The George Holland Award annually recognizes volunteers who have made extraordinary contributions to Washington Golf and the game of golf throughout the WA Golf territory of Washington and Northern Idaho. These dedicated individuals contribute many hours of time and effort, as well as resources, to our Association, simply for the satisfaction of knowing they are benefiting the game of golf. They are truly the “unsung heroes” of WA Golf. It is named the George Holland Award in honor of longtime volunteer, contributor, and two-time past president, George Holland.
Championship Volunteer of the Year
This award recognizes a championship volunteer that displays an extraordinary level of dedication and commitment to WA Golf Championships and USGA Qualifiers throughout the year.
2022 Recipient
Bob Witter
Bob Witter is the 2022 WA Golf Championship Volunteer of the Year. Bob has been volunteering at our Championships for several years, and recently found his true passion of Rules officiating. He was a stalwart of the Washington Golf Championship Volunteer corps in 2022 and traveled across the state to assist at numerous championships.
When Bob is not Rules officiating for Washington Golf, you can find him lending a hand at WJGA events across the state as well any other golf tournament that needs his services.
An avid golfer, Bob can be found at West Seattle Golf Course, Maplewood Golf Course, and The Home Course whenever he is not Rules officiating. Volunteers like Bob are the backbone of Washington Golf and his presence makes the WA Golf Championship experience better for everyone involved.
Course Rater of the Year
This award recognizes a WA Golf Course Rater for extraordinary efforts in the course rating process throughout the year.
2022 Recipient
Tammy Halstead
Tammy Halstead is the 2022 WA Golf Course Rating Volunteer of the Year. Tammy has been volunteering with our Course Rating Team for over a decade, and she also serves on the Course Rating Committee. An avid golfer, Tammy is the Rules and Player Education Chair as well as the Tournament Chair for the Evergreen Women’s Golf League, which plays at Willows Run Golf Complex in Redmond.
This was a challenging year for the Course Rating Team, with multiple ratings in central and eastern Washington in 100+ degree temperatures. But, as Tammy will tell you, she will do almost anything for free golf. Just pack sunscreen and drink lots of water.
Tammy and her fellow rater Pat Johnson have written a song, “Hey There Bogey Girl” (to the tune of ”Hey There Georgy Girl”), which they sing every time the poor female bogey player, playing from the back tees, can’t even reach the fairway or carry the ball across the crossing.
When she isn’t golfing or rating courses, Tammy enjoys traveling and volunteering. She has served on various non-profit boards and as a community volunteer with organizations including Pawsitive Alliance, Washington CASH, City Year Seattle and the Idaho State University Foundation Board of Directors.
Club Representative of the Year
This award recognizes a Club Representative for exemplary efforts within their club, in the golf community or with the Association.
2022 Recipient
Jeffrey Schoening
Jackson Park Men’s Golf Club
Jeffrey Schoening of the Jackson Park Men’s Golf Club has been named the 2022 WA Golf Club Representative of the Year. Jeff has been instrumental in the growth and improvement of the Jackson Park Men’s Golf Club in recent years. His members are impressed with his helpful nature and gentle spirit as he helps guide the club.
As a Club Representative, Jeff has been a reliable point of contact and contributed to a great relationship between our WA Golf staff and the club. He keeps his club members in the know, and we hear from him frequently in the office, but always for a good reason!
Jeff started playing golf regularly at the age of 40, and joined the club’s board in 2012. He worked as a Hospice Chaplain for Swedish in Seattle before retiring and becoming more involved with the club. He has served the club in many roles; including Treasurer, Tournament Director, and Club President in addition to WA Golf Club Representative.
We are extremely appreciative for Jeffrey Schoening, and all of our fantastic Club Representatives for everything they do to help us serve members and clubs. Thank you!
Handicap Chairperson of the Year
This award recognizes a WA Golf club’s Handicap Chairperson for extraordinary efforts in managing their club’s handicapping process throughout the year.
2022 Recipient
Mary Lou Bunn
Twin Lakes Village Golf Course, Rathdrum, Idaho
Mary Lou Bunn from Twin Lakes Village Golf Course in Rathdrum, Idaho is the 2022 WA Golf Handicap Chair of the Year. This is the second time Mary Lou has received this award, previously earning the honor in 2019. Mary Lou has been the Handicap Chair at Twin Lakes Village for 10 years, and as a former teacher, it is her goal to educate the players on the Rules of Handicapping. She regularly writes articles for the club’s monthly newsletters that cover various rules and stress the importance of posting all scores as soon as possible. She believes that the handicap system is truly what makes the game of golf unique from other sports, in that everyone can compete on a level playing field.
