Vandegrift wins PGA of America's Labron Harris Sr. Award
12/10/2024 4:30:00 PM | Men's Golf, Women's Golf
NORMAN, Okla. - For 39 years, Scott Vandegrift has been the epitome of a coach and mentor at Millersville University and in the community. On Tuesday, the Golf Coaches Association of America in cooperation with the PGA of America recognized Vandegrift's contributions to the game of golf with the 2024 Labron Harris Sr. Award.
The Labron Harris Sr. Award is presented annually to the college or high school coach and Class A PGA Professional whose support of the game through teaching, coaching, and involvement in the community has helped ensure the game of golf's continued growth and who represents the finest qualities the game has to offer. The award, named in honor of the legendary Oklahoma State head coach, was first presented in 2004, and Vandegrift is only the third coach from the Division II ranks to win the award.
"I hope I never get tired of working with young people, teaching them how to love the game of golf," said Vandegrift. "I've been blessed to have a wonderful family and have the opportunity of promoting the game of golf as a PGA professional and collegiate golf coach. This
award caps my career, and I hope I can continue to coach for many years to come."
Vandegrift is a four-time PSAC Coach of the Year, leading the men's program to the NCAA Regional 17 times and winning five PSAC Championships. He has led the women's program since its start in 2008-09 and quickly built it into one of the top programs in the conference, winning a PSAC Championship in 2015. In 2023-24, his teams both set program records for tournament wins in a season. His teams have combined for 123 victories. Under his direction, Millersville golfers have earned All-PSAC honors 51 times.
Vandegrift, a member of the Philadelphia PGA Section since 1981 and now a life member, was honored by the Central Counties Chapter with the prestigious honor of PGA Professional of the Year in 2009. Vandegrift was also recognized by the PGA when he was inducted into the Quarter-Century Club, an honor given to those who have served as head professional at a golf course for at least 25 years.
Vandegrift's impact as a teacher of the game extends far beyond the campus of Millersville University as he served as a professional at several area clubs for more than 30 years, teaching lessons and running events.
PAST WINNERS
2023 - Rich Mueller (Columbia/Metropolitan PGA Section)
2022 - Tim Poe (Central Missouri/Midwest PGA Section)
2021 - Scott Flynn (Belmont/Tennessee PGA Section)
2020 - Joe Tesori (Le Moyne College/CNY-PGA Section)
2019 - Jaime Howell (Eastern Florida State/North Florida PGA Section)
2018 - Jerry Haas (Wake Forest/Carolinas PGA Section)
2017 - Scott Cartwright (Cal Poly/Southern California PGA Section)
2016 - Harry Hammond (West Chester/Philadelphia PGA Section)
2015 - Puggy Blackmon (South Carolina/Carolinas PGA Section)
2014 - Mike Mayer (Indiana/Indiana PGA Section)
2013 - Mike Small (Illinois/Illinois PGA Section)
2012 - Pat Goss (Northwestern/Illinois PGA Section)
2011 - John Bermel (Northern Iowa/Iowa PGA Section)
2010 - Rick Pohle (Williams/Northeastern New York PGA Section)
2009 - Pat Owen (Navy/Middle Atlantic PGA Section)
2008 - Jim Brown (Ohio State/Southern Ohio PGA Section)
2007 - Herb Page (Kent State/Northern Ohio PGA Section)
2006 - Rod Myers (Duke/Carolinas PGA Section)
2005 - Devon Brouse (Purdue/Indiana PGA Section)
2004 - Jay Hardwick (Virginia Tech/Middle Atlantic PGA Section)
The Labron Harris Sr. Award is presented annually to the college or high school coach and Class A PGA Professional whose support of the game through teaching, coaching, and involvement in the community has helped ensure the game of golf's continued growth and who represents the finest qualities the game has to offer. The award, named in honor of the legendary Oklahoma State head coach, was first presented in 2004, and Vandegrift is only the third coach from the Division II ranks to win the award.
"I hope I never get tired of working with young people, teaching them how to love the game of golf," said Vandegrift. "I've been blessed to have a wonderful family and have the opportunity of promoting the game of golf as a PGA professional and collegiate golf coach. This
award caps my career, and I hope I can continue to coach for many years to come."
Vandegrift is a four-time PSAC Coach of the Year, leading the men's program to the NCAA Regional 17 times and winning five PSAC Championships. He has led the women's program since its start in 2008-09 and quickly built it into one of the top programs in the conference, winning a PSAC Championship in 2015. In 2023-24, his teams both set program records for tournament wins in a season. His teams have combined for 123 victories. Under his direction, Millersville golfers have earned All-PSAC honors 51 times.
Vandegrift, a member of the Philadelphia PGA Section since 1981 and now a life member, was honored by the Central Counties Chapter with the prestigious honor of PGA Professional of the Year in 2009. Vandegrift was also recognized by the PGA when he was inducted into the Quarter-Century Club, an honor given to those who have served as head professional at a golf course for at least 25 years.
Vandegrift's impact as a teacher of the game extends far beyond the campus of Millersville University as he served as a professional at several area clubs for more than 30 years, teaching lessons and running events.
PAST WINNERS
2023 - Rich Mueller (Columbia/Metropolitan PGA Section)
2022 - Tim Poe (Central Missouri/Midwest PGA Section)
2021 - Scott Flynn (Belmont/Tennessee PGA Section)
2020 - Joe Tesori (Le Moyne College/CNY-PGA Section)
2019 - Jaime Howell (Eastern Florida State/North Florida PGA Section)
2018 - Jerry Haas (Wake Forest/Carolinas PGA Section)
2017 - Scott Cartwright (Cal Poly/Southern California PGA Section)
2016 - Harry Hammond (West Chester/Philadelphia PGA Section)
2015 - Puggy Blackmon (South Carolina/Carolinas PGA Section)
2014 - Mike Mayer (Indiana/Indiana PGA Section)
2013 - Mike Small (Illinois/Illinois PGA Section)
2012 - Pat Goss (Northwestern/Illinois PGA Section)
2011 - John Bermel (Northern Iowa/Iowa PGA Section)
2010 - Rick Pohle (Williams/Northeastern New York PGA Section)
2009 - Pat Owen (Navy/Middle Atlantic PGA Section)
2008 - Jim Brown (Ohio State/Southern Ohio PGA Section)
2007 - Herb Page (Kent State/Northern Ohio PGA Section)
2006 - Rod Myers (Duke/Carolinas PGA Section)
2005 - Devon Brouse (Purdue/Indiana PGA Section)
2004 - Jay Hardwick (Virginia Tech/Middle Atlantic PGA Section)
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