top of page
.png)
2024
arizona GOLF
Hall of Fame Ceremony
Arizona Biltmore Golf Club
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
To inquire about attending the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame Ceremony,
please contact Kathy Laux at kathryn@azgolf.org.
About
2024 Hall of Fame InducTees
RoB collins
SUPERINTENDENT
Few people have thought about water and golf courses as often or as thoroughly as Rob Collins. Since 1995, Collins has been the Golf Course Superintendent at Paradise Valley Country Club. Thanks to his diligence, dedication and forward-thinking membership, Collins and his club have long been at the forefront of conservative water usage techniques.
Over the years, Collins has led a number of water conservation initiatives and projects at Paradise Valley; they range from renovations that have focused on improved irrigation and turfgrass reduction- a case study that was heavily featured by the USGA. Collins often uses his work at Paradise Valley Country Club to educate others on water conservation practices at golf conferences and trade shows.
Armed with unmatched expertise, Collins is currently the Arizona Alliance for Golf’s Water Policy Committee Chairman. In that role, he serves on the front lines of water-related discussions between the AAG and the Arizona Department of Water Resources as they seek common-sense regulations for the state’s commercial water users. Collins has also held several roles with Cactus & Pine, GCSAA and is currently the board treasurer.
Prior to his three-decade run at Paradise Valley Country Club, Collins interned at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, where he worked in preparation for The Memorial Tournament and performing course renovations. That was followed by his first stint in Arizona as the Assistant Golf Course Superintendent at Troon Golf & Country Club, before moving to Missouri for a little over a year as the Golf Course Superintendent at Forest Hills Country Club.
.jpg)
AMY FRUHWIRTH
PROFESSIONAL
At 17 years old, Amy Fruhwirth came onto the scene with a runner-up in the 1985 U.S. Girls Junior Championship, as well as the 1986 AJGA Tournament of Champions. Shortly after, Fruhwirth joined the women’s golf team at Arizona State University, commencing a decorated amateur and professional golf career.
At Arizona State, she was a three-time All-American and the Sun Devils won their first NCAA Women’s Golf Championship in 1990. Before her amateur career was over, she won the California Women’s Amateur and U.S. Women’s Amateur (1991), the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links (1992) and played on the U.S. Curtis Cup Team (1992).
After her stint at ASU, Fruhwirth played on the LPGA Tour from 1993-2004. Her lone individual win on the LPGA Tour came at the 1998 Friendly’s Classic, where she beat Kim Saiki and Charlotta Sorenstam by two strokes; she also won the 1997 JCPenney Classic alongside Clarence Rose.
A relentless promoter of the game, Fruhwirth has a passion for teaching the game to others. In her second stint at the Arizona Golf Association, she has overseen social programs, including Get Your Golf On: Nine and Wine and Just For Fun; the former was aimed at creating low-pressure environments where people can learn the game. Currently, she works on the AGA’s tournaments staff, preparing for high-caliber amateur golf tournaments.
When given the chance, Fruhwirth still tees it up with the best players. As a former U.S. Women’s Amateur Champion, Fruhwirth earned a three-year exemption into the U.S. Senior Women’s Open. In 2005, she was inducted into the Sun Devil Women’s Golf Hall of Fame.
JOE SHERSHENOVICH
INDUSTRY LEADER
Few people exemplify working up the ladder better than Joe Shershenovich. His golf career started as a summer job working in the cart barn at Camelback Golf Club. From there, he earned his membership in the PGA of America and was promoted all the way to Director of Golf. He spent six years in that role before accepting the same position at newly-opened Grayhawk Golf Club in 1994.
With Shershenovich at the helm, Grayhawk opened their arms to the community, while becoming a premier location for amateur and professional golf tournaments, including 16 years of the WM Phoenix Pro-Am and the 97th Arizona Amateur Championship. Most recently, Grayhawk hosted three consecutive NCAA Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships (2021-23), where Shershenovich and his team elevated the playing experience for both fields.
Shershenovich knows first hand the importance of a well-trained golf staff. He takes pride in having all Grayhawk employees attend Grayhawk University, where they learn the ins and outs of golf course customer service; several graduates have gone on to become successful general managers at other courses. Grayhaw’s pro shop is regularly listed among the Top 100 Pro Shops in America.
ED GOWAN
LEGACY DIVISION
Tremendous growth and innovation are themes of Ed Gowan’s 36-year tenure as Executive Director of the Arizona Golf Association. After a few years with the LPGA as a Rules Official and Tournament Director, Gowan was encouraged to pursue a role with state associations.
When Gowan became the AGA’s Executive Director, he was one half of a two-person staff. The Association served just 120 clubs and 23,000 members. At the time of his retirement, the Association grew to approximately 20 staff members, serving over 600 clubs and 90,000 members.
Under his leadership, the AGA added dozens of events to its calendar. 95 players entered the first Arizona Amateur with Gowan at the helm. Today, 350-400 people try to qualify. With Gowan at the helm, the AGA helped grow Antelope Hills Golf Course’s Father/Son Championship and created the Patriot All-America Invitational- an annual collegiate tournament where each player honors a fallen soldier. Gowan also founded the Arizona Golf Foundation- the AGA’s charitable arm.
Gowan always placed the AGA at the forefront of new golf initiatives. He is responsible for bringing the USGA’s Handicap and Course Rating System to Arizona, modernizing it over the years and eventually making the Handicap accessible to all golfers, rather than just those at private clubs. He is also a 2x President of the IAGA and past member of the USGA’s Regional Affairs and Rules of Golf Committees.
A Rules of Golf expert himself, Gowan takes pride in having roughly 40 past employees become Rules Experts throughout his time at the AGA. Because of his expertise, he officiated countless notable golf events, including over 130 USGA Championships and 35 U.S. Opens.
bottom of page