2019 Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner

At the 2019 Arizona Golf Association’s Annual Meeting and Awards Celebration we honored club representatives, champions, volunteer and committee members, and those who have contributed to the success of Arizona Golf.

Below is a brief message from our President, Mike McWilliams, on AGA’s activities in 2018:

For the fourth year we have experienced slow but steady growth in membership while expanding our mission to all golfers in the state through the integration with the       Arizona Women’s Golf Association– now together as Arizona Golf.

Our new website, which just debuted  this month, is much easier to navigate and includes many more options for golfers from competitive to social events and plenty of activities for visitors or those becoming interested in joining the world of golf.

Highlights for 2018 include 59 individuals qualifying for USGA Championships, expanded member and “Just for Fun” events for all, travel golf events from Mexico to Ireland, and the 8th Patriot All-America for the world’s best collegians playing in honor of our military heroes, once again ranked among the best events in the world.   Alumni include Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, Daniel Berger, Cameron Champ among many   other current Tour stars.

The AGA magazine, AzGolf Insider, continues to receive applause from both members and outside media.   Please let us know if you haven’t been receiving your free copy.

We’ve introduced the new Rules of Golf in style, having already hosted over fifty seminars for 3,000 plus members, and distributed over 35,000 Rules books, more than any other golf association to date.  A new GHIN platform will be launching in 2019, and in the fall, we will begin our education on the World Handicap System in anticipation of its launch in 2020. 

I especially wish to thank all of you attending, and the hundreds of other members and supporters who make Arizona Golf the success that it is.  You can count on us in the future.  The AWGA has joined with the AGA to make your golf experience even more valuable and interesting in 2019.

