Gary Nieland Lacey, Washington PNGA Club Representative 1990 - present WSGA Club Representative 1992 - present Chairman, PNGA Championship Committee, 1998 - 2006 PNGA Director 1997 - 2006 PNGA Vice-President 2005-2006 WSGA Championship Committee member 1997-2006 Continually builds new equipment for PNGA and WSGA championships

Russ White Vancouver, British Columbia PNGA Club Representative 1971- 1998 PNGA Director, 1990 - 1998 BCGA Director BCGA Rules Official for over 30 years BCPGA Rules Official for 20 years RCGA Director for 8 years Regional Secretary Treasurer and Tournament Director for numerous RCGA Championships

Gary Nieland was always a signifcant contributor to the ideology 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. It was his vision to give the players a true championship experience with all amenities, such as starter tents on the first tee, 10-foot flags surrounding the practice putting green that represented each state and province in the PNGA territory, stake and roping around the first tee and 18th green, and his most enduring project, the PNGA championship trailer.

Nieland took tremendous pride in making sure all the championship equipment was in good working order. In the winter months, he spent countless hours in his shop at home handcrafting starter boxes, painting flag poles, and laying out the plans for the inside of the championship trailer. The 32-foot trailer now holds supplies and serves as a traveling office for the championship staff . When summer arrived, he attended and volunteered at the majority of PNGA and Washington State Golf Association championships.

Nieland’s level of dedication reached a peak in 2001. The PNGA Championship Department was shorthanded heading into that season, and Gary stepped forward and volunteered to attend every PNGA Championship and help with all necessary administration work. He made that season possible for the rest of the staff , and for all the players that year.

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 Offi ciating, to serving on local and national Boards of Directors, and developing senior and junior golf programs.

White has the reputation of being one of Canada’s top Rules Officials. He has volunteered his time on national, regional, and local levels of officiating. He was a Rules Offi cial for over 25 years with the RCGA, 30 years with the BCGA, and over 20 years with the PNGA. He has also been credited with helping develop other Rules Offi cials through mentorship and rules seminars all over British Columbia.

White has already been recognized throughout Canada for his many contributions to the game. In 1999 he received the RCGA’s Distinguished Service Award, which acknowledges those who have contributed significantly to the growth of the game in Canada. He was also awarded the BCGA’s Distinguished Service Award last year.

White has been very supportive of the PNGA, serving as a PNGA Club Representative for 27 years and was a PNGA Director for eight years, and chaired the PNGA Junior Boys’ Amateur when it was held at his home club, Chilliwack Golf and Country Club.

White’s unconditional devotion and giving spirit shifts to the mountains during the winter months, where he works with local, provincial, and national ski associations at Whistler Resort. He is known as the “Old Man of the Mountain”, and has been inducted into the Whistler Ski Hall of Fame.



Previous Honorees
1997 ~ Carl A. Jonson and Ernest A. Jonson
1998 ~ Gordon Bowers and Forest Watson
1999 ~ Charles H. Davis, William H. Mays, and Richard W. Merrill
2000 ~ Dr. Herm Dahl, Dr. Robert Jacobs, and Midge Patten
2001 ~ Raymond G. “Spike” Beeber and Dick Kanda
2002 ~ Dr. Jim Allison and Michael Riste
2003 ~ Jackie & Joel Belsvik and Elon Ellis
2004 ~ Marty Kofmehl and Dr. John Wagner
2005 ~ Margaret Maves and Sylvia Mellish
2006 ~ Lynda Adams, Robin Anderson, and Chuck Gage