In the News

Southwest PGA Professional Paul Nolen to Receive the Johnny Bulla Award at Arizona Golf Hall of Fame Ceremony

The Southwest PGA is pleased to announce that Paul Nolen has been named the recipient of the 2016 Johnny Bulla Award.   The award, named after golf legend Johnny Bulla, is presented to an individual who has displayed exemplary talent on the golf course during his playing career.  Nolan will be honored at the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame ceremony on November 22.

“The Southwest PGA is honored to be able to recognize Paul Nolan as this year’s recipient of the Johnny Bulla Award,” said Michael Miller, executive director of the Southwest PGA. “Paul’s tournament playing career here in our Section is long and distinguished and clearly embodies the awards namesake Johnny Bulla, who historically enjoyed the most successful playing career of any golf professional in Arizona.  Paul has earned the distinction of being recognized as among the best of his peers throughout his fine career.”

Originally from Glenwood Springs, Colorado, Nolen graduated from Grand Junction (Colo.) High School  in 1980.  He was recruited to play golf for the University of Arizona and graduated in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education.  While playing for Arizona, Nolen had two tournament victories including the 1984 PAC-10 Championship and was named All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-American.

An accomplished player in the Southern Chapter of the Southwest PGA with numerous top 10 finishes in both Chapter and Section events, Nolen won the 1984 Arizona Open and in doing so, became the fourth amateur to win the Championship. He also captured the 2013 Southern Chapter PGA Senior Championship and finished as the runner-up in 2012, 2014 and third in 2015. He also was the runner-up in the 2015 Southern Chapter PGA Match Play Championship.

Nolen began his professional career working at Mission Hills Resort and Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif.  From there, he made the cross country trek to Savannah, Ga. and The Landings Club, where he spent two years as an assistant professional and five years as the head golf professional at the 36-hole facility. 

Upon leaving The Landings, Nolen accepted the director of golf position at Tucson National Golf Resort & Spa.  After one season at Tucson National and two seasons at  La Paloma Country Club, Nolen was presented the opportunity to open up the Gallery Golf Club in Marana, Ariz., and serve as its first head golf professional, which he accepted and remained for almost 18 years.

Currently Nolen serves the PGA general manager at Sewailo Golf Club in Tucson.

“I’ve spent my whole career trying to get better at what I do on a daily basis,” said Nolen. “I just started my new job at Sewailo Golf Club as the General Manager.  It’s my first General Manager position, so having new challenges is exciting.  I never stop learning and that’s the fun part (of a career in golf). I am very surprised and humbled to even be considered for the Johnny Bulla Award with all the outstanding players and professionals in the state of Arizona.”

About The Southwest Section PGA
The Southwest Section of the PGA of America is a professional organization serving the men and women golf professionals in Arizona and Southern Nevada who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf. The Southwest PGA is responsible for the administration of competitive golf tournaments, junior golf programs and events, educational opportunities, support programs and growth of the game initiatives. With 1306 members and apprentices, the Southwest PGA is the fifth largest of the 41 regional entities or Sections that comprise the PGA of America.

About the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame
The Arizona Golf Hall of Fame was created in 1968 to honor those who by achievement or contributions have had a lasting effect promoting the sport of golf in Arizona.  Since that time there have been 92 individuals inducted.  The Arizona Golf Hall of Fame is part of the Arizona Golf Foundation, a 501(c) 3 charitable entity.   The Hall of Fame is managed by Arizona’s golf associations: Arizona Golf Association, Arizona Women’s Golf Association, the Cactus & Pine Superintendents Association, the Club Managers Association of Arizona, the Junior Golf Association of Arizona and the Southwest Section PGA. For more information on the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame, please visit www.azgolf.org.