Sincerely,

Mike McWilliams

2019 Award Winners

Legends Player of the Year……………………………………..Tom Preston

Super Senior Player of the Year………………………………Rusty Brown

Senior Player of the Year………………………………………..Jeff Benton

Women’s Senior Player of the Year………………………….Liz Waynick

Masters Player of the Year………………………………………Thuhashini Selvaratnam

Open Player of the Year……………………………………………Adam Walicki

Senior Cup Champions…………………………………………..John Richards & David Schlenker

AGA Doc Graves Volunteer of the Year Award………….Jeff Vincent

AWGA Kathy Ehrlich Volunteer of the Year Award……Jan Biddle

Champion of Golf………………………………………………………John Spensieri

AWGA Representative of the Year……………………………Twyla Gerdes

Honorary Captain…………………………………………………..Lyman Gallup

Host Club of the Year……………………………………………..Jeff Ostlund, Tonto Verde Golf Club

Dorthy Pease Award……………………………………………….Tina Barret

Updegraff Award……………………………………………………Drew Woods

2016 Year in Review

Updegraff Award: Jerry Mahanke

The Updegraff Award is given annually to a person who, “By his or her actions and accomplishments exemplify the Spirit of the Game.” Jerry Mahanke has been a familiar face around the Arizona Golf Association since he arrived in Arizona in the late 90’s and joined the course rating team. One of his early mentors was fellow Updegraff winner Warren Simmons. Jerry recently reflected that he felt so welcomed into the group that he decided to stay – and he’s been a part of the AGA family ever since. To say he’s done it all is an understatement. He’s been a tournament organizer, a rules official and a course rater. He served on the AGA Executive Committee from 2005 through 2008, served a term as Treasurer, sat on the Finance Committee, chaired the Member Services Committee, helped with the implementation of the very popular Senior Series and provided invaluable insights on how to train volunteers and show our appreciation for all they do.
However, volunteering alone does not make an Updegraff Award candidate. It’s all about one’s attitude and the way they treat others that exemplifies the “spirit of the game”. When we ask others about Jerry, we hear the terms loyal, kind, reliable, always has a positive attitude, is part of the solution, puts others first, treats people with respect, Those are the attributes that define this award.
There are abundant examples of this; the assistance he provides finding fellow DC Ranch members to help be spotters and scorers at any event they host for the associations; his commitment to attend all of the Club Team Championships and qualifiers when he was chairman of the Member Services Committee; his kindness to AGA staff members and fellow volunteers; his gentle but persistent manner when he wants to accomplish something that he believes in….the list goes on.
And let’s not forget about his sense of humor. In his early adult years, Jerry loved to clown around (he still does). You see, Jerry was one of the original “Bozo” the clown characters. In the late 50’s, he spent 90 minutes a day with 50 kids, five days a week – no script, no teleprompters. I guess that would explain his remarkable ability to manage the “kids” at the AGA. Nothing phases him – his demeanor never changes. He’s everyone’s best friend.
Doc Graves Volunteer of the Year: Tim Hulscher 
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.
Tim Hulscher is a self-described “golf-nut”. Ever since he was a child, Tim has had an interest in the game of golf. He first learned to play at the age of 12. In high school he played for the Aberdeen High School team that went to the State Championship in 1985 and continued his playing career at Grays Harbor Community College. His interest in the Rules of Golf started simultaneously with his playing career, learning many of the basics from a book his father had: The Illustrated Rules of Golf and The Etiquette of the Game (1919).
In 2013, Tim volunteered at his first JGAA tournament and later that same year started volunteering with the AGA. Since then, he has been a dependable asset to the AGA Tournament Department. He received the Junior Golf Association of Arizona’s Volunteer of the Year Award in 2015. Tim volunteered more than 50 days during AGA administered events in 2016!
Over the past four years, volunteering as a Rules Official has become Tim’s main pastime. He’s worked tournaments for the JGAA, AJGA, US Kids, AWGA, USGA, NCAA, NJCAA, E-Golf, PGA Q-school and the Cactus Tour. Tim has scored a perfect 100 on the PGA/USGA Rules of Golf Exam twice, (99 & 98 his other two attempts) but admits he still has a lot to learn. These days, Tim is expanding his knowledge of golf course set-up and getting involved with golf off the course. He joined the USGA Junior Amateur Committee in 2016 and is a recently elected member of the AGA Executive Committee. A very special thank you to Tim for sharing his time and knowledge tournament after tournament and we look forward to many more years to come.
Honorary Captain of AGA Rules Committee: Roger Waterer
The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers established the first Rules of Golf in 1744. These thirteen rules have formed the basis for the Game. Until 1891, when the R&A became the source for the Rules of Golf, each club appointed an honorary Captain to administer the rules, oversee the club’s competitions, and settle all game disputes.
In honor of this tradition and thanks to the generosity of AGA member Charlie Horn, the AGA recognizes Roger Waterer for his many years of service to the Association and its Championships, for his passion and dedication to the principles of the Rules of Golf, and most particularly for his avowed love of The Game.
Player of the Year: Bryan Hoops
Bryan Hoops had a phenomenal 2016 season earning him the top honor of the AGA Player of the Year in 2016. Bryan is annually among the top players in the state of Arizona with his consistent high level of play. Bryan proved his ability by winning the AZ Mid-Amateur Championship and was invited to play on the Goldwater Cup Team, AZ/UT Shootout Team and played in the USGA State Team Championship. Bryan represented the AGA and finished top 5 in the Compeanatos Internacional Invitational in Lima, Peru.
2016 ACCOMPLISHMENTS Winner –
AZ Mid-Amateur Championship Open Division Players Cup Points Leader (2,214) T2 – USGA Men’s State Team Championship T4 – AGA Players Cup Championship 4th – Short Course Championship Qualifier – US Mid-Amateur
Masters Player of the Year: Bryan Hoops
Following up on his outstanding Open division campaign, Bryan dominated the Masters Division in 2016. Winning both divisional majors, the AZ Senior Match Play and Stroke Play Championships, along with finishing first on the points list with a margin of 1,429 points, earned him the top honor for the Masters Division.
2016 ACCOMPLISHMENTS Winner –
AZ Senior Stroke Play Championship WinnerAZ Senior Match Play Championship Masters Players Cup Points Leader (3,314)
Senior Player of the Year: Jeff New
Jeff New not only had an exceptional season within his Senior Division but also in the Open Division. Jeff won the AZ Senior Match Play Championship at Ocotillo then followed that up with a round of 32 showing in the 91st AZ Amateur Championship, a field that starts at 144 players. Jeff was also selected to be a member of the Goldwater Cup and Southwest Teams. A solid performance for the 2016 season placed him 5th on the points list.
2016 ACCOMPLISHMENTS Winner –
AZ Senior Match Play T3Players Cup ChampionshipSenior Division 5thSenior Players Cup Points (1,230) Round of 32 in the Arizona Amateur Championship 15th -AZ Publinks Championship
Legends Player of the Year: Dave Rasley

