­­­­Since 2003, the OGA has been recognizing some of the top contributions to the game of golf at many levels, and today we continue that tradition with the 2015 Oregon Golf Association Annual Awards. Ten different categories are included, with a new one added in 2015 – the Club Executive of the Year award. Winners are chosen based on nominations sent to the OGA by fellow OGA members and those involved in the golf industry.

OGA MEMBER OF THE YEAR - RICH WALTERS, TRYSTING TREE GC, CORVALLIS, ORE.
During Rich’s two-year term as Trysting Tree’s Club President he made significant improvement to club procedures and operations, including re-writing local rules, starting new events such as the Club’s “Black & Blue” tournament, and developing a “Home & Home” with Diamond Woods. He continues to contribute on the Club’s Handicap and Tournament Committees, which have all resulted in growth and success of the Trysting Tree Player’s Club.

Additionally, Rich serves the game through his volunteerism and  participation with the OGA’s Course Rating Team.

HANDICAP CHAIR OF THE YEAR - PEGGY COLE, GEARHART GL, GEARHART, ORE.
Peggy began her club involvement with Gearhart Golf Links while when waiting for her husband to finish golf, her middle-school teacher instincts took over and she began organizing the bulleting boards at the Sandtrap. After a few months, the golf pro at the time asked if she’d do the handicaps. That was in 1992 and she’s been doing them since.

 “We’re very happy to bestow Peggy with this honor - it is so well deserved," said OGA Sr. Director of Handicapping and Course Rating, Kelly Neely. "Not only has she been volunteering at Gearhart since 1992, she did dual duty by serving in the same capacity at Astoria G&CC for a few years. It’s challenging enough to be the Handicap Chair at one club, but two at the same time is almost unheard of." 

"As a former school teacher, Peggy possesses all the qualities of a great Handicap Chair: she’s a skilled educator, extremely organized, and fair-minded. She wants to do the right thing. The best teachers also love to learn, and that’s what Peggy’s all about.”

DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR - JIM HAWKES, EAGLE CREST RESORT, REDMOND, ORE.
Jim’s commitment to the game of golf is matched by few. He’s the OGA Director not only at Eagle Crest Resort, but at Aspen Lakes Golf Course as well. He’s a diligent advocate for the game as well as the OGA through communication to his club, updating the OGA on what’s going on in Central Oregon. In addition to his Director duties, Jim has also served as Handicap Chair and Club President at these facilities.

This year in particular, Jim stepped up in an immensely helpful capacity for the OGA when this year’s Bob Norquist Oregon Junior Amateur was held at Eagle Crest Resort recruiting volunteers for the event.

“Jim was super helpful for us this year during the Bob Norquist at Eagle Crest," said Robyn Lorain, Director of Oregon Junior Golf. "From getting us volunteers and scorers for the Pee Wees, he’s a great example of what we count on so much in our Directors and volunteers!”

CLUB OF THE YEAR - HARBOR LINKS GC, KLAMATH FALLS, ORE.
Harbor Links Golf Course stands as a steadfast beacon to the community of Klamath Falls and the game of golf. Next year, the course will celebrate it’s 30th year of operation.

Some of the members of the Club have been there since its inception, their current Club Champion was also their first Club Champion and their Superintendent delivers some of the best overall conditions in all of Southern Oregon.

Harbor Links has a strong club presence and also great junior development programs.

FACILITY OF THE YEAR - PORTLAND GC, PORTLAND, ORE.
This year’s Facility of the Year should not come as too much of a surprise if you’ve been watching amateur golf on the national stage. This Club’s storied tradition dates back to 1914 and just one year after celebrating their Centennial, hosted the 2015 US Women’s Amateur Championship, an event many, many years in the making.

While a fantastic year indeed, Portland Golf Club remains consistent and true to the Club’s commitment to its core values stating it is the members’ responsibility to the future of the game.

While Portland Golf Club has hosted many events, the members and staff have taken great pride in the number and quality of both top amateur and professional tournaments at the Club. Over the past 100 years, PGC has hosted three USGA Championships and was instrumental in saving the Ryder Cup Matches in 1947.

Additionally, PGC takes great pride in their contributions to the Evans Scholar program through the Western Golf Association, including most recently two PGC caddies being awarded scholarships last year.

GOLF PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - GUY PUDDEFOOT, SKAMANIA LODGE, STEVENSON, WASH.
Guy has been the Director of Golf Operations at Skamania Lodge since they opened their doors in 1993. After attending San Diego Golf Academy, he started his career at Salishan Golf and Spa Resort before joining the Skamania team.

