CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS FROM THE 2014 OGA ANNUAL MEETING

Since the annual meeting in 2004, 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 our Oregon Golf Association Annual Awards.

THE 2014 OGA MEMBER OF THE YEAR HONOR GOES TO…DAVID JACOBSEN, MEMBER AT WAVERLEY COUNTRY CLUB

David Jacobsen has been a pro-active supporter of both the Oregon Golf Association and the larger golf community for many years.  He has been the driving force behind the establishment and growth of the Jacobsen Youth Initiative, which incorporates two distinct programs to enhance junior golf in our region:  the Erling Jacobsen Tour (named for his father) and the Youth on Course Program, which provides kids access to participating golf courses at an affordable $5 rate.

In addition to being a huge supporter of junior golf development, David also donates his time to serve on the OGA Tournament Committee as well as OGA Golf Course Board of Directors and has been an active participant on both.  Always one to vocalize his appreciation of OGA Tournament Volunteers, David was instrumental in securing Waverley Country Club as host venue for last year’s OGA Volunteer Appreciation Day.  He is also a USGA Committee member and has assisted the OGA in securing sites for USGA local and sectional qualifiers that are conducted by the OGA.

Aside from his many contributions off the golf course at the state and local level, David is a first-class competitor in his own right, having most recently won the Oregon Mid-Amateur in 2013 – among many other titles.  And just this year he received the distinct honor of being invited to become a member of the prestigious Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland. 

SELECTED AS THIS YEAR’S HANDICAP CHAIR OF THE YEAR IS…
RANDY FLOREA OF THE PORTLAND  AREA FIREFIGHTERS GOLF GROUP

The Portland Fire motto – “Always Ready, Always There” fits Randy perfectly in his Handicap Chair position.  “Randy is one of those detail oriented Handicap Chairs who is very concerned about getting it right. But, because he has such a great manner, he can also influence his players in a companionable way,” said Sr. Director of Handicapping and Course Rating, Kelly Neely. 

A golfer for 35 years, Randy knows very well that he is – in his own words – “truly addicted” to the game.  When he isn’t playing golf and wearing his Handicap Chair badge, he is indulging in his other passions which include fishing and riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle.  

THE 2014 OGA DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR IS…
JOHN EDMUNDSON, MEMBER AT WILLOW CREEK COUNTRY CLUB

Of all the things the staff at the OGA hopes for in a Director, John Edmundson excels at exceeding our expectations time and time again. A former educator, principal and administrator across Oregon, John brings a passion to his involvement with the OGA and a willingness to represent his region – John’s from Heppner in NE Oregon.

In his spare time when not golfing, John enjoys any kind of outdoor activity and spending time with his lovely wife, Pat, who also serves the OGA as a Director of the Willow Creek Women’s Club.

THIS YEAR’S OGA CLUB OF THE YEAR HONOR GOES TO…
GRESHAM GOLF CLUB, IN GRESHAM, ORE

One Club nominated this year stood out for their commitment and contributions to their local community. The Gresham Golf Club raised and donated $4,000 to the Gresham and Barlow boys & girls golf teams and $1,000 to promote junior golf at Gresham Golf Course. 

The club has participated in the Ham and Sam foundation Golf Tournament the past two years raising more than $40,000 over the past two years for scholarships and donations to local food banks and shelters.

When one of the club’s members was diagnosed with ALS, many of the Men’s Club members signed up to raise money & awareness by participating in the ALS Walk and raised more than $10,000. 

THIS YEAR’S FACILITY OF THE YEAR AWARD GOES TO…
SHADOW HILLS COUNTRY CLUB, LOCATED IN JUNCTION CITY, ORE

In an era of a shrinking golf economy and country clubs reporting dwindling membership and facility sales, Shadow Hills Country Club has seen expanded growth in members, revenue, facility amenities and community and business rentals. 

With the opening of their new clubhouse in 2012, Shadow Hills has continued to expand and refine their facility, while functioning at a level that may be unsurpassed by any other in recent OGA history. Additionally, their newly expanded, 24-acre practice facility is expansive, while offering the ability for private lessons and the latest teaching technology in all types of weather.

Historically, according to Shadow Hills, many Oregon Country Clubs lose members after facility upgrades, or new clubhouse construction. However, starting with a membership of just 328 members in 2011, the numbers have swelled to just short of the 475 member cap mandated by their bylaws.

For their investment in the game, their commitment to tomorrow and developing a strong membership base, the OGA would like to recognize Shadow Hills Country Club as the 2014 Facility of the Year!

THIS YEAR’S GOLF PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR IS…
SHANDA IMLAY OWNER OF FUNdaMental GOLF & LEARNING CENTER IN OREGON CITY

Shanda has operated her own facility, FUNdaMental Golf & Learning Center for more than 12 years and was previously affiliated with several Private Clubs including most notably the Oregon Golf Club and Illahe Hills Golf Club in Salem. Shanda has a well-deserved reputation as an excellent golf instructor, tournament operator and for her business operations.

