Southwest PGA Announces 2025 Hall of Fame Class

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – September 19, 2025 – Joe Kelly, Greg Leicht, and Jim Murphy have been named as the 2025 inductees into the Southwest PGA Hall of Fame. Through their distinguished careers, lifelong service, and unwavering dedication, these PGA Members have made lasting contributions to the Southwest Section and its mission to grow the game of golf. They will be formally honored during the Southwest PGA Semi-Annual Meeting on Monday, October 20, at Talking Stick Golf Club in Scottsdale.

"Joe Kelly, Greg Leicht, and Jim Murphy have each created a lasting legacy on the game of golf and the Southwest PGA through their steadfast dedication, outstanding leadership, and deep passion for the profession," said Le Ann Finger, President of the Southwest PGA. "Their induction into the Southwest PGA Hall of Fame reflects a lifetime of service and achievement that has elevated our Section and influenced so many fellow professionals. It’s truly an honor to recognize their exceptional careers and welcome them into this distinguished Hall of Fame class."

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Joe Kelly began his career in 1977 as an Assistant Professional at the Desert Inn Hotel and Country Club in Las Vegas. A PGA of America Member since 1980, Kelly’s career has been marked by visionary leadership, dedication to junior golf and player development, and a lasting impact on facility operations and growth.

Kelly played a key role in the opening of six Las Vegas golf courses, including Desert Pines, Royal Links, Bali Hai, and Stallion Mountain (54 holes). He has hosted numerous PGA, LPGA, and Senior Tour events, including serving as host professional for the inaugural PGA Tour Las Vegas Invitational in 1983.

A founding father of the Las Vegas Junior Golf Association in 1978, Kelly served over 35 years on its board—14 as president. He also played a pivotal role in the launch of the UNLV PGM Program and has mentored generations of future PGA Professionals. His service includes leadership roles on the Las Vegas Chapter PGA Board (President), Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame (President), and Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame (Executive Board).

Kelly has received numerous honors, including multiple Golf Professional of the Year and Junior Golf Leader awards from the Southern Nevada Chapter PGA and SNGA, as well as the Southwest Section PGA Junior Golf Promoter of the Year. He was inducted into the Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame in 2015—the only PGA Club Professional to receive that distinction.

Currently Director of Golf Operations at Las Vegas National Golf Club, Kelly has transformed the business model into a profitable operation, while continuing to host countless junior, amateur, and professional events – and serve as home course for the UNLV PGM Program.

"It is a tremendous honor – for both me and my family – to be selected by my peers for induction into the Southwest Section Golf Hall of Fame," said Kelly. "Throughout my career, I’ve strived to make a lasting, positive impact on the golf community in Southern Nevada. This enshrinement is a meaningful validation of that dedication."

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Greg Leicht, PGA Director of Golf for the City of Phoenix, is a past recipient of the Southwest PGA’s highest honor – the Golf Professional of the Year (2019). He is widely respected for his leadership, dedicated service, and lifelong commitment to growing the game of golf.

Originally from Anderson, Indiana, Leicht was introduced to golf by his grandfather but focused on baseball through high school and college. After his playing days, he turned back to golf, beginning his career at Coronado Golf Course under the mentorship of PGA Professionals Milt Coggins and Hall of Famer Tom Lambie. Following his time at Coronado, Leicht began to climb the ladder at TPC Scottsdale, starting in outside service and eventually becoming the Tournament Director, overseeing more than 400 tournaments annually.

After joining The Phoenician in 1997, under the guidance of another Hall of Famer, John Jackson, PGA, Leicht further developed his skills and earned PGA membership in 1998 and soon took his first head professional role at Vistal Golf Club. There, he discovered his passion for community and a genuine love for Special Olympics. For the last 22 years and counting, he has coached athletes, trained coaches, led Arizona delegations to USA National competitions, hosted the USA National competition here in Arizona (2012), and grew Arizona’s State and Regional Golf Championships from 85 to over 440 participants – helping shape Special Olympics golf across the state, country, and internationally.

