From the Executive Director


AZ golf has challenges, but also lots of promise!


T


he golf season is almost here. For those returning to Arizona, you have missed one of our best summers,


with fabulous course conditions and wonderful weather (if you forget the three weeks of 115 -degrees-plus), a great monsoon and only a few haboobs! I’m once again troubled by all of


the negative spin on the future of golf courses by the major media. The reality is that Arizona golf is fairly healthy beginning the season with admittedly a cloudy future. The specter on the horizon is that without growth or profits, ownership may find it better to convert to housing to justify their investment, which would leave golfers with fewer options and higher fees. Arizona has its challenges, but I


believe we’re better here than many of our friends elsewhere, as more people (golfers) are moving into the state, and junior golf is simply outstanding in talent and participation. Much of this will be brought out in the new Golf Economic Impact Study being led by the Cactus & Pine Golf Course Superintendents’ Association. Look for the release in the next month or so. The numbers will astound you. We have several upcoming events


worth your look. Octoberfest at Mayan Palace south of Rocky Point is scheduled for the third week of October and the Club Team qualifiers begin soon, as well as the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony that is moving to the Tuesday before Thanksgiving — Nov. 22. We are planning a formal dinner this year in place of the Am/Pro event. Inductees were not announced at the deadline for this issue but visit the AGA website azgolf.org or contact the office for details. December’s issue will


12 | AZ GOLF Insider | FALL 2016


have a full review of this year’s class. The AGA’s championship season


was a great success with PING engineer Cory Bacon winning the year’s last major, the AZ Amateur, over Ken Tanigawa at a perfectly prepared Country Club at DC Ranch. I can’t imagine a better host club. Down to the named parking places for all contestants, everything was as good as it could be. Finishing the 2016 season is the Players Cup Championship finale at The Rim Club in Payson, another terrific tournament site, the first of November. To begin our 2017 season we


welcome new rules and competitions director Andrew Polonec, fresh from the American Junior Golf Association team. At the same time we say good- bye to Derek McKenzie, our director of handicapping and course ratings who has been a part of our family for the past ten years. He has decided to relocate to the Los Angeles area to join his girlfriend (and future wife). We’re also looking closely at joining


with the AWGA to form a more vibrant resource and outreach for all golfers, not just those wanting handicaps. I’m sure we’ll have progress reports throughout the next several months. 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


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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