Danny Medina, PGA Director of Golf at Omni Tucson National Golf Resort (Ariz.), has been named the 45th recipient of Southwest PGA Golf Professional of the Year Award, the highest annual honor bestowed by the Southwest PGA on a PGA Professional.

“It’s a huge privilege and an awesome feeling to be honored as the Southwest PGA Golf Professional of the Year,” said Medina. “We have countless outstanding PGA Professionals in our Section who deserve this honor. To be singled out and recognized by my peers for the hard work I put into my career and my dedication to the Southwest PGA is greatly appreciated.”

Medina heads the 2018 Southwest PGA Awards class for “qualities of leadership, strong moral character, and a substantial record of service” to the Southwest PGA and the game of golf. He was honored at the Southwest PGA Awards Ceremony on February 21, 2019. The evening’s program featured all 2018 Southwest PGA Award winners:

Danny Medina of Omni Tucson National Golf Resort – Golf Professional of the Year
Tyler Hoeft of Pinnacle Peak Country Club – Assistant Golf Professional of the Year
Jeremy Anderson of The Legacy Golf Club – Teacher of the Year
Landyn Lewis of The First Tee of Tucson – Youth Player Development Award
Dick Hyland of The Country Club at DC Ranch – Bill Strausbaugh Award
Brady Wilson of Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club – Horton Smith Award
Mark Croft of Yuma Golf and Country Club – Player Development Award
Mark Croft of Yuma Golf and Country Club – The Patriot Award
Matt Brooks of Superstition Mountain Country Club – Merchandiser of the Year for Private Facilities
Joe Shershenovich of Grayhawk Golf Club – Merchandiser of the Year for Public Facilities
Kristie Fowler of Tubac Golf Resort – Merchandiser of the Year for Resort Facilities

The Southwest PGA Golf Professional of the Year – “There’s no place like home” is a quote Danny Medina literally lives by. Tucson, Arizona, is the only hometown Medina has ever known. He was born, raised, still resides and works in the second-largest populated city in Arizona. 

Growing up, Medina, 37, played multiple sports focusing on soccer, baseball and basketball. His father, who played golf occasionally with friends, would take Medina to the course with him to tag along. It wasn’t until he was 13 that his father got him a set of clubs and enrolled him in a small junior golf program at El Rio Golf Course in Tucson. Local legendary PGA Professional Hank Ravenell, Jr. ran the program and had a passion for working with juniors and giving back to the game. From his first encounter with Ravenell, Medina was hooked, not only on playing but for the joy from being around the game. He recalls telling his father at that early age that golf was a profession he wanted to pursue.

Every day in the summer his mother would drop him off at El Rio on the way to work and pick him up on her way home. Being at the course every day, Medina formed a special bond with Ravenell. Dating back to the 1930s, El Rio Golf Course (now known as Trini Alvarez El Rio Municipal Golf Course) is one of the oldest golf courses in Arizona. Ravenell worked for another legendary PGA Professional, Trini Alvarez, who had such an impact on the community in Tucson that they named the course after him. It was Medina’s relationship with Ravenell that shaped his future in golf.

At Tucson High School, Medina wanted to strictly focus on golf and gave up playing other sports. El Rio was the school’s home course, so he was there all the time working, practicing and playing. Wanting a vehicle to drive to school and the golf course, his parents said he needed a job, which led him to his first official position in 1996 at Tucson Country Club. Immediately after school, Medina would head straight to the club to pick the range until dark. Following two years at the club, he transferred to Starr Pass Golf Club (now known as JW Marriott Tucson Resort & Spa) in Tucson to work in Player Services. 

After graduation in 2000, Medina earned a scholarship to play golf at Pima Community College in Tucson. He also moved over to work at Tucson City Golf (El Rio Golf Course, Randolph Golf Complex, Fred Enke Golf Course, Silverbell Golf Course), with his mentor Ravenell. Fulfilling a promise to his mother, he earned four associate degrees from Pima and subsequently talked with Ravenell about becoming a PGA Professional. 

After entering the PGA program, Medina accepted an Associate Professional position at Omni Tucson National Golf Resort. He earned his membership in the PGA of America in 2009 and was promoted to PGA Head Golf Professional, which he held for five years before his current position as PGA Director of Golf in 2014. 

Being promoted to the Director of Golf position at such a young age and at a huge operation didn’t slow Medina down. He earned the respect of all his employees and peers by living up to his motto, “Never asking any of his employees to do something that he has never done or is not willing to do.”

