ATLANTA, Ga. – Matt Sanders, PGA Assistant Professional at West Pines Golf Club, capped off a stellar season by clinching the 2025 Rolex Georgia PGA Player of the Year title at the Milton Martin Honda Classic, held September 22–23 at Chattahoochee Golf Club.
The Milton Martin Honda Classic served as the final Player of the Year points opportunity for Georgia PGA Professionals, making Gainesville the decisive stage for the season-long race. Sanders, the 2025 Georgia PGA Match Play Champion, entered the week just behind defending Player of the Year Francisco Bide, PGA Head Professional at Capital City Club. With both players in contention, the race came down to the wire. Sanders finished the championship at 5-under-par, while Bide closed at 4-under-par, giving Sanders the edge he needed to claim the year-long honor.
For Sanders, being able to add his name to the Billy Weir Trophy and capturing the title has been years in the making.
“I’m very excited, it’s been a long time coming,” Sanders said. “I got so close two years ago, but I lost to Jacob Tilton, which made me want to do this even more.”
Over the course of the season, Sanders proved his consistency by finishing inside the top 10 in all six Player of the Year point events, a record of steady performances that set him apart from the field.
The Player of the Year title carries special significance, as it not only recognizes consistency and excellence across the season but also grants Sanders an exemption into the PGA TOUR’s RSM Classic at Sea Island this November 20-23. Sanders is familiar with Sea Island, as the Georgia PGA Championship took place there in August where he had a third-place finish and a hole-in-one in his final round.
“This has been a goal of mine all year,” Sanders said. “To have it come down to the last event and get it done against so many great players means a lot. I’m excited for the opportunity at the RSM Classic and proud to represent the Georgia PGA on that stage.”
Anthony Cordes, PGA Assistant Professional at Cherokee Town & Country Club, was also in the hunt for Player of the Year going into the Milton Martin Honda Classic. His 9-under-par performance earned him Low Professional honors and second place overall in the tournament, but it was Sanders’ steady finish that secured the season-long crown.
Looking ahead to November, Sanders is eager to see how his game stacks up.
“This is a lifelong dream. To be able to tee it up against some of the best in the world, and see how my game stacks up against them,” he said. “I know the course pretty well, so there is obviously a comfort aspect in that. At the end of the day it is just a game, so I am going to go out there and play my best, and I am looking forward to representing the Georgia Section.”
Sanders’ consistency throughout 2025, highlighted by his Match Play victory and strong finishes across the Georgia PGA schedule, made him one of the most reliable competitors of this year. His Player of the Year title cements his status as one of the section’s top professionals.
The top five in the final 2025 Georgia PGA Player of the Year standings are:
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Matt Sanders, PGA – West Pines Golf Club
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Anthony Cordes, PGA – Cherokee Town & Country Club
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Francisco Bide, PGA – Capital City Club
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Jeff Cammon, PGA – Sea Island Golf Club
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Jacob Tilton, PGA – Ansley Golf Club
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