PNGA Honors Distinguished Service Award Recipients

Gary Nieland of Lacey, Washington and Russ White of Vancouver, British Columbia both received high honors as the Distinguished Service Award winners at the recent 109th PNGA Annual Meeting, held at Oakbrook Golf and Country Club in Lakewood, Wash., May 2-3.

Gary Nieland was always a signifcant contributor to the iideology of the PNGA and his role on the PNGA Board of Directors. But, in the eight years that Nieland was Chairman of the PNGA Championship Committee, he single- handedly took the PNGA Championship experience to its highest levels.

When it comes to supporting the game of golf, it’s easy to make the case that no one has done more in British Columbia than Russ White. He has been involved in every aspect of golf in the Northwest and throughout Canada, from Tournament Chairman, to Rules Officiating, to serving on local and national Boards of Directors, and developing senior and junior golf programs.

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The day began on the Jack Nicklaus Signature course at Pronghorn Club in Bend with an unlikely leader, twenty-four points up for grabs in singles matches, and ownership of the 3rd PNGA Cup title available for the taking.  It seemed most likely that first day leader Idaho would have to duke it out with the defending team from Oregon.

But the team from Washington, trailing the field with only 4.5 points, had other plans. By winning 7 matches and halving two others to earn 8 points, they surged into a tie with Oregon.  Prior to the competition taking place, the PNGA Tournament Committee had decided that a playoff would be required to determine the champion. Read more..

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PNGA Patriarch, Carl Jonson Passes Away

It is with great sadness to report that long time PNGA volunteer and Northwest golf icon, Carl Jonson passed away Tuesday, April 14.  Carl was 92 years of age.

Carl excelled as a leader in all he accomplished during his long and remarkable life.  He was a golf champion and volunteer, respected Seattle area attorney, wonderful family man, and community leader.

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The United States Golf Association has announced that it has awarded the 2015 U.S. Open Championship to Chambers Bay, the spectacular municipal links course located on the scenic lower Puget Sound in University Place, Wash.

The USGA also announced that Chambers Bay , designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Bruce Charleton, will play host to the U.S. Amateur Championship in 2010.

Chambers Bay will be the third municipal course to play host to the U.S. Open, following Bethpage Black in New York (2002, 2009) and Torrey Pines in California later this year. Chambers Bay will be the first golf course in the Pacific Northwest to hold the U.S. Open.

"We are excited to take the U.S. Open Championship and the U.S. Amateur to such an awesome site,” said Jim Hyler, chairman of the USGA Championship Committee. “This is the first time the U.S. Open has been to Washington and we are confident that the golf course will provide a challenging test for the best players in the world, as well as a great spectator experience for those who attend the event and watch it online and on television."

Click here to see the full press release from the USGA