His proactive, forward-thinking approach has recently led to several new program options at Skamania including a golf course Open House, “Date Night At Skamania Package,” Executive Ladies One-Day Clincs and many others. As a player, he excels and has been a participant on the winning 2002 and 2003 Albertson’s Team Challenge golf events and is described by many as an incredibly humble man.

His dedication, leadership, knowledge of agronomy, coupled with his open, affable demeanor combine for an excellent example of leadership for all golf professionals.

CLUB EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR - JASON BANGILD, GEARHART GL, GEARHART, ORE.
Gearhart Golf Links has quite a storied history, but the efforts of Director of Golf & Head Golf Professional Jason Bangild over the past few years may rival any of those contributions of the past.

Jason has recently led the charge not only in bringing Gearhart back to its proper place as a top golf course and destination in the Pacific Northwest, but has affected significant positive change in the local golf climate. From working with local groups putting on tournaments & events to overseeing a complete course renovation of the course including the removal of more than 400 trees, adding length and adding bunkers, Jason’s leadership has been felt in all areas of the facility’s operations.

Additionally, he’s coordinated & scheduled playing opportunities for his members including establishing and expanding a “Ryder Cup” format of matches with neighboring Astoria Golf & Country Club, Highlands Golf Club and Seaside Golf Club as well as setting up a trip to Chambers Bay for members to play in 2014 before the U.S. Open. Along with many others, Jason has put together, promoted and ran the “Jake Vs. Jake” event for the past two years that benefits Oregon Junior Golf, Youth on Course & Providence Hospital.

For all that Jason does that we’ve covered and so much more, he’s an example of leadership in a Club Executive position that shows us that golf and the industry have a bright future with the hard work of people like him.

SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR - KATHY HAUFF, EASTMORELAND GC, PORTLAND, ORE.
Eastmoreland Superintendent Kathy Hauff has a lot of fans on and off the golf course.

Hauff has come up through the ranks of the City of Portland’s public golf courses, first as a temporary greens crew member at Rose City before moving over to Heron Lakes, then securing full-time employment at Rose City where she worked for 5 years before being promoted to Assistant Superintendent at Heron Lakes. After completing her degree in Turfgrass Management through the Walla Walla Distance Learning Program, when the need for a new Superintendent arose at Eastmoreland in 2009 Kathy stepped up. She was later officially named to the position of Superintendent and has improved the course significantly in the past 6 years.

She’s known as an attentive listener, taking input well from her customers, Club members and those with the Portland Advisory Committee. During her tenure she’s overseen a complete revival of the putting and chipping areas, restoration of several tees and the course now sees consistently healthy greens along with the many other course improvements.

She’s adored by her bosses, the city’s Parks & Recreation Department, her crew, Proshop staff and most definitely her players and club members.

DALE JOHNSON MEDIA AWARD - MIKE TOKITO, THE OREGONIAN MEDIA GROUP
Mike Tokito is a well-read sportswriter who has worked for The Oregonian since 1989. He has covered every sport you can think of and currently covers the NBA, Trail Blazers and golf.

Mike grew up and attended high school in Honolulu before moving to Portland to earn his degree in English from Portland State University. He’s earned numerous sports writing awards from the Pro Basketball Writers Association and Golf Writers Association of America.

Mike’s passion for the story behind the story is illustrated in every piece he writes, whether covering the Oregon Amateur, the Portland Classic or high school golf phenoms. His commitment to promotion and advancement of the sport of golf in a declining coverage era is so important to the advancement of the game. All of us at the OGA staff, Executive Committee and all of us here today express our appreciation for everything he’s done for the sport.

COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD - GEORGE FOX UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S GOLF TEAM, NEWBERG, ORE.
Sometimes, a person or group’s contribution to the game and their community doesn’t fit within our standard award confines.

This year, we’re recognizing the George Fox Women’s Golf Team for their contributions both on and off the course. The team had a fantastic year, finishing ranked No. 2 in the NCAA Division III College Rankings while finishing 6th in the NCAA finals held in Florida. Three players earned All-American honors, and their top player was named Ping’s National Player of the Year.

More significantly for their recognition today, the team gives back in a myriad of ways off the course through volunteer work supporting the Children’s Course in Gladstone that includes repairs and course improvements as well as course maintenance. They even put on a clinic for special needs children from the local area. Instead of hosting a team Christmas Party they decided to go without their own party and instead put together more than 150 lunch baskets for the Newberg Food bank.

While golf is the sport and the platform that these young women are using, their real contributions and impact arise from giving back to others and showing love to their local community.