Chris Griffin played in the Hudson Cup Matches in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Hometown: Sumner, WA
PGA member since: 2006
How did you get into golf as a profession and who were your mentors? I started my professional career at Tacoma Country and Golf Club and Rich Friend was a mentor of mine. Because of him, I got to know some of his friends like Mike Gove and Doug Doxsie and they quickly became golf professionals that I looked up to and respected.
What is your favorite Hudson Cup memory? My first Hudson Cup at Waverley GC, I was not pumped about having to wear a coat and tie to the dinners but quickly realized the history and prestige of the event. Sitting in a room with 20 very good professional and amateur players, it became something I wanted to qualify for every year. The competition is truly fun and making the team with your professional peers is very gratifying.
What are you most looking forward to with captaining the 2022 Professional Hudson Cup Team at Tacoma C&GC? I’m most looking forward to being with the team and getting to know some of the great young players we currently have in the Section, as well as the amateurs, that I have not met before. The dinners and being around the guys and part of Pacific Northwest Section history is always fun.
Mike Gove has played in quite a few Hudson Cup Matches (1992 ,1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2006, 2007) as well as the 2008 and 2009 Senior Matches. Before turning professional, he played in the 1979 Hudson Cup Matches on the amateur team. He was recently inducted into the Pacific Northwest Golf Hall of Fame.
Hometown: born in Seattle; currently live in Lake Stevens, WA.
PGA member since: 1988
How did you get into golf as a profession and who were your mentors? I joined the PGA Tour in 1980 and played until 1986 on the Tour. I went to work at Palm Valley CC in Palm Desert, CA in November of 1986. My first boss at Palm Valley–Scott Walter–was definitely a mentor. I watched Ron Hagen manage and run the Sand Point CC operation for years as a junior, high school and college player. (I was also shaped by) years of knowing what Bill Tindall and all the others have done for the game!
What are your favorite Hudson Cup memories? Being selected as the award winner as an amateur, professional and senior professional. Also, playing all three matches at Bear Creek years ago with David Jacobsen–not a finer man on the planet!
What are you most looking forward to with captaining the 2022 Professional Hudson Cup Team at Tacoma C&GC? Spending the time with all the players – both amateur and professional, and adding to my involvement with the Section and the Hudson Cup!