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JAMESVILLE, N.Y. -- In January at the PGA Show in Orlando, the PGA of America announced its 2026 National Award winners, and New York professionals claimed three of the most prestigious honors in the game.

Related: PGA National Award Recipients Announcement

From New York City to Rochester, these individuals represent the leadership, character, and mentorship that contribute to the spirit of golf in the Empire State.

Brian A. Crowell, PGA – PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year

Section: Metropolitan PGA
Club: Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point (Bronx, NY)

Brian Crowell has received the highest honor the Association bestows: the 2026 PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year. A PGA Master Professional and the General Manager at Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point, Crowell is recognized for his extraordinary leadership and a career that has successfully "cast a wider net" for the game.

Beyond managing a premier high-end daily fee facility, Crowell is a familiar voice to many as a broadcaster for CBS Sports (covering the Masters and PGA Championship) and a host on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio. His commitment to the community is equally deep; he and his family founded the Stewart Crowell Foundation, which provides scholarships to high school seniors, and he was instrumental in bringing the APGA Tour to the Bronx to expand access to the sport.

Carl Alexander, PGA – Bill Strausbaugh Award

Section: Metropolitan PGA
Club: The Golf Club of Purchase (Purchase, NY)

The Bill Strausbaugh Award recognizes a professional who demonstrates exceptional character and integrity in mentoring fellow PGA professionals. Carl Alexander, the longtime Director of Golf at The Golf Club of Purchase, has spent two decades turning his facility into a "training ground" for the next generation of industry leaders.

A former President of the Metropolitan PGA Section, Alexander has mentored dozens of assistants who have moved into head professional roles at prestigious clubs across the country. Known for his hands-on approach and commitment to professional education, he is also an elite instructor who coaches professionals on the PGA Tour Champions. His legacy is found not just in his own accolades, but in the success of the many professionals he has guided.

Mike D’Agostino, PGA – Deacon Palmer Award

Section: Western NY PGA
Club: Penfield Country Club (Penfield, NY)

The Deacon Palmer Award honors a PGA Professional who displays outstanding integrity and a great version of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Mike D’Agostino, the Head Professional at Penfield Country Club near Rochester and President of the Western NY PGA Section, is this year’s recipient.

D’Agostino’s recognition stems from his remarkable perseverance; he continued to lead his section and serve his club with distinction while navigating a rigorous battle with cancer. His selfless dedication to others is best seen through his leadership with PGA HOPE Rochester, where he has spent over a decade using golf as a tool for healing and connection for military veterans. To Mike, the title of "PGA Professional" is a calling to serve, a mission he has fulfilled even during his most challenging personal moments.

The New York State Golf Association congratulates Brian, Carl, and Mike on these well-deserved national honors. The achievements by these select golf leaders in our state highlight the incredible depth of talent within the New York golf professional community and serve as an inspiration to both golfers and other professionals throughout the state. They will be formally inducted in November at the PGA Annual Meeting in Las Vegas.