Small grabs third national honor in golf

University of Illinois golf coach Mike Small has been named the 2010 PGA Professional Player of the Year.

It was the third national award for Small, 44, whose 2010 credits included winning a record-tying third PGA Professional National Championship. Small will be honored Jan. 27, in Orlando, Fla., during the 2010 PGA of America Awards program.

Small won his third PGA Professional National Championship last June in French Lick, Ind., matching the mark of the late Larry Gilbert. Small accomplished his feat by overcoming a bout with tendinitis in a surgically repaired right elbow that struck him two days before the opening round.

“I'm honored to win this award for a third time, and I count myself very fortunate for lucky timing when it came to getting past injury to just be able to compete,” said Small. “Playing professionally for 10 years, I had learned a lot about dealing with injury, and yet I was blessed at the right time.

“There are no guarantees in golf; I learned that a long time ago. It is great to still be a player and someone who can help educate younger players to go out and enjoy success on the course.”

Small's march to a third PGA Professional Player of the Year award included his continuing dominance in the Illinois PGA Section, where he won a ninth Section Championship with an 11-stroke margin at Olympia Fields. Small appeared in seven PGA Tour events, including finishing 17th at the Mayakoba Golf Classic in Cancun, Mexico.

Small, who has coached golf at the University of Illinois for 10 years, also saw his Illini team win its second consecutive Big Ten title in 2010.