Dave Rasley is force to be reckoned within the Legends Division. Winning the Player of the Year honor for the third time in 2016, previous kachinas were taken home in 2013 and 2015. He was the Players Cup points leader in the Legends Division with 850 more points than the closest competitor. Winning the AZ Senior Stroke Play and the Legends Division of the Southern Amateur earned Rasley his third kachina.
2016 ACCOMPLISHMENTS Winner –
AZ Senior Stroke Play Championship Winner Southern AmateurLegends Division Winner AZ Four-Ball Championship – Legends Division Legends Division Players Cup Points Leader 2ndPlayers Cup Championship – Legends Division
Mayfair Award: Mason Andersen

Mason satisfied the eligibility requirements for the Mayfair Award by posting 19 rounds from the following tournaments: AZ Publinks Championship San Tan Amateur AZ Stroke Play Championship US Open Qualifier US Amateur Qualifier
Mason has committed to play on the ASU Golf team next year.

2015 Year in Review

Updegraff Award: John Souza

Established in 1990, the Updegraff Award is the AGA’s highest honor given in recognition of those who, by their actions, exemplify the spirit of the game. The award is named for Dr. Ed Updegraff of Tucson, honoring his lifetime contributions and dedication to amateur golf in Arizona.
John Souza, who began working for PING when he was still in high school and has been with the equipment maker for 35 years, is the 2015 recipient of the AGA’s highest honor – the Ed Updegraff Award When he was playing on the Grand Canyon University Golf Team, John Souza had the privilege of teeing it up twice with Dr. Ed Updegraff, never thinking that one day he would receive an award bearing the good doctor’s name. “It was a shock,” Souza said. “You don’t do things to try to win awards. I don’t expect recognition for anything I’ve done, and it just really caught me off guard.” “Dr. Ed is an icon and not just here in Arizona. He’s a true gentleman, and I was fortunate to be able to play golf with him many years ago, which was an absolute pleasure. This is very humbling.”
Souza began with PING by working on a test range where Cave Creek Golf Course later was built, and now is head of the company’s WRX (Works) Division. In that role, he helped design clubs for their Adaptive Fitting Program, a program that custom-fits physically challenged golfers, many of whom are severely wounded veterans, with specialized PING technology built exclusively for them. PING is currently the only major golf club manufacturer with an organized adapting fitting effort.
In 2008 Souza, as a member of Moon Valley Country Club, established the Junior Golf University. Starting with fundamentals, the JGU provided junior golfers at Moon Valley CC with classroom and on-course instruction pertaining to the sport’s history, rules, etiquette, agronomy, fitness, club fitting and the golf swing. As early participants learned the fundamentals of the game, they became eager to have a competitive aspect added so in 2009, they created the Arizona Junior Interclub Series which is now the PING Junior Interclub. This functions as a graduate level program within the original curriculum. What started as a program for a handful of kids at Moon Valley Country Club has now touched over 2,000 young golfers in four states.
Ed Updegraff is recognized as Arizona’s greatest golf ambassador. John Souza is another whose efforts follow in that path, helping grow more golfers who love the game in the spirit of Dr. Ed.

Doc Graves Volunteer of the Year: Roger Waterer

Each year the AGA staff 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 “Doc” Graves, a long-time AGA volunteer who exemplifies the selfless contributions of time and dedication to serving golf in Arizona.
In 2015, we honor Roger Waterer as the Volunteer of the Year. Back home in England during the 60’s and 70’s, golf was viewed as an elitist sport that wasn’t an activity for individuals of his background. It wasn’t until after Roger moved to Connecticut in the late 1970’s that he had his first golf experience at a corporate outing that ended up igniting his passion for the game. He spent 25 years in Connecticut, and wanting to learn more about the game, attended a rules workshop. This was his first formal introduction to the Rules of Golf.
Moving to Phoenix in 2011, his involvement in the AGA began a couple years later with an email to Courtney Smyser asking about any volunteer opportunities as he needed something to do in his retirement. Be careful what you ask for. Roger has since become one of the top Rules Officials in Arizona.
One of his favorite memories officiating with the AGA occurred a short time after he began volunteering. In the 89th Arizona Amateur Championship at Pinnacle Peak in 2013, he worked as an observer with Robin Farran in the quarterfinal and semifinal matches. Match play is a format that has always intrigued him, and watching players of such a high caliber compete against each other was something he had not experienced before. To this day, being a match play referee is one of the most enjoyable assignments for him.
Nowadays, you will find Roger expanding his role outside of just being a Rules Official. He is teaching workshops for junior golfers on the basics of the Rules and helping the AGA with golf course set-up prior to events. Even though he has scored 95 twice on the Rules of Golf test, he admits that there is still a lot to learn.
It seems as though it was just last year the guy with the accent and bucket hat came out to find something to do, but in a short amount of time Roger has become an integral part of the AGA and beyond.

