AGA NEWS
HALL OF FAME
role as a superintendent also has evolved. “My goal was to work
Shawn Emerson When Shawn Emerson came to Phoenix in 1983, he was puzzled that his father had chosen Arizona to pursue a career as a golf course superintendent. Bill Emerson tried to assure him that it would become the “mecca of golf in the United States.” Despite lingering
doubts, Shawn followed in his father’s footsteps, never imagining that one day both would be in the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame. That became reality when Shawn was inducted in November. “The biggest thing
about (the induction) is that it means my peers have appreciated my efforts over the 30 years I have been involved with golf here in Arizona,” Emerson said. “But when you end up following in your father’s footsteps in the career that you chose, it makes it really special. I mean, what kid doesn’t want to have his father as his hero or his idol?” Emerson, 54, also credits
his success to the guidance received from many others, including hall of famers Dick Hyland, Lyle Anderson and Dr. David Kopec. As golf in Arizona has
grown into the mecca his father predicted, Emerson’s
www.azgolf.org
with the best in the business and kind of become a collage of all of them, and formulate my own ideas based on that experience,” he said. “My gratification started with having good grass on the course but I was taught that it’s really about the people. “I always pride myself on
being a good grass grower, but what I’m really pleased about is all the people I have worked with and have moved on to other places in the industry.” Emerson estimates that
“about 150” people who have worked under his direction have advanced, with some becoming industry leaders around the country. “They have hosted
major championships and Ryder Cups at their courses and have made names for themselves,” he said. “Just to watch all of them and see them improve their lives and move forward, that’s the real gratification.”
Kathy Cornelius, who won
the U.S. Women’s Open as an LPGA Tour rookie in 1956, was inducted in November in the Legacy Division. Cornelius, 85, who was
born in Boston, married Valley golf pro Bill Cornelius in 1953 and turned pro that year, then headed out to the LPGA Tour in 1956 with a second-hand automobile and $150 in her purse. That same year, she
won the Open, marking her only major title, and claimed five other victories before leaving the tour in 1982. During that time, she became known as the “other Kathy” as she competed with the likes of LPGA legend Kathy Whitworth, and once held tour records for low score for 36, 54 and 72 holes. As an amateur player, she
competed on the men’s team at Florida Southern and was runner-up in the National Collegiate Championship in 1951 and ’53. Her youngest daughter,
Kay, often traveled with her to tour events, then became an All-American golfer at Stanford and currently is a highly regarded teacher as the director of instruction at Ocotillo Golf Club in Chandler. She won the U.S. Girls Junior in 1981, making them the only mother-daughter duo to earn USGA championships.
Kathy Cornelius The name Cornelius is synonymous with golf in Arizona, so it is only fitting that it became enshrined in the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame in 2017.
Cliff Whittle His free spirit and keen sense of humor made Cliff Whittle one of the most likable golf pros to call Arizona home, but it was his love of the game as an accomplished player and instructor that made him a legend in the Southwest.
His place was affirmed
in November when he was inducted into the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame in the Legends Division. Whittle, who died in 2009,
was named the Professional of the Year for the Rocky Mountain PGA Section in 1961 and won numerous events throughout the West, including the Rocky Mountain PGA Championship in 1957. He also served as
president of the Southwest Section of the PGA from 1975-77 and as an instructor at business schools 1 and 2 of the PGA Apprentice Program. He was the host pro for the first PGA National Club Professional Championship in 1969. Whittle took a special
interest in teaching the game to junior golfers, inspiring them to play with respect for the traditions of the game. His passion led to the
creation of the Cliff Whittle Cup. Founded in 2007 by John Gunby, who received the 2017 AGA Champion of Golf Award, the program honors Whittle’s achievements and influence and provides opportunities for juniors to play golf and have fun within a developmental league at a number of Valley facilities. n
ANNUAL 2017 | AZ GOLF Insider | 29
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