2021 Iowa PGA Awards Bill Strausbaugh Award

2021 Bill Strausbaugh Award Steve Watt, PGA

Steve Watt of Glen Oaks Country Club has been named the 2021 Bill Strausbaugh Award winner by the Iowa PGA Awards Committee. The Strausbaugh Award emphasizes the nominee’s performance and achievements over the past five years and is awarded to those who demonstrate day-to-day alternative methods of improving the employment conditions for the PGA Professional.

Watt began his career as a Golf Professional at Hillcrest Country Club in Long Grove, IL as an Assistant Professional 2000 to 2001. Watt later learned many retail skills at Quality Golf/Golfzilla in Coralville, Iowa from 2003 to 2006. He then worked as an Assistant Professional and 1st Assistant Golf Professional at Desert Mountain in Scottsdale, Arizona from 2006 to 2012. Watt become a Class A PGA Member in the PGA of America in September of 2008. He then moved onto Phoenix Country Club as Head Golf Professional from 2013 to 2014. In 2015 Watt was hired as the Director of Golf at the Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines, Iowa where he continues to serve the membership in that capacity.

Jim Sinclair, in his letter of recommendation stated, “Steve has enhanced the careers of many assistant golf professionals while they were under his tutelage at Glen Oaks. These young men and women have learned a skill set from Steve to enable them to become head golf professionals at other locations across the country. Steve, while certainly remiss to lose great teammates, enthusiastically congratulates and encourages these people to make their own marks on the golf world at their new golf locations. Steve is a great teacher, leader, and role model for all of the golf professionals at Glen Oaks.”

Teaching and coaching our young Professionals is vital in the business of golf according to Watt.

More than ever this is so important as it has become more difficult than ever. Having staff that want to learn and be successful is the first step. Then providing the foundation and building blocks is next. Being involved at a Board level helps peak Watt’s interest and keeps him fresh on the latest trends and education to-dos. By providing the staff with basic helps keep all of team on the same playing field. Knowing what the basic expectations are. Knowing that your teammate understands the same. And that they will be working hard to help you out and the members out together.

The PGA image is vitally important as Watt and staff are always promoting themselves, their facilities, and the game of golf! Watt has much respect for those who have served before him. Which has paved the way for Watt to do what he loves and that is simply being around the game of golf! Watt cannot think of a better career and area in his life to spend time.

Aside from leading by example to his staff and fellow professionals it is important to network in our industry. Watt is fortunate to attend the PGA Merchandise Show each winter and Watt uses this time to really enhance his knowledge and network of professionals he can lean on. Watt attends all the seminars he can during his trip. . Watt has attended the Teaching and Coaching Summit along with the Youth and Family Golf Summit in the past. Both of these have added value to his knowledge that he can pass down to his staff and become a benefit to the Iowa PGA Section and his membership.

Watt was quoted as saying, “To be honored with 2021 Bill Strausbaugh Award is a wonderful recognition and something I am extremely proud to receive. Helping fellow PGA Professionals advance and grow into their careers is vital to the growth of golf. Promoting and protecting the PGA brand is key to all of our successes.”