Giving back to his community and to the game is something Medina learned at a young age from not only Alvarez and Ravenell, but straight from home. His father, Dan, and uncle, Jesse Lugo, were very involved in the community for many years. Both ran political campaigns for different government offices. Medina and his sister Anissa, were always part of the campaigns. They were taught at a young age by their family that “they have to get involved and give back. You can never forget where you came from.”

Medina takes great pride in his volunteering and charitable activities as he is always looking to improve the conditions of others. Even before earning his membership in the PGA, he volunteered his time serving on committees in the Southwest PGA’s Southern Chapter. Upon earning his membership, he was elected to the Southern Chapter Board of Directors and is currently serving as President.

“When I came into the PGA, I just wanted to make a difference in some way, shape or form,” said Medina. “I wanted to be a voice and get involved. While sitting on the boards, the experience I gained helped me in my personal career.”

Medina’s Uncle Jesse started the “Bike-in-a-Box” program for underprivileged children where he raises funds to purchase 500 bicycles every December, along with helmets that are donated by the Tucson Medical Center Foundation. The Medina family and volunteers help in creating the special moments for so many children. Originally, bikes were assembled and given to the children along with a helmet. The program has evolved where they now donate the bikes in a box and the children, along with their parent or guardian assemble the bikes together – with the goal of a great family activity.

Mentoring PGA Professionals is an important goal of Medina’s. He requires all his employees in the golf shop to be PGA Professionals and is always mentoring aspiring associates and members to achieve their goals. He even stays in touch with former employees and still considers them all family.

Among his many honors, Medina was recognized with the Southern Chapter PGA Professional of The Year Award (2014, 2018), Southern Chapter PGA Youth Player Development Award (2016), Mike Hayes Junior Golf Leader Award (2016) and the Southern Chapter PGA Bill Strausbaugh Award (2018).

The Southwest PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year - Tyler Hoeft, PGA Assistant Golf Professional at Pinnacle Peak Country Club in Scottsdale, AZ, has been named the Southwest PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year.  

Born and raised in Oshkosh, Wis., Hoeft, 33, was the defensive captain on his high school football team and the most valuable player on his golf team. After attending Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Ill., a hometown PGA Professional assisted Hoeft in relocating to Arizona for an outside service position at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club in Fort McDowell. His hard work earned him a position in the golf shop at We-Ko-Pa and in 2011 Hoeft was offered a position at Superstition Mountain in Gold Canyon, Ariz., where he began the PGA Golf Management (PGM) program. For two months early in his career he would bike 22 miles every morning to the club, shower, work an 8-12-hour shift and then bike the 22 miles back to his apartment.

During his six years at Superstition Mountain, Hoeft learned all aspects of golf operations and worked hard at achieving his membership in the PGA of America, which he accomplished in August of 2017, after earning an Assistant Golf Professional position at Pinnacle Peak Country Club.

Hoeft wears many hats in his PGA Assistant Golf Professional role at Pinnacle Peak. In addition to his daily interaction with the membership, he also contributes by overseeing the outside service operations, assisting with golf shop sales and providing instruction to anyone seeking to improve their game. The inception of a season-long junior program focused on game improvement for both members and guests at the club is very successful. He instituted a Drive, Chip, and Putt “Warm-Up” to assist hopeful participants get accustomed to the competition at sanctioned local qualifiers.

Hoeft is a standout member in his community by volunteering his time to the Mesa Unified Special Olympics. Currently, he contributes to the success of a Mesa Parks and Recreation golf league called the “Mesa Bulldogs.” The league is focused on building leadership qualities, enhancing courage, and providing joy and friendships through the game of golf for intellectually disabled athletes. Through his efforts and outstanding passion for growing the league, Hoeft was honored as the recipient of the Arizona Disabled Sports Volunteer of the Year in 2018.

The Southwest PGA Teacher of the Year – Jeremy Anderson, PGA Director of Instruction at The Legacy Golf Club in Phoenix, Ariz., has been named the Southwest PGA Teacher of the Year for his outstanding performance as a golf teacher, innovator and coach.

Born in Waverly, Iowa, Anderson, 35, was raised in New Ulm, Minn., where he made the high school varsity golf team as an eighth grader. He captured numerous Minnesota junior golf tournaments, and following graduation, attended Methodist University in Fayetteville, N.C., where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business with a concentration in Professional Golf Management (PGM). 