Leicht’s career also includes GM roles at Cascata in Nevada, Bear Creek, and Encanterra before taking responsibility for Phoenix’s seven municipal courses in 2018. Continuing his education, Leicht also earned PGA Certification in General Management, PGA COACH certification, and expert level status in USGA Rules of Golf and Tournament Administration.

A dedicated Southwest PGA leader, Leicht served as President (2014-2017), Vice President, Secretary, and Honorary President, and lead the Southwest PGA Foundation’s initiative to establish the state of Arizona “Game of a Lifetime” license plate, benefiting the Southwest PGA Foundation. He served on the Southwest PGA Foundation for over 20 years and led the foundation as President for 10 years.

Leicht’s accolades include the Bill Strausbaugh Award (2006), Player Development Award (2008 & 2009), the Special Olympics North America Conrad Rehling Award (2011) for his impact on Special Olympics golf, and the Denise Martinez Horizon Award (2024) by the Southwest PGA Foundation for a lifelong dedication to community engagement and leading and growing the foundation.

"To be inducted into the Southwest PGA Hall of Fame is to stand on the shoulders of giants – those who taught me to love the game and to serve others," said Leicht. "I am humbled and honored by the recognition.  I am grateful my influence may have extended beyond the fairways and into the very heart of a community. My goal has always been to coach, mentor, and lead with grace and turn my passion into progress and challenges into championship moments for so many. Golf is more than a game, it’s a community, a shared purpose, and a lifelong calling. I’m humbled to join a hall of fame that stands for integrity, dedication, and the enduring power of sport to unite and elevate us all."

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Jim Murphy, PGA COO/General Manager at Pinnacle Peak Country Club in Scottsdale, joins the induction class in the Southwest PGA Hall of Fame in recognition of a distinguished career defined by exceptional leadership, dedicated mentorship, and unwavering service to the game of golf.

Murphy acknowledges that he could not be where he is today without his cherished 35 years at Gainey Ranch Golf Club, and he is grateful to continue his career at Pinnacle Peak Country Club surrounded by a great team and an incredible membership.

A PGA Member since 1992, Murphy is a two-time Southwest PGA Golf Professional of the Year (1997, 2002) and recipient of the Section’s Bill Strausbaugh Award (1999) for his commitment to mentoring fellow professionals. He served on the Southwest PGA Board of Directors from 1996 to 2006 and was a Section Officer from 1998 to 2004, including a two-year term as President.

A passionate mentor, he has guided numerous associates to PGA Membership, as well as advancing former assistants to Head Professional, Director of Golf, General Manager and Vice President positions. He also restructured and established multiple professional roles at facilities across Arizona, California, and Colorado.

Beyond the course, Murphy has contributed through volunteerism and outreach. He spearheaded and hosted multiple major fundraisers including, Drive for America (largest one-day fundraiser for September 11th), Golf for the Gulf (raising over $200,000 for Hurricane Katrina), the “Fill the Boot” Campaign for the Yarnell Hill Fire Tragedy, (raising over $150,000) and led a group of fellow PGA members to build a house for Habitat for Humanity.

Murphy has hosted numerous Section Championships, WM Phoenix Open qualifiers, USGA, AJGA and U.S. Women’s Open Qualifiers at his different facilities.  He twice captained the Southwest PGA Goldwater Cup team.

Raising the level of awareness for golf and the PGA of America, in the early 2000s, Murphy hosted a radio show “Talkin Golf.” He has also been an on-air personality and made select media appearances on Fox Sports Net Arizona and the Golf Channel.

Brian Whitcomb, Past President of the PGA of America, once said about Murphy: "Those that know him can attest to his constant smile and optimistic outlook. He is fast with a joke and simply brightens up the room wherever he is. His attitude is infectious. So that’s the Jim we know."

Murphy’s legacy reflects a career of excellence, growth, and service – both on and off the course.

"I am deeply honored and humbled to be inducted into the Southwest PGA Hall of Fame alongside such an exceptional group of Golf Professionals," said Murphy. "Golf has given my family countless cherished memories and has connected us with remarkable people and friendships we will treasure for a lifetime. I am proud to be a member of the PGA and grateful for the opportunity to contribute, in even a small way, to enriching lives and communities through charity, coaching, mentoring, teaching, and the joy of this great game."