Jupiter, Fla. – BallenIsles Country Club Director of Golf Jeff Fitzherbert and West Bay Club Head Golf Professional Danny Butts were recently recognized by the Southeast and Southwest Chapters of the South Florida PGA. Fitzherbert was named the 2025 South Florida PGA Southeast Chapter Golf Professional of the Year, and Butts was recognized as the 2025 winner of the Bill Strausbaugh Award by the Southwest Chapter.
Fitzherbert is a 34-year golf and club industry veteran and has worked at BallenIsles Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. since 1994 when he was hired as an assistant golf professional. The Golf Professional of the Year award is a reflection of Fitzherbert’s commitment to his members and staff in running a professional organization that is built around the enjoyment of golf.
“This award speaks to Jeff’s leadership, his skill as our most senior Member of the PGA, and it speaks to his support of the game and its growth,” said BallenIsles Country Club General Manager and CEO Ryan Walls. “It’s a milestone moment for Jeff, being recognized by his peers in such a way. Our Club excels in supporting junior events, PGA events and meetings, and it is Jeff at the forefront of that activity. Our Club is a market leader with an excellent team surrounding Jeff, carrying out his beliefs daily and delivering for our Members.”
The Bill Strausbaugh Award is presented to a PGA Professional who by their day-to-day efforts have distinguished themselves by mentoring their fellow PGA Professionals in improving their employment situations and through service to the community. The award reflects the characteristics and qualities of Strausbaugh, a Middle Atlantic PGA Master Professional who died in 1999. Butts has been the head golf professional at The West Bay Club, an 868-acre luxury community in Estero, Fla., since 2019 and is the president of the Southwest Chapter of the South Florida PGA and sits on the board of the South Florida PGA.
“Danny is an incredible leader and person, and very deserving of the Bill Strausbaugh Award,” said West Bay Club General Manager and COO Ken Kouril. “He invests in helping others, sharing his wisdom and career guidance with his team and fellow PGA professionals. His kindhearted nature and positive personality are infectious. We are proud to have him here at West Bay.”
“Congratulations to Jeff and Danny on these two extraordinary achievements,” said Troon President and CEO Tim Schantz. “For both gentlemen to be recognized by their peers for professional mentorship and overall performance as golf professionals speaks volumes about their character and leadership. Jeff and Danny are relentlessly dedicated to improving their clubs, growing the game and helping others succeed, things we aspire to model at Troon, and I could not be prouder that they are part of the Troon family.”
The South Florida Section of the PGA of America is an association of golf professionals whose mission is to promote interest, participation, and enjoyment in golf, establish and maintain professional standards or practice, and enhance the well-being of golf professionals. Over 2,000 members and associates are employed at over 485 facilities in the South Florida region, currently ranking the South Florida Section as the second largest Section of PGA Professionals amongst all 41 PGA Sections in the United States.
Troon is the largest employer of PGA professionals in the world. BallenIsles Country Club and West Bay Club are both Troon-affiliated facilities.
About Troon
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf and golf-related hospitality management company providing services at 900-plus locations in 45-plus states and 35-plus countries, including operational responsibility for 575-plus 18-hole equivalent golf courses. In addition to golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s award-winning food and beverage division operates and manages 600-plus food and beverage operations located at golf resorts, private clubs, daily fee golf courses and recreational facilities. Troon’s family of brands includes Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Indigo Sports, CADDIEMASTER, ClubUp, Cliff Drysdale Tennis, Peter Burwash International, True Club Solutions, RealFood Hospitality, Strategy and Design, Casa Verde Golf, ICON Management and Eventive Sports. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com.
Media Contact:
Rob Myers
Troon
480.477.0506
rmyers@troon.com