Coleridge native is named Neb. PGA Golf Pro of the year
GOTHENBURG — Coleridge native Don Graham was recently honored by the PGA.
Don Graham, PGA, Head Golf Professional at Wild Horse G.C. in Gothenburg, was selected for the Section’s highest honor bestowed on a PGA Member as the 2019 Nebraska Section PGA Golf Professional of the Year.
The Nebraska Section of the PGA is one of 41 Sections that together comprise the PGA of America. The Nebraska Section PGA is a non-for-profit organization comprised of approximately 270 PGA Members and 23 PGA Associates who strive to promote the enjoyment and growth of the game of golf. The Nebraska Section PGA encompasses the entire State of Nebraska, western fifth of Iowa and a small portion of South Dakota including Dakota Dunes and Yankton.
Graham was elected to membership into the PGA of America in May of 1995.
The former Bulldog graduated from Wayne State College with a degree in business management and a minor in economics in 1991.
Graham’s PGA journey began at a 9-hole hidden gem in Northeast, Nebraska called Summerland Golf Course.
In 1993, Graham went to work for then Director of Golf at Norfolk Country Club in Norfolk, Mike Antonio, PGA.
After a short stint at Eldorado Hills Golf Club in Norfolk and Elkhorn Acres in Stanton, Graham took the PGA Head Professional job at Wild Horse Golf Course in Gothenburg in 1999.
Under Graham’s leadership, Wild Horse is consistently ranked in the top 100 of Golf Digest’s List of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses.
In 2016, Graham championed ahalfmillion-dollaron-sitelodging project to make Wild Horse Golf Course a true destination course.
Life-long learning has been instrumental in Graham’s professional development as he is on track to become a Certified Professional in the Spring.
This year will mark another key milestone professionally as he will join the Quarter-Century Club as a PGA Member.
Growing the game and giving back to his community is another trait that has played a key role in Graham’s 25-year PGA Career.
In the fall of 2019, the Wild Horse Foundation was formed to help further the game of golf by providing members and guests the opportunity to give back to the game that has made a difference in their lives.
These goals will come to life in 2020, as this foundation will sponsor supplies for a Family Fun Day, help defray some of the student costs for the junior golf program and establishment of a scholarship for one male and one female local golf scholar-athlete.
Graham takes great pride in serving the community and his service in many areas. Graham is a Board Member on the Gothenburg Health Foundation which helped bring a $5 million YMCA project to fruition in the Gothenburg community.