EVENTS
Shriners Children's Open Qualifying
The Shriners Children's Open will have 2 separate Pre-Qualifiers played at Boulder Creek Golf Club on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 and Thursday, October 5, 2023. Each qualifier will be 18-hole stroke play. Top finishers will advance to the Shriners Children's Open Monday Qualifier on Monday, October 9, 2023 at Spanish Trail Country Club.
PDR Opportunity - Introduction to Section Governance Webinar
Wednesday, October 11th
1:00-3:00PM MST
The Section Governance webinar is a great way for you, as a Southwest Section Member or Associate, to gain a "behind the scenes" understanding of the activities which support our membership. Executive Director, Bernie Eaton, PGA, will be covering a wide range of topics.
New Event - Southwest PGA Women's Section Championship
Two rounds of 18-hole, stroke play competition will be held on Talking Stick Golf Club's Pipaash Course (formerly the South Course), November 28-29. The field will be repaired based on scores after the first round.
Participants will play from approximately 6,000 yards.
NEWS AND RELEASES
September 18, 2023
Kim Paez, PGA - Interview on Golf Central/Golf Channel - 2023 Southwest PGA Section Champion. View video
September 14, 2023
Southwest PGA Section Champion Kim Paez Interview. View video
September 14, 2023
Paez Makes History as First Woman to Win Southwest PGA Section Championship Written by Abby Parsons, PGA Read more
September 6, 2023
The Southwest PGA Championship/PPC Returns to We-Ko-Pa. Read more
August 22, 2023
Instagram's Favorite On-Course Golf Games Written by Abby Parsons, PGA Read more
August 10, 2023
The Southwest PGA and We-Ko-Pa Golf Club announce partnership. Read More
Who We Are
The PGA of America is the world's largest sports organization, comprised of 28,000 men and women golf Professionals who are the recognized experts in teaching and growing the game. Founded in 1916, the PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position by conducting premier spectator events – PGA Championship, Ryder Cup, Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid and PGA Grand Slam of Golf – as well as significant philanthropic outreach initiatives, and award-winning golf promotions.
The Southwest PGA is one of forty-one sections of the Professional Golfers' Association of America. Its boundaries include the state of Arizona and Clark County in Southern Nevada. There are two chapters within the Southwest PGA - the Southern Chapter and Southern Nevada Chapter. Each chapter aims to further facilitate programs and support their members specific needs in those areas.
Southwest PGA Mission Statement
We exist to foster the fellowship and career development of our Section professionals, create playing opportunities and support our Foundation’s charitable programs.
Board of Directors
Steve Leonard, PGA
President Putting World
Le Ann Finger, PGA/LPGA
Vice President
Steven Outlaw, PGA
Secretary Troon
Al Sutton, PGA
Honorary President Paradise Valley Country Club
Ben Baldwin, PGA
Board Member IZON Technology
Ryan Lanzen, PGA
Board Member Pinetop Country Club
Min Park, PGA
Board Member Talking Stick Golf Club
Abby Parsons, PGA
Board Member Country Club at DC Ranch
Kevin Reagan, PGA
Board Member Granite Falls Golf Club
Roy Smith, PGA
Board Member Talking Stick Golf Club
Chris Thomson, PGA
Board Member Camelback Golf Club
Kiel Wolf, PGA
Board Member Desert Mountain
Brent Lingel, PGA
Southern Chapter President Rolling Hills GC/Dorado CC
Brian Sanders, PGA
So. Nevada Chapter President DragonRidge Country Club
Mark Deatherage
Independant DirectorSection Past Presidents
2021-2023 — Al Sutton
2019-2021 — Jay Larscheid
2017-2019 — Jamey Lewis
2014-2017 — Greg Leicht
2013-2014 — Don Rea
2011-2013 — Michael Haywood
2009-2011 — Michael Wright
2007-2009 — Brett Upper