Past recipients:
- 2021 – Phil Kelley, Kaydee Mounce, Steve DeCoy, Vern Tator and Roger Kessler
- 2020 – Kaydee Mounce, Phil Kelley, Gaylene Lewin, Norm Darsow and Trina Arnott
- 2019 – Richard Karstens, Gary McLaughlin, Mary Lou Bunn and Noah Van Loen
- 2018 – Ernie Lockwood
- 2017 – Bill Best
- 2016 – Dave Nelsen
- 2015 – Michele and Chris Sales
- 2014 – Mike Mueller and Jim Marcacci
- 2013 – Kaydee Mounce
- 2012 – Ray Monroe and Steve Kay
- 2011 – Jim Patten
- 2010 – Jim Hagerty and Kaydee Mounce
- 2009 – Jane Sossamon and Ron Nelson
- 2008 – H.M. “Monty” Montgomery and Ben Stodghill
- 2007 – Jackie Belsvik and Gomer Evans
- 2006 – Stanley Bishop and George Pennell
- 2005 – Brooks Whittle
- 2004 – Chuck King and George Egge
- 2003 – Dan Farmer and Lew Kisling
- Championship Volunteers – Phil Kelley & Kaydee Mounce
- Club Representative – Steve DeCoy
- Course Rating – Vern Tator
- Handicap Chairperson – Roger Kessler
- Championship Volunteers – Kaydee Mounce & Phil Kelley
- Course Rating – Gaylene Lewin
- Handicap Chairperson – Norm Darsow
- Club Representative – Trina Arnott
- Championship Volunteer – Richard Karstens
- Course Rating – Gary McLaughlin
- Handicap Chairperson – Mary Lou Bunn
- Club Representative – Noah Van Loen
2018 George Holland Award Winner
Ernie Lockwood – Bremerton, Wash.
- Volunteered 25 days for WA Golf and PNGA Championships, and USGA Qualifiers
- Attended and participated in 12 WA Golf Course Ratings
- Volunteered at several Washington Junior Golf Association (WJGA) tournaments
- Volunteered at several high school and collegiate tournaments
- Certified WA Golf Rules Official – scored over 90% on USGA Rules Exam
- Certified WA Golf Course Rating Team Member
- WA Golf Club Representative since 2000
2017 George Holland Award Winner
Bill Best – Puyallup, Wash.
- Joined WSGA Course Rating Committee in 2013
- Retired from Boeing in 2015
- Spent 12 days rating courses in 2017
- Joined the Championship Volunteers in 2017
- Spent 10 days volunteering at WSGA championships in 2017
- Has been a member of Linden G&CC for 10 years
- Plays golf with other Boeing employees on Tuesdays
2016 George Holland Award Winner
Dave Nelsen – La Conner, Wash.
- Assisted with 18 Course Ratings in 2016, easily the most of any non-WSGA board member
- Out of the 40 ratings the WSGA scheduled this year, Dave volunteered for every single one
- Dave also volunteered to work at the Seattle Golf Show
2015 George Holland Award Winner
Michele and Chris Sales – Issaquah, Wash.
- U.S. Open Sectional Qualifier (Cle Elum, Wash.)
- WSGA Men’s Amateur Championship (Cle Elum, Wash.)
- WSGA Men’s and Women’s Mid-Amateur Championships (Renton, Wash.)
- PNGA Men’s Amateur Championship (Sunriver, Ore.)
