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Arizona Golf Honors 2021 Annual Awards Recipients
Throughout the year men and women compete across their respective divisions in hopes of landing on top of the AGA Player Rankings. Players who find themselves at the top of the rankings get to make their mark in Arizona Golf history, earning the coveted AGA Player of the Year Award. Annually, these awards are given out alongside four other service awards which are granted to individuals or organizations who have exemplified selfless commitment and contribution to golf in Arizona. Those service awards come in the form of the Doc Graves Volunteer of the Year award, Champion of Golf Award, Dorothy Pease Achievement Award and the Dr. Ed Updegraff Award. On Thursday, February 17, 2022 while gathered at Phoenix Country Club, the Arizona Golf Association honored these upstanding individuals. Continue reading to learn more about the awards, honorees and their accomplishments.
The honorees are as follows:
Women’s Senior Player of the Year
Kim Eaton
Women’s Player of the Year
Ashley Menne
Men’s Masters Player of the Year
Bryan Hoops
Mayfair Award – Lowest Scoring Average
Bryan Hoops – 67.92
Men’s Senior Player of the Year
Brad Wayment
Men’s Legends Player of the Year
Frank Ellenburg
Men’s Open Player of the Year
Sean O’Donnell
Doc Graves Volunteer of the Year Award
Steve Tomlinson
Champion of Golf Award
Judy McDermott
Dorothy Pease Achievement Award
Peggy Briggs
Dr. Ed Updegraff Award
Jack Blair, Sr.
Women’s Senior Player of the Year
Kim Eaton
Highlights:
Women’s Four-Ball Championship | Champion
Women’s Partners Tournament | Champion
Arizona Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship | T3
Women’s Players Cup Championship | 3
Women’s State Senior Championship | T3
*Qualified for 2021 U.S. Senior Women’s Open.
*Qualified for 2021 U.S. Women’s Senior Amateur, reaching the round of 32.
Women’s Player of the Year
Ashley Menne
Highlights:
Women’s State Stroke Play Championship | Champion
Women’s Players Cup | Champion
*Pac-12 All Conference Honorable Mention
*2021 WGCA All-American Honorable Mention as a freshman at ASU.
*Invited to Augusta National Women’s Amateur for April 2022.
Men’s Masters Player of the Year & Mayfair Award
Bryan Hoops
Highlights:
AZ Short Course | T8
AZ Stroke Play | 7
AGA Championship | T2
San Tan Amateur | T4
Divisional Stroke Play | T4
*Made final stage of PGA Tour Champions Qualifying
Hoops finished the tournament season with an adjusted scoring average of 67.92, earning him the Mayfair Award for 2021.
*To be eligible for the Mayfair Award, a player must compete in at least one USGA qualifying round in Arizona and at least two AGA individual major championships; or, compete in at least one USGA qualifying round in Arizona, at least one AGA individual major championship and a collegiate championship in Arizona. All scores count towards the adjusted average.
Men’s Senior Player of the Year
Brad Wayment
Highlights:
AGA Players Cup | Champion
Southern Amateur | Champion
Divisional Stroke Play | 3
Northern Amateur | 4
Divisional Match Play | Quarter Finalist
*Qualified for U.S. Senior Amateur & made it to the Round of 32
Men’s Legends Player of the Year
Frank Ellenburg
Highlights:
Divisional Stroke Play | T2
Southern Amateur | 2
Northern Amateur | T2
Divisional Match Play | Semi-finalist
AGA Players Cup | 9
AZ Senior Open | T8
Men’s Open Player of the Year
Sean O’Donnell
Highlights:
AZ Short Course | Champion
AZ Stroke Play | Champion
Players Cup | T3
AGA Championship | T8
San Tan Amateur | T6
Falcon Amateur | 6
AZ Four Ball | T3
Southern Amateur | T9
Northern Amateur | T10
Arizona Amateur | Round of 64
Phoenix City Championship | Champion
Phoenix City Team Championship | Champion
AZ / UT Shootout Team (C) |Champion
Bob Goldwater Cup (C) | Champion
Doc Graves Volunteer of the Year Award
Steve Tomlinson
Each year the staff of the AGA honors an individual (other than an Executive Committee member) who most exemplifies volunteerism through his or her commitment of time and effort to the association. In 2010 this award was named after Robert Graves, a long-time AGA volunteer who exemplifies the selfless contributions of time and dedication to serving golf in Arizona.
