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HISTORY OF THE WESTERN STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION 1954-2004 The Western States Golf
Association (WSGA) was founded in 1954. This organization
began with a small group of golf clubs. The charter member clubs were:
Recognition
of and Appreciation for Founders, Co-founders and Prime Movers of WSGA: Vernon Gaskin of Portland
Oregon was the first person to talk about the formation of such an organization.
His efforts were supplemented by those of the late Bay Area Golf Club's Captain
Morris Henderson
of San Francisco. Mr. Gaskin
served as Area Vice President of the Pacific Northwest from
1953-1973.Mr. Gaskin retired with the honor of Honorary Vice President of the
Association. It is
with sadness that we acknowledge his passing in August, 1985. Next to appear on the scene
was J. Cullen Fentress of Los Angeles California. Mr. Fentress, in his first year as
President of Cosmopolitan Golf Club, participated in all of the Clubs Annual Tournaments on the West
Coast. It was through this participation that the idea of the formation of a central governing body evolved. Mr. Fentress became the
Founding President and served as President from 1953-1971.
Upon his retirement in 1971, the honor of President Emeritus was conferred upon him. On April
6, 1989, we were diminished by our loved one's death, but we feel; vastly enriched by the wealth
of his legacy. The first Association
Championship was held in 1955 at Sharp Park Golf Course in San Francisco California. This event was
hosted by the Bay Area Golf Club with Mr. Jim Stratten serving as the Tournament
Chairman. Mr. Stratten was the immediate successor to Bay Area Golf Club's
President Captain
Henderson who passed suddenly. W.S.G.A. began sponsorship of the championships
in 1962;
and in 1963, the Championships were sponsored for the first time. During
the period of 1971-1994, the following distinguished people served as President
of WSGA. Mr. Kermit Burns of Los
Angeles California served during 1971-1973 and developed procedures toward the incorporation of
the Association. Mr. Jahue L. Earles of Los Angeles California served during 1973-1975 and
initiated the President's Ball. Mr. Fred Horton III of Oakland California served during
1975-1977 and spearheaded the Association's "HALL OF FAME" In June of 1977, Mrs. Pearl
Carey of Seaside California became the first female elected to be |
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President of WSGA. This
historical event took place at the 23rd Annual Championships in Palm Springs California. Mrs.
Carey presided over the Association very efficiently for four years (1977-1981). Her major
accomplishments were to rejuvenate and revise the Association's Junior Golf and Women's Golf
programs. She increased the five area Annual Scholarships to $1,000.00 each and established an
Annual WSGA Junior Golf Championship. On
June 19, 1981, the affable and articulate William "Bill" Dickey of
Phoenix Arizona was elected President
of WSGA. During Mr. Dickey's term of office from 1981-1983, several major goals
were achieved.
Mr. Dickey ordained a Standing Committee to establish a Computerized
Handicapping System
to calculate and distribute handicaps for WSGA members. He promoted a strong
Jr. Golf Program
and obtained the 7-UP Co as a
sponsor of the Junior Championship. Mr. Dickey acquired ANHEUSER
BUSCH, INC. as Sponsor of Western States Golf Association's Annual
Championship. Mr. Fred Parker took over the
helm as President of WSGA in June 1983 and served as President for two terms (1983-1987).
Mr. Parker kept in tune with his predecessors by emphasizing and perfecting specific goals for
progress and expansion. Through Mr. Parker's initiative, consistency and enthusiasm WSGA continued
to move forward with increased membership and expanded the Annual Championships. Mr.
Parker initiated efforts to increase support for college students. Mr. Gus Robinson, a gentleman
of wisdom and integrity was elected as the 8th President of WSGA on June 25, 1987. Mr.
Robinson served for 2 three year terms (1988-1993).
During this period, Mr. Robinson was
very diligent and effective in performing his duties as an untiring, progressive leader. Among
other accomplishments, Mr. Robinson lead a very constructive movement toward establishing
"TEE-CUP MAGAZINE", as the official publication of WSGA, which became a reality in
1988. Mr. Robinson dedicated himself to illuminating the myth that there was friction between
the North and South Areas of WSGA. Mr. Robinson was very instrumental in the
development of the "NORTH-SOUTH SHOOT-OUT) (a tournament between the
women in Western States Golf Association. Although he maintained as exhilarating
schedule participating in all of
WSGA's sanction tournaments, he undertook the rewriting and clarification of WSGA'S CONSTITUTION and
BY-LAWS. Mr. Robinson exemplified a total commitment to our Youth Programs. During
Mr. Robinson's administration, WSGA became a member of the United States Golf
Association and the winners of WSGA's Junior Championships were invited to the Maxfli/PGA Junior
Championships. In June 1993, Mr. Hank
Marshall became the 9th president of WSGA. Mr. Marshall made a commitment
to continue building the youth programs. During Mr. Marshall administration
WSGA's computer
equipment was updated. He organized the women golf program so it will function like other
WSGA programs. Mr. Marshall has initiated efforts to complete the revision of
WSGA's CONSTITUTION and BY-LAWS. Mr.
Marshall has set a five year plan for WSGA. In June 1999 Mr. Gus Robinson became the 10th President of WSGA.
It should be noted that this is Mr. Robinson's second time (recycled) as WSGA President. His
incumbency this time was for the Years 2000,
2001, 2002. Mr. Robinson continued his commitment to our Youth Programs and again
performed his duties as an untiring, progressive leader. In June 2003 Mr. George Colebrook became the 11th president of
WSGA. Mr. Colebrook to serve during years
2003, 2004, 2005. WSGA's Genesis for
Recognition of indivual
performances of duties beyond expectation: On December 10, 1978, WSGA
reached a milestone when the first "WSGA HALL OF FAME" ceremony was held at the
Broadway Federal Saving and Loan Association in Los Angeles California. Recognizing their loyal and dedicated services the Association over the years, the following members were inducted by President Pearl Carey into "WSGA HALL OF FAME":
In complying with tradition
as established by the Association, twenty more
worthy members of long
standing and meritorious service have been inducted into the "WSGA HALL OF
FAME".
Advancement in WSGA has extended to 31 Golf Clubs embracing the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. WSGA is proud of the role it has played in Golf since it's inception in 1953. WSGA briefly acknowledges:
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