Bill Hughes, general manager of TPC Sawgrass, has been named the General
Manager of the Year by the American Junior Golf Association. This award honors the general manager that
displays an unwavering support of the AJGA and junior golf by creating a
memorable tournament experience for players, families, staff and volunteers.
Each year, the
AJGA presents awards to the tournaments with the best individual hospitality,
Junior-Am fundraising tournament, charitable giving and volunteer base. The
AJGA also recognizes the year’s most outstanding golf professional and superintendent,
as well as the most improved event, best new tournament, best Invitational and
overall tournament of the year.
“I dreamed of creating the
greatest junior golf tournament on the earth when I arrived at TPC Sawgrass,”
Hughes said. “Between the dedication of everyone at the AJGA as well as the
desire and resources we have at TPC Sawgrass, we have really created a great
event that we all hope lasts for a very long time. I’m just so proud of this
event, how it’s evolved and how it’s helped to develop junior golfers.”
Hughes was a driving force in
creating The Junior PLAYERS Championship presented by TaylorMade-adidas Golf in
2007.
Hughes and the event staff pride themselves on
being one of the most prestigious junior golf events in the world. AJGA juniors
are provided professional caddies and the opportunity to play at a world
renowned course that has hosted the PGA TOUR’s PLAYERS Championship annually
since 1982. Hughes’ vision for the event is to align with the AJGA’s mission of
growing developing young golfers by challenging them through competition on the
course.
“The AJGA is central to growing the game
of golf and through coming up in junior golf without these opportunities as
well as 35 years as a PGA professional, it’s been a lifelong dream of mine to
make sure I wake up with the focus to grow game of golf each day,” Hughes said.
Hughes’ storied career began on the
Bowling Green State golf team. In 1979, Hughes turned professional and became a
member of the PGA of America in 1984. Eleven years later, Hughes became a PGA
Master Professional and one year following that he was named the General
Manager/Director of Golf at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tenn. When Hughes took a
new position and the title of Regional Director of TPC Operations, he moved to
Dallas in 2006 to work at TPC Craig Ranch where he began his relationship with
the AJGA and became an ambassador of the organization in Dallas and to golf
associations in the state of Texas.
“In my world, the best way to grow the
game is through junior golf,” Hughes said. “It was my son’s dream to play on
the Junior All-Star tour and since then, I’ve been honored to be associated
with the AJGA and am grateful for the friendships I’ve gained in Stephen and
everyone in the organization. To be recognized for this award is so humbling.
This is one of the highlights of my entire golf career.”
Complete list of
2012 Tournament Awards.