2005-2007 — Albert Murdock
2004-2005 — Joe Shershenovich
2003-2004 — Rick Price
2001-2003 — Jim Murphy
1999-2001 — Kevin Lewis
1997-1999 — Jeff Lessig
Section Past Presidents
1995-1997 — Brian Whitcomb
1993-1995 — Phil Green
1991-1993 — Ralph Bernhisel
1989-1991 — Dennis Hogan
1987-1989 — John Jackson
1985-1987 — Craig Sloan
1983-1985 — Craig Sloan
1981-1983 — Craig Sloan
1979-1981 — Ralph Bernhisel
1977-1979 — Mack McCarley
1975-1977 — Cliff Whittle
1974-1975 — Joe Bartko
1972-1974
— Don LeHew
National Past Presidents
2017-2018 — Paul Levy
2007-2008 — Brian Whitcomb
1983-1984 — Mark Kizziar
Our Staff
Bernie Eaton, PGA
Executive Director 480-443-9002 x102
Bill Ibrahim
Senior Director of Operations 480-443-9002 x101
Mike Martino, PGA
Director of Rules and Competitions 480-443-9002 x107
Hannah Kolesar
Director of Junior Golf Operations 480-443-9002 x113
Baxter Parrott
Director of Sales and Marketing 480-443-9002 x106
Mike Schoaf
Director of Communications & Technology 480-443-9002 x105
Sydney Teneycke
Southern Chapter Director 520-820-5257
Kevin McEvoy
Southern Nevada Chapter Director 702-217-5334Southwest PGA Awards
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Southwest PGA Awards
Brent Lingel, PGA
Rolling Hills GC/Dorado CC Golf Professional of the Year
Megan Scholl, PGA
Grayhawk Golf Club Assistant Golf Professional of the Year
Derek Deminsky, PGA
Forty-Niner Country Club Teacher of the Year
Liam Hunt, PGA
DragonRidge Country Club Youth Player Development Award
Mark Gurnow, PGA
Superstition Mountain Golf & CC Bill Strausbaugh Award
Brian Jones, PGA
UNLV PGM Program PGA Professional Development Award
Landyn Lewis, PGA
Tucson City Golf Player Development Award
Samantha Sorensen, PGA
Las Vegas Country Club Merchandiser of the Year - Private
Greg Adams, PGA
Prescott Golf Club Merchandiser of the Year - Public
Andy Silcox, PGA
Camelback Golf Club Merchandiser of the Year - Resort
Jesse Mueller, PGA
Grand Canyon University GC Rolex Player of the Year
Tommi Avant
Lone Tree Golf Club Assistant Player of the Year
Jim Carter, PGA
PGA Life Member Rolex Senior Player of the Year -
Hall of Fame
2020
John Gunby, PGA
2017
Al Birmingham
Dick Hyland, PGA
Tom Lambie, PGA
Ron McPherson
John A. Solheim2013
Karsten Solheim
2012
Jerry Roberts, PGA
Dana Garmany, PGA
Phil Green, PGA2011
Chuck McCool, PGA
Bobby Phillips, PGA
Craig Sloan, PGA
Ed Francese, PGA
Gene Lesch, PGA2010
Brian Whitcomb, PGA
John Jackson, PGA
Roger Maxwell, PGA
Johnny Bulla, PGA
Willie Low, PGA2009
Arch Watkins, PGA
Dave Engelking, PGA
Bill Farkas, PGA
Mack McCarley, PGA
Cliff Whittle, PGA
V.O. "Red" Allen, PGA
Joe Bartko, PGA
Jack Morrison, PGA -
Southwest PGA PING Anser Award
The Anser Award was created by the Southwest PGA and PING in 1991 as a way to recognize individuals who have made significant and impactful contributions to advancing or promoting the game of golf throughout the state of Arizona. Over the past years the list of recipients has grown to include some of the most influential names in history of golf in Arizona.
2022 - Lou Grubb
2021 - Kathy Wilkes
2020 - No Recipient
2019 - Dana Garmany
2018 - Tim Kloenne
2017 - Dave Engelking
2015 - Tom Cunningham
2014 - John A. Solheim
2013 - Ron McPherson
2012 - Tucson Conquistadors
2011 - Brian Whitcomb
2010 - Dot Straw
2009 - George Boutell
2008 - Heather Farr
2007 - Louise Solheim
2006 - Al Birmingham
2005 - V.O. “Red” Allen
2004 - Willie Low
2003 - Jay D. Woodward
2002 - Sister Lynn Winsor
2001 - Thunderbirds
2000 - Bill Dickey
1999 - Linda Vollstedt
1998 - Lyle Anderson
1997 - John Riggle
1996 - Harry Cavanaugh
1995 - Arch Watkins
1994 - Ed Updegraff
1993 - Bill Farkas, Sr.
1992 - Bob Goldwater
1991 - Karsten Solheim
Contact Us
Our Address
10607 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd.
Suite J103
Scottsdale, AZ 85259
Email Us
Call Us
480-443-9002
