The PDGA Board of Directors and Staff have announced several annual award winners for the 2024 season.

PDGA annual awards are typically announced during the summer following a calendar year, after nomination and selection processes have concluded. The award winners represent not only excellence on and off the disc golf course, they also personify many of the qualities and values championed by the PDGA.

2024 Volunteer of the Year: Tita Ugalde #83

2024 Volunteer of the Year: Tita Ugalde #83

The Volunteer of the Year is determined by vote of the PDGA Board of Directors. The recipient is an active PDGA member who has proven him or herself worthy of special recognition based upon volunteer work performed for the betterment of the association and the sport of disc golf.

In 2025, Tita Ugalde is celebrating 50 years in disc golf. Ugalde won her first disc golf tournament in 1975, a year before the PDGA was formed and since then, the Southern California native has been spreading the joy of flight, from teaching to advocacy, around the world. Ugalde is a two-time PDGA World Champion and seven-time PDGA Major winner, but it's her infectious joy on and off the course that makes her a true legend of the game.

Currently, Ugalde serves as the Chairperson for the PDGA's Diversity and Outreach Committee, where she spends countless hours per month working to recruit and retain under-represented populations within the PDGA membership.

Innova Champion Disc Marketing Director Jeff Panis honors Tita Ugalde »

Bob West Memorial Sportsmanship Award: Ava Meyer #83000

Bob West Memorial Sportsmanship Award: Ava Meyer #83000

Sportsmanship is defined as fair and generous behavior or treatment of others, especially in a sports contest. The Bob West Memorial Award for Sportsmanship is awarded annually to a PDGA member who exemplifies sportsmanship on the disc golf course and during competition, observes the rules of play, and wins or loses with grace. Candidates for the award were nominated by the members of the PDGA, and the winner was voted on by the PDGA Board of Directors and PDGA staff.

Ava Meyer's nomination stated, in part:

"Ava Meyer is a consummate good sport and a constant positive presence on the course. In addition to being well-versed in the rules and possessed of excellent spirit of the game, she takes evident delight in lifting up younger competitors in the FJ divisions, whether she’s handing out earnest and well-researched compliments or just cool stickers after a long round. Her commitment to keeping disc golf fun and to the highest standard of sporting ethics should be an inspiration to those of us several times her age. She has demonstrated that she deserves this award, and I have no doubt she will continue to do so throughout her disc golf career."

"Competitor on the course during sanctioned play. Encouraging other players. Once sanctioned play is done, she volunteers, gives support, and provides snacks."

Brent Hambrick Tournament Director of the Year: Tyler Searle #50883

Brent Hambrick Tournament Director of the Year: Tyler Searle #50883

Tournament directors are the lifeblood of the association and competitive disc golf. They donate hundreds of hours of their time each year to organize and host sanctioned competitions for all of us to compete in. The Brent Hambrick Award for Tournament Director of the Year recognizes a TD who went above and beyond in fulfilling their responsibilities and in hosting successful event(s). Candidates for the award are nominated by PDGA Staff, based on the quality of the event(s) run, the number of events run, the number of players served, and the overall event(s) experience. The PDGA staff nominated Tournament Directors and the winner was selected by the PDGA Board of Directors.

Tyler Searle has been a presence all around the country for several years and is known for his top-tier treatment of players at the countless events he has run, on top of being, as one nomination stated, "a solid human." Searle ran 45 PDGA tournaments in 2024, 44 C-Tiers and one A-Tier, including stepping in to run The Masters at Bud Hill in October.

Searle's nomination stated, in part:

"Not only because of his accomplishments and event count, but also because of the way he treats his event participants. Solid human."

"His commitment and love of disc golf. Great representative of what a TD should be."

Becky Zallek Women's Choice TD of the Year: Gabi Sigafoo #107188

Becky Zallek Women's Choice TD of the Year: Gabi Sigafoo #107188

The Becky Zallek Women’s Choice Award is an award given to tournament directors who have proven to be a leader amongst their peers in providing a woman-friendly atmosphere. These TDs keep women’s needs top of mind and go the extra mile to ensure a positive experience for women – both new and tenured. The PDGA female membership nominated TDs and the winner was selected by the PDGA Women's Committee.

Gabi Sigafoo's impact in her native Virginia and beyond is significant. From running fun, inclusive and highly successful tournaments, Sigafoo serves as president of the NoVa Women's Disc Golf Club, where she constantly organizes meetups, celebrates members and works to grow the sport in the community. At the center of every event or action of Sigafoo: Community.

Sigafoo's nominations stated, in part:

"Gabi runs the most fun and creative tournaments. She loves a theme and executes flawlessly from publicizing, players packs, lunch, trophies and communication throughout. Gabi has a passion for growing the sport and making tournaments a welcome place for woman of all skill levels. 

Gabi has continually set the bar for the standard of woman’s tournaments in Northern Virginia. I rarely go to events that she isn’t involved in planning because they’re just not as much fun. 

The vibe of her tournaments are so positive, she creates an environment where we build each other up and encourage each other to be better. During tournaments you can hear whole cards cheering each other on when one of them makes a great putt. This attitude has permeated beyond just her tournaments to the other women’s tournaments in the area through the positive support she provides as a board member of our local women’s disc golf club."

"Gracious and kind. Those are the two words that immediately come to mind when I think of Gabi. She full understands the social value and sisterhood of women's disc golf. Always welcoming to all skill levels, she also makes (handcrafts) spectacular trophies and keepsakes for player packs. She's an absolute gem! She runs very well-organized tournaments that we all can enjoy. I truly appreciate her!"

"Gabi has been on the NOVA Women's Disc Golf Club board since 2018 and has helped to grow the community, run events, document all the fun we're having, and so much more. She does all of this with creativity, joy, positivity, and kindness. Everyone feels welcomed and included at all of her tournaments."

Senior Player of the Year – Jim Olsen Sr. Award: Kazuo Shirai #6075

Senior Player of the Year – Jim Olsen Sr. Award: Kazuo Shirai #6075

The Senior Player of the Year is determined by vote of the PDGA Board of Directors. The recipient is an active PDGA member who is 50 years or older and has proven him or herself worthy of recognition based upon stellar play and/or long-term contributions to the sport of disc golf.

Kazuo Shirai has been a key force in growing the sport at every level in Japan. As a board member of the Japan Disc Golf Association, Shirai is responsible for the development of the younger members of the association, which added 15 new members in 2024. He also directs the competitive side of the association, including serving as TD for The 19th Kiyosatonomori Open, The 19th Masters National Championships, and The 31st Tokyo Open sponsored by RPM Discs, all of which were full tournaments. He served as the director of Japan's national team for the WFDF World Team Disc Golf Championship