Youth Player Development Award
GOLF, Ill. – January 19, 2024 – “Chad Johansen of Blackberry Oaks Golf Club is the recipient of the 2023 Illinois PGA Player Development Award. The Illinois PGA Player Development Award is designed to recognize a PGA Professional for extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievements in the area of player development. This award considers the PGA Professional’s growth of the game leadership commitment at the Section and National levels and the impact made at his or her facility.
Johansen has been a PGA Member since 2006, spending his entire career at Blackberry Oaks. He founded his golf academy in 2005, only starting with eight kids in the program. Since then, Johansen has worked tirelessly promoting the game of golf. He now has a year-round operation that includes an indoor golf facility for the winter. His programs include junior leagues, coaching programs, junior golf camps, and junior/parent golf tournaments. Johansen was just shy of 700 total juniors in the academy for the year of 2023.
In addition, Johansen has been a huge supporter of the Illinois Junior Golf Association for the past 22 years. Blackberry Oaks has been a staple on the IJGA’s schedule thanks to the support of Johansen. Blackberry Oaks has hosted many regional tournaments as well as one-day events, and Johansen pushes all the juniors in his academy to participate in IJGA events.
This marks the first career special award honor for Johansen.”
CONGRATULATIONS CHAD FROM THE IL PGA!!
“I am very honored to receive the 2023 Illinois PGA Player Development Award. The opportunity to instruct and mold young golfers has been the guiding force of my career, and I consider myself incredibly fortunate to follow my passion. Nothing beats making a difference in a kid’s life!”
-Chad Johansen
ILLINOIS PGA ANNOUNCES CHAD JOHANSEN AS THE YOUTH PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AWARD WINNER!
