Arizona Golf Association Announces 2024 Honorees

Winners to be recognized at 2024 Annual Meeting hosted by Phoenix Country Club

Contact Information:

Arizona Golf Association

Preston McFarland

preston@azgolf.org

602.872.7011

Release Date: 1/31/2024

Scottsdale, Arizona - The Arizona Golf Association is proud to announce its annual award winners. The awards are set to be given to the respective winners Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at the Annual Meeting, hosted by Phoenix Country Club. 

Throughout the year, men and women compete across their respective divisions in hopes of landing on top of the AGA Player Rankings. Players who find themselves at the top of the rankings become part of Arizona Golf history, earning the coveted AGA Player of the Year Award for each division. These awards are given out alongside three other service awards, which are granted to individuals or organizations who have exemplified selfless commitment and contribution to golf in Arizona. Those service awards come in the form of the Dr. Ed Updegraff Award, the Dorothy Pease Champion of Golf Award and the Doc Graves Volunteer of the Year Award.

• Chris Kamin – Men’s Division Player of the Year
  
  
  • AGA Championship - Champion
  • Arizona Stroke Play Championship - Champion
  • Arizona Mid-Amateur Championship - T3
  • Northern Amateur Championship - Champion
  • U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship – Earned Exemption
  • Arizona Short Course – T8
  • Represented Team AGA at the 62^nd Bob Goldwater Cup
  • Represented Team AGA at the Pacific Coast Amateur
  • Represented Team AGA at the AZ vs. Utah Shootout

• Kirsty Hodgkins – Women’s Division Player of the Year
   
  • AGA Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship – Champion
  • U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur – Advanced to the Round of 64
  • Arizona Women’s Amateur Championship – 14^th Place
  • Mixed Stix – Overall Gross Winner
  • Represented Team AGA at the AZ vs. Utah Shootout 

• Jeff Benton – Men’s Division Senior Player of the Year
  
  
  • Arizona Match Play – Champion, Senior Division
  • Arizona Senior Amateur Championship – 5^th Place, Senior Division
  • West Valley Amateur – 3^rd Place, Senior Division
  • San Tan Amateur – 4^th Place, Senior Division
  • Southern Amateur – 5^th Place, Senior Division
  • AGA Four-Ball – Champion, Senior Division
  • Northern Amateur – T6, Senior Division
  • 99^th Arizona Amateur Championship – Advanced to Round of 32
  • Phoenix City Team Senior – 4^th Place
  • Represented Team AGA at the 62^nd Bob Goldwater Cup
  • Represented Team AGA at the AZ vs. Utah Shootout 

• Tim Blau – Legends Division Player of the Year
   
  • Arizona Senior Amateur Championship – Champion, Legends Division
  • West Valley Amateur – Champion, Legends Division
  • Southern Amateur – T2
  • Northern Amateur – T4
  • Arizona Match Play – Quarterfinalist, Legends Division
  • San Tan Amateur – 10^th Place, Legends Division 

• Corey Weworski – Women’s Division Senior Player of the Year
   
  • Arizona Senior Women’s Amateur Championship – 4^th Place
  • U.S. Senior Women’s Open – Made Cut
  • U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship – Earned Exemption, Advanced to Round of 32
  • Women’s Match Play Championship – Quarterfinalist, Senior Division

• Chris Kamin – Mayfair Award
  
  The Mayfair Trophy was created in 1988 to be awarded to the AGA Member with the lowest weighted tournament scoring average at the end of each year. To be eligible, a player must compete in at least one USGA qualifying round in Arizona and at least two AGA individual major championships; or, compete in at least one USGA qualifying round in Arizona, at least one AGA individual major championship and a collegiate championship in Arizona. All scores count towards the adjusted average. After a great tournament season, Chris captured his third Mayfair Award with an adjusted scoring average of 67.83; he joins Ken Kellaney and Bryan Hoops as the only players to win the award three times or more.

Steve Dallas – Dr. Ed Updegraff Award

Established in 1990, the Updegraff Award is the Arizona Golf Association’s highest honor, given in recognition to those who, by his or her actions, exemplify the Spirit of the Game. The award is named after Dr. Ed Updegraff of Tucson, honoring his lifetime contributions and dedication to amateur golf in Arizona.

Mary Pomroy – Dorothy Pease Champion of Golf Award

To honor the memory of Dorothy Pease, in recognition of her selfless service to golf, the Champion of Golf Award is given annually to an individual who, by his or her contributions, has advanced the game of golf for women.

Note: This new award carries forward Dorothy Pease’s name and legacy while retaining the “Champion of Golf” label, an honor traditionally awarded annually by the Arizona Golf Association.

Scott Johnson – Doc Graves Volunteer of the Year Award

Each year, the staff of the AGA honors an individual (other than an Executive Committee member) who most exemplifies volunteerism through his or her commitment of time and effort to the association. In 2010, this award was named after Robert (Doc) Graves, a longtime AGA volunteer who exemplifies the selfless contributions of time and dedication to serving golf in Arizona.

About Arizona Golf Association: We exist to connect golfers with the greatest game on this green earth. As the governing body of Arizona golf, we continuously strive to elevate sport and unlock access for all level players - embracing beginners' road to refinement while celebrating competition among champions. For more information, please reach out to Preston McFarland (contact above) or visit azgolf.org.