For release: November 24, 2025
Three generations of the MacCurrach Family – PGA TOUR’s First Agronomist, a Leader in Junior Golf, and a Nationally Recognized Golf Course Builder – to receive Deane Beman Award on Feb. 11, 2026 at Deerwood Country Club
JACKSONVILLE, FL – The 2026 Celebration of Golf Banquet presented by Circle K will be held on Wednesday evening, Feb. 11th at Deerwood Country Club. The evening’s top honor, the Deane Beman Award, will be presented to members of one of Northeast Florida most prominent golf families, the family of Carol MacCurrach Taylor and the late Allan MacCurrach Jr.
The announcement was made today by the event’s host, the Jacksonville Area Golf Association(JAGA) and its 501(c)3 Charitable Trust, during the awards luncheon that followed play at the JAGA Scholarship Trust Classic at Deerwood CC.
Since its inception in 2015, the Celebration of Golf Banquet presented by Circle K has become one of the highlight events on the Northeast Florida golf calendar. Last year, more than 200 people filled the ballroom at TPC Sawgrass. Another sellout is anticipated in February.
JAGA is pleased to also announce that Circle K is returning as the banquet’s presenting sponsor for the third year in a row.
Proceeds from the Celebration of Golf presented by Circle K will support the tax-exempt JAGA Charitable Trust, which annually awards scholarships to college-bound students from the area who have affiliations with JAGA and its 41 member clubs. Since 1974, the Trust has awarded approximately $2 million in scholarship grants to approximately 400 college-bound students who call Northeast Florida home.
The banquet’s goal is to fund at least one four-year scholarship ($10,000) for a deserving high school senior.
Tickets are on sale at jagagolfbanquet.com. For more details, see “TICKET INFORMATION” towards the end of the release.
The MacCurrach family includes the late Allan MacCurrach Jr., his wife, Carol MacCurrach Taylor, their daughter Jennifer MacCurrach, their son Allan MacCurrach III, and grandson Allan “Sonny” MacCurrach IV.
Allan MacCurrach Jr. was the first employee Deane Beman hired when he became commissioner of the PGA TOUR in 1974. As the TOUR’s first staff agronomist, MacCurrach was charged with improving course conditions and setting agronomic standards at more than 100 facilities across the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions and Korn Ferry Tour during a career that spanned three decades.
Carol MacCurrach Taylor remains an avid golfer and respected presence at TPC Sawgrass and Hidden Hills Golf Club.
Allan MacCurrach III forged his own path in the golf industry by founding MacCurrach Golf Construction at the age of 22. Under his leadership, he has built a national reputation for quality and craftsmanship. The company’s body of work includes the restoration of 45 classic courses, the renovation of more than 325 others, and the construction of 45 new golf courses. Allan’s wife of 35 years, Leann, played a pivotal role in helping her husband establish MacCurrach Golf Construction. Allan credits her influence and contributions for much of the company’s early success.
Jennifer MacCurrach, a former University of South Florida and LPGA and Ladies European Tour member, made her greatest impact on her hometown as the founder of the PGA TOUR Junior Golf Foundation of North Florida, now known as the North Florida Junior Golf Foundation. She currently serves as CEO of First Tee – Greater Austin.
Allan “Sonny” MacCurrach represents the third generation of MacCurrachs to be deeply rooted in golf and agronomy. Emersed in the company from the age of 14, he is currently Operations Manager, overseeing complex, large-scale construction projects and maintaining the family legacy of industry innovation and excellence. Sonny’s wife, Shelby, contributes to that legacy as Office Manager.
For more biographical details on the respective MacCurrach family members, see below.
Former PGA TOUR commissioner Beman (1974-1994), who each year participates in the selection of the Deane Beman Award winner, plans to be in town to personally honor the family he has so many ties to.
