FRISCO, Texas, and PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – PGA Golf Club’s Director of Golf Course Maintenance, Chris Sykes, was named the 2025 Dr. Tom Samples “Professional of the Year” Award recipient from the Tennessee Turfgrass Association at the 60th Annual Tennessee Turfgrass Association meeting on January 5, 2026.
The Tom Samples Professional of the year Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Tennessee Turfgrass Association (TTA). Beginning in the spring of each year TTA members nominate deserving individuals who have made noteworthy contributions to the turfgrass industry. The nominees are reviewed by the TTA board of directors. Each year’s winner is announced at the annual TTA Conference and Convention.
Since joining PGA Golf Club in February 2023, Sykes has been instrumental in the growth and success of the PGA of America’s flagship facility. Tasked with elevating the conditions of the courses, Chris has led his team to successfully renovate and expand the Practice Facility in 2023, as well as re-grassing and bunker projects on the Ryder, Wanamaker and Dye courses, ahead of the 2024 PGA Professional Championship, and the Senior PGA Professional Championship in 2025. As a result, PGA Golf Club continues to be one of only a few properties in the country to feature all three courses ranked among the “Best in State” by both Golf Digest and Golfweek.
“We are incredibly proud of the improvements and the impact they have on the experience we provide to our club members, PGA of America Members, and guests,” says Jeremy Wiernasz, PGA General Manager. “The exceptional work performed on our courses, and daily agronomy practices are a perfect example of Chris’ dedication and continued commitment to excellence.”
Sykes began his career in the late 1990s in Tennessee, where he contributed to the success of the award-winning Tellico Village in Loudon, TN, among other facilities. He has brought vast multi-course management experience and leadership approach to the PGA Golf Club Agronomy Team.
“I am honored and humbled by this recognition, this award is a testament to our shared success,” says Sykes. “I am most proud of all the folks I have been able to mentor through the years. You are only as good as your team and I have been fortunate to have been surrounded by great people.”
About PGA Golf Club
Owned and operated by the PGA of America, PGA Golf Club, in Port St. Lucie, Florida, is home to 54 holes of Championship Golf designed by legendary architects Tom Fazio and Pete Dye. All three courses have been recognized on a variety of ‘Top Courses in America’ lists, including Golf Digest’s – Top Public Golf Courses in Florida. The Dye was ranked 19th, Wanamaker 32nd and the Ryder T34th; PGA Golf Club is also ranked in Golfweek’s 2025 “Best State-by-State” Courses You can Play, the Dye Course ranked 15th, and the Wanamaker ranked 19th making PGA Golf Club one of only a handful of properties with multiple courses on the respected lists. As the Ultimate Golf Experience, PGA Golf Club features the best in golf instruction taught by PGA of America Golf Professionals, as well as the PGA Gallery, with memorabilia exhibits that trace the history of the game, all within one spectacular golf destination.
About the PGA of America
The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals who love the game, are expert coaches, operators and business leaders, and work daily to drive interest, inclusion and participation in the sport. The PGA of America owns and operates numerous championships and events, including major championships for men, women, seniors and the Ryder Cup, one of the world’s foremost sporting events. For more information, visitPGA.com and follow us on X, Instagram and Facebook.
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