No stranger to the OGA, she is known for her positive attitude and willingness to take on projects outside of the expectations of her day-to-day activities. Beyond the daily duties of the golf professional, it is Shanda’s desire to give back to the game that takes her to a level deserving of recognition with this award.

Shanda volunteers for the OGA with Rules and Oregon Junior golf and has been a starter, forecaddie and helps with anything that staff might need assistance with. She also gives programs for EWGA and other organizations who are interested in learning about the game. 

OUR FIRST CO-SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR AWARD GOES TO…
RYAN WYCKOFF, SUPERINTENDENT AT THE OGA GOLF COURSE IN WOODBURN

Deserving of this honor for many, many years, the OGA is pleased to take this opportunity to officially recognize Ryan Wyckoff, Superintendent of the OGA Golf Course, as the 2014 Co-Superintendent of the Year.

Upon graduating from Oregon State University, he became the Assistant Superintendent at Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club in Blaine, WA.  After a couple of years in torrential downpours, Wyckoff headed for foggier skies and was an Assistant Superintendent with the Pebble Beach Company on the Monterey Peninsula of California.  He was very fortunate to assist in hosting the 2000 U.S. Open and the 2000 and 2001 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am. Wyckoff enjoys tournament preparation and volunteered to work on the Golf Course Maintenance staff for the 2006 U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club and the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines. 

Few could do what Ryan does to prepare and present a golf course year-round in such tremendous condition on limited resources.  This year, the OGA held the 105th Oregon Amateur Championship at the OGA Golf Course and he did an outstanding job of preparing the course and the feedback was overwhelmingly full of praise. A true steward of making the best of what he has available with resources, equipment and labor, Ryan has been the Golf Course Superintendent at the OGA Golf Course, a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, since March of 2003.

He has been very involved with the Oregon Golf Course Superintendents Association, serving as the Association's President from 2011-2013. 

Few are as deserving of this recognition year-after-year as our OGA Agronomist who represents all of us with the product he produces.

THE OTHER CO-SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR AWARD GOES TO…
SCOTT LARSEN SUPERINTENDENT AT EMERALD VALLEY GOLF & RESORT IN CRESWELL

This year’s other co-Superintendent of the year is Scott Larsen of Emerald Valley Golf & Resort.

Prior to becoming the Superintendent at Emerald Valley, Scott worked down in the desert and the Monterey area out of college before opening his own construction company building and remodeling golf courses. Scott has done numerous projects all over the world and also was responsible for building Peter Jacobsen’s Stone Creek Golf Club in Oregon City and Clint Eastwood’s Tahema golf course as well.

An accomplished amateur player in his own right, Scott often participates in OGA Championships throughout the year finding time to sneak away from his duties at Emerald Valley.

Scott does an outstanding job at Emerald Valley day-in, day-out maintaining the course in Championship condition year round.

Larsen was named the Oregon Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendent Association of America Superintendent of the Year in 2011.

THIS YEAR’S DALE JOHNSON MEDIA AWARD GOES TO…
MARK JOHNSON, SPORTS EDITOR AT THE REGISTER-GUARD IN EUGENE, ORE.

In today’s world of limited resources, reporters and declining copy space available for local sports coverages, one individual stood out this year for their organization’s  commitment to the promotion of OGA events and the game of golf.

Mark has been at The Register-Guard for 24 years, including serving as sports editor for the past three years following Ron Bellamy's retirement in 2011. He was also assistant sports editor for a seven-year span under John Conrad in the 1990s. He was sports editor at The Daily Astorian from 1985 to 1988, and worked at the Contra Costa Times in the Bay Area for two years before being hired by The Register-Guard in 1990.

On a more personal level, he and golf have had an understanding for more than 30 years, Johnson tells us: He loves to play, and his play usually doesn't love him back, and he understands that.

AND SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR THE COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD THIS YEAR GOES TO…
KEN & KAREN VARTANIAN, ROYAL OAKS COUNTRY CLUB, VANCOUVER, WASH.

This year, a new award was created to recognize an individual or individuals who have made a significant impact on their community. This year the OGA selected that recognition go to Ken and Karen Vartanian of Royal Oaks Country Club for their time and effort and significant impact made by financially supporting struggling military families.

Ken was raised with a strong military background. The son of a 3-star Army General, he understands the commitment and sacrifices our military men and women face. The Vartanian’s son-in-law was deployed and served in the Army during Desert Storm. When he returned home, the Vartanian’s quickly discovered what a toll deployment has on a military family. They understand first-hand that when a soldier goes to war their family goes to war; when a soldier goes to war their friends and neighbors go to war; and when a soldier returns from war a new battle begins as they adjust back to civilian life.

For this reason, Ken and Karen started the first annual Turkey Shoot-Out Golf Tournament in 2005.

This event consists of a golf tournament and auction, which over the years has provided more than $200,000 in assistance to more than 100 military families in Washington and Oregon.

For their tremendous contributions and impact to military families in our community, this year we award this special honor – The OGA Community Impact Award – to Ken & Karen Vartanian.

For more information on the OGA Annual Awards, contact the OGA via email or by calling 503-981-4653