PGA of America Golf Professionals Bryan Nicholson, Patrick Coyner, and John Easterbrook Headline 2026 Colorado PGA Section Award Winners

19 Exceptional PGA of America Golf Professionals and Industry Leaders Recognized for Excellence; Honorees to be Celebrated at the Colorado PGA Annual Awards Gala on November 13th

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Media Contact:
Justin Limon, PGA, Managing Director - Colorado PGA Section
Email:
jlimon@pgahq.com | Phone: 303-996-1588
Website:
www.coloradopga.com
Awards Website:
https://www.coloradopga.com/special-awards



Larkspur, Colo. — The Colorado PGA Section is proud to announce its 2026 Annual Award Winners, celebrating exceptional performance, leadership, and service across the region's golf industry. The 2026 awards class is headlined by Golf Professional of the Year Bryan Nicholson, PGA, of Cherry Hills Country Club, Teacher and Coach of the Year Patrick Coyner, PGA, also of Cherry Hills Country Club, and Golf Executive of the Year John Easterbrook, PGA, of Colorado Golf Club.

The Colorado PGA Section annually honors PGA of America Golf Professionals and other industry leaders who demonstrate exemplary commitment to growing the game, serving their respective facility memberships and customers, and advancing the golf industry across Colorado, Eastern Wyoming, and parts of South Dakota. The 19 honorees represent the highest standards of professional expertise and service in public, private, resort, and instructional facilities.


"I am so proud of the 2026 awards class, their impact on the game, mentorship of peers, and overall contribution to the Colorado PGA Section and local communities.

— Kyle Heyen, PGA, Colorado PGA Section President

Golf Professional of the Year: Bryan Nicholson, PGA

Director of Golf, Cherry Hills Country Club — Cherry Hills Village, Colo.

(pictured above)


The Golf Professional of the Year Award is the highest honor bestowed upon a Colorado PGA Golf Professional. It recognizes individuals who demonstrate overall performance as a PGA Professional, leadership, service to the Section and Association, and strong moral character.


"Being named the Colorado PGA Golf Professional of the Year is the greatest honor of my career. I am deeply appreciative of this distinction and incredibly humbled by what it represents. To be recognized by the professionals I respect and admire most is incredibly meaningful, particularly when I think about the remarkable group of golf professionals who have been honored before me. To now be included among that distinguished group is something I will never take for granted, and I am profoundly grateful to the Colorado PGA Section for this tremendous honor." 

— Bryan Nicholson, PGA, 2026 Golf Professional of the Year

Teacher and Coach of the Year: Patrick Coyner, PGA

Director of Instruction, Cherry Hills Country Club — Cherry Hills Village, Colo.

 (pictured above)


The Teacher of the Year Award recognizes a PGA Professional who has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in golf instruction, player development, and the advancement of teaching methodologies.


"To be named the 2026 Colorado PGA Teacher and Coach of the Year is an incredible honor. It is both flattering and humbling to have been chosen for this award among so many talented teachers in our Section. I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Colorado PGA, the awards committee, and Cherry Hills Country Club for their continued support. Thank you."

— Patrick Coyner, PGA, 2026 Teacher and Coach of the Year

Golf Executive of the Year: John Easterbrook, PGA
COO/General Manager, Colorado Golf Club — Parker, Colo.

(pictured above)


The Golf Executive of the Year Award honors a PGA Professional performing outstanding services in an executive management position, demonstrating vision, leadership, financial stewardship, and service to the golf community.


"The PGA of America Executive Management track has been so critically important to me personally that to be recognized by my Section with this award is humbling and truly a surprise. The Colorado Section has so many amazing PGA Members that contribute at such a high level; I'm honored.  


I've spent my career developing and promoting the PGA Brand and growth of our education and employment platforms. To me, national participation in committees and local work with our REACH Foundation, the Section, and UCCS are normal to me. I'll continue to contribute with CEO/Executive Director Steven and my fellow Section Members to keep the tradition of ensuring this Section remains one of the best in the country for the Members and communities it serves.


Thank you again and congratulations to all the other award recipients." 

— John Easterbrook, PGA, 2026 Golf Executive of the Year

COMPLETE CLASS OF 2026 COLORADO PGA AWARD WINNERS

  • Golf Professional of the Year: Bryan Nicholson, PGA — Cherry Hills Country Club
  • Teacher and Coach of the Year: Patrick Coyner, PGA — Cherry Hills Country Club
  • Golf Executive of the Year: John Easterbrook, PGA — Colorado Golf Club
  • Assistant Golf Professional of the Year: Will Veith, PGA — The Golf Club at Bear Dance (2025) / Castle Pines Golf Club (2026)
  • Bill Strausbaugh Award: Brian Carlson, PGA — Walnut Creek Golf Preserve
  • Patriot Award: Jordan LeBlanc, PGA — Buffalo Run Golf Course
  • Ed Kelbel Award (Professional Development): Josh Troyer, PGA — GOLFTEC
  • Warren Smith Award: Katie Milstead, PGA — PEAK Golf Academy
  • Youth Player Development Award: Jason Young, PGA — The Golf Club at Red Rock
  • Player Development Award: Maggie Hartman, PGA — Trent Wearner Academy
  • Merchandiser of the Year – Private: Ron DeJacimo, PGA — Red Rocks Country Club
  • Merchandiser of the Year – Public: Adam Finch, PGA — Fossil Trace Golf Club
  • Merchandiser of the Year – Resort: Rich Parker, PGA — Garden of the Gods Resort
  • Superintendent of the Year: Glenn Samuelson — Country Club of Colorado
  • Salesperson of the Year: Kelly Deimund, PGA — Levelwear, Honey Stinger, Corkcicle
  • President's Award: Theo Gregory — Independent Director, Colorado PGA Board of Directors
  • Noble Chalfant Award: Barry Milstead, PGA (Valley Country Club), Russ Miller, PGA (Broadmoor Resort), Doug Rohrbaugh, PGA (Aspen Golf Club)

Colorado PGA Annual Awards Gala

The 2026 award recipients will be formally celebrated and presented with their honors at the Colorado PGA Annual Awards Gala on Friday, November 13, 2026.

Additional details regarding gala tickets, schedule, and venue arrangements will be communicated to Section Members, facilities of award winners, sponsors, and media partners in the coming weeks.


About the Colorado PGA Section

The Colorado PGA is one of 41 Sections of the Professional Golfers' Association of America. Comprising over 900 PGA Members and Associates across Colorado, Eastern Wyoming, and parts of South Dakota, the Colorado PGA Section is dedicated to promoting the enjoyment and involvement in the game of golf, supporting golf facilities, and fostering career growth for golf professionals.

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