Dolan wins honor named for his legendary predecessor Strausbaugh
When Robert Dolan, Jr. took over as head professional at Columbia Country Club in 1995, he succeeded legendary teaching pro Bill Strausbaugh. Fittingly, Dolan now has won an award named for his predecessor.
The PGA of America has named Dolan the 2011 winner of the Bill Strausbaugh Award. It was established in 1979 to honor a club professional who has excelled in leadership and service.
Dolan, 50, is the third PGA professional in the history of the club. The first was 2008 U.S. Open winner Fred McLeod, who filled the role until 1976. Dolan will receive the award at the PGA of America Awards, Thursday, Jan. 26 during the 59th PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando.
Dolan attended American University and turned pro in 1984. He served as head pro at Hidden Valley (Pa.) from 1987-92, followed by a stint at Lakewood Country Club, before coming to Columbia. He first met Strausbaugh as a junior player.
“We had all heard of Bill, but until you met him, you never fully understood his commitment to club relations and to making the PGA and the PGA professional better,” Dolan told the PGA of America. “After spending time with him I knew I had to do more to help others. He taught me a lot.”
This is the first national award for Dolan who has numerous Middle Atlantic PGA Section awards including the President’s (1996), Professional of the Year (1997), Junior Golf (1998), Section Strausbaugh (1999, 2010), Section Horton Smith (2004), and Merchandiser of the Year (2011). In 2001 Dolan was honored by the Maryland House of Representatives for his work with several inner-city golf programs. He has been a member of the First Tee program since 1999.
Dolan, 50, lives in Poolesville with his wife Dawn. He has a son Bobby, 23, and daughter Shannon, 21.
OtherPGA of America award winners are Don Essig IV of Indianapolis (PGA Professional of the Year), Mike Malaska of Gold Canyon, Ariz. (PGA Teacher of the Year), John Rogers of Chambersburg, Pa. (Horton Smith Award), Rick Grayson of Springfield, Mo. (PGA Junior Golf Leader), Brian Bain of Brookline, Mass. (President’s Plaque), John Hines of Baitling Hollow, N.Y. (Patriot Award), Colorado PGA Section (Herb Graffis Award), and PGA Merchandiser of the Year awards to Jeffrey Kiddie of Newtown Square, Pa., Susan Roll of Carlsbad, Calif., and Hill Herrick of White Sulfur Springs, W. Va.
