Mayes is Golf Professional of the Year; Phillips to enter Section Hall of Fame
Broken Arrow – Chris Mayes, the director of golf at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Little Rock, will receive the 2025 South Central PGA Golf Professional of the Year Award. This honor is the highest distinction a Section professional can receive, recognizing a PGA Member who demonstrates outstanding leadership, strong moral character, and a substantial record of service to the Association and the game of golf.
Also announced today was that Tulsa teaching professional Tracy Phillips will be the lone 2025 inductee into the Section Hall of Fame. The award winners will be recognized at the South Central PGA Special Awards Banquet, Sunday, February 22, 2026 at The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
Phillips has had a long, successful career as a respected teaching professional. His own playing has had a remarkable late career resurgence as the former junior and collegiate star has become a regular competitor in the U.S. Senior Open and Senior PGA Championship as well as earning a spot at age 61 in the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla. Phillips had quit playing competitively for 20 years while fighting driver yips before resuming his career at the urging of fellow pro Vince Bizik.
Mayes, a veteran leader in the Arkansas golf community, has served as the Director of Golf at Pleasant Valley Country Club for over 25 years. His tenure has been defined by a relentless pursuit of excellence, helping transform the 27-hole Joe Finger-designed facility into one of the premier championship venues in the Section. Most recently, Mayes played a pivotal role in the successful launch and hosting of the Simmons Bank Championship, which brought the PGA TOUR Champions to Little Rock and showcasing the Section on a national stage.
Following are all the section award winners for 2025 with Oklahoma winners highlighted in boldfaced type.
PGA Golf Professional of the Year
Chris Mayes, Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR
PGA Hall of Fame Inductees
Tracy Phillips, Cedar Ridge Country Club, Broken Arrow, OK
PGA Teacher & Coach of the Year
Ryan Rody, Southern Hills Country Club, Tulsa, OK
PGA Player Development Award
Trent Rommann, Crestview Country Club, Wichita, KS
PGA Youth Player Development Award
Bruce Baxley, Searcy Country Club, Searcy, AR
PGA Professional Development Award
Tony Biata, Folds of Honor, Owasso, OK
Bill Strausbaugh Award
Tony Luczak, University of Central Oklahoma PGA Golf Management, Edmond, OK
PGA Executive of the Year
Brian Davis, South Central Section, Broken Arrow, OK
Patriot Award
Scott McClinton, Chenal Country Club, Little Rock, AR
Merchandiser of the Year – Private
Jon Sandell, Oak Tree National, Edmond, OK
Merchandiser of the Year – Public
Tyler Woodward, Jimmie Austin Golf Club, Norman, OK
Merchandiser of the Year – Resort
Ryan Snyder, Shangri-La Golf Club, Monkey Island, OK
Deacon Palmer Award
Cary Cozby, Southern Hills Country Club, Tulsa, OK
Assistant Golf Professional of the Year
Jacob Baird, The Patriot, Owasso, OK
Scott Williamsen, Wichita Country Club, Wichita, KS
Leon Faucett Salesperson of the Year
Bobby Rucker, FootJoy