Junior Golf Association of Arizona Honors Standout Golfers of 2020

PHOENIX – The JGAA announced special award winners for the 2020 seasons, including Player of the Year and Sportsmanship awards across five age divisions, with additional recognition going to those who made holes in one, Most Improved players and the Volunteer of the Year.

“Every year the membership and level of play continues to rise,” said Scott McNevin, Executive Director of the JGAA. “More kids, lower scores, and best of all, there were a bunch of kids to consider for the sportsmanship award. It’s very gratifying to see this vital aspect of the game grow along with these young players. ”

Bound for Marquette University in the fall, Max Lyons of Scottsdale won the Player of the Year award in the Boys Championship division. He managed to notch four wins, including 11 top-10s in 13 starts, thanks in part to a handful of low rounds. Lyons fired a final-round, 8-under 63 to win the Thunderbird Junior Classic; a 7-under-par 64 in the final round of the Scottsdale Junior Championship; and a sizzling 11-under-par 61 to win the Chandler City Junior Championship. Lyons also placed fifth in the highly competitive AJGA PING Heather Farr Classic. He finished the season with a 69.79 scoring average over 24 rounds.

In the Girls Championship division, Calynne Rosholt of Cave Creek – who recently signed to play college golf for ASU – placed sixth or better in all nine events she entered. Two of her four wins came in coveted PING Jr Masters Series tournaments. In the first, Thunderbird Invitational, Rosholt was the only player in red numbers, closing out the tournament with four-consecutive birdies. In the second, Willie Low Invitational presented by MJ Insurance, Rosholt made a birdie on the final hole to enter a three-way tie for first place (no playoff due to health and safety precautions). She earn another co-victory at the Desert Mashie Championship as well as an outright win at the Chandler City Junior Golf Championship. She finished the season with a 71.19 scoring average over 16 rounds.

 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR OF THE YEAR AWARD

Mark Ohlendorf:  Volunteered in 12 tournaments over a total of 24 days

About the JGAA
The Junior Golf Association of Arizona is a 501(c)(3) organization with the mission to educate, motivate and inspire Arizona’s youth through golf and all of the valuable lessons and life skills inherent to the game.  In addition to hosting competitive events, the JGAA develops programs for local schools, assists golf courses with their junior programs, conducts college prep seminars and etiquette clinics.   The Junior Ambassador and Guest Speaker Programs give JGAA students the opportunity to learn, develop and adopt successful habits and practices – both on and off the golf course – from a collection of prominent, civic-minded community and business leaders.  The JGAA also awards two scholarship funds annually to high school senior members of the JGAA for their college education – the Tres Arnold and the John Wolfinger Memorial College Scholarships.  The JGAA’s strong belief in teamwork and cooperation has guided the organization for more than 30 years and is instilled in all of its members.  For more information JGAA, visit www.jgaa.org or call 602-944-6168.

Arizona Golf Hall of Fame Announces 2020 Inductees

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 14, 2020

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The Arizona Golf Hall of Fame Committee is proud to announce the four inductees to the 2020 Class, which is comprised of three modern candidates selected by the Voting Delegates: John Gunby, Tina Tombs and Mark Woodward; and one Legacy candidate by the Selectors Committee: Desert Mashie Golf Club. The Legacy Division recognizes those in Arizona who have made contributions to golf, but due to the historical nature and having occurred decades ago their impact is not known to modern voters.

The dinner and induction ceremony will be held Tuesday, February 16, 2021. Invitations and RSVP’s to the ceremony will be available at a later date.

John Gunby, Southwest Section PGA Professional 

A 2017 recipient of the AGA Champion of Golf Award recognizing “Selfless lifetime service to the Game of Golf in Arizona”, John Gunby’s dedication to serving the game for the last 40+ years is well-documented and recognized by his peers. He has orchestrated a fundraising golf tournament for the Wounded Warriors Foundation on Veterans Day, and has been very involved from the outset with the Southwest PGA’s and the national PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) initiative including orchestrating a PGA HOPE Comedy Show to raise funds for PGA HOPE programs.

