With 46 years of PGA Membership and the prestigious designation of PGA Master Professional in Instruction, Steve Carney, PGA continues to represent the very best of what it means to be a PGA Professional. A Life Member and highly respected figure in the Western New York PGA Section, Carney has spent nearly five decades dedicated to advancing the game of golf through leadership, mentorship, and education.
Carney currently serves on the WNYPGA Board of Directors and chairs the Section’s Education Committee, where he plays a vital role in shaping the professional development of fellow members. Throughout his career, he has earned widespread recognition, including two WNYPGA Golf Professional of the Year honors (2015 and 2020), four Professional Development Awards (2014, 2015, 2016, 2020), and the Youth Player Development Award in 2007. He is also an eight time recipient of the WNYPGA Resort Merchandiser of the Year award, reflecting his excellence in golf shop operations and customer experience.
For 18 years, Carney served as the Head Golf Professional at Holiday Valley Resort in Ellicottville, NY. There, he oversaw all aspects of the golf operation from merchandising and instruction to course operations and community outreach. His leadership helped elevate Holiday Valley to one of the region’s premier resort golf destinations. Carney also created and hosted the annual Ellicottville Library Pro-Am, a charity event that raises money for the local library.
Carney’s journey in golf began as a teenage caddie at Crag Burn Golf Club. He became a PGA Member in 1979 and earned his Master Professional designation in 1995, becoming the 144th PGA Professional in the nation to achieve that level of certification. Over the years, he has held key roles at several respected clubs throughout Western New York and Pennsylvania, including Westwood Country Club, Orchard Park Country Club, East Aurora Country Club, Riverside Golf Course, and Elma Meadows Golf Course.
An educator at heart, Carney has long been known for his passion for teaching and mentoring. His instructional philosophy emphasizes sound fundamentals, patient progression, and a deep understanding of each player’s individual swing. He encourages golfers to learn and practice, stressing the importance of focus, discipline, and a one shot at a time mindset. His influence extends to countless students and PGA Professionals who credit him with shaping their paths in the game.
Even in retirement from full time professional roles, Carney remains active in the game. He spends winters teaching in Fort Myers, Florida, and continues to be involved with PGA Section events and initiatives. A passionate club maker, Carney has personally built more than 12,000 club sets and is a longtime member of the Golf Collectors Society of America, where he shares his deep appreciation for the game’s history and craftsmanship.
Steve Carney’s career is a powerful example of what it means to live the values of the PGA of America. His dedication to professional development, youth instruction, and community engagement has left a lasting mark not just on the Western New York Section, but on the countless lives he’s impacted through golf. As he continues to serve, teach, and mentor, Carney remains a shining example of the integrity, passion, and excellence that define the PGA Professional.
-Mollie Mars