Player of the Year: Ken Tanigawa

Ken Tanigawa’s name became synonymous with AGA Major Winner this season, thus earning him the honor of the AGA Player of the Year in 2015. One of the most consistent and talented amateur golfers in the state, Ken proved his skill by winning both the 91st Arizona Amateur and AZ Mid-Amateur Championships this season. He also represented the AGA as a member of the victorious Goldwater Cup Open Team and was 9th on the Players Cup Points list.
2015 Accomplishments: Winner- 91st AZ Amateur Championship, Winner- AZ Mid-Am Championship, Winner- 2014 Player’s Cup, 2015 Goldwater Cup Team Member

Masters Player of the Year: Rick Bojalad

Rick Bojalad won his first ever AGA Tour event at the beginning of 2015 which helped set the tone for the rest of his successful 2015 season. He finished in the top 10 in 6 other events, including being a semi-finalist at the Senior Match Play Championship and tied for first at the Southern Amateur. He finished 4th on the Masters Players Cup Points list in 2015.
2015 Accomplishments: Winner- Short Course, T1- Southern Amateur, T9 – Tempe Amateur, 10th – 2014 Players Cup Championship, Semi-finalist- AZ Senior Match Play

Senior Player of the Year: Murphy Mitchell

Murphy Mitchell had a fantastic 2015 season posting numerous top-5 finishes in both divisional and open events. Known for his easy-going attitude, Murphy earned the title of Match Play Champion in the Senior Division and tied for 1st at the Southern Amateur. He almost added a second divisional major victory when he placed 2nd at the Senior Stroke Play Championship. He was a member of the Goldwater Cup, the AZ vs UT Shootout teams and finished 5th on the Players Cup Points list.
2015 Accomplishments: Winner- AZ Senior Match Play Championship, T1- Southern Amateur (Sr. Division), T2- AZ Senior Stroke Play, T3- San Tan Amateur, 2015 Goldwater Cup Team Member, AZ/UT Shootout Team Member

Legends Player of the Year: Terry Beels

Terry Beels was a newcomer in the Legends division in 2015 and he didn’t waste any time making a name for himself. After winning the AZ Senior Stroke Play Championship in a playoff at the beginning of May, Terry almost went on to win the Senior Match Play Championship before falling short in the championship match. Terry finished 5th on the Players Cup Points list in the Legends Division.
2015 Accomplishments: Winner- AZ Senior Stroke Play, Runner-up- AZ Senior Match Play

Mayfair Award: Blaine Staggs- 70.86 Scoring Average

The Mayfair Award is presented to the AGA member with the lowest stroke average from selected events during the season. To qualify, a contestant must: 1) Compete in at least one USGA qualifying round in AZ AND at least two AGA individual major championships, or 2) Compete in at least one USGA qualifying round in AZ AND at least one AGA individual major championship AND the NCAA Finals. Additional individual competitions that count toward this award are the Pacific Coast and Southwestern Amateurs (when contested in AZ), AZ Open, PING AZ Intercollegiate, ASU Thunderbird Invitational and the U.S. Open, Amateur, Mid-Amateur & Junior Amateurs. A contestant must return a minimum of twelve 18-hole scores from all above listed competitions and all rounds will be used to determine the scoring average.
Blaine satisfied the eligibility requirements for the Mayfair Award by posting 14 rounds from the following tournaments: AZ Publinks Championship, San Tan Amateur, AZ Stroke Play Championship, Southern Amateur, Northern Amateur, US Mid-Amateur Qualifier

