Former PGA Golf Director At Rye Club Honored

RYE, NY — John Kennedy, PGA, the former PGA director of golf at Westchester Country Club in Rye is the 2017 recipient of the Bill Strausbaugh Award. This honor recognizes the PGA Professional who demonstrates exceptional character, integrity and leadership by way of teaching and mentoring other PGA Professionals.

The 2012 Patriot Award winner and a 2010 Horton Smith Award honoree, Kennedy has embodied what it means to serve as a PGA Professional throughout 41 years of PGA Membership, according to PGA officials. The ultimate mentor, he made it a priority to hire, train, promote and support young people who want to make golf their career.

As a result, Kennedy has positively impacted the lives of more than 200 PGA Professionals, as his storied career earned him tremendous respect from his peers and across the golf community.

During Kennedy’s 26 years as director of golf at the famed Westchester Country Club, he served as Host PGA Professional for 18 PGA Tour events, including the 2007 Barclays, the inaugural FedEx Cup event; and the first KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in 2015.

Kennedy announced his retirement in 2016.

Photo caption: PGA of America President Paul Levy, right, presents the Bill Strausbaugh Award to John Kennedy of Westchester Country Club in Rye during the 2017 PGA of America National Awards at the 101st PGA Annual Meeting at the Hilton Austin Nov. 1, 2017, in Austin, Texas. Photo credit: Montana Pritchard/The PGA of America.