The Deane Beman Award was established in 2015 to recognize those individuals who have made significant, long-term impact on or through the game of golf in the greater Jacksonville area. The award itself is a crystal bowl donated by Underwood Jewelers/Clayton Bromberg.
The MacCurrach Family
Photo courtesy of The MacCurrachs
Allan MacCurrach Jr.
Photo courtesy of The MacCurrachs
Deane Beman (left) and Allan MacCurrach III
Credit: JAGA
MacCurrach Golf Construction in action.
Credit: MacCurrach Golf Construction
Banquet host Deerwood Country Club, Jacksonville, Fla.
Credit: Deerwood CC
TICKET INFORMATION
Tables ($1,200 / 8 seats) and individual tickets are now on sale. Each ticket includes two complimentary drink tickets. Reservations and payment can be made at: jagagolfbanquet.com.
Those interested in securing tables and seats are encouraged to do so without delay.
OTHER HONOREES
In addition to the Deane Beman Award, individuals from the following organizations which support JAGA’s role as banquet host will be recognized:
- Jacksonville Women’s Golf Association
- Northern Chapter of the North Florida PGA
- North Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association
The Celebration of Golf presented by Circle K annually brings together people from all areas of the First Coast golf community – players, leaders, promoters, supporters, clubs, volunteers, superintendents, pros, amateurs, juniors, and other organizations – to recognize and honor those who have made contributions to area golf, both on the golf course and off.
Deane Beman Award honorees (2015 – 2026) include:
| 2015 | Deane Beman | 2021-22 | No Banquet/Covid | |
| 2016 | Herb Peyton | 2023 | Jim & Tabitha Furyk | |
| 2017 | John Hayt | 2024 | Tommy Dudley | |
| 2018 | Joe Barrow | 2025 | Billy & Brittany Horschel | |
| 2019 | Anne Nimnicht | 2026 | Allan MacCurrach Family | |
| 2020 | John Tucker |
Attendees who wish to support the Charitable Trust with additional contributions may do so as may others who cannot attend the banquet by clicking below:
MacCURRACH FAMILY MEMBERS – ADDITIONAL BIO INFORMATION
Allan MacCurrach Jr. — PGA TOUR’s First Agronomist
Allan MacCurrach Jr. was the first employee hired by Commissioner Deane Beman in 1974. As the PGA TOUR’s first staff agronomist, he played a central role in raising course conditions and setting agronomic standards across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. During a career that spanned three decades, and through the formation of both the PGA TOUR Champions and the Korn Ferry Tour, he oversaw agronomy programs at more than 100 facilities each year.
MacCurrach began his career in the TOUR’s Potomac, Maryland office and later relocated to Ponte Vedra Beach in 1976, joining the team that built TPC Sawgrass and helped establish the TOUR’s long-term home on the First Coast. Although Allan Jr. has since passed, his influence remains deeply felt. The Allan MacCurrach Jr. Scholarship, created by Allan MacCurrach III’s family in partnership with the PGA TOUR, continues to support and encourage the next generation of agronomists who are following the same professional path he helped define.
Allan MacCurrach III — Award-Winning Golf Course Builder
Allan MacCurrach III is a nationally respected golf course builder with long-standing ties to Jacksonville and the First Coast golf community. The son of noted turfgrass agronomist Allan MacCurrach Jr., Allan forged his own path in the industry by founding MacCurrach Golf Construction at age 22. Under his leadership, the company has built a national reputation for quality and craftsmanship, with a portfolio that includes many of the country’s top courses as well as every leading club in Jacksonville.
MacCurrach Golf Construction’s body of work includes the restoration of 45 classic courses, the renovation of more than 325 courses, and the construction of 45 new golf courses. The company has earned recognition and awards from major industry outlets including the Golf Course Builders Association of America, Golf Inc., Golfweek, and Golf Digest.
