Golf Waterloo's PGA Professional Wins Youth Player Award
Congratulations to Nate Lubs of Golf Waterloo (Gates Park Golf Course, Irv Warren Memorial Golf Course and South Hills Golf Course)! He was recently recognized as the 2023 Iowa PGA Youth Player Development honoree.
This honor is based on the professional’s entire record, with emphasis placed on performance and achievements over the past two years including promoting junior golf.
“I’m proud of what we’ve been building and excited for the future of junior golf at Golf Waterloo. Our goal remains to grow participation on our PGA jr. league teams and our Drive, Chip, & Putt Local qualifier so that we can continue to help juniors improve their games and get more juniors involved in playing this great game,” said Lubs.
Lubs’ contributions to youth golf programs and growing golf for juniors have been achieved through participating in PGA Jr. League, hosting a Drive, Chip, & Putt local qualifier and supporting the local Waterloo Junior Golf Association Tour. Gates Park hosted the Boys Junior PGA Championship the past five years, along with a yearly Iowa Section Junior Tour event at Irv Warren. Also, this year Irv Warren hosted the Pro-Junior.
Lubs is described as someone whose top priority is supporting and encouraging junior golfers. He dedicates time to finding ways to invite juniors and give them opportunities to play: individual lessons, small and large group clinics and promoting city wide junior golf passes.
In November 2009, Lubs was hired as the Head Professional of Gates Park Golf Course. In 2018 he proposed forming Golf Waterloo.
“This was monumental because it’s an indicator of the relationship Lubs has worked to develop with area businesses, golf courses and community members,” said Quentin Hart, Mayor of Waterloo.
“I can say with confidence Nate has donated thousands of hours of his time and talents to our local Junior Golf Programs which have seen exponential growth under his leadership,” added JB Bolger, Park Superintendent for the City of Waterloo.
“Nate has been an amazing advocate for wanting to expand golf to historically underserved communities. He always has a smile on his face and is willing to interact with youth in positive ways to encourage learning and growth through the game of golf and in life,” said Kingsley Botchway II, parent of a Junior League golfer and regular Gates Park golfer.