The LPGA Professionals recently announced the recipients of its prestigious 2025 Global Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to the game of golf through teaching, professional service, coaching, and junior golf leadership. These awards highlight the dedication of LPGA Professionals who inspire players of all ages, while fostering growth and inclusivity both on and off the course.
Created in 1980, the LPGA Professionals Coach of the Year Award recognizes a member each year for outstanding contributions to golf coaching at the collegiate or high school level.
For more than 20 years, LPGA Professional Val Patrick has shaped hundreds of young athletes by emphasizing the importance of practice, patience, and positivity. She is being recognized this year for her deep passion for the game and her commitment to helping others play their best by blending technical skills with life lessons such as integrity and perseverance.
Currently, Patrick serves as director of instruction at Mill Creek (Wash.) Country Club, where since May 2023 she has revitalized junior programs such as LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, PGA Jr. League, and Operation 36, while also coaching the Shorewood High School girls’ golf team since 2017.
This past year, Patrick led Shorewood’s girls’ golf team to its first-ever League Championship title, an 8th-place District finish, and one state qualifier. Her LPGA*USGA Girls Golf site onboarded 150 new participants; her PGA Jr. League U13/U17 programs earned sportsmanship honors at regionals; and her Operation 36 program grew 30 percent, incorporating adaptive tech for diverse abilities.
She also launched a high school-pro mentorship program, which yielded 20 college commitments and prepped nine-year-old Charley Drake for the Drive, Chip & Putt regionals at Pebble Beach.
“Winning the LPGA Global Award for Coach of the Year is an incredible and humbling honor,” stated Patrick. “I’m grateful for the opportunity I have had in my career to impact players’ lives and help them reach their potential. This award only motivates me to continue striving for excellence and inspiring others in the sport. It is a recognition of the hard work, dedication, and passion I invest in my coaching. I am deeply grateful to the teachers and mentors who have guided and inspired me throughout my career.”
Selected through a rigorous nomination and evaluation process by the LPGA Professionals membership’s Executive Committee, the recipients of this award embody the highest standards within the organization’s membership, more than 2,000 women spanning six regional sections: Central, International, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Western.
“The LPGA Professionals Global Awards celebrate the trailblazers who embody our mission of transforming lives through the game of golf,” said Liz Cooper, vice president of the LPGA Foundation and LPGA Professionals. “We are thrilled to honor their innovative approaches, unwavering commitment to players and profound community impact, proving golf’s power as a transformative tool in life.”
Patrick’s coaching philosophy includes building personalized plans from game assessments, blending technical drills, and utilizing data and technology for analysis and positive feedback. She claims her superpower is being a good listener to her students.
Since becoming an LPGA Class A Professional in 2017, Patrick has been a dedicated member in the LPGA’s Western Section. She served for four years as Section Secretary and three years as Section Championship Coordinator, expanding events to Southern California for broader accessibility. She has delivered hundreds of presentations since 2009 and has led webinars like Control Your Posture.
Patrick regularly volunteers at LPGA Professionals Lesson Zones and hosts InviteHER Sips and Tips to boost women’s participation, while supporting First Tee coaching curriculum training. Her accolades include the 2024 Operation 36 Coach Impact Award for positivity infusion.
(Click here for a full recap of all four award recipients, posted on the LPGA .com website.)