Allan’s career began early. At 14, he worked alongside architect Pete Dye during the construction of the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass; an experience that led to more than 20 projects with Pete and Alice Dye over the years. His work spans many of the game’s most prominent venues, including TPC Sawgrass, Harbour Town Golf Links, The Dye Course at White Oak, Crooked Stick Golf Club, the Kiawah Island Ocean Course, Seminole Golf Club, Sea Island Golf Club, Pablo Creek Golf Club, Timuquana Country Club and Atlantic Beach Country Club. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with leading architects such as Davis Love III, Tom Doak, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, Bruce Hepner, Bobby Weed, and Coore & Crenshaw.
Jennifer MacCurrach — PGA & LPGA Class A Professional and Junior Golf Leader
Jennifer MacCurrach, PGA and LPGA Class A, played collegiate golf at the University of South Florida and competed on both the LPGA and European Tours. She made her greatest impact in North Florida as the founder of the PGA TOUR Junior Golf Foundation of North Florida, later known as the North Florida Junior Golf Foundation.
Her leadership earned her:
- Three-time North Florida PGA Section Junior Golf Leader of the Year
- Five-time Northern Chapter Junior Golf Leader of the Year
During this time, she worked at Plantation CC (Assistant Golf Professional), the Ravines GC (Head Golf Professional), and Mill Cove GC (Head Golf Professional). Jennifer currently serves as CEO of First Tee – Greater Austin and is the 2025 Southern Texas PGA Youth Player Development Award recipient.
Allan “Sonny” MacCurrach IV — Third-Generation Leader in Agronomy &
Construction
Sonny MacCurrach represents the third generation of a family deeply rooted in golf and agronomy here in Jacksonville. A graduate of Auburn University with a B.S. in Soil & Turf Management, Sonny has been immersed in the business from a young age, beginning his hands-on experience at MacCurrach Golf Construction at just 14 years old. Today, he serves as Operations Manager, where he oversees complex, large-scale construction projects and continues the family legacy of innovation and excellence in the industry.
Sonny’s wife, Shelby MacCurrach, contributes to that legacy as the company’s Office Manager, bringing her own leadership and organizational strengths to the business. Their combined efforts reflect a continued commitment to the integrity and quality that define the MacCurrach name.
Carol MacCurrach Taylor
Carol MacCurrach Taylor, widow of the late Allan MacCurrach Jr., remains an avid golfer and respected presence at TPC Sawgrass and Hidden Hills Country Club.
Leann MacCurrach
Leann MacCurrach, Allan III’s wife of 35 years, played a pivotal role in helping Allan establish MacCurrach Golf Construction and took on many responsibilities during the company’s early growth. Allan credits much of the company’s early success to her dedication and steady influence. Leann is the mother of Sonny and Leila, and grandmother to Amos, Perry, and Sophie. She now spends much of her time supporting her children and staying closely involved in her grandchildren’s lives, helping carry the MacCurrach family’s values and traditions forward.
-JAGA-
ABOUT JAGA
Established in 1954, JAGA celebrates its 72nd year in 2025. It is a not-for-profit corporation of approximately 40-member golf facilities located in Northeast Florida. JAGA’s mission is to promote golf, community and goodwill through tournaments and related events and activities. It conducts or supports 11 tournaments, including six championship events and five others that feature team formats. JAGA has a charitable arm that manages a scholarship program which currently provides college funding for 50 area students. Since 1974, the program has generated approximately $2 million in financial aid to approximately 400 students.
Anyone interested in receiving JAGA’s monthly “Northeast Florida Golf News” and announcements about JAGA and its tournaments for free via email may do so by clicking here or going to the JAGA homepage (www.jaxareagolf.org) and the box that reads “Subscribe to JAGA Email”.
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Contacts:
Robert Davis
Celebration of Golf Banquet presented by Circle K Chairman
Email: drdavisjr13@gmail.com
Cell: 904-349-5010
Jeff Adams
JAGA
Email: jeffreytadams71@gmail.com
Cell: 904-607-6142