Washington Golf (WA Golf) is proud to introduce the WA Golf GIVES Award and announce its inaugural class of 16 honorees whose dedication helped shape the association and its tradition of volunteer service.
The events, services, and activities of WA Golf thrive because of volunteers who generously give their time, share their expertise, and bring their passion for the game to everything they do. The new GIVES Award honors and celebrates those extraordinary volunteers whose years of service, leadership, and commitment have strengthened our golf community, inspired others, and created opportunities for generations to come.
The award began with an idea from longtime WA Golf Board member and volunteer Cathy Kay, who proposed recognizing these lasting contributions to the staff and Board.
“One day, upon reflection of some folks who have served WA Golf through their generosity, longtime commitment and lasting impact on the golf community, I was inspired to propose that WA Golf develop an award to acknowledge and commemorate this excellence of service,” Kay said. “The idea was received enthusiastically and then, with great pride and with the support and assistance of so many others, the GIVES Award has been developed.”
Cathy’s vision, along with the work of a committee she helped form, brought the GIVES Award to life, creating a lasting tribute as a way to honor the volunteers who have given so much to WA Golf.
The award recognizes sustained volunteer commitment, generally including at least 10 years of service to WA Golf. Beyond longevity, consideration includes meaningful contributions across volunteer roles, mentorship, initiative, advocacy, and a legacy that continues to benefit the association and its golf community.
To begin this new tradition, WA Golf believed it was essential to honor individuals whose service helped lay the foundation for the organization it is today. The inaugural class celebrates their contributions and ensures that future generations understand the important role they played in WA Golf’s history. The inaugural WA Golf GIVES Award honorees are:
- Lynda Adams
- Robin Anderson
- Joel Belsvik
- Jackie Belsvik
- Bill Bergsten
- George Holland
- Sharon Johnston
- Marty Kofmehl
- Bill Mays
- Dick Merrill
- Ray Monroe
- Gary Nieland
- Todd Patch
- Gary Rees
- John Schroeder
- Dr. John Wagner
This inaugural class will be permanently recognized on a WA Golf GIVES Award display at The Home Course in DuPont, Washington, and eventually on the WA Golf website. The display is expected to be installed by the end of 2026. Complete biographies of this inaugural class will be showcased on the WA Golf website later this year.
And WA Golf is also excited to share that it will announce and honor the first recipient of the ongoing GIVES Award in early 2027, beginning this new tradition of celebrating extraordinary volunteer service and lasting contributions to the game.
Through this recognition, WA Golf celebrates the generosity, dedication, and love of the game these volunteers give to our golf community.
