Press Release

February 26, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
www.gulfstates.pga.com

Gulf States PGA Chapters Honor 2009 Award Winners

The Louisiana and Mississippi Chapters of the Gulf States Section PGA held their annual Chapter Awards Ceremony in conjunction with the 2010 Mackel Cup banquet on Sunday, February 21st at the Acme Oyster House in New Orleans.

This year, the Louisiana Chapter chose J.T. Crawford, PGA of New Orleans Country Club as Golf Professional of the Year and Jeff Perry, PGA of Le Triomphe Golf and Country Club as Assistant Professional of the Year.

“It’s a nice honor from the professionals here,” Crawford said. “I also won this award in 2007, so it means a lot to win it twice. For me, it solidified that they appreciate what I do.”

“It’s great to know that my hard work is being noticed and appreciated.” Perry said. “I’ve made an effort to participate in more tournaments and Section events and to be innovative while working in these economic times.”

The Mississippi Chapter recognized Jeff Adkerson, PGA of Mississippi State University PGM Program as Golf Professional of the Year and Vincent Prejean, PGA of Annadale Golf Club as Assistant Professional of the Year.

“Being honored with this award is very humbling, especially knowing the high quality of the professionals in Mississippi as well as the long list of past recipients,” Adkerson said. “My approach is to be involved by helping out the Section, Chapter, and fellow golf professionals, especially in these economic times. It’s our responsibility to represent the Association in a professional manner. I don’t do it for the personal recognition. As a golf professional, I feel the need to give back and am committed to serving. I’d like to thank the Awards Committee, as well as my wife for all of her support.”

“It’s always great to know that your peers think highly of you,” Prejean said. “I try to help out as much as I can with Section work. I was appointed leader of the Assistants Association for Mississippi and do all I can to get the tournaments going. I hope my peers continue to see my hard work and dedication.”

Special awards presented by the Chapters include the Barbato-Thomas and Carpenter-Lindsay Awards. These honors recognize those individuals who have unselfishly served and supported the game of Golf and the PGA Professional.

Kelly Gibson, PGA of Feed the Relief and a member of the PGA TOUR and Gulf States Section PGA, was presented with the Barbato-Thomas Award, an honor named after noted late Louisiana PGA Professionals Henry Thomas and Mike Barbato. This annual award is given to a Louisiana resident who has made significant contributions to golf through service and support of the game. Both amateurs and professionals have received this award.

“It’s a great honor to win this award,” Gibson said. “I grew up idolizing PGA Professionals, and always wanted to be one. It’s very nice to have them recognize my work in the community and to see that it’s touching lives.”

Gibson has received several honors recognizing his many contributions to the community and his dedication to expanding junior golf opportunities in New Orleans.“I’ve benefited from golf in so many ways,” Gibson said. “I want to be able to provide the next generation with the same opportunities that were presented to me. At this point in my career, I’m able to focus on offering these opportunities to others.

The Mississippi Chapter chose Chuck Stinson as this year’s recipient of the Carpenter-Lindsay Award, an honor similar to the Barbato-Thomas Award. This award, named after PGA of America Past President’s James Ray Carpenter and Ken Lindsay, has been won by both amateurs and professionals.

Past recipients of these awards include Mike Rodrigue, Archie Manning, Frank Mackel, Buster Toms, Sonny Lawson, Baxter Lee, and Rob Armour. The Gulf States Section would like to thank Mike Rodrigue and the Acme Oyster House for hosting the Chapter Awards ceremony and players' party.

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