2014 George Holland Award Winner
Mike Mueller – Gold Mountain Golf Club
- 2014 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship at The Home Course – Volunteer Coordinator
- 2013-2014 – NCAA West Coast Conference Championship – Volunteer Coordinator
- 2012-2014 – Boeing Classic – Volunteer
- 2011-2014 – Husky Invitational – Volunteer Coordinator
- 2011 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship at Gold Mountain GC – Volunteer Coordinator
- 2010 U.S. Amateur Championship at Chambers Bay – Volunteer
- Member of the WSGA Course Rating Team
2014 George Holland Award Winner
Jim Marcacci – Gold Mountain Golf Club
- 2014 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship at The Home Course -Volunteer Lead
- 2013 West Coast Conference Championship at Gold Mountain GC – Volunteer Coordinator
- 2012 Pac-12 Preview at Pumpkin Ridge GC – Volunteer
- 2011 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship at Gold Mountain GC – Volunteer Coordinator
- 2009 Ping/Golfweek Invitational – Volunteer Coordinator
- 2008, ’09, ’11, ’12, ’14 Husky Invitational – Volunteer Coordinator
- 2008 and 2010 NCAA Western Regionals at Gold Mountain GC – Volunteer
- 2006 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship at Gold Mountain GC – Volunteer
2013 George Holland Award Winner
Kaydee Mounce – Boeing Employees Golf Association
- WSGA and PNGA Club Representative since 1993
- Active member of WSGA Course Rating team for over 18 years
- Active WSGA and PNGA Championship Volunteer for over 15 years
- Handicap Chairperson for Boeing Employees Golf Association
- Loyal attendee of all WSGA and PNGA Annual Meetings
- In 2013, Kaydee volunteered for 12 WSGA Course Ratings
- In 2013, Kaydee volunteered every day for the following championships, which adds up to over 30 days during this season:
- WSGA Champion of Champions
- WSGA Women’s Best-Ball
- WSGA Men’s Best-Ball
- WSGA Men’s Amateur – West Qualifying
- WSGA Men’s Amateur
- WSGA Women’s and Senior Women’s Amateur
- WSGA Men’s and Women’s Mid-Amateur
- WSGA Parent-Child
- PNGA Men’s Mid-Amateur
- Sahalee Players Championship
2012 George Holland Award Winner
Ray Monroe – Club Representative at Three Rivers Golf Club
Member at Alderbrook Golf Club
- WSGA and PNGA Club Representative since 1991
- Active member of the WSGA Course Rating Team for over 15 years
- WSGA and PNGA Championship Volunteer since 1991
- Loyal attendee of all WSGA and PNGA Annual Meetings
- In 2012, volunteered for 34 course ratings, including eight trips to Eastern Washington
- In 2012, volunteered for four championship days at various WSGA and PNGA Championships, and USGA Qualifiers
2012 George Holland Award Winner
Steve Kay – Club Representative at Riverbend Golf Complex
- WSGA and PNGA Club Representative since 2006
- Active member of WSGA Course Rating Team since 2007
- WSGA and PNGA Championship Volunteer since 2007
- WSGA and PNGA Rules Official
- Loyal attendee of all WSGA and PNGA Annual Meetings
- In 2012, volunteered for a total of 27 championship days at various WSGA and PNGA Championships, and USGA Qualifiers
- In 2012, volunteered for eight course ratings, including a trip to Eastern Washington to rate three courses in the Spokane area
2011 George Holland Award Winner
Jim Patten – Lakeland Village Golf Club
- WSGA and PNGA Rules Official for Over a Decade
- Helped WSGA Championship Staff Numerous Times With Course Marking
- U.S. Amateur Public Links Committee Member for 18 Years
- Rules Offical at 17 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championships
- Rules Official at 3 U.S. Women’s Opens
- Rules Official at 4 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship
- Rules Official at 9 U.S. Senior Amateur Championships
- Rules Official at 10 NCAA Division I Women’s Championships
- Rules Official at the 2007 U.S. Junior Girls’ Amateur Championship
- Rules Official at the 2011 U.S. Junior Amateur
2010 George Holland Award Winner
Jim Hagerty – Hangman Valley Golf Course
- Longtime WSGA Course Rating Volunteer
- Has Conducted Hundreds of Ratings in Eastern Washington
- WSGA and PNGA Championship Volunteer when Associations are in Inland Empire
2010 George Holland Award Winner
Kaydee Mounce – Boeing Employees Gofl Association
- Active Member of WSGA Women’s Course Rating Team for 15+ Years
- Served as Chairwoman of PNGA Junior Girls’ Championship 10+ Times
- WSGA and PNGA Championship Volunteer
- Handicap Chairperson for Boeing Employees Golf Association
- Loyal Attendee of All WSGA and PNGA Annual Meeting
2009 George Holland Award Winner
Jane Sossamon – Fairwood Golf and Country Club
- WSGA Club Representative Since 1994
- PNGA Club Representative Since 1994
- PNGA Women’s Division Chair in 2004
- PNGA Championship Committee Member Since 2006
- WSGA and PNGA Master Rules Official
- USGA Senior Women’s Committee Member
- Co-Chaired the Marshal Committee at the LPGA Safeco Tournament for 10 Years
- Chaired the Marshal Committee for All of the Fred Couples Tournaments
- Past President of Fairwood Golf and Country Club
- WSGA Handicap Chair for the Fairwood Women’s Club
2009 George Holland Award Winner
Ron Nelson – Fairwood Golf and Country Club
- WSGA Club Representative Since 1999
- PNGA Club Representative Since 1999
- PNGA Championship Committee Member Since 2006
- WSGA and PNGA Master Rules Official
- Co-Chaired the Marshal Committee at the LPGA Safeco Tournament for 10 Years
- Chaired the Marshal Committee for All of the Fred Couples Tournaments
- Past President of Fairwood Golf and Country Club
- WSGA Handicap Chair for the Fairwood Men’s Club
2008 George Holland Award Winner
H.M. ‘Monty’ Montgomery – Allenmore Golf Course
- WSGA Club Representative since 1992.