2014 Year in Review

Updegraff Award: Warren Simmons

Established in 1990, the Updegraff Award is the AGA’s highest honor given in recognition of those who, by their actions, exemplify the spirit of the game. The award is named for Dr. Ed Updegraff of Tucson, honoring his lifetime contributions and dedication to amateur golf in Arizona.
Warren Simmons, the 2014 recipient of this award, after a military career that included many years teaching at the Air Force Academy, moved into golf administration as Executive Director of the Colorado Golf Association, where he was intimately involved with the development of the USGA Course Rating System.
As a player who once participated in the United States Open in 1956 at the Oak Hill Country Club, Warren’s expertise led to involvement in many different areas of the game, from Rules of Golf where he has made perfect scores on the PGA/USGA Exam, to presidency of the International Association of Golf Administrators, among many other positions and awards.
Moving to Arizona after retiring some years ago, he continued his service to the game’s many aspects both at his clubs and Arizona’s amateur associations, while continuing his national work load, serving on USGA Committees including Handicap, Course Rating, and the Handicap Research Team.
It is for Warren’s humor in difficult circumstances while delivering answers that has won him so many friends and supporters in both men’s and women’s circles worldwide.  His now sixty-plus-year love affair with all that is golf and his knack for improving the golf experiences for those around him that has gained this Updegraff Award for Warren.
Everyone in golf administration appreciates the golf skills he still possesses, even though they often result in a lost $2 on occasion (he carries a pad of $2 bills just in case he himself might lose).  Golf and every golfer who loves the game has a friend in Warren Simmons, now to be associated with Dr. Ed Updegraff and those judged to be of similar character.

Doc Graves Volunteer of the Year: Michael Shoaff

Each year the AGA staff 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 “Doc” Graves, a long-time AGA volunteer who exemplifies the selfless contributions of time and dedication to serving golf in Arizona.
In 2014, we honor Michael Shoaff. Golf has been part of Michael’s life since he was introduced to the game in his late teens by his brother.  His interest slowly grew from there and throughout the next few decades Michael was able to integrate play into his busy schedule, typically a few times each month.  After Michael retired in 2004, golf became more of a daily focus and has been for the past 10 years, barring a couple of down periods to recover from multiple knee replacement and major back surgeries.
In 2007 a discussion with close friend, Russ Peterson, regarding the USGA Course Rating System sparked an interest as an alternative way to stay in touch with the game while also volunteering his time  to a local Golf Association in need of volunteers.  After some-one-on one rating education with Russ, Michael contacted the AGA. In the subsequent eight years Michael’s level of involvement has steadily grown to currently having rated over 225 Arizona courses and one International facility in Mexico.  He has also represented the AGA on three top-ranking USGA National Course Rating Calibration Teams and for the past four years served on the AGA Course Rating Committee.
Among the most rewarding aspects of Michael’s involvement with the AGA is the broad spectrum of people he has met, most of whom share a common love for the game of golf while looking to give back to insure its health moving forward.  The only downside to being a rater is the unfortunate bad weather you sometimes experience when rating in Northern Arizona, even to the extent of encountering snow flurries on one memorable shoulder season trip to Flagstaff.  Fortunately, these rare ocurrances ultimately lead to a good story to share with new team members and have helped build camaraderie and friendships that will last well beyond the golf course.

Player of the Year: RJ Wood

RJ Wood started out the 2014 season strong, with a second place finish at the Inaugural Players Cup Championship, following that up with a win at the 2014 Short Course.  Later in the summer, RJ won again at the Falcon Amateur after a one hole play-off.  Four other top-five finishes allowed him to sit atop the Players Cup Points List for the entire 2014 season, where he accumulated 2635 points.
RJ represented Arizona at the Men’s State Team Championship in French Lick, Indiana.  He also qualified for the US Amateur Championship.

