We are thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2022 George Holland Volunteer of the Year and Club of the Year awards. This year’s recipients were highlighted at the 101st WA Golf Annual Meeting, held October 15, 2022, in Yakima Country Club.
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.
The WA Golf Club of the Year Award was established in 2019. The award recognizes the membership of a WA Golf Member Club for outstanding contributions to its community, the game of golf or the Association.
2022 Championship Volunteer of the Year
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.
2022 Handicap Chair Volunteer of the Year
Mary Lou Bunn
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.
2022 Club Representative of the Year
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!
2022 Course Rating Volunteer of the Year
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.
2022 WA Golf Club of the Year
Port Gardner Senior Men’s Club
The 2022 Washington Golf Club of the Year Award winner is the Port Gardner Senior Men’s Club. The club plays at Everett’s Legion Memorial Golf Course. We are proud to recognize the club after receiving an outpouring nominations from its members. They tell us that the club leadership is outstanding, the communication is clear and consistent, and that the leaders of the club are friendly, engaging, and welcoming.
Competitively, the club hosts 25 regular Monday events played from two sets of tees that draw over 150 players from their 300-member club. They also host a match-play event and collaborate with the Olympic View Men’s Club at fellow Everett course Walter Hall GC to host an annual Ryder Cup-style season finale.
Every year the club makes a contribution to junior golf via the Joe Richer Junior Golf Club and The First Tee.
Club President and WA Golf Club Representative Gary Ordway was highly touted in this year’s nominations. Members note that he is one of the friendliest, most reliable people they know. He always answers the phone and makes sure that he knows everyone in the club.
Congratulations to the Port Gardner Senior Men’s Club on the well-deserved recognition!