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Lincoln, Neb. --- Former Nebraska men's golfer Eric Eshleman was recently named the 2019 PGA Golf Professional of the Year.
The award is the highest annual honor given to a PGA of America Professional, awarded for qualities of leadership, strong moral character and a substantial record of service to the PGA and the game of golf.
Eshleman, a 24-year PGA Member, is the Director of Golf at the Country Club of Birmingham in Alabama. Eshleman is also the Honorary President of the Alabama-NW Florida PGA Section after serving a two-year term as President. At the Country Club of Birmingham, Eshleman has averaged 2,400 lessons a year since 2014.
Eshleman has also trained many PGA Professionals such as Graeme McDowell, Patton Kizzire, Paul Dunne. Regarded as one of the nation's best instructors, one of his most well-known students was former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. He also oversees one of the largest junior golf programs in the country with over 200 kids participating in the CCB's Junior Club Championship.
Eshleman has received awards for his work in the Alabama-NW Florida PGA Section in the past by winning the section's PGA Golf Professional of the Year Award in 2010 and 2017, the Teacher of the Year Award in 2000 and 2004, the 2011 PGA Bill Strausbaugh Award and the 2014 Youth Player Development Award.
Eshleman was a two-time Nebraska men's golf letterwinner in 1989 and 1990.
It is the second straight year that a former Husker was recognized with one of the PGA of America's top awards. In 2018, James Sieckmann was named the PGA of America National Teacher of the Year. Sieckmann is the Director of Instruction at Shadow Ridge Country Club in Omaha.