AGA NEWS
HALL OF FAME “I played college baseball with Fred’s
brother and he used to caddie for me,” Dallas said. “From that, a wonderful friendship was formed and we have stayed close even though our careers have taken us in different directions.” Dallas, who also has mentored
PGA Tour pro Charlie Beljan, among others, regained his amateur status after moving to Arizona in 1984 and has won many AGA events, including six of its majors. He has played in nine USGA national championships, including five Senior Amateurs. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my
association with the AGA and playing in their events,” he said. “That makes this award all the more special. It really came as a big surprise to me and I am tremendously honored to be selected.”
with Tucson National in 1979. That experience introduced him to golf legends such as Bob Toski, Paul Runyan and Jim Flick, which put his career on a successful path. Later, he became the first general
manager of Troon Country Club. Other stops have included Desert Troon, Hassayampa, Quintero and Seven Canyons. Since 2010, he has been the general manager at DC Ranch. Through all of that, Skelton
became widely respected for mentoring many others who have found success in golf management. “When I texted my kids that I had
been chosen for the Hall of Fame, my daughter replied, ‘What for?’ ” Skelton said. “So she brought me right back down to Earth pretty quickly. “It certainly hasn’t been because of
my golf game. I’ve been blessed with great opportunities and great friends at great properties, and I know at the end of the day that’s why this happened. I know how fortunate I am, but I’m still trying to get my arms around it.”
Phil Green A lifelong Arizonan who was born in Safford, Green has watched the state’s golf industry flourish firsthand and has played an important role in its development. “Being a native Arizonan and
Paul Skelton
Paul Skelton Growing up in a family of pharmacists in Champaign, Ill., Skelton went to pharmacy school with the idea of pursuing the same vocation, but quickly discovered, “I couldn’t stand behind a counter and count pills all day.” “I wanted to find a career
where people come through the door to have a great day,” he said. “My father told me that wasn’t possible, but I found it in golf.” For more than 30 years, Skelton
has made his mark at several of Arizona’s premier courses, starting
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having grown up with golf and seeing all the changes that have been made in my lifetime, this means a great deal,” he said of his Hall of Fame selection. “I’ve seen so many great people inducted and worked with great organizations and associations, so to be included in that circle with this honor is really unbelievable.” Green currently serves as chief
operating officer of OB Sports, which manages nearly 50 courses in 16 states. During his 29 years as a PGA of America member, he has been involved in all aspects of golf course operations in 22 states and has gained national recognition through many industry awards. His initial plan was to run the family’s Western Auto store, but that changed
Phil Green
during college when Green landed a part-time job at Orange Tree Golf Resort. “I’ve worked with some of the
best people in the golf industry, starting with Henry DeLozier,” said Green, who attended ASU and Grand Canyon University. “When I think about the quality people I have worked with in Arizona, there are just too many to count.” Green has served as president, vice
president and tournament chairman with the Southwest Section of the PGA. He was named its Professional of the Year in 1994 and inducted to its Hall of Fame in 2013. “Neither (Hall of Fame) is anything
I really aspired to achieve, so I really don’t even know how to describe it,” Green said. “It’s pretty amazing.” n
About AZ Golf Hall of Fame The Arizona Golf Hall of Fame was formed in 1968, and includes 90 members with the induction of the Class of 2014 — Tom Cunningham, Steve Dallas, Phil Green and Paul Skelton. Members are selected by a committee
that includes voters from the AGA, AWGA, JGAA, Cactus & Pine, CMAA and SWPGA, as well as living members of the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame.
ANNUAL2014 | AZ GOLF Insider | 37
COURTESY DC RANCH
COURTESY OB SPORTS
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