Charles Johns IV, general manager of the General James Hackler Course at Coastal Carolina University, has been recognized as the 2016 Merchandiser of the Year in the Carolinas PGA, public category, by the organization's Special Awards Committee.

Johns, a CCU alumnus, has worked at the facility for 11 years. He interned at Pine Lakes Country Club in Myrtle Beach until he was hired by Coastal Carolina University in 2005 as the first assistant golf professional and was elected to the PGA of America in December of 2005. Under his leadership, the Hackler Course has seen a 35 percent growth in the past three years with the help of the pro shop employees Joseph Marosz, Alex Bowers and the Professional Golf Management interns.

Carolinas PGA, which is the largest of the PGA's 41 sections, covering both North and South Carolina with nearly 2,000 golf professional members and more than 800 facilities annually distributes awards and honors selected by the Special Awards Committee to the top 10 deserving Carolinas PGA Professionals. The mission of the committee is to ascertain the most eligible winners in each of the annually awarded categories.

More than 230 nominations were issued, and only 10 nominees were selected by the committee to receive these honors. The honorees display excellence in their profession, assume an ongoing commitment and devotion to progressing the game of golf and to preserving the integrity of the industry. Each winner is now eligible for the National Award that will be voted on next year.

"This could not have been possible without the help of Chuck's entire pro shop staff," said Sandy Baldridge-Adrian, director of contractual and business services.

"It is a reflection of his outstanding management of the sales and merchandising the course's apparel and golf course offerings."

The Hackler Course is located at 107 Citadel Drive in Conway. To learn more about the Hackler Course, visit coastal.edu/hacklercourse or call 843-349-6600.