Goudy Named Iowa PGA Golf Professional of the Year

Sep 13, 2019

Tess Goudy Named 2019 Iowa PGA Professional of the Year

Riverside, IA – The Iowa PGA’s Assistant Executive Director and Junior Golf Director, Tess Goudy has been named the 2019 Iowa PGA Professional of the Year. The Golf Professional of the Year Award is the highest honor paid to an Iowa PGA Golf Professional. The honoree is chosen based on leadership abilities that stand above the rest, contributions made to their facility’s success, and excelling as an overall golf professional at the Iowa PGA Section level.

“I am very honored to be selected as the 2019 Iowa PGA Professional of the Year.  It is always great to be recognized and honored for your work and accomplishments.  I am very appreciative to have such a great team both at work and home,” said Goudy, “My fellow section staff members, PGA Members and Associates and especially my family have always been there to support me and I could not do what I do without them.”

Goudy is the first female to win this prestigious award in the Iowa PGA.  She has been a PGA Member for almost 19 years. She started her career as an Assistant Professional following college in 1995 at the Kirksville Country Club in Kirksville, Missouri. She served in that position for 2 ½ years before becoming the Assistant Golf Professional at the Geneva Golf & Country Club in Muscatine, Iowa from 1998 to 2000.  In February of 2001 she was hired by then Iowa PGA Executive Director Kirk Stanzel, PGA as the Communications Director.  She is known throughout the Iowa PGA Section for her success in leading the Junior Golf Division of the Iowa PGA.

Iowa PGA Past President and retired Elmwood Country Club’s Head Golf Professional Jerry Johnson wrote in his letter of recommendation, “In summary, Tess Goudy has dedicated her career to growing the game and serving the IPGA and it is time to let her know just how much the Iowa PGA appreciates her!”

Goudy has led all things in the Iowa PGA Junior Golf space for 13 years.  Under her leadership the Iowa PGA Junior Tour has become one of the models for Junior Tours in the US and will administer 98 Junior Tour, Pee Wee Tour and IHSAA events in 2019.  Goudy has other duties that include administration of the Junior Academy and oversight of PGA Jr. League and Drive, Chip and Putt.

In addition to her passion for Junior Golf, Goudy also heads up Membership Development for the Iowa PGA.  This includes setting up educational opportunities for the Iowa PGA Membership and monitoring all Continuing Education and Membership updates.
“This (Junior Tour/Pee Wee Tour) has all been made possible by the hard work and passion of Tess Goudy, who has been administering this for years, along with her duties as Assistant Executive Director,” said Ken Schall, Past President of the Iowa PGA and from the Ken Schall Golf Performance Studios in his nomination letter, “At various times in Tess’s tenure, there have been gaps in which the section has not had an Executive Director. I have been impressed with her ability to run the section affairs seamlessly in the absence of an ED. Please consider Tess Goudy as the Iowa PGA Professional of the Year.”
 
Goudy continues to play the game of golf with family and friends whenever her busy schedule allows.  This includes playing in the inaugural Iowa PGA Women’s Section Championship in 2019.  Goudy was instrumental in recruiting and encouraging other Iowa PGA Female members to play in this first-ever event at the Amana Colonies Golf Course.

“Career enhancement qualities, leadership abilities, strengths as an overall golf professional, contributions to the nominee’s facility’s success, size and success of the nominee’s operation, examples of golf professionals that have enhances their careers through the nominee and community involvement,” said Iowa PGA President and Director of Golf at the Wakonda Club, “Tess satisfies all of these qualities as well as any other golf professional in the Iowa PGA.”

Goudy has proven she is a great leader and her commitment and contributions to the Iowa PGA Section, the game of golf and her family are extraordinary and remarkable.  Our congratulations to Tess Goudy on being honored as the 2019 Iowa PGA Golf Professional of the Year.

The Iowa PGA Section also selected 11 other Award Winners.  All will be honored at the All-Star Pro Golf Special Awards Luncheon to be hosted by Riverside Casino & Golf Resort on Tuesday, October 29.  The 2019 Iowa PGA Junior Tour Player of the Year winners will also be invited and honored.  

2019 Iowa PGA Awards
Assistant Professional of the Year

  • Tyler Christians, Wakonda Club

Teacher of the Year

  • Mark Atchison, Des Moines Golf & Country Club

Bill Strausbaugh

  • Greg Mason, Iowa PGA Section

Horton Smith

  • Lisa Miller, Life Member

Youth Player Development Award

  • Greg Dingel, Veenker Memorial Golf Course

Patriot Award

  • Mike Armes, Glynns Creek Golf Course

Player Development Award

  • Mark Egly, Des Moines Driving Range

Private Merchandiser of the Year

  • Chad Callan, Briarwood Golf Club

Public Merchandiser of the Year

  • Ken Schall, Ken Schall Golf Performance Studio

Resort Merchandiser of the Year

  • Bryan Haas, Blue Top Ridge Golf Course

Sales Representative of the Year

  • Clark Smith, Ahead and Kate Lord