Following graduation, Anderson accepted an Associate Assistant Golf Professional position at Twin Orchard Country Club in Long Grove, Ill. He earned his membership in the PGA of America in 2008 and was elevated to PGA Head Golf Professional at Twin Orchard in 2011, a position he held until relocating to The Legacy Golf Club in 2017.

At The Legacy, Anderson oversees the total instruction operation including six teaching professionals. Anderson made it a goal to unite all the instructors in having one common focus. He takes great pride in knowing that all students who come through the academy are earning the same level of attention needed to help them develop a better skill set. 

In addition to his Director of Instruction duties at The Legacy, Anderson is the Lead Coach for the Golf Channel Academy. He specializes in full swing through utilization of different forms of technology such as FlightScope, AMM 3D, BodiTrak, and Focusband. Many of Anderson’s students have qualified for USGA events, earned scholarships, won college tournaments and numerous national/international junior golf events. In just eight months of teaching in Arizona, Anderson recently completed his 1,000th lesson with the Academy.

Another key to his success comes from his presence online and his use of social media like Instagram for delivering consistent content to his more than 12,000 active followers. With help from the Arizona Golf Association, Anderson was able to produce a four-part series titled “Golf Lessons with Jeremy Anderson.” He utilizes a software called “Coach Now,” which allows him to film his students and gives them access to the videos via the cloud-based storage system, which he finds essential in today’s modern era of teaching. Anderson is also a featured writer for GolfWRX and The Huffington Post.

An accomplished player, Anderson still has the love for competition although his passion for teaching and coaching players to perform at their highest potential and training them to win is what drives him. His mantra to his students is “If you outwork everyone, your only opponent is the moment.” Anderson was recently named by Golf Digest as a Best Young Teacher in America for 2018-2019.

The Southwest PGA Youth Player Development Award – Landyn Lewis, PGA Teaching Professional at The First Tee of Tucson (Ariz.), is the recipient of the Southwest PGA Youth Player Development Award. The honor recognizes a PGA Professional who has displayed extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievement in the area of youth player development. 

Born and raised in Tucson, Ariz., Lewis was introduced to golf at a later age. A four-year member of the basketball team, Lewis first played golf during his sophomore year at Tucson High School. After graduation he started working at the Omni Tucson National Golf Club as a Player Service Attendant and instantly fell in love with the sport and knew his career would be in golf. 

While at Tucson National, Lewis, 26, worked a tremendous amount on his golf game, eventually trying out and earning a scholarship to play golf for Pima College in Tucson (2012-2014), while continuing to work at Tucson National, where he advanced to working in the golf shop. Following school at Pima, Lewis enrolled in the PGA Professional Golf Management (PGM) program and earned his membership in the PGA of America in 2017. 

Lewis’ passion for junior golf has shaped his career serving as the tournament director for the Southern Arizona Junior Golf Association and as Program and Life Skills Director for The First Tee of Tucson. He also became the tournament director for the Ricki Rarick Summer Junior Golf Tournament program. 

Currently Lewis contributes his time to junior golf by hosting 18-hole tournaments throughout the year, continually drawing at least 65 players per event. In addition, he manages 4 PGA Junior Golf League teams, coaches a PING Junior Interclub team and hosts a rules clinic and skills challenge in preparation for the Drive, Chip and Putt competition, with more than 170 juniors participating in the local qualifying event. 

His contributions to the First Tee of Tucson are well-documented with his mission to ensure that every player that comes through his program learns the valuable life lessons that the game of golf provides. He utilizes his title of Head of Junior Golf in Tucson to promote all of the outstanding programs throughout the community using the network of PGA Professionals in the Southern Chapter PGA. 

Lewis is the host PGA Professional for the Southwest PGA’s Southern Chapter PGA HOPE program. He facilitated a fundraiser golf tournament for the past five years in honor of his best friend, Chris Moon, who was killed in Afghanistan. He raised funds to build a life size statue of him, and now raises funds for a scholarship in his name. 

Lewis has served on the Southern Chapter PGA Board of Directors since becoming a PGA member in 2017 and is the chairman of the Southern Chapter PGA Junior Golf Committee. He was honored as the Southern Chapter of the Southwest PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year (2016), Southern Chapter of the Southwest PGA Junior Golf Leader (2017) and with the Southern Chapter of the Southwest PGA Player Development Award (2018).

