PGAs of Europe honors former PGA CEO Steranka

By John Strege

Former PGA of America CEO Joe Steranka was honored Wednesday by the PGAs of Europe, which presented him with the prestigious Christer Lindberg Bowl for outstanding contribution of an individual to the world of golf.

Steranka, who retired a year ago, received the award at the PGAs of Europe Awards' annual Gala Awards Dinner in the Algarve region of Portugal.

"It's humbling to get an award like this," Steranka said in his acceptance speech. "You don't set out in your career to win awards. You did it because you love what you do, and I've been the luckiest man in the world because I've never worked a day in my life. I was fortunate as an avid sportsman to get paid to go work in sports and I've never looked back.

"Each of the past winners that have been honored has contributed something to golf, because we love the game and we consider it the greatest game of all, and we do it selflessly."

Past winners of the Christer Lindberg Bowl include Annika Sorenstam and the Solheim family responsible for founding and running Ping Golf.

Steranka, 54, joined the PGA of America in 1988 as director of communications. He became the CEO in 2005.

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