NEW ORLEANS ? Jay Hardwick, head coach men?s golf coach at VirginiaTech and a member of the Middle Atlantic PGA Section has been named the inaugural recipient of the Labron Harris Sr. Award presented by E-Z-GO Textron in cooperation with The PGA of America announced the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA). The Harris Award will be presented to the college or high school coach and PGA Professional whose support of the game through teaching, coaching and involvement in the community has helped ensure the continued growth of the game and represent the finest qualities the game has to offer.

A Quarter Century and Life Member of the PGA of America, Hardwick serves as director of golf operations, head golf professional and head men?s golf coach at Virginia Tech. He has served as vice-president of the Virginia Chapter of the Middle Atlantic Section, as well as serving on the chapter?s membership committee, tournament rules and regulations committee and the tournament chairman. A 1994 inductee in the Virginia PGA Hall of Fame, Hardwick has claimed seven conference championships and been named conference coach of the Year seven times. He was named district coach of the year in 1993.

"Words cannot express how proud I am to receive the inaugural Labron Harris Sr. Award," said Hardwick. "Coach Harris was a pioneer in college coaching and to receive an award named for him is the ultimate honor. I am pleased that this award, which emphasizes the role of the PGA professional in the coaching profession, recognizes Virginia Tech and our golf program."