Ryan Young, a member of the Western Washington PGA and the Head Golf Professional at Chambers Bay in University Place, is the 2026 National PGA of America Player Development Award recipient! This honor bestows special recognition to a PGA of America Golf Professional who has displayed extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievements in the area of player development.
A PGA of America Golf Professional for 11 years, Young is certified in teaching and coaching and is a First Tee Level 3 Coach. During his 14-year career, which includes creating the Chambers Bay Academy in 2016, he has been dedicated to player development, mentoring other PGA Professionals and growing the game.
Young has been recognized as Golf Digest Best Teachers in Washington State in 2017-18, 2022-23, 2024-25 and 2026-27. GOLF Magazine included him on the Teachers to Watch list for 2024-25. The Western WA Chapter PGA, which he currently serves as Honorary President, named him the 2023 Teacher of the year.
He has received PNW PGA Section Awards for Player Development Award (2016, 20, 23) and Youth Player Development (2018); he has also won the Western WA PGA Chapter Patriot Award (2022, 23) and the Assistant Golf Professional of the Year (2015). In addition, Young was named as a Golf Range Association of America Growth of the Game Teaching Professional Elite Member Status in 2025.
Congratulations, Ryan!
