By ED TRAVIS

Kimberly Falcone, PGA has been awarded the Southern California PGA Section Golf Professional of the Year for 2024, heading a list of PGA professionals recognized for excellence in the past 12 months. Winners will be celebrated for their accomplishments at the 2024 SCPGA Presidents Dinner on December 8 at Hilton Costa Mesa.

Falcone is assistant head professional and operations manager at La Jolla Country Club and is a member of the Quarter Century Club of the PGA. She graduated from the University of Missouri with a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education and played for the University on the women’s golf team. 

Her first golf professional experience was gained at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis and after seven years she moved to San Diego. She has been at La Jolla Country Club for 25 years working her way up to the position she presently holds. Falcone is active in the SCPGA serving on the Board of Directors for multiple terms as well as working on two committees of the PGA of America.

Joining Falcone in acknowledgement of contributions to golf and the SCPGA is the Eddie Merrins Teacher and Coach of the year awarded for excellence in golf instruction and coaching David Phillips, PGA of the Titleist Performance Institute in Oceanside. Phillips is a co-founder of TPI and ranked by Golf Magazine and Golf Digest as one of the top teachers in the country.

Receiving the Tom Addis III Professional Development Award is Robin Shelton, PGA Master Professional and general manager at Newport Beach Country Club. Shelton is a former president of the SCPGA.

The President’s Award this year goes to Sal Cimbolo for his outstanding contribution to the Southern California PGA. Cimbolo is Chairman and CEO of Friends of Golf or FOG.

Nikki Prichard, PGA, Assistant General Manager at Arrowood Golf Course, is recipient of the Bill Strausbaugh Award presented for day-to-day efforts making significant contributions through the mentoring of PGA Professional’s employment.

Brain Agoncillo, PGA who is Director of Instruction at Sherwood Country Club has been named the winner of the Player Development Award for extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievements in player development.

Other award winners named by the SCPGA include Colin Tucker, PGA, The Vintage Club, Assistant Golf Professional Award; David Menke, PGA, Coachella Coaching, the Youth Player Development Award; and Paul Guerra, PGA, Bakersfield Country Club, the Clubfitter Award.

Merchandiser of the Year in the Private Category is Michael Oberlander, PGA, Ironwood Country Club and in the Public Category Derek Mazzioni, PGA, Classic Club.

The Patriot Award goes to Tom Son, PGA, Arrowood Golf Course which recognizes the PGA Professional “who personifies patriotism through the game of golf and demonstrates unwavering commitment and dedication to the men and women who have valiantly served and protected the United State of America.” 

Named as Honorary Life Members for ongoing support of the SCPGA and its members were Bob Lovejoy, PGA, Jerry Wisz, PGA and Tom Wilson, PGA.