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JAMEY LEWIS HEADLINES 2021 SOUTHWEST PGA AWARD RECIPIENTS
Honored as the 48th recipient of the Southwest PGA Golf Professional of the Year Award
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – 11-22-21 – Jamey Lewis, PGA General Manager at Sun City (Ariz.) Country Club, has been named the 48th recipient of Southwest PGA Golf Professional of the Year Award, the highest annual honor bestowed by the Southwest PGA on a PGA Professional.
“There are so many great PGA Professionals in the Southwest PGA and to be singled out amongst all of the tremendous talent is truly an honor,” said Lewis. “To be chosen by my colleagues as the Southwest PGA Golf Professional of the Year is very humbling and like everyone before me who has received this award, they credit those who have mentored and supported them. I am no exception and wouldn’t be successful without them.”
Lewis heads the 2021 Southwest PGA Awards class for “qualities of leadership, strong moral character, and a substantial record of service” to the Southwest PGA and the game of golf. He will be honored at the Southwest PGA Awards Ceremony in March of 2022.
- Jamey Lewis of Sun City C.C. – Golf Professional of the Year
- Susan Harnedy of Stone Canyon Club – Assistant Golf Professional of the Year
- Matt Henderson of TPC Las Vegas – Teacher of the Year
- Mike Davis of DragonRidge C.C. – Youth Player Development Award
- Chris Cain of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas – Bill Strausbaugh Award
- Kevin Reagan of Granite Falls G.C. – PGA Professional Development Award
- Andrew Boyd of Golf Squad – Player Development Award
- Danny Medina of Stone Canyon Club – The Patriot Award
- David Heavner of DragonRidge C.C.– Merchandiser of the Year for Private Facilities
- Ryan Darland of Cascata – Merchandiser of the Year for Public Facilities
- Min Park of Talking Stick G.C. – Merchandiser of the Year for Resort Facilities
The Southwest PGA Golf Professional of the Year – Jamey Lewis, PGA General Manager at Sun City (Ariz.) Country Club, and 21-year member of the Southwest PGA, is the 48th recipient of Southwest PGA Golf Professional of the Year Award, the highest annual honor bestowed by the Southwest PGA on a PGA Professional. A native of Oklahoma City, Okla., Lewis earned his membership in the PGA of America in 2000 after serving as an apprentice at Pagosa Springs (Colo.) Golf Club and Oakcreek Country Club in Sedona, Ariz. During his 12 years at Oakcreek, he served in many capacities including PGA Assistant Golf Professional and ultimately, the PGA Head Golf Professional, a position he held for seven years. Lewis was an integral part of an extensive facility renovation at Oakcreek and was the founder of the Sedona Open, formally a major tournament within the Southwest PGA. Following his time at Oakcreek Country Club, he worked as the PGA General Manager at Beaver Creek Golf Club (2008-2009) in Lake Montezuma, Ariz., and Wickenburg (Ariz.) Country Club (2009-2014), before accepting his current position at Sun City Country Club. Lewis’ entire career has been in the Southwest PGA, which he considers “home.”
Lewis has mentored countless of his fellow PGA Professionals and encourages them to get involved, expand their network, and explore past the four walls of their golf shops to enhance their careers. Always choosing to lead by example, Lewis is learning Korean due to the surge of Korean golfers at his facility, which his customers view as a sign of respect. He learned to play the guitar and joined a band that plays at Sun City every Friday night to entertain the members and guests. Lewis volunteered his time as a district director for the Southwest PGA Junior Prep Tour for nine years organizing and administering junior events for the Northern District of Arizona. He has served in a leadership capacity of the Southwest PGA since being elected to the Board of Directors in 2010, where he also chaired numerous committees. As an officer of the Section, Lewis was Secretary, Vice President, and was elected the 23rd President of the Southwest PGA, serving in that role from 2017-2019. Always looking to give back, he volunteers his time and his facility for the Special Olympics Arizona Golf Games. Over 400 athletes participate at Sun City Country Club and Lewis continues to be heavily involved with Special Olympics. He allows the athletes to play at Sun City for free all year, anytime. He currently serves as Secretary on the Southwest PGA Foundation Board of Directors. Lewis was honored with the 2012 Bill Strausbaugh Award, presented to a PGA Member who demonstrates exceptional character, integrity and leadership by way of teaching and mentoring other PGA Professionals.
