Volunteers of the year
George Holland Award
The George Holland Award recognizes exceptional volunteers whose dedication and service have made a lasting impact on WA Golf and the game throughout Washington and Northern Idaho. Named in honor of longtime volunteer and two-time past president George Holland, it celebrates the unsung heroes who help support the game.
2026 Recipient
Club Representative of the Year
Christina Barzare
We are honored to present this year’s Club Representative of the Year award to Christina Barzare of the Women’s Club at Echo Falls. Christina’s fellow members make it clear that her impact goes far beyond the work she does. She makes people feel welcome and helps golfers of all abilities feel like they belong. Through friendly competition, fun themed games and time together on and off the course, Christina and her board have created a welcoming club where friendships grow naturally through a shared enjoyment of golf.
Christina also puts countless hours behind the scenes to keep the club running smoothly. From improving communication and introducing online league sign-ups to managing scores in Golf Genius, sending weekly email updates recognizing winners, and even launching a women’s club merchandise store, she consistently goes above and beyond. Her members praise her welcoming nature and dedication to making the club better. As one member shared, “She is so welcoming and caring and really pours her heart into the club and making it better,” while another said, “I’ve never seen someone work harder in this role.”
We thank Christina for her leadership and dedication to ensuring women feel welcome from the moment they join the Echo Falls Women’s Club. On behalf of WA Golf, thank you, Christina, for everything you do for your club and the game of golf in Washington State.
2026 Recipient
Handicap Chair of the Year
Linda Suggs
We are pleased to announce Linda Suggs of the Lake Padden Golf Course Twilight Women as the 2026 Washington Golf Handicap Chair of the Year.
Linda’s dedication and friendly spirit has helped to make the Lake Padden Golf Course Twilight Women the inclusive place it has become for golfers of all abilities. She helps ensure that members of her club are always up to date with their club newsletter.
Many members of the club submitted glowing nominations for Linda. One member states, “Linda has been an active volunteer in the Lake Padden Twilight League for decades. Linda is extremely knowledgeable about the rules of golf, and her experience is invaluable. Her friendliness and inclusiveness are some of the reasons our club has grown leaps and bounds over the past 5 years. Our club includes women golfers of all abilities and Linda makes everyone feel welcome.”
Congratulations to Linda Suggs of the Lake Padden Golf Course Twilight Women and thank you for your outstanding contributions.
2026 Recipient
Course Rating Volunteer of the Year
Dan Artz
We are excited to announce the 2026 Washington Golf Course Rater of the Year, Dan Artz!
A longtime member of Fairwood G&CC, Dan regularly competes in WA Golf Championships and serves as a lead volunteer for the Boeing Classic. He brings that same enthusiasm for the game to his work with our Course Rating team.
Dan’s Course Rating journey began in 2018, when Kevin Jones and Ray Monroe visited Fairwood to rate a new set of forward tees he had helped create. With Kevin and Ray showing him the ropes, Dan discovered another way to give back to the game. Eight years and 85 ratings later, he’s already looking forward to reaching 100!
As a retired engineer, Dan enjoys finding technology that helps the team confirm observations and improve measurements. With his support, the team has begun using the USGA app’s green heat map to assess the slope of putting surfaces. This past year, he also figured out how to replace the internal batteries in our nine-year-old rangefinders—and even stopped by the office to replace them all himself.
Whether he’s out rating a course or giving our equipment a new lease on life, Dan is always ready to lend a hand. We’re grateful for his curiosity, resourcefulness, and dedication to the game.
Congratulations, Dan, and thank you for all you do for WA Golf. Here’s to your next 15 ratings—and many more!
2026 Recipient
Championship Volunteer of the Year
Ernie Lockwood
We are proud to announce that the 2026 Washington Golf Championship Volunteer of the Year Award goes to Ernie Lockwood.
Ernie has become a staple of Washington Golf’s volunteer community, serving as a Rules Official for 23 days at Washington Golf and USGA qualifiers this season, while also dedicating his time as a course rater for more than six course ratings throughout the summer. His commitment, knowledge, and willingness to give back have made him an invaluable member of our volunteer team.
Ernie has been a member of Kitsap Golf & Country Club since 1991 and has served as the club’s representative since 2000, where he has been heavily involved in club activities and supporting the game of golf in his community.
Ernie attended his first USGA Rules Workshop in Portland in 2012, which marked the beginning of his journey as a Rules Official. Since then, he has continued to volunteer his time and expertise with the Washington Junior Golf Association (WJGA) and Washington Golf, becoming a familiar and trusted presence at championships and qualifying events across the region.
We are incredibly grateful for Ernie’s years of service and dedication to Washington Golf and the game of golf. Congratulations, Ernie, on being named the 2026 Washington Golf Championship Volunteer of the Year!
