Volunteer Awards
Billy Payne Volunteer of the Year Award
The Billy Payne Volunteer of the Year Award was created in 2004 to recognize an outstanding TOUR Championship volunteer each year. The award is named after Billy Payne in recognition for the work he accomplished for the TOUR Championship and the Atlanta community. Mr. Payne was General Chairman of the TOUR Championship in 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2004. He was also the inaugural recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award which was presented to him during the Greenside Chat in 2004. The award will be given to the volunteer that best displays Mr. Payne's qualities which include leadership, service, hard work, humility, camaraderie, respect for people, love of the game and desire to enhance local community. The Volunteer of the Year winner will receive a replica of the Bobby Jones Calamity Jane Putter.
2022 Billy Payne Volunteer of the Year: Erin Verville
Past Winners
- 2021 Chris Pothoff
- 2020 Ray Humphrey
- 2019 Rita Tallini
- 2018 Phil Read
- 2017 Hershel Smith
- 2016 Faye Sailors & Cynthia Harrison
- 2015 Australia “Hoonie” Edwards & Jim Hamilton
- 2014 Jeff Williams
- 2013 Anne Bridges & Mons King
- 2012 Dennis Frendahl
- 2011 Matt Steiner
- 2010 Kelly Fisher
- 2009 Steve Adams
- 2008 Cathy Wike-Cook
- 2007 Mark Wellden
- 2006 Tom Kesler
- 2005 Dr. David Apple
- 2004 Mr. Billy Payne
Tom Cousins Leadership Award
The Tom Cousins Award was created in 2005 to recognize the outstanding leaders within the volunteer hierarchy. The award is named after Tom Cousins in recognition of the leadership he has demonstrated with the East Lake Foundation and in the Atlanta community. Mr. Cousins is the visionary of the revitalization of the East Lake community through the East Lake Foundation and East Lake Golf Club. He was the inaugural recipient of the Leadership Award which was presented to him during the Greenside Chat in 2005. The Tom Cousins Leadership Award was established to recognize an outstanding Committee Chairman each year who exemplifies the ideal team leader in terms of service to the tournament, an energetic spirit, perseverance, flexibility, hard work and who shows exceptional dedication to the tournament. The Leadership Award winner will receive a special plaque which includes a replica of a headdress feather from a Native American sculpture which was presented to Mr. Cousins in 2005 and is on display in the clubhouse.
2022 Tom Cousins Leadership Award Winner: Garry Swearingen
Past Winners
- 2021 Dave Beck
- 2020 Debbie MacLean
- 2019 George Baker
- 2018 John Vail
- 2017 Chris Moss
- 2016 Dave Scofield, Lenora Bryant & Darlene Riggs
- 2015 Julie Hudson & Tim McDaniel
- 2014 Bob Weyand
- 2013 Ted Sparks, Jimmy Johnson, Bill Schrenier & Stu Carlin
- 2012 Don Francis & Betty Kinder
- 2011 Susan Roddy
- 2010 Rhonda Reis
- 2009 Judy Raines
- 2008 Curtis Halyard, Rob Fleshman & John Day
- 2007 Danny Royal
- 2006 Jane Franklin & Hoyt Smith
- 2005 Mr. Tom Cousins
PGA TOUR Volunteer of the Year Award
At the TOUR Championship we are proud to have three of the past PGA TOUR Volunteer of the Year Award recipients as part of our outstanding volunteer leadership.
- 2013 PGA TOUR Volunteer of the Year Award - Darlene Riggs
- 2013 Champions Tour Volunteer of the Year Award - Kathy Evans
- 2009 PGA TOUR Volunteer of the Year Award - Virginia Lane
The Rob Johnston H.O.N.O.R Award
The following volunteers have been selected to receive the Rob Johnston H.O.N.O.R Award for the TOUR Championship. These volunteers have been chosen by our Vice Chairs because they go above and beyond their volunteer duties and have shown these qualities:
- Hospitable
- Optimistic
- Notable
- Outstanding
- Respectful
2022 Awards Winners:
- Bob Tallini
- Bonnie Carson
- Brianna Matthews
- Brian Havey
- Chris Sterba
- Camryn Currie
- Dave Scofield
- Christina Martin
- David Recchia
- Debbie Mason
- DeLisa Nelson
- Eric Bowles
- Frederick Hodge
- James Gallon
- Erin Verville
- Jackie Adams
- Jane Crippen
- Susannah Green
- John Gronwall
- Joan Netzel
- John Sweat
- Dean NeJame
- Garry Swearingen
- Kat Ihlenburg
- Julie Hudson
- Kaye Jones
- Kathy Evans
- Ken Colson
- Larry Coleman
- Trevor Tolbert
- Leigh Birdsong
- Mark Norton
- Marti Lea
- Evelyn Hayes
- Maggie Riseborough
- Raul Pedraja
- Nancy Tao
- Rita Oliver
- Sydney Pelaez
- Tiffany Glover
- Sue Johnson
- Len Konecny
- Julie Guthrie
- Julia Lucas
- Thomas Fluitsma
- Woody Shepherd
- Joni Williams
- Kevin Williams
- Karon Graves
- Ben Blackburn
2021 Awards Winners:
- Jayme Cook
- Tim Moone
- Wendy Oleen
- Steve Carlin
- Veloy Reynders
- Len Konecny
- Kat Ihlenburg
- Keith Smith
- Jo Havey
- Erin Verville
- David Bradberry
- Lena Tice
- Craig Osborne
- Jed Delong
2020 Awards Winners:
- Nancy Tao
- Don Francis
- Kevin Harris
- Julie Hudson
- Brandtley Taylor
- Ray Humphrey
- Patty Stafford
- Brian Havey
- Jo Havey
- Chris Pothoff
- James Campbell
- Jimmy Robinson
- Pam Coffman
- George Johnson
- Shane Ammons
- Russ Taylor
- Kathryn Wood
- Jayme Cook
- Tim Moone
2019 Awards Winners:
- Rob Johnston
- Erin Verville
- Anjie Watts
- Jack Larkin Jr.
- Jared Degnan
- Michelle Kirk
- John Boston
- Tom Daniel
- Peter von Feilitzen
- Herb Jones
- Bill Gibbs
- Debbie MacLean
- Ken Stewart
- Bobby Freeman
- Regina Prewitt
- Charlene Fitzpatrick
- Marianne Baumgartner
- Lynn Fairley
- Valencia Ellison
- Skinner Skinner
- Kyle Turner
- Garry Swearingen
- Tim Moone
- James Hill
- Jamie Hill
- Pat Henry
- Darrell Washington
- Steve Carlin
- Liz Tibus
- Clyde McKenzie
- Lena Tice
- Joe Douglas
- Chris Brodkey
- Emilio Balay
- Michael Kofil