Joe Assell, PGA, Earns National Award: Golf Executive of the Year
PGA Golf Executive of the Year Joe Assell, PGA Golf Professional of the Year Tom Wildenhaus, PGA and Teacher & Coach of the Year Jamie Mulligan headline the PGA of America’s National Awards for 2021.
The 13 winners were unveiled during the 2022 PGA Show’s Opening Ceremony today at the Orange County Convention Center.
“This year’s outstanding class of National Awards recipients are inspiring those involved with the game of golf and the advancement of PGA Professionals throughout our industry,” said PGA President Jim Richerson. “The PGA of America is proud to recognize their accomplishments, as they reflect the incredible expertise and talent throughout our Association. From nearly 28,000 PGA Professionals, these 13 recipients are at the forefront, reflecting a standard of success for all of us to emulate and admire.”
2021 PGA Golf Executive of the Year recognizes outstanding services in an executive management position, as well as leadership, vision, courage, moral character and a substantial record of service to the Association and the game.
Assell co-founded GOLFTEC in 1995, with a mission to help people play better golf by equipping PGA Teaching Professionals with emerging technology designed to deliver a better lesson. The company has given more than 12 million golf lessons, including over 1.5 million lessons in the last year across 220 locations in six countries. GOLFTEC has positively impacted hundreds of thousands of golfers, and with more than 600 PGA Professionals on staff today, the company is one of the largest employers of PGA Members. Assell’s commitment to philanthropy led him to create GOLFTEC Cares, the company’s community outreach program, which contributes more than $2 million annually to golf-focused community initiatives, such as PGA HOPE, the Notah Begay III Jr. National Championship and Black Girls Golf.
A graduate of the Mississippi State PGA Golf Management University Program, Assell has won multiple awards at the Section level including: the 2020 Warren Smith Award for lifetime achievement, 2015 Colorado PGA Golf Professional of the Year, 2012 Colorado PGA Bill Strausbaugh Award, 2006 Vic Kline Award for outstanding board service and the 1998 Colorado PGA Teacher of the Year award. A Member of the PGA Quarter Century Club, he has also been honored among the 2021 Golf Inc. 25 Most Powerful People in Golf and as the 2008 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the Rocky Mountain Region.
His commitment to service is evident as a two-time member of Colorado PGA Board of Directors, a long-standing member of the Finance Committee, and an active member on several PGA of America National Committees.
For bios of the 2021 National Awards recipients, click here.