2014 Accomplishments: Leader – Players Cup Points – 2635, Winner –Short CourseWinner –Falcon Amateur, 2nd – Inaugural Players Cup, T2nd – Tempe Amateur, 3rd – San Tan Amateur, Qualifier – US Amateur

Masters Player of the Year: Scotts Smith

Scott Smith is a newer name on the AGA tour, but it didn’t take him long to prove he is one of the best.  His victory at the Senior Stroke Play Championship, followed by his divisional win at the Southern Amateur, helped solidify his Masters Player of the Year title.  He was also 3rd in the Players Cup Performance points in the Masters Division.
2014 Accomplishments: Winner –Senior Stroke Play, Winner –Southern Amateur(Masters), T4th –Player’s Cup Championship(Masters), 3rd – Masters Players Cup Points – 1602

Senior Player of the Year: Rusty Brown

Rusty Brown has once again earned a Player of the Year title after a strong 2014.  The leader in Senior Players Cup Points, Rusty won the 2014 Players Cup Championship, placed 2nd in the Southern Amateur in the Senior division, and qualified for the US Senior Amateur Championship.  Rusty also participated as a member of the victorious Senior Goldwater Cup team.
2014 Accomplishments: Leader – Senior Players Cup Points – 2433, Winner – 2014 Players Cup Championship(Senior), 2nd – Southern Amateur(Senior), T2nd – Inaugural Players Cup Championship, T4th – San Tan Amateur, T9th – Senior Stroke Play Championship, T10th – AZ Stroke Play Championship, Qualifier – US Senior Amateur Championship

Legends Player of the Year: David Rasley

The leader of the Player’s Cup Points Ranking for the Legends division, David Rasley played well in the Divisional Championships, winning the 2014 Players Cup Championship and finishing T-3 in the Senior Stroke Play Championship. Rasley also represented the AGA as a member of the victorious Senior Goldwater Cup Team. 
2014 Accomplishments: Leader – Legends Players Cup Points – 1275, Winner – inaugural Players Cup Championship, Winner – 2014 Players Cup Championship(Legends), T3rd – Senior Stroke Play Championship

Mayfair Award: Alex McMahon – 68.51 Scoring Average

The Mayfair Award is presented to the AGA member with the lowest stroke average from selected events during the season. To qualify, a contestant must: 1) Compete in at least one USGA qualifying round in AZ AND at least two AGA individual major championships, or 2) Compete in at least one USGA qualifying round in AZ AND at least one AGA individual major championship AND the NCAA Finals. Additional individual competitions that count toward this award are the Pacific Coast and Southwestern Amateurs (when contested in AZ), AZ Open, PING AZ Intercollegiate, ASU Thunderbird Invitational and the U.S. Open, Amateur, Mid-Amateur & Junior Amateurs. A contestant must return a minimum of twelve 18-hole scores from all above listed competitions and all rounds will be used to determine the scoring average.
Alex satisfied the eligibility requirements posting 17 rounds from the following tournaments: AZ Amateur Championship(Champion), Pacific Coast Amateur, NCAA Invitationals at ASU and UofA, US Open Local Qualifier, US Public Links Qualifier and Championship

2013 Year in Review

Updegraff Award: Christi Dickinson

Established in 1990, the Updegraff Award is the AGA’s highest honor given in recognition of those who, by their actions, exemplify the spirit of the game. The award is named for Dr. Ed Updegraff of Tucson, honoring his lifetime contributions and dedication to amateur golf in Arizona.
Chrisit Dickinson, the 2013 recipient of this award, has been selflessly giving back to the game of golf almost her entire adult life. She is a member at Paradise Valley CC.

Christi has a profound love for the rules. She attended countless USGA/PGA Rules schools since 1985 and is considered an expert having achieved a score of 92 on the test for most of those years. That knowledge has served her well- in 1993 she was invited to sit on the US Women’s Mid-Amateur Committee and later on the USGA Women’s Committee. She has been Chairman of the Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship, the Women’s State Team and has officiated at the Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Women’s Amateur, Girls and Boys Junior, British Women’s Open, World Amateur and Curtis Cup.

Chrisit became the first female member of the AGA Board of Directors in 1996 and in 2001 its first female president. Following her term, she has served as a member of the Council of Past Presidents, President of the Arizona Golf Foundation and Chairman of the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame.

During the many years we’ve known Christi, she has always displayed those qualities that this award stands for; honesty, integrity, and humility. One doesn’t dedicate that much time, money and energy serving a game without loving that game.

We are privileged to have Chrisit join the ranks of those that have been honored and forever linked to the man affectionately known as Dr. Ed

Doc Graves Volunteer of the Year: John Ranslem

Each year the AGA staff 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 “Doc” Graves, a long-time AGA volunteer who exemplifies the selfless contributions of time and dedication to serving golf in Arizona.
In 2012, we honored John Ranslem with this prestigious award. He moved to Scottsdale sixteen years ago from the Houston area after a long and successful career as the Vice President of Human Resources for the Chevron Chemical Company. Upon moving to Arizona, John immediately started volunteering with the AGA.

