August 28, 2023

(Larkspur, CO) - Bob Doyle, two-time President of the Colorado PGA and former District Nine Director, has been named the 2023 Colorado PGA Golf Professional of the Year. In winning the highest annual honor given to a PGA Golf Professional, Doyle heads the 2023 Colorado PGA Special Awards class for “qualities of leadership, strong moral character, and a substantial record of service” to the PGA and the game of golf.

Doyle is the 60th member of the Colorado PGA to be named the Golf Professional of the Year. He began his career as a Golf Professional in 1981 when he was elected to membership. He started at Paradise Valley Country Club shagging balls because the facility did not have a range picker. He would later spend the longest stretch of his career as the General Manager at Riverdale Golf Courses for 22 years. Before retiring, Doyle also served as a Player Development Regional Manager with the PGA of America for 5 years. 

This is Doyle’s third time being recognized as the Golf Professional of the Year. He has also been in the special awards lineup three other times during his career and time within the Colorado PGA Section. When asked what his first thoughts were after learning of his recognition, Doyle said he was “Overwhelmed. To be able to contribute now at this stage of my career means a lot to me, and to be recognized for that is pretty special.” 

Ed Oldham, a 40-year Member of the Section and PGA Master Professional is the recipient of the 2023 Colorado PGA Teacher of the Year Award. Oldham serves as the Director of Instruction at The Ranch Country Club in Westminster, Colorado. His 40 years of teaching and coaching experience have led to success with players at every level, from beginners to tour players. 2023 has been a special year for Oldham thus far. He learned about his Colorado PGA award in the same week that he was recognized on the GOLF Magazine’s Top 100 Teachers list. “That was quite a week,” he said while recalling his notification of both accomplishments. 

“These amazing men and women have separated themselves as this year's top professionals in our esteemed Section, given their dedication to the game, the players, service to their community, and fellow PGA Professional,” comments Jim Hajek, PGA Head Professional at Fossil Trace Golf Club. “These individuals were nominated by their peers to be considered, and after careful deliberation and much discussion, the Awards Committee selected this slate of 2023 award winners.”

Doyle and Oldham lead a group of 14 PGA Professionals and two other industry leaders in winning the Colorado PGA’s 2023 Special Awards. These awards will be presented on October 27th during the 2023 Colorado PGA Special Awards Gala at Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado. 

Recipients of the 2023 Colorado PGA Special Awards include:

Golf Professional of the Year: Bob Doyle, PGA | PGA Life Member

Teacher of the Year: Ed Oldham, PGA | The Ranch Country Club

Assistant Professional of the Year: Marcus Gillmor, PGA |  Fort Collins Country Club

Presidents Award: Stuart Bruening, PGA |  Southwest Greens LLC

Bill Strausbaugh Award: Jeff Ulvedal PGA |  Ptarmigan Country Club

Ed Kelbel Award (Former Professional Development): Bryan Collins, PGA | GOLFTEC Headquarters

Warren Smith: Alice Plain, PGA | Vail Golf Club

Patriot Award: Bill Hughes, PGA | Country Club of The Rockies

Player Development: Randy Meyers, PGA | Foothills Parks and Recreation District

Youth Player Development: Trent Wearner, PGA - Trent Wearner Golf Academy

Public Merchandiser of the Year: Tyler Lowry, PGA - Cheyenne Shadows Golf Club at Fort Carson 

Private Merchandiser of the Year: Greg Bryan, PGA - Roaring Fork Club
Noble Chalfant Award: Tom Connell, PGA - Life Member & Ralph "Rip" Arnold, PGA - Deceased

Salesperson of the Year: Kelly Jo Wykes - Travis Mathew 

Superintendent of the Year: Pamela Smith - Denver Golf