The Southwest PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year – Susan Harnedy, PGA Assistant Golf Professional at the Stone Canyon Club in Oro Valley, Ariz., has been named the Southwest PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year for her leadership, ability to inspire fellow PGA Professionals, promotion of golf and service to the PGA. Harnedy, A 22-year member of the PGA of America, began her career in golf as an assistant at Pine Creek Golf Club in Colorado Springs, Colo., where she worked her way all the up to the PGA Director of Golf position. With her true passion being teaching, she relocated to Arizona in 2005 and accepted a PGA Assistant Golf Professional at El Conquistador Golf in Tucson, where she worked for a year before moving on to her current role at the Stone Canyon Club. Harnedy annually participates in numerous educational opportunities including Teaching & Coaching seminars, roundtables and clinics. She volunteers her time with many charitable organizations and initiatives, including PGA HOPE, where she is Certified Instructor. At Stone Canyon, Harnedy created women’s golf events and began organizing member golf trips for women including Bandon Dunes and Pinehurst. She serves as a mentor to Associates working through the PGA Program on the path to membership by providing guidance and support in playing, teaching, day-to-day operations and what it means to be a PGA Member. The Southwest PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year honor is Harnedy’s first award as a member of the Southwest PGA.
The Southwest PGA Teacher of the Year – Matt Henderson, PGA Director of Instruction at TPC Las Vegas, has been named the Southwest PGA Teacher of the Year for his outstanding performance as a golf teacher, innovator and coach. Originally from Cheyenne, Wyo., Henderson is a graduate of the PGM Program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he earned a degree in Recreation and Leisure. After gaining his membership in the PGA in 2009, Henderson focused his career on his passion for teaching and helping all levels of golfers. He obtained PGA certification in Teaching and Coaching and created a program that included monthly development and collegiate development. He applies those same competitive philosophy and development techniques to those who are just starting out in the game. Henderson served as the assistant men’s golf coach at the University of Tennessee and Colorado State University, and has coached multiple Tour Players, division one athletes and competitive juniors. He created a junior development program at TPC Las Vegas called the After-School Academy, providing a vehicle to get juniors started and moving through the game of golf. Passionate about continuing education for his fellow PGA Professionals, Henderson has hosted numerous education seminars for the members in the Southern Nevada Chapter. Throughout his career, he has received several awards from the Southern Nevada Chapter PGA, including the Teacher of the Year (2013, 2019, 2020, 2021), Horton Smith Award (2018) (now named the Professional Development Award) and Player Development Award (2013, 2017). He has consistently been ranked among the top five teachers in Nevada and “Best Young Teachers” by GolfDigest.
The Southwest PGA Youth Player Development Award – Mike Davis, PGA Master Professional and Director of Instruction at DragonRidge Country Club in Henderson, Nev., is the recipient of the Southwest PGA Youth Player Development Award. The honor recognizes a PGA Professional who has displayed extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievement in the area of youth player development. Davis, a 47-year member of the PGA of America, has been involved with instruction on National, Section and Chapter levels throughout his career. His passion and commitment to growing the game, especially through junior golf, is self-evident. He developed and expanded junior golf programming at every facility he worked. Since being introduced to PGA Jr. League, Davis noted, “It’s the best program I have seen in my 47-years as a PGA Member to get kids into golf,” and has created and captained numerous teams on an annual basis, where this past year he had two leagues with teams advancing to both the Section Championship and Regional Championship. He is a graduate of the University of Oregon, where he majored in Pre-Medicine. During his senior year in 1968, he competed in three national championships in five weeks – the NCAA Volleyball Championships, the U.S. Open at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, N.Y., and the NCAA Golf Championship in Las Cruces, N.M. Davis currently serves as chairman of the Southern Nevada PGA Junior Committee, as a member of the Southwest PGA Junior Committee and as a rules official for the PGA Jr. League Championship. Among Davis’ numerous honors throughout his career, he has received 17 Teacher of the Year awards, including two from the Southwest PGA (2003, 2007), and has been inducted into the Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame (2014) and Pacific Northwest PGA Hall of Fame (2017).
