SWSGA conducts annual Founder’s Championship

The Southwest Seniors Golf Association (SWSGA) recently held it’s annual Founder’s Championship at Moon Valley Country Club. Always a classic and traditional golf experience, Moon Valley CC did not disappoint. 

The Founder’s Championship commemorates three Professionals, Bill Johnston, Jack Morrison and Gene Lesch, who, in 1978, launched the SWSGA. The event is the culmination of a year long points race for SWSGA members based on participation and performance. The available top 72 Amateurs and 24 Professionals are eligible to compete for “Player of the Year” honors. Both of these individuals finished consistent play all year with the Amateur POY being won by Tim Fish and the Professional POY being captured by Barry Conser. Congratulations gentlemen!

Leading the way at Moon Valley CC with some competitive scoring for the event was Professional, Bob Blean, fashioning a fine 5 under par round of 67, which also catapulted his team including Dave Rasley, Wade Borg and Ed Joyce to win the team event of one low ball net and one low gall gross with a score of 122. Low Amateur Gross and Net included Al Thompson with a gross score of 70 and Ralph Klein with a net score of 64. Closest to the Pin competitions were won by Greg Harmon and Ralph West on holes 5 and 11 respectively. Full results can be found under the Tournament Schedule tab at www.swsga.com.

Capping off the festivities was a wonderful presentation of new clubs in honor of longtime PGA Professional, SWSGA member and true ambassador of junior golf, Les Wimp, to deserving juniors from The First Tee of Phoenix, the LPGA/USGA Girls Golf and the Junior Golf Association of Arizona. 

“This evening, the SWSGA graciously gifted 9 Phoenix juniors their first real set of golf clubs! Wow! This is truly an act of…’growing the game’ – The First Tee of Phoenix, Junior Golf Association of Arizona & I are thankful for this support!” stated LPGA/USGA Girls Golf Executive Director, Cori Matheson. 

The donation of the new clubs was made possible by Merchants of Golf through the support from «retired» clubs from SWSGA members. SWSGA Board President and PGA Professional, Bob Pancratz, stated “It is a joy, honor and privilege to share our love of Golf with these new junior players.”!

To learn more about the SWSGA, visit www.swsga.com.