Donald A. Kotnik is no stranger to being elected to a sporting hall of fame. He has already been inducted into the Barberton, Ohio Sports Hall of Fame in 1982, the Akron Sports Hall of Fame in 1984, and the University of Toledo Hall of Fame in 1994. He has been head professional at the Toledo Country Club since 1972 and was golf coach at the University of Toledo for 17 years.

Among the many awards Don has received for excellence are the Burt Silverman Award, the Horton Smith Award, and the Junior Golf Leader of the NOPGA.

Don has been a featured instructor at many colleges, seminars, and meetings, as well as authoring many articles for Golf Digest and the PGA Magazine.

Perhaps Don's crowning achievements come from the recognition of his peers. He was the 17th “Master Professional” of the PGA in 1980, the Northern Ohio Section Golf Professional of the Year in 1991 and 1993, the Golf Industry Magazine Golf Professional of the Year in 1991, and finally, the PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year in 1993.