30+ Years in the Golf Industry

Harlan Country Club

London Country Club

Crooked Creek Golf Club

Ponte Vedra Inn & Club

Hidden Hills Country Club

Wasioto Winds Golf Course at Pine Mountain State Park (Kentucky)

Kentucky Section PGA Golf Professional of the Year 2019

Leadership Contributions:

· Donnie’s leadership has: introduced over 20,000 individuals to the game, placed over 10,000 clubs in the hands of new players, and secured over $10 million in golf scholarships in the past 25 years. He brought the Five Star experience derived from his time at Ponte Vedra, Florida under the tutelage of Robert Harris, PGA and Jim Howard, PGA back home to Kentucky to lead the Growth of the Game Initiatives in the Commonwealth and across the US.

· Recognizing the barriers in “Growing the Game”, Donnie’s leadership has conducted a supportive ongoing club-drive with numerous clubs and PGA Professionals yielding over 10,000 clubs to give to seniors, Veterans, junior golfers, and ladies. His leadership securing the equipment in Get-Golf-Ready has produced early success for his audience and an easier way to start the game.

Mentoring Contributions:

· His leadership in mentoring junior golfers resulted in over 85+ golf scholarships to Division I, II, III and NAIA from his First Tee Pine Mountain Chapter. In addition to the 50 young men and 25 young ladies earning a Scholarship, he helped secure 40 more Scholarships at Georgetown College with Dr. Bill Crouch hosting events at Valhalla, Greenbrier, and Oakmont. Donnie’s PGA leadership has yielded over $10 Million in Scholarships. Donnie’s impact has averaged earning 3 golf scholarships each year for the past 25 years.

· In addition to leading the First Tee Pine Mountain as Program Director, host PGA Professional for Drive, Chip, & Putt, Donnie has also mentored and instructed over 1300 young ladies by creating a Site Location for LPGA Girl’s Golf of Pineville. Alumni from this program went on to win an All A KHSAA State Championship, became Division I golfers, and one became his first female PGA Member – Hallie Boles Purdy, PGA (Ferris State).

Service and Commitment to Player Development:

(National)

National Growth of the Game:

· National Trainer for First Tee

· The First Tee Master Coach (1 of 10 worldwide)

· The First Tee National Academy Coach (10 years) - San Diego, CA/Nashville, TN/ Manhattan, KS / New York / Eugene, OR / Myrtle Beach, SC / Pebble Beach, California

National Growth of the Game Projects:

· Golf Skills Curriculum Committee (First Tee)

· Life Skills Experience Committee (First Tee)

· National Drug Prevention Model for 15 Million Youth (Creator- Developer)

· Donnie devoted 5 years to develop: (Science of Addiction)

· He has shared Best Practices with multiple Sections of the PGA.

National Growth of the Game Projects:

· Golf Skills Curriculum Committee

· Life Skills Experience Committee

· Developed the National Drug Prevention Model for 15 Million Youth

o Donnie devoted 5 years to develop: (Science of Addiction)

· Drive, Chip, & Putt, PGA Junior League, and US Kids Golf

· Hosted “Careers in Golf Clinic” at Pine Mountain State Park showcasing area PGA Professionals, Golf Course Superintendents, Sales Representatives, Coaches, and LPGA

· Donnie presented for Eastern Kentucky University on Player Development and Best Practices for the Kentucky Section PGA and for the PGM Program at EKU.

· Donnie Caldwell, PGA has been a National staple on Player Development for his entire career. Even though his host location was in rural Kentucky, he travelled across the Nation for 12-15 years assisting numerous PGA Sections in Player Development Clinics, Best Practices, and PGA Demonstrations. The Kentucky Section PGA has awarded him 11 times in his 25 years as “Golf Professional of The Year” in several areas of Player Development not only for his dedication locally in rural Kentucky and within the Section, but also his impact nation-wide representing the PGA of America. His accolades are polished in Player Development for: tournament players, ladies, competitive edge, and junior golf. His leadership and mentoring as a PGA Member, Master Coach, and National Trainer have emulated across the US with fellow Professionals and leaders in the golf industry. His legacy will be generational nation-wide as seen in Kentucky.

Name of Award:

Junior Golf Leader (Youth Player Development Award)

** **Kentucky, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015

Golf Professional of the Year Kentucky, 2019

Player Development Award Kentucky, 2015, 2023

Assistant Professional of the Year Kentucky, 2004**

PGA President’s Council for Growth of the Game

2005 - 2009

Kentucky

Golf Professional of the Month (November) 2011 Kentucky

Junior Golf Leader of the Year (National Nominee) 2012

Kentucky Youth Development Leader of the Year 2014

Kentucky Youth Development Leader of the Year 2015