The Southwest PGA Bill Strausbaugh Award – Chris Cain, Ph.D., PGA Golf Administrator of the Professional Golf Management program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, is the recipient of the Southwest PGA’s Bill Strausbaugh Award, presented to a PGA Member who demonstrates exceptional character, integrity and leadership by way of teaching and mentoring other PGA Professionals. Cain attained his membership in the PGA of America in 1999 and earned the prestigious PGA Master Professional status, the highest educational designation that can be obtained by a PGA Member, in 2020. He has mentored numerous PGA Associates and Assistant Golf Professionals, many who are now excelling in the industry as PGA Directors of Instruction, Head Golf Professionals, General Managers and within non-traditional roles. For the past 18 years, Cain has mentored hundreds of PGA students and alumni within the undergraduate and graduate programs at UNLV. He takes great pride in where the program is today—a model PGA University program in the country led by the success of students and alumni. His diversity of experience gained through traditional and non-traditional roles as a PGA Professional established his foundation for the business and leadership through education and mentorship. Among his numerous awards, Cain is a two-time (2009, 2018) recipient of the Horton Smith Award (now named the Professional Development Award) and the 2011 Southwest PGA Golf Professional of the Year award, the highest honor bestowed upon a PGA Professional.
The Southwest PGA Professional Development Award – Kevin Reagan, PGA Head Golf Professional at Granite Falls Golf Club in Surprise, Ariz., is the recipient of the Southwest PGA Professional Development Award. The award is presented annually to a PGA Professional who exhibits commendable additions to the education of PGA Professionals. He earned his membership in the PGA of America in 1998 and has been in the Southwest Section for his entire 23-year career. Part of Reagan’s responsibilities as Senior Head Golf Professional is overseeing the operational components at Cimarron Golf Club and Desert Springs Golf Club, part of the three golf shops at the 72-hole facility. He created the current PGA Associates orientation handbook which provides direction and communication on the Section and national levels. Throughout his career Reagan has engaged with associates on the importance of education and provided support for them to obtain their membership. He continues to implement networking events, playing opportunities and educational seminars to further assist them in advancing their careers. He is one of the founders of the Cactus Practice program and has been involved for over 20 years. The program takes all levels of golfers and provides them with group coaching opportunities to assist them transition to the golf course. Reagan served on the Southwest PGA board of directors and as chairman of the associates mentoring committee. This is Reagan’s first award as a member of the Southwest PGA.
The Southwest PGA Player Development Award – Andrew Boyd, PGA Program Manager/Instructor for Golf Squad in Anthem, Ariz., is the recipient of the Southwest PGA Player Development Award, which recognizes a PGA Professional for extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievements in the area of player development. Since earning his PGA membership in 2008, Boyd has served as a mentor in the industry to his fellow PGA Professionals. At Golf Squad, he manages after school golf enrichment programs in Arizona, Texas and Colorado with his efforts focused on educating and energizing his fellow PGA Professionals on the importance of youth golf and commitment to developing students not only in the playing of the game but on the relationships and camaraderie that can develop through golf. Boyd encourages PGA Members and Associates to become mentors for young students, which in turn will grow the game and create future golfers across the country. He provides instructional materials, lesson plans and equipment for PGA Members and Associates so they have the necessary tools to conduct their classes and address the needs of each individual student. Boyd currently has over 100 schools throughout his territory with an estimated 1,200 students scheduled to participate. The Southwest PGA Player Development Award is Boyd’s first award as a member of the Southwest PGA.
The Southwest PGA Patriot Award – Danny Medina, PGA Director of Golf at the Stone Canyon Club in Oro Valley, Ariz., is the recipient of the Southwest PGA Patriot Award, which bestows special recognition on a PGA Professional who personifies patriotism through the game of golf and demonstrates unwavering commitment and dedication to the men and women who have valiantly served and protected our country. Medina, a 12-year member of the PGA, has been instrumental in growing the PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) program for Veterans throughout the Southwest PGA. He serves as the Southwest PGA’s Lead representing the Section as the point-of-contact to the PGA HOPE Coordinator, PGA HOPE Military/Veteran Liaison and Lead Professionals with the PGA of America’s REACH initiative. Medina takes great pride in his volunteering and charitable activities as he is always looking to improve the conditions of others. He leads numerous PGA HOPE programs within the Section to create awareness, raise funds and provide adaptive programs that introduce golf to Veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being. Medina has served on Section’s and Chapter’s board of directors, including president of the Chapter and currently the vice Chairman of the Southwest PGA Foundation. Among his many honors in both the Southwest PGA and Southern Chapter PGA, Medina was recognized as the 2018 Southwest PGA Golf Professional of the Year, the highest honor bestowed on a PGA Professional.