- PNGA Club Representative since 1985.
- President, Tacoma Golf Association 1977 and 1978.
- Long-time Chairman of the ‘H.M. Montgomery’ Tacoma City Junior Championship.
- Very active WSGA and PNGA Championship volunteer for many years.
- Actively promotes WSGA and PNGA at Allenmore Golf Course and within the TGA.
- Three-time Tacoma Senior City Amateur Champion.
2008 George Holland Award Winner
Ben Stodghill – Bellevue Municipal
- WSGA Club Representative since 1994.
- PNGA Club Representative since 1994.
- PNGA Director 2007-present.
- Chairman of the PNGA Championship Committee since 2006.
- WSGA Championship Committee Member since 2006.
- Very active WSGA and PNGA Championship volunteer for many years and considered one of the WSGA and PNGA’s ‘expert’ Starter’s.
- Actively promotes WSGA and PNGA Bellevue Municipal Golf Course.
2007 George Holland Award Winner
Jackie Belsvik – Mt. Si Golf Course
- WSGA and PNGA Club Representative since 1988
- Longtime WSGA and PNGA Volunteer
- Member of WSGA Championship Committee for Over a Decade
- Volunteers at Almost Every WSGA Championship at Registration and Scoreboard
- Member of WSGA Course Rating Committee and Team Leader for Over 20 Years
- Rarely Misses a WSGA or PNGA Annual Meeting
- Promotes WSGA and PNGA Activities and Information at Her Club
2007 George Holland Award Winner
Gomer Evans – Enumclaw Golf Course
- WSGA and PNGA Club Representative since 1991
- Longtime WSGA and PNGA Volunteer
- Longtime Active Member of the Tacoma Golf Association
- A Member the WSGA Course Rating Committee
- Has Rated Dozens of Courses in Washington
- Promotes WSGA and PNGA Activities and Information at His Club
2006 George Holland Award Winner
Stanley Bishop – Lakeland Village Golf Club
- WSGA and PNGA Club Representative since Early 1970’s
- Incredible Proponent of the Evans Scholarship Program
- Mentors Evans Candidates and Follows Their Progress Throughout College
- Volunteers as a Rules Official for the WJGA
- Was a Very Active Volunteer for WSGA and PNGA Championships Before Health Limited His Mobility
- Always Volunteers for the Seattle Golf Show
2006 George Holland Award Winner
George Pennell – Mt. Si Golf Course
- Longtime WSGA and PNGA Volunteer
- Very Active Volunteer at WSGA and PNGA Championships and USGA Qualifiers
- Has Volunteered at Every Seattle Golf Show since its Inception in 1998
- Member of the WSGA Course Rating Committee
- Has Rated Dozens of Courses in Washington
- Actively Promotes WSGA and PNGA Activities and Information at His Club
2005 George Holland Award Winner
Brooks Whittle – Broadmoor Golf Club
- Evans Cup Procurement Chairman since 1994
- Helped Raised Over $1.6 Million for Evans Scholars Foundation
- Western Golf Association Director since 1995
- Western Golf Association Vice-President since 1999
- Past President, Broadmoor Golf Club
- Past President, Sand Point Country Club
- Involved with Raising Money for Countless Seattle-area Charities
2004 George Holland Award Winner
Chuck King
- WSGA and PNGA Club Representative since 1994
- Dedicated WSGA Championship Volunteer
- Served as Starter at All WSGA Championships
- Active WSGA Course Rating Volunteer
- Strong Proponent of Evans Scholarship Program
2004 George Holland Award Winner
George Egge – Tumwater Valley Golf Club
- WSGA and PNGA Club Representative since 1992
- Very Knowledgeable USGA Rules of Golf Official at Many WSGA and PNGA Championships
- Volunteers Many Hours to the WJGA as a Rules Official
- Longtime Tacoma Golf Association Delegate from His Home Club
2003 George Holland Award Winner
Dan Farmer
2003 George Holland Award Winner
Lew Kisling