Steve was introduced to the game of golf in the 6th grade by his good friends, when one of their fathers allowed them to take an old bag of clubs to the park to play with. They created their own course around the landscape, selecting just one club to use from the bag and aiming at a can they dug in the ground. He became more serious about the game a couple years later when his mother fell ill and her doctors recommended she try the game to assist her healing process. The quality time they spent together made him even more passionate about the sport and he continued playing through his professional work career, eventually moving to Arizona and retiring in 2008.
The Rules of Golf were something that always interested Steve and he knew them well from being a player. With a little more time on his hands, he picked up his first Decisions Book in 2010, after being encouraged to dedicate himself to the rules by his good friends, Bob Ford and Ralph Warrington. After working local events at his club in Rio Verde for a couple years, he was
introduced to the Arizona Golf Association at an ASU Collegiate event in 2013. It was there he
shadowed his friend Bob during the competition, solidifying his desire to give back to the game.
Since then, Steve has devoted himself to serving both the AGA and JGAA as an expert Rules Official. He has become one of the most respected
individuals on the course, and can be easily
identified by his wide brim hat and the occasional cigar. He has volunteered thousands of hours over the years, and in 2021 spent 103 days on the golf course, an incredible number and something that is truly appreciated by all.
When asked what he enjoys most about volunteering, Steve replied,
“I enjoy the opportunity to help the player not make a mistake…our job is to ask the right questions and help them through a situation, so they do not get penalized.”
Champion of Golf Award
Judy McDermott
In recognition of selfless lifetime service to the Game of Golf in Arizona, the Champion of Golf Award is given annually to a person who, by his or her accomplishments, has created lasting benefit to the game.
Tucson’s golf landscape would look different without the Judy McDermott touch over the past three decades. McDermott moved to Tucson in 1992, taking a position as the Marketing
Director for the Conquistadores and the PGA TOUR’s Northern Telecom Open. She quickly climbed the ranks within the organization, becoming Tournament Director only two years
later, eventually being promoted to Executive Director in 2007 when the WGC-Accenture Match Play was scheduled at The Gallery. When the WGC event found a new home outside of Tucson in 2014, she immediately brought a PGA TOUR Champions event to Tucson National the following year, the Cologuard Classic.
In 2006, she and the Conquistadores partnered with the City of Tucson and PGA TOUR to
establish The First Tee of Tucson. Juggling multiple organizations proved no problem for McDermott, and her leadership over the years has brought in $26 million to youth sports in Southern Arizona. She stepped away from professional golf and the Tucson Conquistadores in 2019 and now focuses her efforts full time as the Executive Director of The First Tee of Tucson.
Dorothy Pease Achievement Award
Peggy Briggs
The Dorothy Pease Achievement award was established in 2011 to honor the memory of Dorothy Pease, and to recognize the contributions to golf by the outstanding women who have followed in her footsteps. This year’s recipient is Peggy Briggs.
Peggy Briggs was born in Iowa and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin. She played many sports growing up in a family of six, and as a senior in high school was the all-around state gymnastics champion. Peggy was introduced to golf but did not actively pursue it until she and her
husband moved to Arizona in 1994.
In 1997, she joined the LPGA and began her career learning all aspects of the profession.
Peggy played two years on the Players West Mini Tour before achieving her Class A
Professional status. She soon learned that teaching was what she loved best, “I love bringing people into the game of golf and keeping them there.”
Growing the game of golf hasn’t just about giving lessons for Peggy. She always wants to make sure that her lessons include keeping people passionate about playing golf and learning how golf can bring people together. She took this a step further and became a golf writer,
co-authoring a book, “Smashing Balls, Golf Opening Doors for Women”.
Because Peggy found that she had some extra time and a lot of extra passion for the game, she began volunteering with several local organizations. She volunteered for Dr. Debbie Crews and her Gila River Program in 1999. Peggy was one of the first instructors to work with the Arizona Women’s Golf Association to teach their Golf 101 Program, introducing women to the game of golf and the Golf Performance Series which focused on the body/swing connection. She also volunteered with Kathy Knadler in the LPGA Girls Golf Program. This is where she fell in love with junior golf. Peggy has also participated as a Golf Professional for Mesa High School with the AWGA’s “High School Build A Team Program” to help more girls in high school become interested in golf.
