History of Columbia

Remembering Bill Strausbaugh

A Tribute To “Coach” by author and Columbia Member James Nesbitt

For the past 110 years, Columbia Country Club has been blessed to have had three highly respected Head Golf Professionals: Fred McLeod, Bill Strausbaugh and Bob Dolan. Each of them, through their dedication to the game of golf and their talents, have brought credit to themselves, to their profession and to the Club. Each in their own way has enriched the membership experience at Columbia.

Bill Strausbaugh, known respectfully and affectionately as “Coach,” spent a lifetime serving the game of golf. It is no exaggeration to consider “Coach,” as a Washington Post writer did after his death in 1999, as a “local golf legend.” In truth, that characterization understates the reach of his influence. He was a leader in the Professional Golfers’ Association and was recognized as one of the nation’s most respected instructors. Among his peers, he was known as the “Pro’s Pro” and the “teacher’s teacher.”

Thankfully, his presence at Columbia and in the PGA can be felt to this day. This remembrance attempts to explain how and why.

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