In 2019, Gunby received the Southwest PGA Patriot Award, which bestows special recognition on a PGA Professional who personifies patriotism through the game of golf and demonstrates unwavering commitment and dedication to the men and women who have valiantly served and protected the United States. The 2013 Southwest PGA Golf Professional of the Year, Gunby was recently announced as an enshrinee into the 2019 Southwest PGA Hall of Fame.

“I am deeply indebted to all those involved with golf in Arizona, as they have made such a positive difference in my life and the lives of countless others,” said Gunby. “The acronym GOLF so appropriately stands for: Great Opportunities, Lifetime Friends. Thank God for the wonderful game of golf.”

Tina Tombs, Professional Golfer and Instructor 

A two-time NCAA All-American in 1984 and 1985 at Arizona State University, and an ASU Hall of Fame inductee in 2006, Tina Tombs competed on the LPGA Tour after graduation and won the 1990 Jamie Farr Toledo Championship. She has been a member of the LPGA ever since, as a competitive player on the tour and now on the Legends Tour, and as an accomplished teaching professional.

In 2014 and 2018, Tombs was named the LPGA National Teacher of the Year. She earned the Arizona Golf Association’s Updegraff Award in 2017, given annually to the person who “… by his or her actions and accomplishments exemplify the Spirit of the Game.” Other awards include 2014 and 2018 LPGA Central Section Teacher of the Year; 2015 Marilynn Smith Service Award; Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Arizona, 2017-20; Teaching and Club Pro’s Top 50 LPGA Teachers, 2017-20; and GOLF Magazine Top 100 Teacher since 2019.

“When I think about my career, I feel overwhelmed,” said Tombs. “I have put my heart and soul into this game. I am blessed to have received so much from the game of golf and its beautiful community. I wake up every morning and I am filled with gratitude, even more so after this year, that my office is the golf course. It is the honor of my career to be recognized by the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame!”

Mark Woodward, Superintendent 

Currently the Director of Agronomy at Whisper Rock Golf Club in Scottsdale, Mark Woodward is a Certified Golf Course Superintendent/Director of Agronomy (CGCS) who has over 50 years of experience in many facets of the golf industry, forty-five of those in Arizona. His diverse career has included both stints as a Superintendent and Administrator.

As the City of San Diego’s Golf Operations Manager in 2005, Woodward was responsible for preparing the Torrey Pines South Golf Course to host the 2008 U.S. Open, working closely with the United States Golf Association (USGA).  For his efforts at Torrey Pines, Woodward was recognized by Golf Inc. Magazine as one of golf’s “Most Admired Operators” in 2006 and in the Top 35 “Most Powerful People in Golf’ in 2008 and 2009.  He served as CEO of the Golf Course Superintendent Association of America (GCSAA) from 2008 through 2010, and was a Senior Vice President of Operations for Scottsdale-based OB Sports Golf Management from 2013 through 2017. Woodward served on the Cactus and Pine Golf Course Superintendents Association board of directors on three separate occasions dating back to the 1980’s, and currently as President.

“I was extremely humbled and taken a little off-guard to be selected for this honor,” said Woodward. “By far, the most rewarding part of my career in golf has been all the inspirational people I’ve met and worked with. They are the true foundation of the golf industry.”

LEGACY DIVISION

Desert Mashie Golf Club, Industry Leader

During the years of segregation when golf was a restrictive game and most courses were prohibitive or private, a group of ten professional African American men – the Desert Mashie founding fathers – came together and challenged that limitation. The Desert Mashie Golf Club was founded in 1946 as an organization “for all persons interested in golf regardless of race, or ethnicity,” one of the oldest independent clubs in Arizona. They stated the organization did not practice, permit or condone segregation or discrimination in any form because of color, race, creed, religion, national origin or gender orientation in order to foster their love of golf and expand the sport in the community.

The club defined its purpose, commitment and outlined a program for growth, with five objectives established:

1. To provide instructions and clinics for its members
2. To provide organized competition for its members
3. To promote a golf program for youth
4. To promote a program for women
5. To develop better public relations in the total golf community

In 1948, Desert Mashie held its first annual golf tournament and in 1950, Desert Mashie joined the United States Golf Association (USGA). In 1954, Desert Mashie Golf Club became a charter member of the Western States Golf Association (WSGA) whose 30 member clubs span six western states.

