Arizona Golf Hall of Fame welcomes 2016 Class of Five

The Arizona Golf Hall of Fame Committee announces five inductees for the 2016 Class, two modern candidates selected by the Voting Delegates, and three Legacy candidates by the Selectors Committee in recognition of long-past contributions. The Dinner and Induction Ceremony will be Tuesday, November 22nd. 

Dick Hyland, PGA Professional

Dick Hyland moved to Scottsdale from Florida in January of 1987 and became the first Director of Golf for Lyle Anderson at the Desert Mountain Club, a six-course community, which has hosted many Tour, USGA and other national events.  Dick held that position for over fifteen (15) years before promoted to President of Lyle Anderson Golf, with responsibilities over multiple clubs including Loch Lomond Golf Club in Scotland. 

In 2010, Dick became the Director of Golf at The Country Club at DC Ranch in Scottsdale where he has hosted numerous championships for all of Arizona’s associations.  

He has been recognized for contributions and accomplishments as a recipient of multiple regional and national PGA of America awards including Merchandiser of the Year and the Bill Strausbaugh Award, the AGA’s Ed Updegraff award. He has served on the Board of Directors of the SWPGA, Arizona Golf Foundation, and as first Chair of the President’s Advisory Board for TaylorMade/Adidas.

A very accomplished player, Dick has competed in the National Club Professional Championships on several occasions.

Christi Dickinson, Amateur

As an expert in the Rules of Golf, Christi was invited to serve on the USGA Women’s Committee (1997 – 2008). During her tenure on the Women’s Committee, she served as Chairman of the Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship and the Women’s State Team. 

Her volunteerism assisting with the Rules of Golf are extensive. She has served on the rules committee at many USGA Championships from over twenty Opens, Amateurs, the British Women’s Open and countless regional and state Championships.

As a Paradise Valley CC member, she’s on multiple committees and the Executive Board. Her service also included being the first female President of the Arizona Golf Association and Arizona Golf Foundation. Her service and commitment to the game of golf was recognized when presented with the Ed Updegraff Award in 2014.

LEGACY MEMBERS

Tom Lambie, PGA Professional

Tom Lambie’s golf career began with a stellar collegiate career at Stanford. In 1946 he captained the NCAA National Championship team and won the Pacific Coast Intercollegiate individual title.

After college, Tom turned professional in 1955 and later became the head professional at Century Country Club (now Orange Tree) in 1958, and won the Arizona Open that same year.

In 1965 he built and managed Scottsdale’s Coronado golf course, which quickly became the de facto practice facility for ASU players, and a stellar PGA Professional teaching staff including Joanne Winter, Dick Taylor, and Joe Nichols and the hub of junior golf in Scottsdale.

Tom Lambie has a  Life Membership in the PGA, 52 years in the Southwest Section, and over 80 years in Arizona golf.

 

 

 

Joe Porter, PGA Tour Professional and Amateur Leader

Joe Porter won the 1962 Arizona State Junior and led the Arcadia High School golf team to consecutive state championships in 1962 and 1963, winning the individual title both years. While in high school, he also won the Arizona Amateur Championship.

At Phoenix College he led the golf team to the National Junior College Championship in 1964. Joe then went to ASU, earning All-American honors in 1967.

Joe played on the PGA Tour for over ten years before returning to amateur status where he began a very successful real estate career.

Joe is also a Lifebird with the Phoenix Thunderbirds, contributing his Tour experience in developing the Phoenix Open.

 

 

Marilynn Smith, LPGA Professional

Marilynn Smith is a golfing legend. Her career included winning the Kansas State Amateur in 1946, 1947 and 1948, the 1949 Inter-Collegiate title.  

Turning professional, Marilyn is one of the founding members of the LPGA, and served as the LPGA’s president from 1958 to 1960, spearheading the formation of the LPGA Teaching Division.

Marilynn won a total of 21 events on the LPGA Tour, including the 1963 and 1964 Titleholders Championships. She finished in the top ten on the money list nine times. 

For the past several years, Marilynn has resided at Pebble Creek Country Club in Goodyear. She brought with her the Marilynn Smith LPGA Charity Golf Classic, a tournament that helps raise money for college golfers, which in 2014 provided twenty $5,000 scholarships to young women athletes. True to her nickname “Miss Personality”, she remains one of the great ambassadors for women’s golf.