The Southwest PGA Bill Strausbaugh Award – Dick Hyland, PGA Director of Golf at The Country Club at DC Ranch in Scottsdale, Ariz., is the recipient of the Southwest PGA’s Bill Strausbaugh Award, presented to a PGA Member who demonstrates exceptional character, integrity and leadership by way of teaching and mentoring other PGA Professionals. 

Born in Ardmore, Pa., Hyland, 62, has been a PGA Professional for over 36 years. During this time he served the golf community and contributed to the success of numerous clubs throughout the country. As a caddie at the historic Merion Golf Club, Hyland developed a love for the game and a respect for the camaraderie. 

At every stop throughout his career, Hyland built upon his reputation for mentoring, teaching, coaching and training aspiring PGA Professionals, so they may one day establish their own careers. Over 50 of his former employees have earned positions as PGA Directors of Golf, PGA Directors of Instruction or PGA Head Golf Professionals. 

Hyland’s mission is to always conduct his business using high moral principles not only to his peers, employees and supervisors, but in his personal life as well. His focus remains on teaching up-and-coming PGA Professionals that working together with one another is the best way to continue to grow the popularity of the game. 

Throughout his career, Hyland has been very active in the Southwest PGA serving on the board of directors and numerous committees of both the Section and the Foundation. He’s been an advocate for virtually every employment and club relation initiative, including hosting workshops and seminars on employment for members and Associates through the Southwest PGA Education Committee. He has served on the Executive Committee of PGA Jr. League Golf.

Among his many recognitions and awards, Hyland was honored twice as the Southwest PGA Golf Professional of the Year (1992, 2014), the Southwest PGA Bill Strausbaugh Award in 1996 and the 2001 Southwest PGA Merchandiser of the Year for Private Facilities. He was recognized nationally by the PGA of America as the 2001 Merchandiser of the Year for Private Facilities. Hyland was inducted into the Southwest PGA Hall of Fame in 2017 and was honored by the Arizona Golf Association with the 2012 Updegraff Award and inducted into their Arizona Golf Hall of Fame in 2016. 

The Southwest PGA Horton Smith Award – Brady Wilson, PGA General Manager of Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Ariz., is the recipient of the Southwest PGA Horton Smith Award. The award is presented annually to a PGA Professional who exhibits commendable additions to the education of PGA Professionals. 

Born and raised in Durango, Colo., Wilson, 43, competed on multiple varsity sports teams in high school before attending Fort Lewis College in Durango, where he was a two-year member of the golf team. He graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Communications. Through his college tenure and following graduation, Wilson coached women’s basketball at Fort Lewis and Siena Heights University in Adrian, Mich., and Ann Arbor (Mich.) Greenhills High School, the latter while working as an Assistant Golf Professional at the time. 

Wilson earned his membership in the PGA of America in 2005 and, after a couple seasons as the Assistant Golf Professional at Warren Golf Course at Notre Dame (Ind.), accepted his first PGA Head Golf Professional position at The Moors Golf Club in Portage, Mich. 

Before accepting his current position in 2012, Wilson also worked for Troon Golf Management at Escena Golf Club in Cathedral City, Calif., and the Classic Club in Palm Desert, Calif. 

His passion for education begins at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes. Wilson is instrumental in the development of the numerous Associate Members that work or have worked at the facility. He ensures that the aspiring PGA members are being properly mentored throughout the entire process, including attending education seminars and programs. His goal has always been to help lead all Associate Members to discover their passions for the game and business of golf. 

Wilson attends numerous educational programs and seminars that focus on personal and professional development. He has been a presenter at many trade shows including the PGA Merchandise Show, Golf, Inc., and the National Golf Course Owners Association. 

Always looking to give back to the community, Wilson served as a PGA representative on the board of directors for the First Tee of the Coachella Valley and served as vice-president the Desert Chapter of the Southern California PGA (2009-2011).

Wilson was honored as the Southern California PGA Merchandiser of the Year for Public Facilities in 2009, the Desert Chapter of the Southern California PGA Golf Professional of the Year in 2010 and the Desert Chapter of the Southern California PGA Merchandiser of the Year for Public Facilities (2008 & 2009).

The Southwest PGA Player Development Award & The Southwest PGA Patriot Award – Mark Croft, PGA Director of Instruction at Yuma (Ariz.) Golf & Country Club, is the recipient of the Southwest PGA Player Development Award, which recognizes a PGA Professional for extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievements in the area of player development. Croft was also named the inaugural recipient of the Southwest PGA Patriot Award, which bestows special recognition on a PGA Professional who personifies patriotism through the game of golf and demonstrates unwavering commitment and dedication to the men and women who have valiantly served and protected the United States. 

