Last Night Chip Essig was inducted into the Indiana Golf Hall of Fame at the Ritz Charles in Carmel, Ind. Essig has dedicated his life to the game of golf and his many accomplishments have led him to be recognized in various ways. In 2011, Essig was the recipient of the National Golf Professional of the Year Award, one of only three professionals from the Indiana Section to ever receive this honor. Additionally, Essig was the recipient of the 2011 Indiana Section Golf Professional of the Year Award and the 2002 Indiana PGA Horton Smith Award.
“Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is very special to me because I was born and raised in Indiana,” said Essig. “This is something I never expected and I am very grateful,” he added.
Essig is the co-owner of Essig Golf LCC, a golf course management company that oversees two facilities in the Indianapolis area—Hickory Stick Golf Club in Greenwood, where he serves as the PGA Director of Golf and Club Owner and Heartland Crossing Golf Links in Camby. He is also the co-owner of Essig Golf Performance Academy, where he has given golf lessons for many years. Essig has been a part of the IGF and IGA-PGA Board, and from 2006 to 2008, he served as the Indiana Section President.
Essig also has dedicated his life to gaining an in-depth understanding of the rules of golf, and today he is considered to be an expert. In 1998, he was appointed to the PGA Rules Committee, leading him to serve at every PGA Championship since 2001, a Senior PGA Championship, a Masters Championship, three U.S. Senior Open Championships and this year’s Ryder Cup. Essig also works as a PGA/USGA Rules of Golf Workshop Instructor.
In addition to Essig’s numerous professional responsibilities, he also finds time to give back to the community. In 1996, he was asked to host the Indiana State Special Olympics Tournament. Since Essig’s involvement, the program has grown from 50 to over 450 participants a year. In 2003, Essig was selected as Team USA’s Special Olympics Coach and traveled to Ireland for the Special Olympics World Games.
“The Special Olympics is something very important to me and I have met so many special people,” said Essig.
Essig joined father, Don Essig III as the 92nd inductee into the Indiana Golf Hall of Fame, the second of two father/son pairs.
“Looking at all of the names of inductees before me, I feel truly honored to be included,” said Essig.