Announcing the 2021 PNW PGA Special Award Winners

Debby King, PGA of The Kingdom of Golf in Eugene, OR was honored with the Player Development Award. Debby has been a champion for women’s and junior golf, demonstrating creativity, innovation and sustained excellence. She has a wide range of programs designed to engage her students and create lasting experiences. Debby is not only a teacher but has made her own continued education a priority, achieving certifications in both the PGA and LPGA at the Chapter, Section and National levels. Debby has demonstrated the entrepreneurial spirit of the award by opening a home-based golf school that offers Skytrak, a 1,300 sq. ft. putting green and three target greens to accommodate up to six students. When not at the Kingdom of Golf, Debby can be found teaching larger groups at Emerald Valley Golf Course.

Noah Horstman, PGA of West Coast Golf Academy in Medford, OR was conferred the Youth Player Development Award. Owner and Director of Coaching at the academy‒which he started in 2021 after successfully expanding the Southern Oregon Golf Academy from one to three facilities‒his leadership, vision and hours devoted to instruction are truly impressive. Noah has had a huge impact in Southern Oregon and the Section, reaching thousands of kids through over a dozen programs, including playing an active role in PGA Junior League as a captain and hosting his own league. For the last six years, he has taught over 2,000 hours per year.  Last year he taught over 2,500 hours. Noah is a truly dedicated coach.

Chas Holmes, PGA of Yakima CC in Yakima, WA was bestowed the Professional Development Award, an award that goes to a PGA model educator. Chas has demonstrated his commitment to his fellow PNW PGA professionals through his hard work on the Central Washington Chapter board since 2020, experience he honed while serving on the Western Washington Chapter professional development committee. Chas contributes to as many education seminars and golf publications as possible. In 2020, he completed the PGA Certified Professional program in golf operations and the specialization program in executive management.

Bill Morach, PGA of Eugene CC in Eugene, OR received the Patriot Award. Bill has a long history in contributing to programs that support Patriot Golf Day, U.S. Armed Forces and Veterans. Bill continually finds new ways to make an impact while also growing donation revenue. In 2021, Bill and Eugene Country Club generated $108,000 in donations. Bill’s continued commitment to honor, serve and fundraise for Patriot Golf Day has inspired many to get behind the cause.

Doug Doxsie, PGA of Seattle GC in Shoreline, WA was recognized for being an outstanding mentor with the Bill Strausbaugh Award. When it comes to serving his fellow members, Doug is a “PGA of America advocate and bleeds PGA blue!” Since previously winning this award in 2017, Doug has been chosen as our District 14 Director and finished his two-year term as the Chair of the Section Hall of Fame Committee. He is also involved in supporting the Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship program. On top of helping with fundraising efforts, Doug helped start and structure the Seattle Girls Caddie Academy. His program has continued to be a huge success, impacting the lives of several juniors every year.

Tanner Montgomery, PGA of the Pacific Northwest Section PGA in Tumwater, WA received the Perry Williams Award. Tanner joined the PNW PGA team in 2019 where he is currently the Manager of Tournament Operations. He has worked three full tournament seasons and attended USGA/PGA Rules Workshops. Tanner also shares his rules of golf knowledge on the PNW PGA rules helpline.

Ryan Cutter, PGA of Green Meadow CC in Helena, MT was recognized with the Deacon Palmer Award for outstanding performance in the face of a personal challenge. “I have played golf since the age of three. Golf has given me so much to overcome my bilateral amputation at birth that I wanted to give back to the game what the game has instilled in me,” said Ryan of his passion for golf.  An accomplished player, he is also an ADM certified PGA Coach and deeply involved with junior golf. He is acclaimed not only for his teaching style and energy, but also for introducing rules, sportsmanship, integrity, honesty and respect. In 2021, he raised $5,000 for charity by participating in the PNW PGA 100-Hole Marathon.

Michael Neff, PGA of GEARS Sports and Columbia Edgewater CC in Portland, OR was selected as the 2021 Teacher of the Year. He successfully navigated a pandemic, adjusting from in person to online and then hybrid teaching. Michael is active with PGA Tour players, LPGA players, Korn Ferry Tour Players, amateurs and juniors in Oregon. In 2021, he conducted over a dozen online seminars for golf professionals and amateurs alike. His unique analysis of the golf swing has been the topic of articles and he has given over a dozen interviews this year for podcasts, radio shows and social media forums globally.

Carrie DeGree, PGA of Columbia Edgewater CC in Portland, OR was named the 2021 Assistant Golf Professional of the Year. Carrie is a talented, hardworking and driven golf professional, fulfilling and excelling in the traditional sense of what an Assistant Golf Professional is. Her work with junior golf, women’s groups, tournament operations and retail provides the complete package. She also has found time to get involved in the Oregon Chapter, serving on the board of directors, and is currently the chair of the Section Education Committee.

Bryan Tunstill, PGA, of Columbia Edgewater CC in Portland, OR received the Section’s highest honor in being chosen as the 2021 Golf Professional of the Year. He is known as a highly respectful leader. Bryan has spent his career growing the game and serving the members for almost 30 years. He has been involved with the Oregon Chapter and the Pacific Northwest Section since he turned professional in 1993, serving in leadership positions on both the chapter and section level. In 2021, Bryan accepted an appointment to re-join the position on the Section Board of Directors as Honorary President.