A past president, Dr. William “Bill” Dickey, was one of the most decorated servants of the golf industry. Fervently believing in a college education for youth through golf, Dr. Dickey was one of the founders of the PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship, and in his own BDSA Foundation, distributed over 1,000 scholarships to college-bound minority golfers. An Arizona Golf Updegraff Awardee recognizing his spirit and service, he also was presented with The PGA Distinguished Service Award in 1999, its highest honor.

“We are so honored and grateful to be named to the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame,” said Carolyn Suttles, Desert Mashie Club President. “The mission of Desert Mashie has always been about our Junior Golfers. The fact that we have helped send young people off to college – and the alumni from our Junior Program – to work not only in golf but in a myriad of professional careers, is proof of the impact our organization has had on this community.”

Contact:

David Bataller                                     [email protected]
Director of Communications              (602) 944-3035

Royal/Varma and Bryan/Summerhays Qualify for 2021 U.S. Women’s Four-Ball

MESA, Ariz. – The duos of Meghan Royal and Anika Varma and Sydney Bryan and Grace Summerhays punched tickets to the 6^th U.S. Women’s Four-Ball Championship, advancing out of a qualifier at Longbow Golf Club in Mesa on Tuesday.

“We complimented each other a lot, we kind of just had one of us make par and the other just go for it and play aggressive and see if we could make birdie,” said Royal, a junior at Carlsbad High School.

“We played according to each other, which helped us a lot just because we knew when a person was confident and wasn’t,” Varma said.

USGA qualifying is officially back in action after COVID-19 forced golf associations to postpone, and in some cases cancel, qualifiers in 2020. 2021 U.S. Four-Ball Championship qualifiers are the first to resume, where a total of 64 teams across 29 states will advance to the 2021 women’s championship, which will be held April 24-28, 2021, at Maridoe Golf Club in Carrollton, Tex.

Danielle Chipchase and Naomi Ramirez, along with Abbey Schutte and Kendall Todd, will serve as first and second alternates.

Both 16-year-old girls hailing from California, Royal and Varma combined to card a 10-under 62 and clear the field by four shots for medalist honors. With consistent play over 18 holes, the pair pieced together their impressive round with eight birdies and an eagle.

Varma, a Junior at Granite Bay High School in Roseville, qualified for her third USGA Championship. As a top-225 amateur in the world and No. 1 ranked amateur in India, Varma became the first Indian golfer to play at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship this past August, and is looking forward to playing in her first four-ball championship.

“I feel like it’s going to be really interesting because it’s going to be completely different than how you generally play,” said Varma.  “We’re going to be playing for each other and that’s going to motivate us more than playing for yourself. It should be fun.”

Bryan and Summerhays birdied four of their last six holes to finish with a 6-under 66, and advance to a five-for-one sudden death playoff. A birdie on the first playoff hole proved to be the deciding moment the team picked up the second and final qualifying spot.

“We got off to a kind of a slow start, but once we made the turn, we kind of just built off each other’s enthusiasm,” said the 17-year-old Bryan, a UNLV commit. “It was kind of insane, the back nine. We made ridiculous putts. I think we are a little shocked.”

“Our adrenaline was definitely going on the last couple of holes,” said the 16-year-old Summerhays, who will play in her third USGA Championship. “It was not looking too good on the front nine so we are more in shock. We’re excited.

For Full Qualifying Results: Click Here

Robin Krapfl Prevails at Women’s Senior Stroke Play

GILBERT, Ariz.- Robin Krapfl edged out Judy Penman after a final round 2-over 73 to claim the Arizona Women’s Senior Stroke Play Championship at Trilogy Golf Club at Power Ranch on Friday.

Shannon Mason and Kathy West rounded out the top four at 19-over, 12 shots behind the champion.

