EVENTS & highlights
Indoor Pro-Am @ Studio Golf Scottsdale
February 1-28
Assemble your team of one Southwest PGA Professional or Associate playing with three amateurs, schedule an open time with Studio Golf, play your round and you'll be eligible to win! Tournament round takes place at the virtual Oakmont Country Club. $300 per team.
Education Series - Monday, Feb 23rd Webinar
3:00PM - 5:00PM
Join Monte Koch, PGA who will be covering Leading with Emotional Intelligence for the first hour, and Desi Speh, CCM discussing the Essentials of Board Governance during the second hour. PGA Members in attendance will receive 2 PGa Required PDR credits.
PDR Opportunity - PGA HOPE Instructor Training
Rolling Hills Golf Course - Tucson, AZ
Thursday, February 26th
This FREE one-day educational workshop for Southwest PGA Members and Associates will explore the skills of teaching adaptive golf to those who may have physical, cognitive or sensory challenges, discussing how golf is utilized as a vital element in their rehabilitation and recovery. PGA Professionals attending this workshop become eligible to coach clinics and programs being planned within Arizona and Nevada. 8 PGA Required PDR credits.
Cologuard Classic Section Qualifier
Wednesday, March 4th
Oro Valley Country Club
The Cologuard Classic Section Qualifier is an 18-hole individual stroke play event to qualify one (1) Southwest PGA Professional into The Cologuard Classic Event Qualifier on Monday, March 26, 2026 at Oro Valley Country Club.
Pro-Am at Moon Valley Country Club
The first Southwest PGA Pro-Am in the 2026 Series is scheduled for Monday, March 23rd at Moon Valley Country Club. Teams will play in a one gross plus one net ball of the foursome with amateurs winning gift certificates to the golf shop. Professionals scores will also count in a separate stroke-play contest.
NEWS AND RELEASES
February 11, 2026
Southwest PGA Welcomes Staff Member Cesar Balgañon II. Read more
February 4, 2026
Tommi Avant Set to Make PGA TOUR Debut at WM Phoenix Open. Read more
February 2, 2026
Episode 4 of the Southwest PGA "On Par Podcast" presented by PING with Jason Eisenberg. View video
November 25, 2025
2025 Southwest PGA Players of the Year Read more
November 21, 2025
Southwest PGA Welcomes Staff Member Adam Andrade Read more
November 18, 2025
Abby Parsons Headlines 2025 Southwest PGA Award Recipients Read more
Who We Are
The PGA of America is the world's largest sports organization, comprised of 28,000 men and women golf Professionals who are the recognized experts in teaching and growing the game. Founded in 1916, the PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position by conducting premier spectator events – PGA Championship, Ryder Cup, Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid and PGA Grand Slam of Golf – as well as significant philanthropic outreach initiatives, and award-winning golf promotions.
The Southwest PGA is one of forty-one sections of the Professional Golfers' Association of America. Its boundaries include the state of Arizona and Clark County in Southern Nevada. There are two chapters within the Southwest PGA - the Southern Chapter and Southern Nevada Chapter. Each chapter aims to further facilitate programs and support their members specific needs in those areas.
Southwest PGA Mission Statement
We exist to foster the fellowship and career development of our Section professionals, create playing opportunities and support our Foundation’s charitable programs.
Board of Directors
Le Ann Finger, PGA/LPGA
President Desert Mountain/Renegade
Steven Outlaw, PGA
Vice President Troon
Brent Lingel, PGA
Secretary Rolling Hills GC/Dorado CC
Ben Baldwin, PGA
Board Member Signup.Golf
Matt Brooks, PGA
Board Member Superstition Mountain Golf & CC
Ryan Lanzen, PGA
Board Member Pinetop Country Club
Travis Moore, PGA
Board Member Pinnacle Peak Country Club
Andrew Morris, PGA
Board Member Desert Highlands
Min Park, PGA
Board Member SouthShore Country Club
Abby Parsons, PGA
Board Member Pinnacle Peak Country Club
Megan Scholl, PGA
Board Member UNLV PGA Golf Management
Andrew Workman, PGA
Board Member Augusta Ranch Golf Club
Landyn Lewis, PGA
Southern Chapter President Tucson Golf Program
Mike Magnera, PGA
So. Nevada Chapter President GolfNow
Jason Keesling
Independent Director
Tommy McKone
Independent DirectorSection Past Presidents
2023-2024 — Steve Leonard
