ABELS DOUBLES UP

Zach Abels, the PGA Head Professional at Canyon Springs Golf Course in Twin Falls, Idaho, has been named the 2022 Teacher & Coach of the Year by the Rocky Mountain Section PGA.  In addition, Abels will be presented with the RMSPGA Player Development Award.  Abels was elected to PGA membership in 2014 and these awards will boost his career total to six marks of excellence as he has been recognized previously with the Youth Player Development Award in 2016 and 2021, the Player Development Award in 2019, and the Teacher of the Year Award in 2020.

The Teacher & Coach of the Year award bestows special recognition on a Rocky Mountain Section PGA golf professional that has performed outstanding service as a golf instructor. The honoree is chosen based on his or her performance, leadership, image, promotion of the game of golf, and impact on teaching and golf instruction as well as their involvement in junior activities at their facility in addition to innovative contributions to golf instruction and published articles.  The Player Development Award considers the Professional’s “Growth of the Game” leadership commitment at Section and National levels and the impact made at his/her own facility.

These awards are definitely married together in the Zach Abels universe.  Because of his passion for junior golf, player development is something that just comes naturally.  His constant state of learning is evident as his programs continue to grow year after year.  Zach takes great pride in designing curriculum that provides a fun and engaging learning environment which, in turn, develops long-term students.  Zach uses a variety of approaches depending on how his students learn as he believes it is his job to find a way into any person’s mind and body to help them achieve better results on the course.  Abels branches out to every walk of life to support golf as is evident by his Magic Valley Junior Golf Foundation, his participation in PGA HOPE, and his efforts with local schools and the City of Twin Falls, to name a few.

Abels will formally receive his 2022 awards during the 2023 RMSPGA Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony next May.