Special Awards Feature
Following in the Footsteps of His Influencers, Ed Oldham Receives the Player Development Award In high school, between his junior and senior years, Oldham was offered a job by the Head Golf Professional at North Platte Country Club, Rich Skinner, PGA. He worked in the pro shop and took care of the carts and the range. It was that summer Oldham decided he wanted to be in the golf business. Skinner was a good teacher. In fact, he won the Nebraska Section Teacher of the Year Award in 1988 and was inducted in the Nebraska Golf Hall of Fame in 2018. The mentorship of a noted teacher like Skinner certainly made an impression on Oldham, who followed in his footsteps winning Teacher of The Year in Colorado in 1999 and 2013. Oldham’s first job as an Assistant Professional was at Rifle Creek Golf Club working for Steve LeDonne, PGA. The course closed for the winter and there were two Assistant Professional openings in the Denver area. Oldham interviewed for both and was hired on at The Ranch Country Club. He thought that he would be there for two or three years, but this October marks 38 years Oldham has been at The Ranch CC. What does it mean to you to receive this award?
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he Player Development Award recognizes a PGA member who has made extraordinary contributions and achievements in conducting and/or supporting Play Golf America initiatives. Congratulations to PGA Master Professional Ed Oldham, Director of Instruction at The Ranch Country Club, for being the 2020 Player Development Award Winner! Oldham grew up in North Platte, Nebraska. His dad was the Dean of Students and the golf coach at North Platte Community College. It was his dad who introduced him to the game. Oldham played his first round of golf when he was about nine or 10 years of age with his dad and one of the college players. As a young teenager, he would be dropped off at North Platte Country Club in the morning on his dad’s way to work and he would stay there all day playing and practicing. His dad went on to become a PGA member and was the Head Golf Professional at three courses including Glenwood Golf Club in Glenwood Springs.
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I was very honored to hear that I won the Player Development Award. It’s always nice to be recognized for what I do. All of my early influencers were coaches and they had a huge influence on what I have done in my career. I am proud to be a coach to many wonderful people in this great game of golf. What are the qualities you possess that you believe supported you receiving the Player Development Award? I have a passion for teaching and coaching the game of golf, a desire to help every person who I work with and continue to try to improve myself through education. What are two tools you use in your profession that help you with your success? From a technology standpoint, I use Trackman and K vest. Trackman measures everything about the ball and club and K vest measures what the body is doing. Having more information about the student allows me to do a better job coaching them. From a personal standpoint, having the ability to make a connection with people and showing them how
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