For the last five years, she has volunteered with the JGAA coaching the Arizona Girls Junior Americas Cup Team and she has been the Tournament Director of The Joanne Winter Silver Belle Championship since 2017. Peggy also takes an active role with the LPGA Central Section by serving as Secretary and member of several committees. In 2020, she was awarded the Marilyn Smith Service Award from the Central Section of the LPGA by her peers.
With more than 25 years devoted to the game of golf in Arizona, the AGA cannot think of a more deserving
recipient of this year’s Dorothy Pease Award.
Congratulations Peggy and thank you for all you do for golf in Arizona!
Dr. Ed Updegraff Award
Jack Blair, Sr.
Established in 1990, the Updegraff Award is the Arizona Golf Association’s highest honor, given in recognition of those who, by their actions, exemplify the Spirit of the Game. The award is named after Dr. Ed Updegraff of Tucson, honoring his lifetime contributions and dedication to amateur golf in Arizona.
Jack Blair, Sr. was born in Decatur, Illinois on June 8, 1928, and it’s been said he was a golfer since the day he could walk. He spent 32 years in the military, beginning in 1951 when he entered active service as a National Guard Officer, culminating in his promotion to Brigadier General in March of 1976. His military career took him all over the globe, and during his tours he was a post, camp, or fort golf champion in every area he served. He won numerous other Championships during this time, beating notable names such as Orville Moody and
finishing runner-up to Roberto Devicenzo in the 1959 Panama Open.
After he retired from the Army in 1980, he decided to stay in Sierra Vista and became Vice-President of Arizona Operations for land developer Tenneco. It was then he became very active in the Arizona golf community, both as a player and supporter.
He served on the Arizona Golf Association’s Executive Committee and was a USGA Committee Member from 1990 to 1993. Most notably, he completed the development of Pueblo del Sol Country Club, an 18-hole championship level facility in Sierra Vista known for having some of the best conditions in the state. To honor his accomplishments for the golf community in Southern Arizona over the past few decades, the General Jack Blair Four-Ball was announced in 2021 and conducted at Pueblo del Sol as a Sanctioned AGA event.
A small sample of Jack’s playing accomplishments in Arizona include: Qualifying for three US Senior Amateur Championships; AGA Senior Player of the Year; AGA Senior Stroke Play Champion; Five-time Goldwater Cup Team Member; AGA Senior Four-Ball Champion; AGA Southern Amateur Senior Champion; 17-time Pueblo del Sol Club Champion.
His dedication to amateur golf will forever be felt in Arizona. Congratulations to the 2021 Updegraff Award Recipient, Jack Blair, Sr.
RELATED: Past AGA Award Recepients
View the full awards presentations here: https://www.azgolf.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/02/2022-Annual-Meeting-Presentation-Final-PDF.pdf
Read the Annual Booklet here: https://www.azgolf.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/02/Annual-Booklet-FINAL-2022-corrected.pdf
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Member Benefits: Travel with the AGA to TPC Danzante Bay in 2022
If you liked the Mayan Palace Member trip then you’re going to love the latest AGA Golf Experience!
The latest AGA Golf Experience has you headed to play rounds at the scenic TPC Danzante Bay Golf Resort while you stay beachfront at the Villa del Palmar Beach Resort & Spa in Loretto Bay, Mexico January 23 – January 27, 2022.
Registration includes four nights lodging at the Villa del Palmar at The Islands of Loreto, three rounds of golf at TPC Danzante Bay with cart and range privileges, daily golf contests and prizes, the all-inclusive meal plan, one Danzante upgrade per person, airport transfers, and all taxes and fees. Options also include with or without airfare.
