From the Executive Director


IAGA reports golf is getting ready to grow


E


very year the International Association of Golf Administrators (IAGA) gathers to share (and steal)


ideas and marketing assessments. The group’s 50th annual meeting in November drew this universal response, that golf is getting healthy as opposed to the media’s ongoing perception that the game is waning. The findings were that rounds


played and dollars spent are increasing, while the over-building of the past 20 years in equipment and golf courses is adjusting, and the marketplace is correcting. More young people are playing, which is a great indicator for the future of Arizona golf. Even better, we now have a basis set for new growth. Closer to home, we’re looking


forward to the coming season. The AGA’s Championship Tour recently crowned its points leaders for 2016 with Bryan Hoops winning both the Open and Masters points race, Roger Kraig winning the Senior division and Dave Rasley the Legends. At the same time, the Players Cup, a reward for great play throughout the year, kicked off the first major of the 2017 points season. Ken Tanigawa continued his stellar play winning the championship by an impressive 10 strokes, and Brad Wayment, Rusty Brown and Tim Blau taking the trophies within the divisions. Our last event of 2016, the annual


Club Team Championship will be held Dec. 12 at Moon Valley Country Club. Each club is invited to submit one or more two-person teams to participate in the ultimate club challenge. We started with over 250 teams. We then conducted five qualifiers throughout the state to whittle it down to 54 teams. The Hall of Fame welcomed five this


year: Dick Hyland from the Country Club at DC Ranch; LPGA Founder and


12 | AZ GOLF Insider | ANNUAL 2016


Hall of Famer Marilynn Smith; long- time professional Tom Lambie; Christi Dickinson, USGA Women’s Committee and AGA president; and Joe Porter, former PGA Tour member and Arizona Amateur champion. It was a great evening, hosted by noted instructor/ CBS Sports commentator Peter Kostis. For the sixth straight year, the


Patriot All-America again will be staged at The Wigwam from Dec. 27-31. The opening ceremony on the morning of the 27th should not be missed, with two dynamic speakers and 84 of the best young golfers competing over 54 holes. There still are a few openings for the Am-Am if you would want to team up with two PING All-America players on the newly renovated Wigwam Gold Course. Contact Joselyn Wojtalewicz at the AGA if you’d like to play. The interview in AZ GOLF Insider


with PING’s retiring Doug Hawken will enlighten you on one of America’s most successful sports enterprises through the eyes of their president and his 45-year career. AGA’s friends at Uncorked have


reopened their wine restaurant on Scottsdale Road just north of Frank Lloyd Wright, and will treat anyone identifying themselves as an AGA Member with something special based on the day and time. Cheers! n


By Ed Gowan AZGOLFINSIDER


EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFFICERS PRESIDENT.................................................................................................Bill Lich 1ST VICE PRESIDENT .........................................................Mike McWilliams 2ND VICE PRESIDENT ...............................................................Bill Burgesser SECRETARY ..................................................................................Mike Saladino TREASURER ........................................................................................Tim Brown


EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS Kevin Cruickshank; Lee Decof; Mark Jeffery; Ryan Johnson; Mike Kane; Bob McNichols; Bill Phipps; Judi Polidori; Matt Witzke. AWGA Representative, Janet Cothren


AGA STAFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR....................................................................Ed Gowan ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ....................................Lorraine Thies DIRECTOR OF HANDICAPPING & COURSE RATING. ..............................................................Derek McKenzie CLUB PROGRAMS MANAGER ............................................Michelle Evens DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING/SPONSORSHIPS ..............Brian Foster* DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING PARTNERSHIPS........................Chris Montgomery* DIRECTOR OF RULES AND COMPETITIONS ...........Andrew Polonec MANAGER TOURNAMENT OPERATIONS ................Courtney Smyser CHAMPIONSHIP MANAGER ...................................................... .Jim Franko DIRECTOR OF MEMBER AND CLUB RELATIONS .............Alex Tsakiris MEMBER SERVICES MANAGER .................................................Liz Durnan COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER ............................Joselyn Wojtalewicz ACCOUNTING.......................................................................... Betty Saltzgiver P. J. BOATWRIGHT INTERN .................................................Michael Mason


*Denotes independent contractor


THE AZ GOLF INSIDER STAFF PUBLISHER.....................................................................................Mark Nothaft EDITOR-IN-CHIEF .........................................................................Bill Huffman DESIGNER............................................................................Carl Bezuidenhout AGA EDITOR .................................................................................Lorraine Thies SENIOR EDITOR ................................................................................John Davis REAL ESTATE EDITOR ......................................Gremlyn Bradley-Waddell FOOD EDITOR ................................................................................Carey Sweet GENERAL ASSIGNMENTS .......................................................... Jeff Heisner PHOTO EDITOR .........................................................................Jane Zarzynski SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER .......................................................Dennis Scully SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER ........................................................Wade Moran CONTRIBUTORS ..........................Ed Gowan, Lorraine Thies, Julie Fenn Scott McNevin, Robyn Noll, Tom Mackin, Joe Passov, Cori Matheson ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER ................................Ryan Chackel ADVERTISING GRAPHIC DESIGNER ........................................Steve Copas For magazine inquiries, backspinmediagroup@gmail.com


BACKSPIN MEDIA GROUP PRESIDENT.......................................................................................Bill Huffman GENERAL MANAGER ................................................................Mark Nothaft BackspinMediaGroupUSA@gmail.com


AZ GOLF Insider, is published four times a year by the Arizona Golf Association. It


is supported by members’ dues, utilizing $3 per


member per year. We welcome all editorial submissions, including letters, but assume no responsibility for the loss or damage of unsolicited material. They will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Views expressed within these pages do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or official policies of the Arizona Golf Association. No part of this magazine is intended as an endorsement of any equipment, publication, videotape, golf course or other entity. No part of this magazine may be reproduced for use as an advertising, publicity or endorsement item without written approval of the AGA. AZ GOLF Insider is offered on a subscription basis for $12.95 annually. Individual copies may be obtained by forwarding $5 to the address below.


Arizona Golf Association 7600 E. Redfield Rd., Suite 130 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 (602) 944-3035 (800) 458-8484 In-State Line www.azgolf.org


www.azgolf.org


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