AZ GOLF Announces 2025 Award Honorees

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 18, 2025

AZ GOLF Announces 2025 Award Honorees

Winners to be recognized at Phoenix Country Club

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. – AZ GOLF is proud to announce its annual award winners.

Throughout the year, AZ GOLF players compete and earn points in their respective divisions. Those who finish atop the rankings earn the coveted Player of the Year Award for their division. Also recognized with Association service awards are individuals or organizations who have exemplified selfless commitment and contribution to golf in Arizona. This year’s Player of the Year and service award winners are:

• Men’s Division Player of the Year: Chris Kamin - For the third year in a row, Chris Kamin earned the Men’s Division Player of the Year award, finishing sixth or better in every AZ GOLF event he participated in, including wins at the AGA Championship and West Valley Amateur. Kamin joins Ken Kellaney (10) as one of only two players to achieve three or more Player of the Year titles.
• Women’s Division & Senior Women’s Player of the Year: Leigh Klasse - With the most championship wins of any of the 2024 Players of the Year, Leigh Klasse earned both the Women’s Division and Senior Women’s Player of the Year awards. Her accomplishments include wins at the Arizona Short Course, the Arizona Senior Women’s Amateur and two partner events, capturing both the Arizona Women’s Scotch Play Championship and Arizona Women’s Partners Championship. Along with her multiple wins, Klasse earned an exemption into the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur.
• Legends Division Player of the Year: John Schaller - For longtime AZ GOLF tournament player John Schaller, 2024 marked his breakout year. In a seven week stretch, Schaller captured the Arizona Senior Amateur Championship and the Arizona Match Play and finished T3 at the Arizona Northern Amateur. Earlier in the year, Schaller also posted a third-place finish at the West Valley Amateur and placed T5 at the Southern Amateur.
• Mayfair Award: Sean O’Donnell - Established in 1988, The Mayfair Award is presented to the AZ GOLF member with the lowest weighted tournament scoring average. Eligibility requires participation in either one USGA qualifying round in Arizona and two AZ GOLF individual majors OR one USGA qualifying round, one AZ GOLF major, and a collegiate championship in Arizona. All scores contribute to the adjusted average. After a great tournament season, O’Donnell captured his first Mayfair Award with an adjusted scoring average of 67.93.
• Ed Updegraff Award: Bob McNichols - 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.

Bob McNichols, longtime Developer and General Manager of Longbow Golf Club, is synonymous with the iconic course. After leading its purchase in 2001, he oversaw a full renovation, expanding the course's length, design, and playability, and later added an award-winning clubhouse. In addition to hosting numerous professional tournaments, AZ GOLF events and USGA Qualifiers, Longbow hosted several JGAA, AJGA, First Tee of Phoenix, and Youth on Course events, including 20 consecutive PING Heather Farr Classics. McNichols also spent time on AZ GOLF’s Executive Committee, eventually becoming its President.

• Dorothy Pease Champion of Golf Award: Cori Matheson - 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.

During and after her collegiate golf career, Cori Matheson held multiple positions with the Southwest Section PGA, JGAA and First Tee of Phoenix, eventually becoming a Class A LPGA Professional and LPGA Member. In 2013, she started in her current role as Director of LPGA*USGA Girls Golf of Phoenix. A Girls Golf alumna herself, Matheson knows the organization’s impact firsthand. She has worked to continue Girls Golf’s mission of empowering girls through golf. Under her leadership, LPGA*USGA Girls Golf of Phoenix has grown to over 550 sites and serves over 100,000 participants annually. In 2023, Girls Golf reached its one millionth participant since inception.

• Doc Graves Volunteers of the Year: Tom Atkinson & Bob Smith - Each year, AZ GOLF’s staff 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. This award is named after Robert “Doc” Graves, a longtime AZ GOLF volunteer who exemplifies the selfless contributions of time and dedication to serving golf in Arizona.

With over 1,000 hours of combined volunteer time at approximately 55 AZ GOLF events, Tom Atkinson & Bob Smith made an impact that goes beyond their timecards. A familiar face and voice on the first tee, Atkinson’s positive presence as a starter set the tone for each event and for players as they hit the course. Meanwhile, Smith’s contributions were felt across numerous volunteer roles. Equipped with unwavering friendliness and a willingness to perform any task, Atkinson and Smith greatly enhanced the experience for AZ GOLF members.

"These award recipients are outstanding ambassadors for the golf community in Arizona," said AZ GOLF Executive Director Catherine Carmignani. "From their achievements on the course to their meaningful contributions to the sport, each has left a lasting impact. We look forward to honoring and celebrating them."

Winners will be recognized on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at the Annual Meeting, hosted by Phoenix Country Club.

For more information about the Arizona Golf Association and its programs, please visit www.azgolf.org. For media inquires, please contact Brandon Genson at brandon@azgolf.org.

____________________________________________________________________________

 About AZ GOLF: Arizona Golf Association (AGA) is a 501(c)4 non-profit organization dedicated to elevating the sport and celebrating the game within the community. With a membership of over 100,000 golfers and nearly 400 member clubs, AZ GOLF is an allied association of the USGA, dedicated to supporting amateur golf in Arizona. AZ GOLF provides members with resources, including a USGA Handicap Index, course rating, playing opportunities and other great benefits.

AZ GOLF is a proud member of the Arizona Alliance for Golf (AAG) working to unify, protect and educate Arizonans about the game. The Association is also committed to the future of the game and supports youth programming through initiatives like Junior Golf Association of Arizona (JGAA), LPGA Girls Golf of Phoenix, First Tee - Phoenix, Youth on Course and the Arizona Caddie Leadership Academy.