Del Tura Country Club PGA Director of Golf Jeff Nixon has been named the 2009 PGA President’s Plaque recipient for the South Florida PGA. This award is designed to recognize individual PGA member professionals for their extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievements in the area of Player Development. This award considers the Professional’s growth of the game leadership commitment at the Section and National levels, plus the impact made at his/her own facility. This is Nixon's third consecutive year winning the PGA President’s Plaque from the South Florida PGA Section.
“I am a little overwhelmed to be recognized three years in a row," said Nixon. "It’s a really nice thing and every year to be given an award by your peers is the highest award you can get. Growing the game is something I am very passionate about. I grew up on 9-hole municipal course in Cape Coral and I remember how great it seemed growing up to want to become a PGA Professional. I want to be able to give back to as well and pass along my own passion for the game.”
A PGA member since 2005, Nixon has made it his mission to educate section members on initiatives to help grow the game of golf. He has served as the South Florida PGA Section Growth of the Game chairperson for the past three years, and volunteers his time to speak on the importance of Play Golf America and other growth of the game initiatives to both Florida Gulf Coast University PGM students, and to his peers during educational seminars and at the PGA Merchandise Show.
Nixon volunteers his time as a teacher, notably at the 2008 PGA Championship and at the PGA Learning Center during the 2007 Special Olympics, and serves as a mentor to two PGA Apprentices. He currently holds a chair on the National Play Golf America Committee.
In addition, Nixon serves as the Southwest Chapter GolfPass chairperson, yet another avenue in which to reach out to golfers and help to promote the game. Jeff has helped organize, promote and conduct several Play Golf America days, offering free clinic and playing opportunities that has helped to both re-introduce and bring new golfers to the game. He has also created his own successful Play Golf America Player Development Program at Del Tura which has increased membership numbers at the facility. Nixon was recognized by his peers as the Southwest Chapter Teacher of the Year in 2006 and received The PGA President’s Plaque from the South Florida PGA Section in 2007 and 2008.
“I think that I take ownership of Play Golf America,” said Nixon about his commitment to growing the game. “It is like another job to me in a lot of ways. I try to think outside the box and think of things that will enhance and make people want to come out and enjoy the game. Obviously the past year the industry took a hit due to the economy, but the overall idea is to bridge the gap for juniors into adult hood, as well as to bring new adults and juniors to the game. This will allow us to grow as an organization and as an industry.”
“I consider PGA Professionals and PGA of America Growth of the Game employees Ron Stepanek and Kirk Douglas to be two mentors of mine. They have been very helpful in getting programs started and I look to them for guidance. I really would like to thank them for their support.
“Additionally, I need to recognize my PGA Professionals friends who have always been willing to lend a hand when needed, including Andy Scott, Suzanne Bannan and another one of my mentors, Charlie Vetter, who is always the guy I turn to when I need good advice. I would not be able to accept this award without their help and I am deeply appreciative.”
Jeff Nixon, along with the nine (9) other South Florida PGA Annual Award winners, were recognized at the SFPGA Awards Night held at Fiddlesticks Country Club in Fort Myers on Tuesday, September 29th.