BILL STRAUSBAUGH AWARD: Dan Polites
The Gateway PGA has named Dan Polites the 2019 Bill Strausbaugh Award winner. The Bill Strausbaugh Award is designed to recognize PGA Professionals 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. Dan has been a PGA Member since 1992 and is the Owner/Operator of DP Golf Center since 1989 (O’Fallon IL). He wrote “Golf For Rookies” (1996) and is a three-time Horton Smith Award Winner. He was inducted into the Illinois Coaches Golf Hall of Fame in 2018 and is in his 20th year as the Althoff Catholic High School Boy’s Coach where he is a two-time Illinois High School Association State Champion (2011 & 2012). Dan also coached Lindenwood-Belleville University Men’s team that were USCAA National Champions in 2011. For his work, Golf Digest named him as one of the “Top 10 Teachers in State” (Illinois). He was also the Illinois YMCA Volunteer of Year in 1992 and is heavily involved in the Gateway Section where he serves as the current Chair for the Teaching & Coaching Summit. Dan has given 38,000 Lessons and is an Under Armour & Wilson Staff member.