At the 93rd Annual Meeting of the Washington State Golf Association (WSGA), Barbara Tracy of Redmond, Wash. was elected president while two of the Association's key volunteers, Jim Marcacci and Mike Mueller, both of Bremerton, Wash., were honored as recipients of the George Holland Volunteer of the Year award. The annual meeting was held Saturday, October 25 at Fairwood Golf and Country Club in Renton, Wash.
Tracy has been a member of the WSGA Board of Directors since 2004, first as treasurer, then as vice president. She initially was the Club Representative for Mill Creek (Wash.) Country Club, and has now served as the Club Representative for Bear Creek Country Club in Woodinville since 2005. Before being involved with the WSGA, Tracy served as a representative for the Washington State Women's Golf Association (WSWGA).
Tracy becomes just the second female president in the Association's history. Sharon Johnston of Fircrest, Wash. set that landmark by serving as the Association's president from 2008 to 2009.
Tracy has been around the game of golf for many years. She started playing golf in 1972 when she went to work for a company that was involved with golf outings.
"I was always interested in golf but didn't have time to play," Tracy said. "Once I started working for that company, I got involved with their golf events. Then, ironically, I didn't start playing a lot of golf until I stopped working there in 1989."
Tracy was asked by the WSGA Nominating Committee to be the Association's next president, a position that typically involves two one-year terms. "Did I seek to be President? I don't know that I did," Tracy said. "I had thought about it, but not long and hard. I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be very busy, but very interesting."
Tracy steps in to lead the Association at a pivotal point, one met with new challenges, and the opportunity to finish what Immediate Past President Frank Horton began.
When asked about the goals for her term, Tracy reiterated that Horton's efforts to refocus the Association are still the most important piece of business for her. "I want to make sure we complete the Strategic Planning that Frank began while he was president," Tracy said.
"Barb is the perfect choice for president right now," WSGA CEO and Executive Director Troy Andrew said. "The WSGA is in the final stages of completing Strategic Planning for the first time in the Association's history. Barb is a strategic thinker and a natural leader with great ideas. She will be instrumental in leading the WSGA towards putting the Strategic Plan into motion so that we continue on a path to grow with the game and grow the game itself."
Tracy looks at her time on the board and sees the opportunity for those individuals to hold a larger stake in the Association's future.
"I want to better utilize the board members; get them more actively involved," Tracy said. "This isn't just an honorary position, and these people aren't just figure heads. Being on the board is a responsible position, and allows for a great opportunity to have a positive impact on the golf community."
Tracy also sees a revamping of involvement on the club level as a priority to help connect the WSGA with golfers in the state. "I also want to make sure new Club Representatives are more engaged," Tracy said. "We need to make sure they know what they can do to enhance the game at their clubs, and we need to give them the tools to do it."
At the banquet the night before the Annual Meeting, the WSGA honored Gold Mountain Golf Club members Jim Marcacci and Mike Mueller of Bremerton, Wash., as recipients of the George Holland Volunteer of the Year award . Recipients of this award are selected each year by WSGA past presidents.
Both Marcacci and Mueller have been vital members of the WSGA and have been heavily involved in local championship administration for years. Most recently, Marcacci was a volunteer lead at the 2014 U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship, held in July at The Home Course in DuPont, Wash., while Mueller was a volunteer coordinator for the championship.
The George Holland Award annually recognizes volunteers who have made extraordinary contributions to the WSGA and the game of golf throughout the WSGA territory of Washington and Northern Idaho. These dedicated individuals contribute many hours of time and effort, as well as resources, to the WSGA, simply for the satisfaction of knowing they are benefiting the game of golf. The award is named in honor of longtime volunteer, contributor and two-time WSGA President, George Holland.