2021-2023 — Al Sutton
2019-2021 — Jay Larscheid
2017-2019 — Jamey Lewis
2014-2017 — Greg Leicht
2013-2014 — Don Rea
2011-2013 — Michael Haywood
2009-2011 — Michael Wright
2007-2009 — Brett Upper
2005-2007 — Albert Murdock
2004-2005 — Joe Shershenovich
2003-2004 — Rick Price
2001-2003 — Jim Murphy
1999-2001 — Kevin Lewis ![]()
Section Past Presidents
1997-1999 — Jeff Lessig
1995-1997 — Brian Whitcomb
1993-1995 — Phil Green
1991-1993 — Ralph Bernhisel
1989-1991 — Dennis Hogan
1987-1989 — John Jackson
1985-1987 — Craig Sloan
1983-1985 — Craig Sloan
1981-1983 — Craig Sloan
1979-1981 — Ralph Bernhisel
1977-1979 — Mack McCarley
1975-1977 — Cliff Whittle
1974-1975 — Joe Bartko
1972-1974
— Don LeHew![]()
National Past Presidents
2017-2018 — Paul Levy
2007-2008 — Brian Whitcomb
1983-1984 — Mark Kizziar![]()
Our Staff
Bernie Eaton, PGA
Executive Director 480-443-9002 x102
Bill Ibrahim
Senior Director of Operations 480-443-9002 x101
Mike Martino, PGA
Director of Rules and Competitions 480-443-9002 x107
Hannah Kolesar
Director of Junior Golf Operations 480-443-9002 x113
Baxter Parrott
Director of Sales and Marketing 480-443-9002 x106
Mike Schoaf
Director of Communications & Technology 480-443-9002 x105
Cesar Balgañon II, PGA
Southern Arizona Chapter Director 520-954-5583
Adam Andrade
Southern Nevada Chapter Director 808-345-8985Southwest PGA Awards
-
2024 Southwest PGA Award Winners
Mark Gurnow, PGA
Superstition Mountain Golf & CC Golf Professional of the Year
Collins Tamashiro, PGA
Southern Highlands Golf Club Assistant Golf Professional of the Year
Jeff Fisher, PGA
Fisher Bryan Golf Academy/Longbow GC Teacher of the Year
Blake Isakson, PGA
Perfect Circle Golf/Moon Valley CC Youth Player Development Award
Brent Lingel, PGA
Rolling Hills GC/Dorado CC Bill Strausbaugh Award
Justin Bubser, PGA
Tucson Golf Program Player Development Award
Kevin Reagan, PGA
Granite Falls Golf Club Professional Development Award
Landyn Lewis, PGA
Tucson Golf Program Patriot Award
Robert Spikes, PGA
El Rio Golf Course Deacon Palmer Award
Samantha Sorensen, PGA
Las Vegas Country Club Merchandiser of the Year - Private
Aaron Slonim, PGA
TPC Las Vegas Merchandiser of the Year - Public
Eric Dettman, PGA
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club Merchandiser of the Year - Resort
Jesse Mueller, PGA
Grand Canyon University GC Rolex Player of the Year
Tommi Avant, PGA
Lone Tree Golf Club Assistant Player of the Year
Jim Carter, PGA
Omni Tucson National Resort Rolex Senior Player of the Year -
Southwest PGA Hall of Fame
2023
Kevin Lewis, PGA
Lynn Marriott, PGA
Scott Watkins, PGA2020
John Gunby, PGA
2017
Al Birmingham
Dick Hyland, PGA
Tom Lambie, PGA
Ron McPherson
John A. Solheim2013
Karsten Solheim
2012
Jerry Roberts, PGA
Dana Garmany, PGA
Phil Green, PGA2011
Chuck McCool, PGA
Bobby Phillips, PGA
Craig Sloan, PGA
Ed Francese, PGA
Gene Lesch, PGA2010
Brian Whitcomb, PGA
John Jackson, PGA
Roger Maxwell, PGA
Johnny Bulla, PGA
Willie Low, PGA2009
Arch Watkins, PGA
Dave Engelking, PGA
Bill Farkas, PGA
Mack McCarley, PGA
Cliff Whittle, PGA
V.O. "Red" Allen, PGA
Joe Bartko, PGA
Jack Morrison, PGA -
Southwest PGA PING Anser Award
The Anser Award was created by the Southwest PGA and PING in 1991 as a way to recognize individuals who have made significant and impactful contributions to advancing or promoting the game of golf throughout the state of Arizona. Over the past years the list of recipients has grown to include some of the most influential names in history of golf in Arizona.
2025 - Daryl & Derek Crawford
2024 - Gregg Tryhus
2023 - Alice Cooper
2022 - Lou Grubb
2021 - Kathy Wilkes
2020 - No Recipient
2019 - Dana Garmany
2018 - Tim Kloenne
2017 - Dave Engelking
2015 - Tom Cunningham
2014 - John A. Solheim
2013 - Ron McPherson
2012 - Tucson Conquistadors
2011 - Brian Whitcomb
2010 - Dot Straw
2009 - George Boutell
2008 - Heather Farr
2007 - Louise Solheim
2006 - Al Birmingham
2005 - V.O. “Red” Allen
2004 - Willie Low
2003 - Jay D. Woodward
2002 - Sister Lynn Winsor
2001 - Thunderbirds
2000 - Bill Dickey
1999 - Linda Vollstedt
1998 - Lyle Anderson
1997 - John Riggle
1996 - Harry Cavanaugh
1995 - Arch Watkins
1994 - Ed Updegraff
1993 - Bill Farkas, Sr.
1992 - Bob Goldwater
1991 - Karsten Solheim
Contact Us
Our Address
10607 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd.
Suite J103
Scottsdale, AZ 85259
Email Us
Call Us
480-443-9002


