Louis Destroo named 2017 PGA Professional of the Year

A desire to transform the local golf industry, grow the game in a challenging climate, and find innovative ways to add value for members was the common theme amongst all of the winners at the PGA of South Africa’s Annual Awards held at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club last week.

And this was embodied in the awarding of the 2017 PGA Professional of the Year to Louis Destroo, who earlier claimed another award as the PGA Club Professional of the Year.

“To be recognised by your peers in this way is a tremendous honour for me,” said the 41-year-old Destroo, the Director of Golf at Stellenbosch Golf Club.

“At Stellenbosch Golf Club we’ve had massive growth in what many feel is a declining golf market. Stellenbosch helped me achieve this award because they encouraged me to think outside the box. They challenged me. It’s really about what you put in to golf and your facility that makes the difference, and we’ve worked hard on this at Stellenbosch Golf Club.”

The other award winners included Tuks HPC Head Golf Coach and Technical Director Llewellyn van Leeuwen who was named the PGA of South Africa Coach of the Year for the second time in three years.

Irene Country Club’s Dietrich Uys was named the PGA of South Africa Management Award Winner for the Year.

Martin Briede won the PGA of South Africa Grow Golf Award for his longstanding work teaching the game to children and helping to train other PGA professionals and educators in how to teach golf to children.

And Greg Smith was recognised for his innovative work in the golf industry, especially when it comes to club fitting, with the PGA of South Africa Entrepreneur Award.

Ivano Ficalbi, the Chief Executive of the PGA of South Africa, said the 2017 awards reflected exactly the PGA of South Africa’s vision of “Touching lives through the game of golf”.

“The awards were amended to take greater cognisance of the positions held by PGA Professionals within the golf industry and the award winners encapsulate the spirit of the PGA of South Africa to enhance the lives of people through the game of golf.

“The award winners have reflected this by either the work they do for members at their golf clubs, to their innovative management styles, growing the game amongst all but specifically children and looking at new ways to add value to the South African golfer.

“As an association our members work extremely hard for the good of golf in South Africa in all spheres, and we are very proud to celebrate their achievements.”