Steve Whittaker of Becker was presented with the Ron Self Award from the Minnesota Public Golf Association Friday night at their awards banquet at Oak Glen Golf Course in Stillwater.
This is one of the most prestigious awards given by the MPGA, often serving as a lifetime achievement award.
The Ron Self Memorial Award, an engraved State of Minnesota plaque, is presented at the fall banquet to the person who most symbolizes — through their active involvement — the enthusiastic spirit of pubic golf in Minnesota.
It is named in remembrance of Ron Self, who was an active executive committeeman in the 1970’s.
Whittaker was nominated from the at-large ranks of the association.
Lonnie Fluck, Pebble Creek Men’s Club president said, “Steve has been a leader in the central Minnesota golf scene for more than 20 years. His selfless, put-others-before-himself attitude is one most can only strive to achieve.”
Whittaker has served as an advisor to the City of Becker on strategy and direction for Pebble Creek. He has been an avid participant in MGA and other golf events and still to this day (in retirement) competes at the highest level.
“On top of all that, I would find it hard to believe that anyone has done more to help youth find the joy of the game of golf through teaching, coaching and providing opportunities,” said Fluck. “Steve was a large influence in getting the local nine at Pebble Creek built where kids can play nine holes of golf for just $5.”
Whittaker, through Becker Schools Community Ed and under the tutelage of PGA professionals Jeff Johnson, Jeremy Lupinek and Troy Malo, has given junior golf lessons at Pebble Creek for 20 years to over 1,000 kids (average of 60 juniors per year).
Whittaker has coached golf at Becker Schools for 20 years in capacity as varsity, junior varsity and junior high coach and continues to do so after retirement.
He has been the fall swing coach for the College of St. Ben’s for 10 years.
He has cut down and assembled over 50 sets of clubs given free to junior golfers. He has cut down and assembled clubs for Becker Middle School and Intermediate school in order to start golf units in PE.
He assisted in starting Fellowship of Christian Athletes summer junior golf camps in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin.
He volunteered as teacher and lesson coordinator for over 30 FCA summer 3-5 day overnight junior golf camps.
Whittaker was on the development and design team for the construction of Pebble Creek local nine golf course.
Top Finishes as a Player
USGA Senior Amateur
2009 - top 64;
2010 - top 64
2011 - top 64
2014 - qualifier
MN State Senior Open
2007 - 2nd
2010 - Champion
2019 - 2nd
MGA Senior Players
2012 - 2nd
2013 - Champion
2014 - T3
2016 - Champion
2018 - T3
MGA Senior Amateur
2011 - Champion
MGA Senior Player Of the Year
2010 - 1st
2011 - 1st
2013 - 2nd
2015 - 3rd
Senior Publinks
2009 - 3rd
2010 - 2nd
2011 - 2nd
2014 - T4
2015 - 3rd
2016 - 2nd
2019 - T2
Mid Publinks
2009 - 3rd
2013 - 2nd
2015 - Champion
MGA State Players
2019 - T3
MGA Senior 4 ball
2010 - 2nd
2011 - 2nd
2015 - 3rd
2016 - 3rd
2017 - T2nd
2018 - T3rd