John started as tournament volunteer in April 1997, and has been working tournaments since then. He wanted to expand his opportunities so he became a rules official and has attended five USGA/PGA Rules workshops.

When the AGA created the Board of Governors in 2000; John was placed on the committee. With his HR background he put together a Skills Inventory of all the Directors and Volunteers. Following that he led a team and put together a Volunteer Development Program from which several ideas were implemented. Proving that he had skills that benefited the AGA, John became the unofficial Volunteer Coordinator.

John served on the Executive Committee for nine years with three of those years being spent as the chair of the Member Services Committee. He was also instrumental in starting the Senior Cup Series and has chaired that committee for nine years.

The AGA is extremely appreciative of John’s strengths and support over the past 18 years and we look forward to many more years of having you as a part of the Arizona golf family.

Player of the Year: Trey Martin

Trey Martin had an outstanding 2013 season. Sitting atop of the points list with 905 points, he met the criteria for player of the Year consideration. A win at the Tempe Amateur, qualifying for the US amateur and US Mid-Amateur and consistent play including six top eight finishers in AGA tournaments, earned the title for Trey.
Trey represented the Arizona Golf Association on the Bob Goldwater Cup, Arizona/Utah Shootout and Southwest Challenge Teams.

2013 Accomplishments: Leader- Open Performance Points-905, Winner-2013 Tempe Amateur, Medalist-US Amateur Qualifying, Qualifier- US Mid-Amateur

Masters Player of the Year: Laurie Warder

Player of the year in the Masters Divsion was a lock for Laurie Warder who was the Arizona Senior Stroke Play Championship follower by another win at the Arizona Senior Stroke Play Championship followe another win at the Arizona Senior Match Play Championship, both major divisional events. A former professional tennis player, Wander has certainly found his way to the golf course.
2013 Accomplishments: Winner- Senior Stroke Play, Winner- Senior Match Play, 3rd- Masters Performance Points-565

Senior Player of the Year: Mark Coward

After regaining his amateur status in 2013, Mark found his stride quickly in AGA events by winning the Senior Stroke Play Championship. Continuing to prove he could play at a high level, Coward finished runner up in the Senior Match Play Championship in his division. Even though he was plagued by neck issues throughout the year, Coward played through the pain to compete on the Goldwater Cup Team.
2012 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Winner – Senior Stroke Play Runner up-Senior Match Play T15- Arizona Mid-Amateur

Legends Player of the Year: David Rasley The leader of the performance Points Ranking for the legends division, David Rasley played well in the Divisional Championships, winning the Senior Match Play Championship and finishing 3rd in the Senior Stroke Play Championship. He ended his 2013 campaign with a victory at the Inaugural Cup Championship. Rasley also represented the AGA as a member of the Goldwater Cup Team.

2013 ACCOMPLISHMENTS Leader- AGA Legends Performance Points – 743 Winner- Senior Match Play Championship Winner-Inaugural Players Cup-Legends Divison 2nd Short Course Tournament 2nd- Northern Divisonal Four-Ball 3rd Senior Stroke Play

Mayfair Award: Peter Kyo Won Koo – 62.62 Scoring Average

The Mayfair Award is presented to the AGA member with the lowest stroke average from selected events during the season. To qualify, a contestant must: 1) Compete in at least one USGA qualifying round in AZ AND at least two AGA individual major championships, or 2) Compete in at least one USGA qualifying round in AZ AND at least one AGA individual major championship AND the NCAA Finals. Additional individual competitions that count toward this award are the Pacific Coast and Southwestern Amateurs (when contested in AZ), AZ Open, PING AZ Intercollegiate, ASU Thunderbird Invitational and the U.S. Open, Amateur, Mid-Amateur & Junior Amateurs. A contestant must return a minimum of twelve 18-hole scores from all above listed competitions and all rounds will be used to determine the scoring average.
Peter satisfied the eligibility requirements posting 13 rounds from the following tournaments: Arizona Amateur Championship; Arizona Stroke Play Championship; Arizona Public Links Championship; US Public Links Qualifier; US Public Links Championship

Peter will be playing for the University of Arizona in the fall of 2014