Front Nine | News & Notes

John Souza

Current Executive Committee member John Souza was named president of AZ GOLF during the Association’s Annual Meeting held on Feb. 19 at Phoenix Country Club, succeeding outgoing president Tim Brown. Souza brings a wealth of leadership experience within the golf industry, serving at PING for 44 years and playing an active role on the AZ GOLF Executive Committee. He will lead the Association’s strategic growth, shape its direction and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders to benefit members and the broader golf community.

POY Honors

Throughout the year, members compete in AZ GOLF Championships and events, Arizona sanctioned events and USGA qualifiers and Championships, earning points with the goal of finishing atop the rankings and winning the coveted Player of the Year (POY) Award for their respective division. For 2024, Chris Kamin (Men’s Division), Leigh Klasse (Women’s & Senior Women’s Division) and John Schaller (Legends Division) were honored as Players of the Year, and Sean O’Donnell received the Mayfair Award honoring the player with the lowest weighted tournament scoring average for the year.

Association Awards

Each year, AZ GOLF honors individuals for their dedication and exemplary service to the game of golf in Arizona. This year, the Association is proud to celebrate Bob McNichols with the Dr. Ed Updegraff Award, Cori Matheson (below) with the Dorothy Pease Champion of Golf Award and the duo of Tom Atkinson and Bob Smith with the Doc Graves Volunteer of the Year award.

Upcoming Events

AZ GOLF’s event season is in full swing, featuring championships, competitive and social events for all levels of golfer. Upcoming events include the Arizona Four-Ball Championship, the Men’s and Women’s Arizona Mid-Amateur Championships and Match Play Championships. For the full schedule of events, including the One-Day Series, Senior Cup Series and AZ GOLF Social Series, visit azgolf.org/play-golf.

Inaugural Arizona Parent/Child Tournament

On May 18, AZ GOLF will host the inaugural Parent/Child Tournament on the Estates Course at the Arizona Biltmore Golf Club. Two-person teams with multiple divisions available for different parent/child pairings will compete in an 18-hole scramble format. This event is sure to be a fun and memorable experience for families, bringing together players of all ages to enjoy friendly competition on the course.

LPGA Ford Championship Qualifier

Top amateurs in the region competed in March at Terravita Golf & Country Club in Scottsdale for two spots in the Monday qualifier for the LPGA Ford Championship March 27-30 at Whirlwind Golf Club in Chandler. AZ GOLF Executive Director Catherine Carmignani (left) congratulated Asia Young (-4) and Alexis Lamadrid (+2) for punching their ticket into the final qualifier. Although neither advanced further, congrats to both on playing well.