Maryland Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2024: William A. “Coach” Strausbaugh, Jr.

William A. “Coach” Straubaugh, Jr., a native of Baltimore, earned the moniker of “Coach” for his work as a teacher and contributions toward developing and improving educational opportunities for PGA professionals and apprentices.  

He began his golf career while a teenager caddying at Bonnie View in 1937. “Coach” Strausbaugh turned professional in 1946 as an assistant to Andy Gibson at the County Club of Maryland. Before arriving at Columbia County Club as the head PGA Professional in 1968, he held the top position at Fountainhead CC from 1955 to 1961 and at Turf Valley until 1968. He retired from Columbia in 1994, ending a 26-year career as Columbia’s head PGA Professional. Columbia named him their Professional Emeritus.

Bill was active in leadership within the Middle Atlantic PGA, leading many committees, including the MAPGA Employment Chairman position in 1970 and the Presidency from 1974 through 1976.  While President, he also represented District Ten (Carolinas, Kentucky, and Middle Atlantic Sections) for three years as a Director sitting on the (National) PGA of America Board.  The MAPGA membership selected him as their Professional of the Year in 1966; he earned the Section’s Horton Smith Award for outstanding service and contributions towards developing and improving educational opportunities five times: 1966, 1968, 1971, 1978, and 1983. He is the only five-time recipient.  Twice, the Section named him the Teacher of the Year in 1988 and 1992. He was the first two-time winner. The MAPGA inducted Bill into their Hall of Fame in 1989.

Bill instructed at Ferris State University’s Professional Golf Management program and lectured to golf associations throughout the United States, including 38 of the 41 PGA Sections and eight foreign countries. He spoke at the first PGA Teaching and Coaching Summit in 1988.

The World Golf Teachers’ Hall of Fame named him their tenth honoree in 2003. The tribute reads for “unfailing dedication to his students,” assisting thousands of golfers to improve their games, and teaching teachers how to teach. His colleagues in the Hall of Fame include Tommy Armour, Jim Flick, and Harvey Penick.

Within the ranks of the PGA leadership, Bill Strausbaugh served on the National Education Committee and chaired the National Club Relations Committee. Nationally, he won the PGA’s Professional of the Year honor (1966), the Horton Smith Trophy (1983), and the Teacher of the Year recognition (1992). Bill Strausbaugh is the only one to have been awarded all three. The National Golf Foundation granted him the Joe Graffis Award in 1977.  In 1979, the PGA of America and the MAPGA established the Bill Strausbaugh Award for work in employment and club relations.