Luke Sestero, PGA Assistant Professional at Crane Creek Country Club in Boise, Idaho, has been named the 2020 Assistant Professional of the Year for the Rocky Mountain Section PGA. The Assistant Professional of the Year Award is an honor paid to a Rocky Mountain Section PGA assistant golf professional who has distinguished themselves through his/her service to the facility, Section/Chapter and community. Sestero began his career at Crane Creek in 2011 and this is his third Section honor as a PGA Professional having won this award in 2018 and the Youth Player Development Award in 2019.
Sestero believes PGA Professionals are the most important asset to individual facilities and the game in general. They are instrumental in running a smooth operation that creates an enjoyable environment for every member and guest. Luke makes every effort to grow the game through his leadership and ability to help players learn as much as they desire about golf “life”. Whether he is guiding the Crane Creek Ladies Association, PGA Junior League, outside events or just the day-to-day grind, Sestero’s number one goal each day is to make every member and guest feel welcomed and to make certain at day’s end they feel better than when they first arrived.
Another aspect of Sestero’s job, and perhaps his favorite, is teaching the game. Luke gave more than 250 lessons this last season working with people of all abilities and ages. He had to fit all his lessons in, and his daily duties, despite having extra demands on his time due to the club’s Head Professional being on the National Board requiring him to be away a fair amount. Not busy enough, Luke served on his Chapter’s Pro-Am Task Force, attended Chapter and Section meetings and stayed fully up-to-date on his required continuing education.
Luke believes in inspiring and leading others by maintaining a strong work ethic and leading by example. Whether it involves staying long after a shift on the busiest of days or going above and beyond to give every guest a great experience, creating examples for fellow golf professionals to follow is of utmost importance to Sestero. He consistently bases his decisions with integrity, and he encourages his fellow professionals at the club to do the same.
Sestero has served his PGA Section and Chapter in various capacities and is a versatile and willing professional whose longevity at his club is proof positive of his value to the Crane Creek team and membership. His steady attitude and consistent level of reliability will serve him well throughout the rest of his career. The RMSPGA Assistant Professional of the Year Award will be formally presented to Luke at the 2021 Annual Meeting of the Rocky Mountain Section PGA next May.