For more details on the trip click here: https://www.azgolf.org/travel/
RELATED: WATCH TPC Danzante Bay Preview
See Memories from our previous Mayan Palace member weekend below:
News
World Handicap System, Multi-Member Account Setup Recommendations
For golfers who host multiple WHS-roster affiliations, it is a player requirement to have all scores logged to all WHS-records at all times, in order to assure that an official WHS Handicap Index® is being assigned through each outlet. Please note that if multiple independent records are currently in the WHS (GHIN) database, the ability to streamline this dual-record management IS available by requesting a merge/link of all your WHS accounts together. To accomplish this request, please issue the following information to: [email protected], dependent upon where your secondary WHS record is housed (U.S. vs. Canada-based roster):
Secondary Record ALSO from United States
If BOTH records are being assigned from United States-based WHS roster(s), identify the ‘GHIN’ member numbers assigned to each, then provide them to AGA staff ([email protected]), further indicating if you have a preference of which member number should be retained in the forthcoming record ‘merger’. Once accomplished, you’ll then just retain a singular/shared account with all new score and Handicap Index assignments reflected mutually across ALL U.S.-based WHS roster affiliation(s). Note*– For dual-members from: Wisconsin State Golf Association, Chicago District Golf Association or Indiana Golf Association each do not use ‘GHIN’ handicap software locally), please reach out to your out-of-state Association staff contact and request your ‘Handicap ID’ assignment, used for this merger process but may be different than the assigned WSGA/CDGA/IGA ‘member number’ on the localized handicap technology platform in use within these regions. The ‘Handicap ID’ will be the value needing to be issued to the AGA to formalize the merger.
Secondary Record from Canada
RELATED: Arizona/Canada WHS Account Linking Recommendations
If your secondary WHS-account is from Canada, although we cannot fully ‘merge’ these records together, there is an ability to setup a background ‘link’ within each account to accommodate the sharing of all new score postings/handicap index assignments moving forward. To accomplish this US-Canada account ‘link’ setup, please complete the following (4) steps, in this preferred order:
Step 1- Confirm that your Arizona Golf Association-based record is currently in ‘Active’ status and retrieve your ‘GHIN’ number assignment, needed for step 2.
Step 2- Contact your Provincial Golf Association staff in Canada and supply them with your Arizona-based GHIN number, requesting that they add it as a Canada-US ‘link’.
Step 3- Ask your Golf Canada staff to also provide you with your designated ‘NETWORK ID’, the value that is used for these linking purposes and is often times an alternative 6-9 digit value that may be different than the standard Golf Canada Member Number personally in use (link will not function without the ‘NETWORK ID’, in particular).
Step 4- Supply Arizona Golf Association staff ([email protected]) or your AZ-based club administrator with the ‘NETWORK ID’ that Golf Canada staff has confirmed is assigned to you. In turn, that ID will be input in the background of your GHIN record to complete the two-way linking process.
In summary, any golfer in the World Handicap System should only ever host a singular scoring record/Handicap Index assignment, even in the case of hosting multiple active club roster affiliations. If both records are resident through US-based rosters, an official ‘merger’ into one record is possible, or if the secondary record is based in Canada, an account ‘link’ may be setup to share all new score postings and Handicap Index assignments. Please contact AGA Staff ([email protected]) to present any linking request or if you have any questions that have been prompted.
More World Handicap System Resources at https://www.whs.com/
News
Back-to-Back Arizona / Utah Shootout Titles for Team AGA
MARICOPA, Arizona – A strong AGA Team pulled off an impressive title defense at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club for the 2021 Arizona / Utah Shootout matches. The matches, originally to be played in Utah in November, had to be postponed to December. Hats off to the Utah Golf Association and co for making the extra effort to come down and keep the annual Shootout on the calendar, it was a great contest between the sides.
The following 12 golfers made up Team Arizona:
The shootout format has teams play Four Ball Matches and Foursomes Matches first and then finishes with Singles matches, making for two full days of competition. Team Arizona stayed ahead throughout each portion of play to win overall with 45.5 points to Utah’s 25.5 points. A substantial 19 point difference.
#KeepTheCup
(more…)
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TROON INTRODUCES NEW TROON CARD SUMMER TEST DRIVE IN ARIZONA AND CALIFORNIA
Scottsdale, Ariz. (April 22, 2019) – Troon®, the leader in club management, development and marketing, has introduced a new Troon Card Summer Test Drive promotion for Arizona and California. The Troon Card Summer Test Drive is an opportunity for golfers to experience all the benefits of being a Troon Cardholder, while playing many of the top golf courses in their respective state.
