Lafayette, LA - Congratulations to LGA Board Member Devin Thomas on a well deserved 206 PGA Jr. League GameChanger Award! Devin is the General Manager at Ellendale Country Club in Houma, and he has been a tremendous supporter of the Louisiana Golf Association and Louisiana Junior Golf Tour over the years. We are proud of his contributions to the game and the way that he represents Louisiana golf, making a positive impact on the next generation.
PGA Jr. League Coaches from around the country were honored during the 2026 PGA Show at the #GameChanger Awards Ceremony Thursday (Jan. 22) at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.
Led by PGA Master Professional and fellow PGA Jr. League Coach Suzy Whaley, PGA, the ceremony recognized 105 PGA of America Golf Professionals and LPGA Professionals whose PGA Jr. League programs demonstrated exceptional growth, engagement and commitment to youth development in 2025. Award recipients were honored across three categories based on program size and Player Engagement benchmarks.
Since its inception in 2019, the #GameChanger Awards honor the 25 largest PGA Jr. League programs nationwide, as well as the largest programs within each of the 41 PGA of America Sections. Added in 2022, the Player Engagement #GameChanger Award recognizes Coaches who embrace a range of programming for kids of all ages and families as well as continued education.
“The #GameChanger Awards are a meaningful way to recognize the PGA Jr. League Coaches who consistently go above and beyond to enrich the lives of families in their communities,” said Steve Tanner, Senior Director of Player Engagement for the PGA of America. “Their passion, leadership and dedication play a vital role in creating positive experiences that extend beyond the course.”
The full list of 2025 #GameChanger Award recipients, organized by categories, can be found here.
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, visit PGA.com and follow us on X, Instagram and Facebook.
About the Louisiana Golf Association
The Louisiana Golf Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, preserving, and growing the game of golf across Louisiana. Founded in 1920, the LGA conducts state championships, provides USGA Handicap Index® services, and supports players of all ages through initiatives like the Louisiana Junior Golf Tour.
Media Contact:
Maili Bartz
Director of Marketing & Communications
maili@lgagolf.org