The greatest challenge when stepping onto the course as a rules official is finding the best ways to interact with golfers.
Lyman Gallup has mastered that equation.
The AZ GOLF volunteer opens every ruling with a friendly question — “How can I help you?”
“If you’ve helped them through a ruling and they don’t like the outcome but are still able to say thank you when they leave, I take pride in being able to do that,” Gallup said.
On Tuesday, Gallup was recognized as the 2025 AZ GOLF Volunteer of the Year during Volunteer Appreciation Day at Papago Golf Club.
Gallup was selected by the Volunteer of the Year Committee made up of AZ GOLF’s Head of Rules and Competitions, the Director of Handicapping and Course Rating, and the Volunteer Manager. He received a Kachina trophy as a thank you.
Volunteers were considered based on their volunteer service time; the way they interact with other volunteers, staff and players; their willingness to volunteer in all areas of need; and how they make the extra effort to create an excellent tournament experience.
Gallup has been a rules official since 1989 and feels he learns more and more about golf rules each time he steps on a course. His favorite part of the job, however, is learning about the people.
“There are so many good people involved in golf and it gives me pleasure to know them and be able to interact with them. It’s a good thing,” Gallup said.
After serving as the Executive Director for the Idaho Golf Association for six years and spending time as a rules official in the potato state, Gallup moved to Arizona and began volunteering with the Arizona Women’s Golf Association in 2013.He continued working with the Arizona Golf Association following the merger a handful of years later.
Gallup’s favorite aspects of volunteering include course markings, hosting educational workshops for golf clubs, and helping less-experienced officials be prepared to get on the course and interact with players.
“Lyman Gallup has been a tremendous contributor to the Arizona Rules Committee over the years and there isn’t an individual more deserving to be named our Volunteer of the Year,” said AZ GOLF’s Head of Rules and Competitions, Logan Rasmussen. “Aside from serving as a rules official at hundreds of events over the years, he has been a key contributor and put in countless hours to help educate our rules officials.”
Lyman Gallup received a Kachina trophy for his volunteer efforts with AZ GOLF this year. (Photo by Tom Skulski)
In addition to celebrating Gallup, all AZ GOLF volunteers with at least five years of service were recognized with a pin for their years of commitment to golf in Arizona. Six volunteers — Christi Dickinson; John Gunby; John Gusky; Bill Lich; Cleve Lynch and Brooks Thiele — have served for 25-years-or-more and were honored with Kachina trophies as a special thank you.
Five Year Volunteer Service
Russell Adamson
Richard Atkinson
Marty Babst
Anne Bertolet
Jackie Bertsch
Abe Candelaria
Vera Ciancola
Dave Dean
David Eikner
Dan Falle
Jerry Fox
Jerry Glover
Rich Grant
Rob Hill
Jamie Hinkle
Perry Huyck
Ron Koontz
Dal Norris
Mark Ohlendorf
Rick Rehfeldt
Arnold Silchuk
Bob Smith
10 Year Volunteer Service
James Balaschak
Janet Cothren
Julie Fenn
Lyman Gallup
Kim Haskell
Tim Hulscher
Brian James
Scott Johnson
Philip Mahoney
Ellen O’Hara
Marilyn Reynolds
Steve Tomlinson
Roger Waterer
15 Year Volunteer Service
Bruce Byers
Maria Cockrum
Judy Fick
Phil Hannaford
John Lorenzen, Jr.
Kevin McElvain
Charley Silcox
Ralph Warrington
20 Year Volunteer Service
Robin Farran
Peter Haverkampf
Judi Lorenzen
Paula Page
Drew Woods
25+ Year Volunteer Service
Christi Dickinson
John Gunby
John Gusky
Bill Lich
Cleve Lynch
Brooks Thiele
Interested in volunteering?
Currently, AZ GOLF's volunteer recruitment is taking a break as we head into our off-season. We return on January 6 and invite you to complete the volunteer application at that time. See you in the 2026 season!
If you'd like to be notified when the volunteer application re-opens, please email peg@azgolf.org.