36-hole leader Krapfl carried the field by two shots in front of Penman after logging rounds of 75 and 72. Kathy West entered the final round five behind the lead, but it was a head-to-head battle between Penman and Krapfl the entire final 18.

Leveraging the more forgiving front nine, Penman jolted from two back into the co-lead after just four holes, recording two consecutive birdies on 3 and 4.

“I realize the front nine is definitely easier than the back nine so my idea was to get a couple birdies on the front nine,” said Penman. “My strategy whenever I play competition is to keep my blinders on and play my own game.”

Placing a birdie on the scorecard on the par-3 eighth had Krapfl regain the lead to finish the turn with her third consecutive front-nine 1-under 34; a solo shot ahead of Penman.

“It was between Judy and I, especially how well we played on the front nine. I really felt comfortable on the front,” the champion said. “She continued the battle-she never gave up.”

A back nine streak of five pars from the dual kept the lead to a slim one shot. A bogey on 15 from Penman extended Krapfl’s lead to three. After Judy hiccupped with a 3-putt double bogey on 16, the gap closed to one heading into the final hole.

“It went back and forth all day,” said the champion. “I kept telling myself ‘just one shot at a time’ and all the mantra of ‘just play your own game’. It was close the whole way. It was a battle.”

A pair of bogeys from the dual on the final hole determined Krapfl’s first Arizona Senior Stroke Play Victory rounding out at 7-over par for the three-day tournament.

“It is beyond thrilling to be able to win against the qualitative players there are in Arizona,” said Robin, who moved to the desert from Nebraska this past May. “Judy was a tremendous competitor it was really fun-we both played great golf”

She credits her improved iron play for her victory. “I got new irons and I hadn’t been hitting them well, but all of a sudden, this week, I hit great irons so it just all fell into place.”

This victory marks the champion’s first Arizona amateur title after just three starts in the Valley.

“I won the Nebraska Senior State Championship last summer and really wanted to defend but then moved down here,” said Krapfl, a Nebraska native. “The competition down here is so steep that I really didn’t know if I would have a chance.

Full Results: Click Here

Wiemiller, Ellenburg, Stamey Win Arizona Senior Match Play Titles

MARICOPA, Ariz. – Aaron Wiemiller, Frank Ellenburg and Alex Stamey took home top honors in their respective divisions at the 2020 Arizona Senior Match Play Championship, played Thursday at Southern Dunes Golf Club.

“I’ve won some club championships growing up and I’ve advanced quite far in some other Match Play events, but I never thought this would happen.” said the champion, “I’m going to cherish this win.”

Wiemiller, the 2019 AGA Masters Player of the Year, beat Mark Ewing 3&1 in the Masters Division. Wiemiller was one down going into the ninth hole but was able to make a birdie to bring the match back to even. He then made birdie on 10 to go one up, followed that up with a long par putt on 11, and never lost momentum to the finish.

“My putter was working well today,” said Wiemiller. “I made some long putts for par, eight to ten footers, and I also made some birdie putts, which you need in match play”.

In the Legends Division, Frank Ellenburg raced to a 7&5 victory over Bob Burton. While the result on paper looked like a blowout, the match was far from a stroll in the park for Ellenberg, who admitted feeling nervous the entire match.

“I just couldn’t get the butterflies out of my system, but I think sometimes that’s good,” said Ellenberg. “This is something that I really – I can’t explain it but I really wanted to win it pretty bad. I can’t tell you how happy I am.”

Ellenburg was three up through nine then ran away with the match on the back nine with birdies on holes 10 and 11, followed by an eagle on 13. The win is his first match play tournament victory in Arizona.

In contrast, Stamey and John Hernandez had a battle on their hands going back and forth through 18 holes, ultimately needing 20 holes to crown Stamey the Seniors Division champion.

“It was a very close match between John and I, the most he was up was one,” said Stamey. “I was not up at all the whole match, until the winning a whole on the 19th.”

For Stamey, this is his first Arizona Golf Association title, as he just moved to the Grand Canyon State from Oregon.

I just got involved last summer,” said Stamey. “I love the events here and it’s just it’s a lot of fun. I love to competitive golf.”

Full Results: Click Here