The Southwest PGA Merchandiser of the Year for Private Facilities – Dave Heavner, PGA Assistant Golf Professional at DragonRidge Country Club in Las Vegas, Nev., is the recipient of the Southwest PGA Merchandiser of the Year for Private Facilities. The award recognizes PGA Professionals who have excelled as businesspersons and merchandisers in the promotion of golf. Heavner recently earned his PGA membership in September of 2021 and is a 2017 graduate of the PGA Professional Golf Management program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Originally from Ohio, Heavner’s unique path to PGA membership began after high school when he joined the United States Marine Corps and served multiple combat tours in the Middle East. During that time, he was awarded a Purple Heart and a Combat Action Ribbon. He notes his favorite part of the golf industry is the merchandising and retail side of the operations and his philosophy incorporates a modern take on merchandising. He looks at merchandising as a way to grow the game by staying ahead of the trends and always looking for unique and interesting items as well as creative ways to present them. Heavner changed the golf shop at DragonRidge by taking the “golf only” stigma away which has enabled him to reach a wide variety of consumers. He pushed the boundaries of traditional golf apparel and items stocked making the shop a more welcoming environment for all consumers, not the just the core golfer. His main philosophy is to give the clients an interesting experience and to have a more fashion-forward approach. This is Heavner’s first award as a member of the Southwest PGA.
The Southwest PGA Merchandiser of the Year for Public Facilities – Ryan Darland, PGA Head Golf Professional at Cascata in Boulder City, Nev., is the recipient of the Southwest PGA Merchandiser of the Year for Public Facilities. The award recognizes PGA Professionals who have excelled as businesspersons and merchandisers in the promotion of golf. Darland earned his membership in the PGA of America in 2011 while he was an assistant professional at Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort. He is a graduate of the PGA Professional Golf Management program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Darland is responsible for the buying, receiving and inventory control of all merchandise at Cascata. He ensures the golf shop is stocked with merchandise from vendors that meets the standards of Cascata and uses his five concepts to achieve this: vendor/style originated, easy to reorder, vendor delivery, maintain a markup and consistent performers. His philosophy starts with getting to know his guests since many of them travel from all over the world which results in different trends. Darland keeps the shop fresh with the latest hard and soft goods in a consistent rotation. Due to his techniques, from 2020 to 2021, total golf shop merchandise sales have a projected increase of 88%, helping make Cascata one of the premier golf shops in Nevada. This is Darland’s first award in the Southwest PGA.
The Southwest PGA Merchandiser of the Year for Resort Facilities – Min Park, PGA Director of Golf at Talking Stick Golf Club in Scottsdale, is the recipient of the Southwest PGA Merchandiser of the Year Award for Resort Facilities. The award, which Park also won in 2017, recognizes PGA Professionals who have excelled as businesspersons and merchandisers in the promotion of golf. A 10-year member of the PGA of America, Park oversees the entire golf operation including merchandising at Talking Stick. Park has incorporated items with the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community cultural elements at Talking Stick, which the community takes great pride in. He works with vendors to create new and unique items utilizing the “Man in the Maze”, which is the centerpiece of the SRPMIC government seal. Park, who before his career in golf was a graphic designer at Microsoft, uses his artist background when making all decisions regarding merchandising including the custom design of all hats, headcovers and special-order items. His merchandising philosophy is centered around building relationships and making sure the customer’s experience is exceptional for every guest. The concept shop for large golf groups was traditionally handled by third parties. By bringing that segment in-house from start to finish, Park and his team became more informed and better salespeople. Park earned PGA certification in General Management and has served on numerous committees in the Southwest PGA. He was appointed to the Southwest PGA board of directors in 2021, serving a two-year term.
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 1284 members and associate Professionals, the Southwest PGA is the fifth largest of the 41 regional entities or Sections that comprise the PGA of America. For more information about the Southwest PGA, please visit www.southwestpga.com and join us on social media at www.facebook.com/swsectionpga, twitter.com/swsectionpga and www.instagram.com/southwestpga.
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