Preisinger honored by LPGA after more than 30 years as a teaching professional
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., May 18, 2022 – Carol Preisinger, an LPGA Master Professional and Lead Teaching Professional at The Landings Club in Savannah, Ga., joins an elite group of her peers as the recipient of the 2022 Ellen Griffin Rolex Award.
The Ellen Griffin Rolex Award, instituted by the LPGA Professionals membership in 1989 to honor the late teaching professional Ellen Griffin, recognizes an individual, male or female, who made a major contribution to the teaching of golf and emulates Griffin's spirit, love and dedication to students, teachers, teaching skills and the game of golf.
"My heart is full of gratitude,” said Preisinger. “I am thankful for my journey in the LPGA, my mentors, and friendships I've made along the way. I’m especially grateful for women like Ellen Griffin, a pioneer whose golf journey and contributions created a roadmap for women like me to flourish as a coach, an educator and facilitator."
Preisinger grew up in the game of golf under the tutelage of her father, who was a Life Member of the PGA of America for nearly fifty years. She honed her game at the old Marietta Country Club and Bent Tree Golf Club in Georgia. Preisinger graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 1984 from the University of Georgia, where she also played on the golf team.
After playing on the Women’s Florida Mini Tour, Preisinger returned to Marietta in 1991 to serve as Golf Shop manager and Director of Instruction for Classic Golf Management at City Club Marietta. In 2004, she became the Director of Instruction at Kiawah Island Club and in 2022, she joined the Golf Performance Team at The Landings Club in Savannah, Ga., as Lead Teaching Professional.
An LPGA Master Professional, Preisinger has held numerous positions within the LPGA Professionals Leadership throughout her career. She served as the Southeast Section President and on the LPGA Executive Committee from 2011 to 2016, was a National Evaluator for eight years and has hosted, attended and presented for numerous LPGA section and national education programs. Preisinger was twice named LPGA National Teacher of the Year (1998 and 2017) and has been a GOLF Magazine Top 100 Teacher in America since 2004.
Preisinger’s passion is to enhance people’s lives by providing a great golf experience. Since 2017, she annually awards the Preisinger GRIT Scholarship to a high school senior who plays golf for a Charleston County High School. She also is a PGA HOPE coach and serves on the Board of Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary.
Past recipients of the Ellen Griffin Rolex Award include: Peggy Kirk Bell, 1989; Linda Craft, 1990; Shirley Englehorn, 1991; Harvey Penick, 1992; Goldie Bateson, 1993; Carol Clark Johnson, 1994; Joanne Winter, 1995; Ann Casey Johnstone, 1996; Dr. DeDe Owens, 1997; Shirley Spork, 1998; Betty Hicks, 1999; Gary Wiren, 2000; Penny Zavichas, 2001; Annette Thompson, 2002; Dr. Barbara B. Smith, 2003; Marjorie Burns, 2004; Pat Lange, 2005; Donna White, 2006; Betsy Cullen, 2007; Lynn Marriott, 2008; Kay McMahon, 2009; Mary Beth McGirr, 2010; Dr. Debbie Crews, 2011; Dr. Betsy Clark, 2012; Kathy Murphy, 2013; Kerry Graham, 2014; Dana Rader, 2015; Pia Nilsson, 2016; Sandy LaBauve, 2017; Jane Frost, 2018; Nancy Quarcelino, 2019; Renee Powell, 2020; and Deb Vangellow, 2021.
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