Earns 2023 Bill Strausbaugh Award at National Awards Ceremony

GLENVIEW, Ill. — Jack Druga, PGA, a PGA Life Member, received the 2023 Bill Strausbaugh Award, one of the nation’s top awards for PGA professionals, during the PGA of America National Awards Ceremony on Nov. 7 at the Omni PGA Frisco Resort in Frisco, Texas.

Named after legendary teaching professional Bill Strausbaugh, the award recognizes PGA professionals who demonstrate exceptional character, integrity and leadership through teaching and mentoring other PGA professionals. Druga, who joined the Western Golf Association and Evans Scholars Foundation as vice president, development, in 2022 after 15 years as the head golf professional at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, is renowned for mentoring and impacting the careers of countless PGA professionals in the Metropolitan PGA Section.

“There’s no way I can describe this feeling,” Druga said. “Having my name included as a Bill Strausbaugh Award recipient is beyond my ability to describe. I feel like the luckiest golf professional in the world. I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned is the benefit of everybody helping everybody to achieve their goals, that’s what I love to see in our industry.”

A PGA member for more than 35 years, Druga’s mission has always been to help PGA professionals succeed throughout their careers by preparing them to pursue, apply and interview for job openings. This includes several assistant PGA professionals who he directly mentored in their pursuit of head golf professional positions. Druga has held numerous committee positions within the Metropolitan PGA Section during his career, which included serving on its Board of Directors for 11 years and Club Relations/Employment Committee for 25 years.

In his role with the WGA and ESF, Druga is working to expand the organization’s presence on the east coast, developing youth caddie programs, strengthening partnerships with PGA professionals around the country and helping drive fundraising efforts in the region.

After watching Johnny Miller’s famous final round 63 at the 1973 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania, Druga began his career golf journey at age 14 as a caddie at the legendary club, where he was named “Caddie of the Year” in 1977, and eventually became the assistant PGA professional under PGA of America Hall of Fame member Bob Ford. Druga has the distinction of being one of a small group of PGA professionals who have played in a U.S. Open (1990) and served as host PGA professional (2018).

The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of more than 29,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals who work daily to grow interest and inclusion in the game of golf.

Photo of Jack Druga (left) and PGA of America President John Lindert courtesy the PGA of America