PGA Professional Player of the Year Award Belongs to Ben Polland Again!
Ben Polland, the PGA Director of Golf at Shooting Star of Jackson Hole in Teton Village, Wyoming, made the most of the PGA TOUR exemptions that came with his 2024 PGA Professional Championship victory. The 35-year-old made four cuts on the PGA TOUR in 2025, first at the Cognizant Classic (T-62), next at the Puerto Rico Open (T-70), followed by the Corales Puntacana Championship (T-53) and finally at the Barracuda Championship (T-23).
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL – APRIL 29: Ben Polland hits his tee shot on the 12th hole during the third round of the PGA Professional Championship at PGA Golf Club on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Ryan Lochhead/PGA of America)
“Those starts are really fun to get back and play competitively,” said Polland. “I had the right mindset the whole time. My mentality was better compared to when I was trying to play full time. I knew my job was back at Shooting Star and they were really supportive and great to me. I was comfortable with where I was at in my life, recently getting married, loving my job, and good golf came a little easier to me.”
Polland also posted a T-35 finish in the 2025 PGA Professional Championship at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida. His success at the Section level continued when he shot 6-under-par 138 to win by three and repeat as Rocky Mountain PGA Section Champion at The Valley Club in Sun Valley, Idaho. He won the Rocky Mountain PGA Player of the Year award for the second straight year and for the third time in his career.
As the new year begins, Polland has turned his focus to the 2026 PGA Professional Championship at Bandon Dunes in April and the PGA Cup, which will take place at The K Club in Ireland in September. “This year being at Bandon, which is one of my favorite places on earth, I’m definitely going to enjoy that,” said Polland. “We’re going to be working really hard and having all the focus on that. The other part is this being the second year of the PGA Cup points cycle. I know how to get on the team. It’s pretty cut and dry, you have to play well and earn your way. I need to go out and play well and try to hopefully travel to Ireland with the team.”
Polland totaled 1,048 points to win his second consecutive PGA Professional Player of the Year Award. He is the ninth PGA of America Golf Professional to win back-to-back POY awards. In addition, Global Golf Post has Ben on their exclusive 2025 First Team All-Pro list. Only a dozen professionals are recognized on this annual list. The Rocky Mountain Section is proud of Ben and wishes him an even better 2026!
PGA of America with RMSPGA additions