38> AWGA & JGAA NEWS 39> PATRIOT ALL-AMERICA 40> RULES & HANDICAPING 42> SCOREBOARD AGA NEWS ‘Mr. Cunningham’ heads
Hall of Fame honorees Dallas, Green, Skelton join Class of ’14
n BY JOHN DAVIS T
hose who have made their mark in Arizona golf often have done so not only by their individual accomplishments but also by what they have shared along the way. That certainly is the case for 2014 Arizona Golf Hall of Fame inductees
Tom Cunningham, Steve Dallas, Phil Green and Paul Skelton. The four men, who were inducted in November at Gainey Ranch Golf Club, all are
known as mentors who helped others excel in the industry. Cunningham and Dallas have done so by inspiring young players, while Green and
Skelton did so by guiding industry executives down the path of success. “That is so true of this group,” Cunningham said. “There are a lot of people we
have touched and, conversely, a lot of people who have touched us in positive ways. What a great feeling to be going in with three gentlemen who have done so much for the industry.”
During that time, thousands of
young golfers have come through the program, including the likes of Chez Reavie, Cheyenne Woods, Ted Purdy and the late Heather Farr. “It’s very humbling, to tell you the
truth, and certainly something I never expected,” Cunningham said of his induction. “I feel like I have received more from the game than I have given. “The contacts and networking
and people, not only from Arizona but around the country, have been so rewarding. I have acquired some wonderful friendships.” Mr. C stays involved with the
Tom Cunningham
Tom Cunningham Probably no one has done more to promote junior golf in Arizona than “Mr. Cunningham” (as the kids call him), who served with the Junior Golf Association of Arizona for 27 of its 30 years, including 20 as executive director, before stepping down in 2014.
36 | AZ GOLF Insider | ANNUAL 2014
game as executive director of the Junior America’s Cup and as a “Life Bird” with the Thunderbirds, the civic organization he joined in 1984. Cunningham, an Arizona State
graduate, took over the reins of the JGAA when it was on the verge of collapse. He not only built it into a highly successful program but one that has served as a model for others around the country.
“Letting people know about
junior golf in Arizona has been very rewarding, especially when I look at the things we did that have been implemented in other places,” he said. “I always thought it was important for us to learn from others and offer something that helped them in return.”
Steve Dallas His love of golf has taken Dallas through just about every facet of the game, from accomplished player to club pro to mentor of young talent to course management and ownership. “I’ve been fortunate to do just about
everything in the game,” he said. “I don’t even want to think about what life would have been like without (golf).” Dallas, who currently manages
Las Colinas Golf Club and is owner of Apache Creek Golf Club, played professionally on tours in South Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Canada while living in his native Seattle. During that time he took a
young Fred Couples under his wing, teaching him the game and giving Couples his first golf clubs. Couples is quick to credit Dallas as the person who launched a career that led to the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Steve Dallas
www.azgolf.org
COURTESY JGAA
COURTESY DALLAS FAMILY
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