 2011. In the national event, which had a field of 312 PGA Players, Marty finished an impressive T5th and earned a spot in the 2011 PGA Championship. Marty also recently qualified for the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open for the second straight year (shooting 65 both years), and played in 3 PGA Tour events in a 12 month period of time. Jertson enjoyed an undefeated week at the PGA Cup in September.

Mike Malaska, PGA, and owner of Mike Malaska Golf, used several strong performances in the Section (Tied 3rd) Senior Section Championship and the National Professional Championships (T73 in a field of 264) to earn the 2011 Bridgestone Senior Player of the Year. This is Mike’s first Senior Player of the Year honor since recently joining the over 50 set. This award is especially rewarding for Mike as he is also being recognized as the PGA of America’s Teacher of the Year for 2011.

Don Rea, PGA, won the Bill Strausbaugh Award, which recognizes PGA Professionals “who by their day-to-day” efforts have distinguished themselves by mentoring their fellow PGA Professionals in improving their employment situations and through service to the community. Rea is currently the Vice President of the Southwest Section PGA and participates and volunteers in many of the SWSPGA activities. Don has been actively involved in Section activities for more than a decade; his “out of the box” thinking is what makes him a great individual to be around.

Mark Black, PGA, Head Professional at Encanterra Country Club in Queen Creek, won the Horton Smith Award. By recognizing the PGA Professional who is a model educator of PGA Golf Professionals, the award gives special recognition to an individual PGA Professional for outstanding and continuing contributions to professional education. Mark was recognized for his efforts in working with the Professional Golf Management Program at Arizona State University and his twelve year commitment to an adjunct faculty position with the PGA of America.

Jay Larscheid, PGA, of Longbow Golf Club won the Junior Golf Leader Award. The award is given to a professional who is a leader in junior golf and who reflects the ideals of those who work with youth. For the last 20 years, Jay has worked at McCormick Ranch (10 years) and Long Bow for (10 years). Although he has held the General Manager position for nearly 7 years, Jay continues to show a dedicated personal interest in the area of Junior Golf. Longbow hosts several significant junior golf events, provides junior golf camps and junior golf rates to the golf stars for the future. Jay currently co-chairs the Junior Golf Committee for the SWSPGA.

Paul Trittler, PGA, of Scottsdale – Grayhawk Learning Center, was named Teacher of the Year, an award that is designed to recognize a PGA Professional who is an outstanding teacher of golf among the ranks of PGA membership. Paul and the staff at Grayhawk Learning Center have earned the distinction of being Golf Digest’s #2 Golf School in the country! In his 15th year at Grayhawk and with 25 years of teaching experience Paul definitely has a lot to offer to all levels of players. He played on the Tour for a short period, but has definitely found a home in the world of golf instruction having appeared on “Golf Academy Live”, the cover of Golf Digest and in numerous golf articles and publications.

John Gunby, PGA, was given the President’s Plaque for the second year in a row, which is designed to recognize a PGA Professional for extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievements in the area of player development. Gunby is the Head Golf Professional at The Club at Prescott Lakes. Being an inspiration to fellow PGA Professionals in the area of player development is a critical measure in earning the President’s Plaque. This year’s winner John (Gunner) Gunby truly exemplifies this requirement. A creator and promoter of the FUNdamental golf program, Special Olympics Golf, a longtime member of the board of the Junior Golf Association of Arizona and lifetime supporter of Junior Golf, John has helped countless individuals to play Safe, Fast and Courteous golf! John and his Golden Retriever and best friend, Ingrid, are very appreciative of this award.

Scott Shapin, PGA, was named Assistant Golf Professional of the Year. Scott works at Tucson Country Club in Tucson. Shapin graduated from the Professional Golf Management program at Penn State University and went to work at Columbia Country Club in Chevy Chase, Maryland where he spent 4½ years working in the private club environment. A move to warmer climate brought him to Tucson Country Club where Scott has worked for the last 2 years.

Matt Bailey, PGA Forest Highlands Golf Club, Tom Fischer, PGA, Las Vegas Paiute, and Brian Hawthorne, PGA of Wynn Golf Club in Las Vegas won Merchandiser of the Year in public, resort and private categories, respectively.

Brett Wilson of Mesa and Jacquie LeMarr of Scottsdale won Junior Player of the Year honors.

For more information, call the SWPGA Office at 480.443.9002 or visit www.southwest.pga.com.