Originally from Walla Walla Wash., Croft, 67, relocated to Yuma in 1998. At that time, he was one of 10 PGA members in the area contributing to growing junior golf with programs like the Southwest PGA’s Antigua Junior Prep Tour (AJPT). By 2000, that number had dwindled down to just three PGA members. Croft seized the opportunity and assumed the role of the Yuma AJPT District Director, a role he has held for the past 18 years. During this period, participation has dramatically increased with the District becoming one of the most successful in the Southwest PGA. 

In 2001, Croft earned his membership in the PGA of America. 

Croft is PGA certified in three different career paths: Teaching and Coaching, Player Development and Golf Operations. His ability to grow his clientele relies heavily on student referrals, furthering his proven track record of giving feedback that directly correlates to his players playing better golf. His lines remain open for constant communication, something that he takes great pride in, as he understands the value of students having that accessibility. One of the areas that Croft recognizes as having significant value in growing the game is to focus on women and junior golfers. He believes that providing a welcoming environment to those interested in playing the game is the pathway to success. 

Another passion of his is serving the game through golf therapy for veterans and disabled. Croft recognizes the challenges many veterans face daily adapting back into a “normal” lifestyle following time spent serving our country. Many of these individuals suffer post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and have found golf as a pathway to help alleviate some of the anxieties. Croft has embraced this challenge head on, serving as lead for the Southwest Section’s PGA HOPE, a program that is specifically designed to reach out to our military service veterans from all branches of military service for the specific purpose of introducing the game of golf and offering golf as a therapeutic opportunity to learn golf and through golf’s teachings and values assist military veterans who have suffered illness, injury or challenges during their military service. 

Croft knows firsthand some of the difficulties that can be associated with golfing with a disability, having lost his lower leg to infection in early 2016. What would be a major setback to some turned into motivation for Croft who would be seen back on the lesson tee before his prosthetic was even available. 

Since PGA HOPE’s inception in 2016, Croft’s mission has been to educate fellow PGA Professionals on the initiative, the vast number of challenges veterans face and how to adapt to individual needs they may encounter. He continues to work diligently to spread awareness on PGA HOPE and has instituted the 6-week program throughout the entire state of Arizona. 

Croft’s commitment and dedication to the Southwest PGA is apparent in his fundraising for programs, providing member education about PGA HOPE, providing clothing to homeless veterans and helping orchestrate a manual for facilities to follow to help implement Veterans Affairs assistance. He continues to provide assistance to those who have made the personal sacrifice to defend our great nation. 

The Southwest PGA Merchandiser of the Year for Private Facilities – Matt Brooks, PGA Director of Golf at Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club in Gold Canyon, Ariz., is the recipient of the Southwest PGA Merchandiser of the Year Award for Private Facilities. 

Brooks, 35, was born in Akron, Ohio, and grew up in Mesa, Ariz., where he started playing golf and instantly fell in love with the sport. He was a four-year member of the Red Mountain High School boys’ golf team that won the state championship three out of his four years (1998, 1999, 2001). Brooks won the individual state championship in 2001. 

Following high school, Brooks attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where he was a four-year member of on the men’s golf team. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance upon graduation in 2005. 

In 2009, Brooks entered the PGA Golf Management program and accepted an Associate Golf Professional position at Superstition Mountain. After earning his membership in the PGA of America in 2012, Brooks was promoted to his current position as the PGA Director of Golf. 

Brooks, who is an outstanding player in the Southwest PGA, has the same passion off the course when it comes to providing quality customer care. He and his staff strive to provide the best service and experience for every member and guest of Superstition Mountain. They do whatever it takes to help facilitate the purchase of items the membership and guests are interested in. 

Brooks describes the merchandise operation at Superstition Mountain as a “happiness indicator” for the membership. The more quality merchandise he can display is a direct reflection of how the members feel every time they step foot inside the golf shop. Going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure an item they might not have readily available arrives quickly and accurately is a testament to the dedication Brooks and his staff have to ensure the satisfaction of members and guests alike. 

The Southwest PGA Merchandiser of the Year for Public Facilities – Joe Shershenovich, PGA Director of Golf at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz., is the recipient the Southwest PGA Merchandiser of the Year Award for Public Facilities. 

