CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. - The Northeastern New York (NENY) PGA Section has announced its Class of 2025 Special Award Winners. Williams College Head Men's Golf Coach Josh Hillman was recognized with the Bill Strausbaugh Award.
This award is presented to PGA Professionals who by their day-to-day efforts have distinguished themselves by mentoring their fellow PGA Professionals in improving their employment situations and through their service to the community (such as civic and/or charitable efforts). The sensational leader was also recognized in 2019 with the NENY Section's Golf Professional of the Year accolade. All 2025 NENY PGA Special Award Winners will be celebrated for their achievements in the fall based around the Section's Fall Membership Meeting.
"This award is special for many reasons," said Hillman. "It is an honor to be in a position to help others grow as people and when we have the ability and knowledge to help grow and develop assistant professionals and/or assistant coaches that gives us a great sense of pride in what we are doing. As head coaches and head professionals, we lead by example and we are only as good as the people around us. We want to make the people around us the best they can be. It is a total team effort."
Hillman, who is entering his 14th season at the helm of the Ephs' men's golf program during the 2025-26 season, has been a dedicated mentor, guiding multiple people into head professional and coaching roles, while fostering leadership, honesty and consistency in every aspect of his work. The Williamstown, Massachusetts, resident has served over a decade on the NENY PGA Board and has excelled in leadership roles on numerous Section and NCAA committees.
Hillman, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies from the University of Rhode Island in 2000, powered the Ephs to NESCAC Championships during the 2013 and 2017 seasons. The 2017 team placed 16th overall at the NCAA Division III Championship.
During Hillman's time mentoring the Ephs, Sam Goldenring '20 was the medalist at the 2019 national championship. Goldenring was named to the Division III PING All-America First Team (2019), Third Team (2020) and Honorable Mention Team (2017).
Hillman took home the NESCAC Coach of the Year honor during the 2016-17 season. His specific areas of expertise include instruction, recruitment, player development, tournament management, club relations and competing.
"My passion is helping students enjoy the game and the process of getting better," said Hillman. "The time a student spends at college is special. My goal is to have each team member walk away from Williams with lifelong friends and great memories. To me, that is success."
Hillman's coaching resume is sensational, but he was also a phenomenal competitor, winning 11 PGA Section Championships and competing in numerous PGA National Championships. He competed at the PGA Tour Qualifying School (Q-School) in 2003, 2004 and 2025, advancing to the second stage during the 2003 season.
