The third annual WA Golf Lower Your Handicap Challenge is officially in the books. More than 2,100 golfers participated in this year’s challenge, which was divided into three flights based on handicap index.

After playing and posting scores during the challenge window from May 1 through October 31, four golfers ultimately came out on top, earning the title of Most Improved Golfer in each flight.

Meet the winners:

Women’s Flight 1 Winner – Tamami Phùng

• Starting Index: 23.2
• Ending Index: 12.7
• Improvement Factor: 1.43

Tamami Phùng started playing golf in April 2023, with initial lessons from her then-boyfriend (now husband), Kevin. At his encouragement, she found a local coach, practiced diligently, and eventually took her skills from the driving range to the course. Her first 18-hole round was a 112, but she steadily improved, ultimately shooting an impressive 82 on the Olympic course at Gold Mountain this past September—a milestone she’s incredibly proud of. Tamami’s new goal is to beat Kevin without receiving any strokes.

Women’s Flight 2 Winner – Irene Cruite

• Starting Index: 47.0
• Ending Index: 30.4
• Improvement Factor: 1.39

Over the summer, Irene Cruite embraced her passion for golf, playing more than forty rounds across 15 courses and competing in five tournaments. A standout moment came when she landed her ball within two feet of the flag on a par 3 during a tournament, only to finish with a bogey—a humbling reminder of the sport’s unpredictability. Irene’s highlights include sharing her love for the game with her son, training with coaches GOLFTEC in Spokane, and enjoying countless laughs with her golf buddies. She was thrilled to win the “Ladies Long Drive Award” at a tournament and celebrated a personal best with three birdies in one round, including two back-to-back.

Men’s Flight 1 Winner – David Dupart

• Starting Index: 3.4
• Ending Index: +2.2
• Improvement Factor: 1.57

This season was particularly meaningful for David Dupart, who discovered his passion for golf just five years ago after a yearly real estate office tournament sparked his interest. David bought his first set of clubs from Costco, and his love for the game quickly grew. Now a member at Mt. Si Golf Course in North Bend, he proudly took 2nd place in the 2024 Senior Club Championship and 4th in the Club Championship. Achieving his goal of reaching a scratch handicap in May, he pushed himself further, reaching +2 by October, with a new ambition to reach +5. David is grateful for the camaraderie, challenge, and joy that golf brings and looks forward to continuing his improvement and enjoyment in the game.

Men’s Flight 2 Winner – Ben Mills

• Starting Index: 31.7
• Ending Index: 16.0
• Improvement Factor: 1.56

Ben Mills’s golf journey took off with an all-in approach, quickly transforming into a full-fledged passion. One unforgettable moment occurred during a round at Snohomish Golf Course this past summer, where a misdirected drive left his ball lodged in a tree knot—a story he and his friends still laugh about to this day. To improve his game, Ben built a full simulator in his garage and took lessons from Ron Lunsford at Snohomish. Golf has become a central part of Ben’s life—something he never anticipated but fully embraces.