New Mexico State University PGA Golf Management Assistant Director, Henry Stetina, has been named the 2026 PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award recipient, a national honor recognizing exceptional commitment to growing the game of golf and creating positive experiences for young players.

The award celebrates PGA professionals who demonstrate leadership in youth engagement, player development and community impact. Stetina will receive the award in November at the PGA of America Annual Meeting.

"Receiving the 2026 PGA National Youth Player Development Award has been a humbling and surreal experience," Stetina said. "It reflects years of perseverance and hard work and validates my pursuit of introducing kids to golf. Our mission is to build community and develop leaders through golf, and I am grateful to have shared this journey with our NMSU PGA Golf Management students." 

Program leaders say the recognition highlights both Stetina's impact and the strength of NMSU's PGA Golf Management Program. 

"This award is an amazing achievement and a testament to his work in the youth player development golf space," said Josh Salmon, Director of NMSU's PGA Golf Management Program. "It is always amazing to watch our alumni, and in this case, an alumnus and member of our PGA Golf Management Program team, be honored. This national award helps to bring more awareness to our program, NMSU and the Las Cruces community. We are grateful to have Henry on our staff and are extremely proud of the job that he does." 

At NMSU, Stetina plays a key role in student development while expanding access to golf for youth throughout the Las Cruces community. His work emphasizes inclusivity, mentorship and creating environments where young golfers feel welcomed and supported.

"My approach with junior golfers is about sharing my passion for golf with them, meeting them where they are, and developing a safe and welcoming environment," he said. 

Stetina's impact also extends beyond the course. For the past five years, he has run the TCS New York City Marathon in support of PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America that serves youth, military veterans and underrepresented communities through go.

"Running the NYC Marathon for PGA REACH the last five years has been an incredible experience," Stetina said. "I wasn't a runner before, so it was a new experience for me. I found my 'why' through sobriety, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to support youth, veterans and underrepresented communities in the process." 

In January of 2025, Stetina was invited to present to more than 700 of the world's top golf coaches at the 2025 PGA Teaching and Coaching Summit in Orlando. His TED Talk-style presentation, "Engaging Community and Developing Leaders Through Golf," highlighted both his personal and professional journey and the impact of NMSU's PGA Golf Management Program on students and the surrounding community. 

"At the core of my work is a simple belief," Stetina said. "Golf grows when coaches think beyond instruction and commit to building communities. When we design programs that value people, empower staff and serve the community, we develop not just better golfers, but better leaders. I am honored and grateful for what we'vedeveloped in Las Cruces." 

The full article can be seen at https://newsroom.nmsu.edu/news/nmsu-pga-golf-assistant-director-earns-national-youth-development-award/s/67cfb512-2ffb-482a-a9f5-9f16eeb3253a