We are thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2024 George Holland Volunteer of the Year awards and the WA Golf Club of the Year award. This year’s honorees were celebrated at the 103rd WA Golf Annual Meeting, held on October 26, 2024, at Allenmore Golf Course.
The George Holland Award honors volunteers who make extraordinary contributions to Washington Golf and the sport of golf across the WA Golf territory. These remarkable individuals generously devote countless hours, effort, and resources to our Association, motivated by the joy of positively impacting the game of golf. They are the true “unsung heroes” of WA Golf. The award is named in honor of George Holland, a longstanding volunteer, contributor, and two-time past president of WA Golf.
The WA Golf Club of the Year Award, established in 2019, celebrates a WA Golf Member Club for its exceptional contributions to its community, the game of golf, or the Association.
Club Representative of the Year
Gary Ordway – Port Gardner Senior Men’s Club
Gary Ordway, Club Representative of the Port Gardner Senior Men’s Club, has been named the 2024 Washington Golf Club Representative of the Year.
Many members of the club submitted nominations for Gary’s outstanding efforts with the club. One nomination states, “With over 300 active members the Club provides an outstanding opportunity to meet fellow golfers and partake in friendly competitions. This year the club has worked hard to improve pace of play and it is having a positive impact. All of the club events run so smoothly thanks to the efforts of Gary Ordway.”
He also excels at incorporating and welcoming new members into the flow of play at club events, giving them ample opportunities to meet other members.
Congratulations to Gary Ordway and the Port Gardner Senior Men’s Club, and thank you for your outstanding contributions!
Course Raters of the Year
Barb and Dennis McCormick
We are proud to announce Barb and Dennis McCormick as the 2024 Washington Golf Course Raters of the Year.
Barb and Dennis have been dedicated course raters since 2014. Their first course rating took a day and a half to complete—a challenge that, according to former Head of Course Rating John Saegner, often deters new raters from returning. Yet, 10 years later, Barb and Dennis are still actively contributing to the game they love.
Known for their positive energy, Barb and Dennis are a pleasure to work with. Their presence always brightens the rating team’s day, especially when they bring donuts to start the morning. They are not only friendly with fellow raters but also with the members they meet on the courses, consistently seeking to improve their skills and deepen their knowledge of course rating.
In their own words, Barb and Dennis say, “We have enjoyed being part of the rating team and experiencing the golf courses our State has to offer. There is genuine camaraderie on the rating team, and we appreciate Collin Westwood’s leadership and understanding. It is a bit scary that we are starting to feel like a family.”
They humorously add, “Every course we rate the golfers always tell us the slope rating needs to be higher, the greens are harder than any other course they have played and the sand in the bunkers needs replacing. (FYI, we do not rate the quality of the sand in bunkers). We are actually getting quite good at rating the quality of food served at the courses. Don’t worry, it does not influence our course ratings.”
Congratulations to Barb and Dennis McCormick, and thank you for your dedication to the game of golf!
Handicap Chairperson of the Year
Noah Van Loen – The Links at Interbay
We are proud to announce Noah Van Loen from The Links at Interbay as the 2024 Washington Golf Handicap Chair of the Year.
Noah has been a dedicated member of Interbay since 2010 and has served as the club’s president since 2016. Under his leadership and with the support of fellow volunteers, the club has nearly doubled in size since 2021.
In 2024, the World Handicap System was updated to allow course ratings for shorter courses, including Interbay. Noah worked closely with WA Golf staff to ensure that Interbay received its rating before the start of the 2024 posting season. In early December 2023, on one of the wettest mornings of the year, Noah spent over an hour guiding WA Golf staff around the course to complete the rating—despite the fact that Interbay does not have carts, much less heated or enclosed ones. This level of commitment speaks volumes about Noah’s dedication to Interbay and the game of golf.
A fun fact about Noah: despite playing over 1,000 rounds at Interbay over the years, he has yet to make a hole-in-one! (He’s confident that will change the next time he plays)
Congratulations to Noah Van Loen, WA Golf’s 2024 Handicap Chair of the Year, and thank you for your outstanding contributions!
Championship Volunteer of the Year
Joe Florence
We are proud to recognize Joe Florence as the 2024 Washington Golf Championship Volunteer of the Year.
Originally from Northern Kentucky, Joe retired after 32 years in law enforcement. A passionate amateur golfer, he enjoyed participating in various tournaments over the years, even winning the senior club championship at Alderbrook last year. Before moving to Washington in 2019, Joe and his wife coached Special Olympics golf in Georgia, furthering their commitment to the game.
A couple of years ago, while browsing the Washington Golf website, Joe noticed the volunteer section and saw an opportunity to give back to the sport he loves. He decided to try it out and quickly became a valued member of the championship volunteer team. Since then, he has enjoyed every moment contributing to the success of many events.
Congratulations to Joe Florence, and thank you for your outstanding contributions to WA Golf!
Club of the Year
Ladies’ Golf Club at Redmond Ridge
We are proud to announce that the Ladies’ Golf Club at The Golf Club at Redmond Ridge has been named the 2024 Washington Golf Club of the Year. This club exemplifies passion, inclusivity, and dedication in fostering a love of golf among women of all ages and skill levels. Their commitment to creating an inclusive culture has strengthened membership and established them as a beacon for female golfers throughout the region.
Beyond the game itself, the Ladies of Redmond Ridge give back to their community by hosting an Annual Holiday Party to raise funds for Hopelink, further showcasing their commitment to making a positive impact beyond the fairways.
The club’s events are unique and tailored to all skill levels, encouraging women to take up the game and stay engaged. They provide a welcoming, friendly environment that combines competitive play with the fun, social aspects of golf. Whether it’s helping beginners feel comfortable or organizing engaging activities, the club’s focus on inclusivity and enjoyment sets them apart.
One member shared, “As a novice golfer, I was hesitant to join a golf league, but the Redmond Ridge Ladies Golf Club quickly dispelled my concerns. It provided the perfect environment—a welcoming space to make new friends and enhance my golf skills without any pressure.”
We are thrilled to honor the Ladies’ Golf Club at Redmond Ridge as the 2024 Washington Golf Club of the Year and are grateful for their contributions to the game and their community. Congratulations!