CHARLESTON, S.C. — The National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) is honored to recognize the recipients of its 2026 NGCOA Champion Award. Each year, the association recognizes the most outstanding members of the past year, as well as the individuals and organizations that have helped preserve the tradition of the game while embracing the challenges and opportunities of the golf business.
The NGCOA Champion Award recognizes individuals or organizations that have successfully advocated for a group of owners, whether locally, regionally, nationally, or internationally, and have achieved notable victories for our members and the industry.
This year, the NGCOA recognizes these four outstanding golf industry advocates:
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Kevin McDonnell, for his role in exposing merchant processing fraud committed on thousands of golf courses, and his subsequent testimony as a witness in two federal trials.
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Representative Richard Hudson from North Carolina’s 8th Congressional District for his role as co-chair of the U.S. House Golf Caucus and for his support in elevating the American Golf Industry Coalition (AGIC) and National Golf Day.
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Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell, for his leadership in creating and promoting the new Oklahoma Golf Trail. This initiative showcases the state’s public and private golf courses, boosts tourism and celebrates the roots of golf in Oklahoma.
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The Empire State Golf Alliance for its execution, publication and special promotional campaign of the 2025 New York Golf Economic & Environmental Impact Report. The report revealed that the golf industry contributes a total economic output of $12.9 billion, supports nearly 90,000 jobs, and generates $1.03 billion in tax revenue.
These recipients will be honored at the NGCOA Champions Circle dinner taking place during the 2026 National Golf Day in Washington, D.C. The remainder of the 2026 winners were recognized throughout NGCOA’s Golf Business Conference 2026 this past January. Click here to learn more about NGCOA’s annual awards and see a list of past winners.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL GOLF COURSE OWNERS ASSOCIATION
The NGCOA is the leading authority on the business of golf course ownership and management. The association represents and promotes the interests of golf courses as the principal businesses and economic assets of the game of golf. The not-for-profit organization is the only trade association dedicated exclusively to golf course owners and operators. Through advocacy, education and information resources, purchasing programs and networking opportunities, the NGCOA helps golf course owners and operators run more successful businesses. For more information or to join, visit ngcoa.org or call 800-933-4262.
Media Contact: Renée Flowers, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, NGCOA, rflowers@ngcoa.org.
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