Born and raised in Honesdale, Pa., Shershenovich comes from large family with four sisters and a brother. His father introduced him to golf at the age 10 at Honesdale Golf Club, where Shershenovich and his brother would spend countless hours in junior programs and caddying at the club.

After three successful years playing on the high school golf team, Shershenovich played three years collegiately at Kutztown (Pa.) University before accepting a summer job at Seaview Golf Club in Absecon, N.J. After the property was purchased by the Marriott Corporation, Shershenovich was offered a position at Camelback Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Shershenovich, 54, earned his membership in the PGA of America in 1988 and worked his way up to the PGA Director of Golf at Camelback Golf Club, where he remained for six years before accepting the same position at the newly opened Grayhawk Golf Club in 1994.

The goal at Grayhawk was to take golf retail to the next level. The Grayhawk Golf & Trading Company was created for the championship facility offering not only golf items, but an array of lifestyle and non-traditional golf merchandise to keep customers attention. The shop is over 3,000 square feet and is fully stocked with fresh styles and merchandise, which is updated monthly for its patrons. Every year since it opened in 1996, the golf shop has been named as one of “America’s Best 100 Golf Shops” according to the Association of Golf Merchandisers.

One of the most successful initiatives undertaken by Shershenovich and his staff was to expand group retail sales by replacing concept stores sourced by a third party with in-house driven concept stores. The advantage of the shift is the in-house concept stores draw directly from Grayhawk’s own retail inventory instead of being processed as a special order.

Shershenovich was honored as the PGA of America Merchandiser of the Year for Public Facilities in 1997, the Southwest PGA Merchandiser of the Year for Public Facilities (1993), Resort Facilities (1996), the Southwest PGA Bill Strausbaugh Award (1994, 2005) and the Southwest PGA Golf Professional of the Year in 2003.

The Southwest PGA Merchandiser of the Year for Resort Facilities – Kristie Fowler, PGA Head Golf Professional at Tubac (Ariz.) Golf Resort, is the recipient of the Southwest PGA Merchandiser of the Year Award for Resort Facilities.

The daughter of a PGA Golf Professional, Fowler was born and raised in Grand Junction, Colo., where she began playing golf at the age of 8. Her father, who built Tiara Rado Golf Course in Grand Junction, taught her all aspects of the game including operations, course maintenance, club repair, teaching and growing the game.

Following a successful amateur career which included Colorado State Championships, a two-time runner-up in the USGA Women’s Public Links Championship and a 4-year letter winner on the University of Arizona Women’s Golf Team, Fowler turned professional in 1986 competing on the Future’s Tour for two years.

Fowler earned LPGA Teaching & Club Professional (T&CP) Membership in 1990 and membership in the PGA of America in 1995. She obtained Master Professional status in the LPGA T&CP in 2012. 

Before earning her dream job at Tubac Golf Resort in March of 2017, Fowler served as a PGA Assistant Golf Professional for 15 years at The Gallery Golf Club in Marana, Ariz. 

One of the most important factors in her success of merchandise sales is ensuring the staff knows the inventory well, advertising what is new and available to guests, and following through to help finalize the sale. Fowler and her team utilize email advertisements, Facebook posts and promotions during tournaments to help items move through the golf shop. 

The idea of creative branding on apparel items has been very successful at Tubac. Fowler and her team designed two new logos – one that features holes at Tubac that appeared in the Kevin Costner film Tin Cup – and the other, a very popular cow logo was created due to the many cattle that make their home on the outskirts of the property. Fowler plans to build on the themes adding different items each year.

Among her many honors, Fowler was named the 2017 LPGA T&CP National Professional of the Year, the Central Section LPGA T&CP Golf Professional of the Year (2017, 2015, 2011) and recognized by the LPGA with the Marilynn Smith Service Award in 2016. She has served on the Arizona Women’s Golf Association committee to assist Arizona high school girls golf programs and has been involved in mentor programs as an LPGA section member advisor.

About The Southwest Section PGA
The Southwest Section of the PGA of America is a professional organization serving the men and women golf professionals in Arizona and Southern Nevada who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf. The Southwest PGA is responsible for the administration of competitive golf tournaments, junior golf programs and events, educational opportunities, support programs and growth of the game initiatives. With 1284 members and associate Professionals, the Southwest PGA is the fifth largest of the 41 regional entities or Sections that comprise the PGA of America.  For more information about the Southwest PGA, please visit www.southwestpga.com and join us on social media at www.facebook.com/swsectionpga, twitter.com/swsectionpga and www.instagram.com/southwestpga.