Arizona Summer Troon Cards can be purchased for $99 for a 2019 Arizona Summer TwoSome Card or $139 for a 2019 Arizona Summer FourSome card at www.troon.com/Troon-Card-Summer-Test-Drive.dept. Arizona Summer Troon Cardholders will enjoy rates of up to 50 percent off, “2 for 1” golf offers, Troon’s “Best Rate Guarantee” and more at Troon-affiliated facilities across the state, including:
- Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa
- Boulders Resort & Spa in Scottsdale
- Copper Canyon Golf Club in Buckeye
- El Conquistador Golf & Tennis in Tucson
- Golf Club of Estrella in Goodyear
- Laughlin Ranch Golf Club in Bullhead City
- Lookout Mountain Golf Club in Phoenix
- Longbow Golf Club in Mesa
- Poston Butte Golf Club in Florence
- Quintero Golf Club in Peoria
- Sewailo Golf Club in Tucson
- The Phoenician Golf Club in Scottsdale
- The Westin Kierland Golf Club in Scottsdale
- Troon North Golf Club in Scottsdale
- Whirlwind Golf Club in Chandler
- Wickenburg Ranch Golf & Social Club in Wickenburg
California Summer Troon Cards can be purchased for $69 for a 2019 California Summer TwoSome Card or $99 for a 2019 California Summer FourSome card at www.troon.com/Troon-Card-Summer-Test-Drive.dept. California Summer Troon Cardholders will enjoy rates of up to 50 percent off, “2 for 1” golf offers, Troon’s “Best Rate Guarantee” and more at Troon-affiliated facilities across the state, including:
- Ashwood Golf Course in Apple Valley
- Indian Wells Golf Resort in Indian Wells
- La Quinta Resort & Club in La Quinta
- PGA WEST in La Quinta
- Maderas Golf Club in Poway
- Shadow Hills Golf Club in Indio
- The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage
- Diablo Grande Golf & Country Club in Patterson
- Hiddenbrooke Golf Club in Vallejo
- Saddle Creek Golf Resort in Copperopolis
- Yocha Dehe Golf Club in Brooks
Arizona Summer Troon Cards are valid for five months, from May 1 through September 30, 2019, while California Summer Troon Cards are valid for four months, from May 1 through August 31, 2019. In addition, to savings on golf throughout the summer, Summer Troon Cardholders will also receive a $50 credit towards the purchase of any 2020 Arizona or National Troon Card. 2020 Troon Cards go on sale October 1, 2019 and will be valid for use November 1, 2019 through December 31, 2020.
Both Arizona and California Summer Troon Cardholders may reserve tee times within three-days of their desired date of play and enjoy up to 50 percent off golf fees. For those who can’t wait until three days out to book their tee time, with Troon Card’s Best Rate Guarantee, Troon Cardholders can book any online rate and still receive 15 percent off their golf fees at check in. The benefits of being a Troon Cardholder go beyond savings on golf. Troon Cardholders can improve their golf games by participating in complimentary clinics, play more golf with exclusive replay rates and explore the world of Troon with customized experience packages. Plus, Troon Cardholders can treat their friends, and themselves, to “2 for 1” golf offers.
Additional Troon Card benefits include the Troon Card Facebook Group and Text Club, which provides instant news and special offers exclusively to Cardholders, 10 percent off merchandise at participating golf shops and golf course restaurants, Troon Card E-News with monthly special offers, appreciation events, and the ability to book tee times online at www.TroonCardTeeTimes.com.
To view a list of participating courses, see Troon Card rates or to purchase an Arizona or California Summer Troon Card online, go to www.troon.com/Troon-Card-Summer-Test-Drive.dept or visit any participating facility.
About Troon
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf management company providing services at more than 430 locations around the globe, including managing 470 18-hole equivalent golf courses. In addition to golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s award-winning food and beverage division operates and manages more than 150 restaurants located at golf resorts, private clubs, daily fee golf courses and recreational facilities. With properties located in 45 states and 33 countries, divisions of Troon include Troon Golf, Honours Golf, Troon Privé (the private club operating division of Troon), Troon International, OB Sports, Cliff Drysdale Management and RealFood Consulting. There are currently 67 Troon-affiliated properties featuring 87 golf courses on national and international “Top 100” rankings. Troon-affiliated properties include Belfair in Bluffton, South Carolina; Wickenburg Ranch Golf & Social Club in Wickenburg, Ariz.; Yocha Dehe Golf Club in Brooks, Calif.; Saadiyat Beach Golf Club in Abu Dhabi, UAE; and Buenaventura Golf Club in Panama. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com, or connect with Troon on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Blog, Press Room, or subscribe to Troon Magazine.
Media contact:
Rob Myers
Troon
480.477.0506