by Patrick Oropallo, PGA Certified Professional
Player Engagement Consultant & Coach
I want to take a moment to share my gratitude for the PGA Jr. League All-Star host facilities and Golf Professionals. Without their support and commitment to growing the game, our Section could not be as successful as it is during the All-Star Season.
Wenatchee Golf & Country Club – Carl Hetterle, Tanner Kelley, and Brad Dorau: thank you for your unwavering support of PGA Jr. League in CWPGA. Your enthusiasm is contagious, and because of your leadership, we will continue to see this program grow.
Kalispel Golf & Country Club – Thank you, Travis Huskisson, for not only hosting the IEPGA Qualifier year after year, but also for continually recruiting your fellow professionals to join the PGA Jr. League family.
Meadow Park Golf Course – Mitch Girard and Erik Haag, words can’t fully capture how much we appreciate you both and your incredible support of our Section and WWPGA Chapter’s grow-the-game initiatives. Meadow Park made history by hosting the largest PGA Jr. League event ever, 40 teams and over 300 players in a single day. Whoa!
Claremont Golf Club – Anthony Wik, thank you for welcoming all the OPGA teams to your beautiful facility. From the warm reception you and your team provided for over 120 juniors to the outstanding course conditions, Claremont was a huge success. We truly thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
I am also deeply grateful for the 107 PGA Lead Coaches who supported PGA Jr. League this year. You are making a real difference in the lives of the players in your programs, leaving ripples in the game that will last a lifetime. Our Section boasts 3,700 registrations and counting, #2 among all 41 Sections and with 60 teams (480 players) in the 2025 All-Star Season, we officially operate the largest All-Star Season of any Section in the country. I share this not to boast, but to recognize your incredible efforts.
As I write, we are preparing to host 16 of the best teams in the Pacific Northwest at Eagle Crest Resort in Redmond, OR. It will be a joy to watch our coaches and these highly skilled players compete for the PGA Jr. League Section Championship and the chance to advance to the Regional Championship, hosted by the Utah Section in September. By the time you read this, a champion will have been crowned, but every coach who has made it this far deserves recognition.
13u Division
Bend Bombers – Nate Kitt, Tim Fraley, Nicole Ward, Todd O’Neal
Southern Oregon Stingers – Ed Fisher, Jeff Ott, Reese Fisher, Kyle Mcpherson, Steven Borror, Matt Finch, Alan Elliot
Wenatchee All-Stars – Robbie Hendrickson, Tanner Kelley, Brad Dorau
Spokane All-Stars – Travis Huskisson, Michelle Grafos, Corey Prugh
Meridian Valley All-Stars – Paul Russo, Adam Englehorn, Brian Thornton
Chambers Bay All-Stars – Matt Montecucco, Christian Ballard
First Tee Greater Seattle – Leslie Guzman, Evan Johnsen
Tacoma Country & GC All-Stars – Jack Whealdon, Charlie Thurston, Jake Gregus
17u Division
East Cascade All Stars – Nate Kitt
PDX All-Stars – Trevor Heibing, Michael Marcum
Meridian Valley All-Stars – Paul Russo, Adam Englehorn, Brian Thornton
Madrona Link All-Stars – Shane Henderson
Meadow Park All-Stars – Mitch Girard, Erik Haag, Keith Johnson
Chambers Bay All-Stars – Matt Montecucco, Christian Ballard
Giffin Golf Stars – Sara Griffin, Chris Griffin, Josh Lackey
First Tee Greater Seattle – Leslie Guzman, Evan Johnsen
I also want to add a few more thank-yous. Kevin Story and Ron Buerger, your unwavering support of PGA Jr. League and our Section Championship does not go unnoticed. Year after year, you raise the bar and make the experience truly special for the kids, parents, and coaches.
Finally, thank you to Molly Cooper and Paul Russo for all you do to bring PGA Jr. League to life. The All-Star season is a tremendous undertaking, and Paul, you executed these events to absolute perfection.
Let’s cheer on our teams as they advance to the Regional Championships in Utah, September 5–7. I have no doubt we’ll give the Rocky Mountain and Utah Section teams a run for their money!