Mark Matz, PGA, Head Golf Professional at Beaver Creek Golf Club, has been named the 2025 Golf Professional of the Year, the highest honor awarded by the Section.

With over 25 years of dedicated service to the game, Matz has built a reputation as a transformational leader and mentor in the golf industry. His commitment to excellence is reflected not only in the quality of his operation at Beaver Creek but in his enduring influence on fellow PGA Professionals and Associates across the region.

"I am deeply honored that I have been named the 2025 Golf Professional of the Year by the Colorado PGA Section. This award has always been, in my eyes, the highest recognition a golf professional can receive. It acknowledges leadership, service, promotion of the game, and overall performance. To be chosen for this honor by my peers is something that fills me with gratitude and humility,” said Mark Matz, PGA

At the core of Matz’s success is his passionate approach to leadership. Known for leading from the front, Mark is a visible and engaged presence at his facility—working shoulder to shoulder with his staff, mentoring aspiring professionals, and cultivating a culture grounded in respect, development, and high performance. He has empowered PGA Associates by providing structured on-the-job time for their education, promoting continuous learning, and encouraging lifelong growth.

His influence reaches far beyond Beaver Creek. As an active board member for the Colorado PGA West Chapter, Matz has been instrumental in shaping the Chapter’s initiatives and strengthening its professional community. A proud advocate for inclusion and team development, Mark consistently champions environments where both staff and players thrive.

A passionate growth-of-the-game advocate, Matz has led youth programs including Drive, Chip & Putt, PGA Jr. League, and Youth on Course, and has hosted beginner clinics and national initiatives like Free Lesson Month throughout his career. Even while operating within a resort-based facility with a transient clientele, he remains unwavering in his mission to make golf accessible and welcoming for all. One recent example of this is when Mark hosted a good friend who only plays a few rounds of golf each year at his facility. Mark paired his friend with another golfer, and later the friend shared with Mark that not only did they have a great round together, but they had already planned to meet again to play in the near future. He thanked Mark for bringing them together. “That moment reminded me of Harvey Penick’s timeless book, ‘And if you play golf, you’re my friend.’ To me, this is the magic of the game and one of the many reasons I feel so privileged to be part of it. Golfers are some of the most wonderful people you will ever meet, and it is heartwarming that we can all share the bond of the game. It brings us together regardless of background or ability, creating friendships and connections that last well beyond the final putt,” stated Mark.

Mark is also a two-time recipient of the Merchandiser of the Year – Resort Award, recognized in both the Colorado (2022) and Michigan (2014) Sections, underscoring his well-rounded excellence in golf operations.

“As I think about this award, I am reminded of the incredible group of golf professionals who make up the Colorado Section and the PGA of America. We are more than colleagues; we are a family bound by a shared love of the game and a dedication to serving others through it. I began my journey in the golf industry in 1995. At that time, I knew very little about the profession beyond the fact that I loved being outdoors and playing golf. More than thirty years later, I still love both, but my greatest joy now comes from creating meaningful and memorable experiences for others on the golf course, stated Mark Matz, PGA.”

The Colorado PGA proudly announces Dustin Miller, PGA, as the recipient of the 2025 Teacher of the Year Award, recognizing his exceptional dedication to instruction, innovation, and growing the game across all levels.

Miller, the Director of Instruction at The Swing Bays and Saddle Rock Golf Course, has built an extraordinary teaching career centered around one core value: making golf accessible, impactful, and transformative for every student. From complete beginners to top-ranked juniors, elite amateurs, and aspiring professionals, Dustin’s instructional reach spans the entire spectrum of the game.

At the heart of Dustin’s teaching success is his innovative approach. He instructs more than 40–50 students weekly, both on-course and virtually, and has built creative programs like Tune-Up Tuesdays, which delivers weekly video instruction to over 350 subscribers. His virtual WebEx clinics have further expanded his ability to reach and influence students far beyond Colorado.

Miller has also contributed extensively to the game’s digital growth, producing video content for the Colorado Golf Association and writing weekly articles for members of The Swing Bays. He is currently preparing to create instructional video content for the Colorado PGA Section. He also continues to support the growth of the game initiatives across the Associations to ensure that the future of the game is bright.

As a coach, Dustin has guided numerous standout players, including Mid-Amateur champions, high school state winners, and junior golfers who’ve earned collegiate golf scholarships. Yet his impact extends far beyond elite performance. He leads specialized clinics for juniors, seniors, women, and individuals with disabilities—always with a focus on creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all.

In addition to his player development work, Dustin is committed to mentoring the next generation of PGA Professionals. Through daily collaboration at The Swing Bays, he empowers his staff—many of whom are in the PGA PGM program—by providing hands-on teaching guidance and leadership development.

Over the last 15 years, Dustin has invested in his own craft by attending numerous national and section-level teaching summits, learning from some of the game’s best minds, and continually refining his methodology.

"Being named the 2025 Colorado PGA Teacher of the Year is an incredible honor and one I’m truly humbled by. Teaching this game is my passion—whether it’s helping a beginner fall in love with golf for the first time or working with a player chasing their dream of competing on TV, I approach every lesson with the same dedication and heart. To be recognized for doing something I love, and within such an amazing and talented PGA Section, means more than I can express. I’m deeply grateful for this honor and for the opportunity to make a positive impact on golfers each day,” said Dustin Miller, PGA.