2023 Sun Country Amateur Golf Association Awards

As the sun sets on another remarkable golf season, we are thrilled to shine a spotlight on the true stars of the fairways – the 2023 SCAGA Award winners!

In the world of golf, we celebrate dedication, sportsmanship, and extraordinary talent. The SCAGA Awards are a cherished tradition that recognizes outstanding achievements within our golfing community. We're proud to announce the exceptional clubs, individuals, and volunteers who have earned their place in the spotlight.

The 2023 SCAGA Awards recognize excellence in a variety of categories, each showcasing a unique facet of the game that makes golf so incredibly special:

Clubs of the Year: From the charming community clubhouses to the sprawling golfing meccas, we applaud the heart and soul of our golfing community. These clubs have gone above and beyond in creating memorable experiences for our members and guests.

Players of the Year (Men's, Women's, Men's Senior, and Women's Senior ): These awards are the ultimate tribute to golfing excellence. We honor the golfers who have showcased remarkable skill, unwavering determination, and passion for the sport. Their commitment and talent are an inspiration to us all.

Donna Sauve Volunteers of the Year: Behind every successful golf association is a team of dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes. This award recognizes those who have selflessly given their time and energy to ensure the smooth functioning of SCAGA events and programs.

Our SCAGA community, a tapestry of diverse backgrounds and skill levels, comes together in the name of this sport we all hold dear. It is a privilege to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of those who embody the essence of golf.

Join us in applauding the 2023 SCAGA Award winners, and may their achievements inspire you to elevate your game and keep the spirit of golf alive in your hearts.

Clubs of the Year

The Club of the Year award is presented to the three clubs that most effectively embodies SCAGA's values in advancing and expanding the sport of golf in New Mexico and West Texas. Criteria for consideration include the club's ability to grow its membership, its hosting of SCAGA events and USGA qualifiers, as well as its active involvement in initiatives related to the growth of the game and junior golf, such as the Sun Country Jr. Tour, PGA Junior League, Youth on Course, Drive Chip & Putt, PGA Hope, Sun Country Golf Marathon, and more.

The Canyon Club

911 4 Hills Rd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123 (505) 299-9555

University of New Mexico: The Championship Golf Course

3601 University Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 (505) 277-4546

Painted Dunes Desert Golf Course

12000 McCombs St, El Paso, TX 79934 (915) 821-2122

Players of the Year

Aidan Thomas

Aidan Thomas, a student at New Mexico State University, secured his second consecutive SCAGA Men's Player of the Year award. His exceptional season was marked by outstanding performances in key tournaments. In the SCAGA Spring Stroke Play event in March, Aidan displayed his skill with scores of 75-69--144, finishing in a commendable second place and earning 125.00 points. His excellence continued into the NM/WT Amateur Championship in June, where he put on a brilliant show with scores of 66-69-72--207, securing the top position and accumulating an impressive 500.00 points. With the win at the NM / WT Amateur Championship, Aiden earned an exemption into 2024 U.S. Amateur Championship Regional Qualifying as well as SCAGA's team at the2024 Pacific Coast Amateur Championship. Aidan's consistent and remarkable play in these tournaments demonstrates his well-deserved claim to the SCAGA Men's Player of the Year award for the second year in a row, marking a season of exceptional achievement in amateur golf.

Rylee Salome

Rylee Salome secured the Women's Player of the Year award with her exceptional performances in a series of tournaments this season. Her journey began with an impressive victory at the SCAGA Spring Stroke Play event in March, where she displayed her skill with scores of 78-70--148, claiming the top position and accumulating 300.00 points. In May, Rylee continued to shine in the SCAGA Four-Ball Championship, clinching first place and adding 150.00 points to her impressive tally. Her excellence extended into the NM/WT Women's Amateur Championship in July, where she delivered another strong performance with scores of 67-70-72--209, earning the second spot and accumulating 250.00 points. Rylee's consistent and remarkable play in these tournaments cements her well-deserved claim to the Women's Player of the Year award, marking a season of exceptional achievement in women's amateur golf. Her talent and dedication to the sport have positioned her as a rising star, and her future in the game is undeniably bright.

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Crispin Fuentes

Crispin Fuentes had a remarkable season, earning the title of Men's Senior Player of the Year with a series of impressive performances in key tournaments. He started the season with a strong win at the SCAGA Spring Stroke Play event in March, posting scores of 73-72--145 and amassing 300.00 points. In April, his prowess was on display at the Wimberly Cup Senior Four-Ball, where he secured second place, adding 150.00 points to his tally. May saw Crispin continuing to impress in the SCAGA Four-Ball Championship, where he claimed the third spot with 50.00 points. However, his season's crowning moment came at the SCAGA Match Play Championship in July, where he emerged as the champion with a score of 39. His remarkable performance extended into the NM/WT Senior Amateur Championship in August, securing the second position and accumulating 300.00 points with scores of 67-70--137. To cap off a stellar season, Crispin Fuentes won the NM/WT Mid-Am Championship in October with scores of 71-65--136, adding another 300.00 points to his impressive total. His consistent and stellar play in these tournaments marked him as the deserving Men's Senior Player of the Year, underlining a season of excellence in senior amateur golf.

Jodi Copley

Jodi Copey had a remarkable senior women's golf season, earning her the prestigious title of Women's Senior Player of the Year. Throughout the year, she consistently showcased her talent and competitive spirit in various tournaments. Her season started on a strong note with a second-place finish in the SCAGA Spring Stroke Play tournament in March, accumulating 250.00 points. She continued to impress in the Wimberly Cup Senior Four-Ball tournament in April, tying for third place and adding 87.50 points to her tally. In May, Jodi secured another second-place finish in the SCAGA Four-Ball Championship, earning 125.00 points. Her performance in the SCAGA Match Play Championship in July was equally commendable, clinching the second spot and adding 100.00 points to her overall score. Notably, she secured a third-place finish in the NM/WT Women's Amateur Championship in July, contributing an additional 200.00 points. Finally, in the SCAGA Team Championship in September, Jodi once again took second place, wrapping up her exceptional season with 125.00 points. Jodi Copey's consistency and skillful play across these tournaments were undoubtedly deserving of her recognition as the Women's Senior Player of the Year.

Donna Sauve Volunteers of the Year

The Donna Sauve Volunteer of the Year Award is given to an individual who exemplifies SCAGA's values by dedicating their time and efforts to volunteer work in championship officiating, course rating, or governance over a period of at least a year. The award also serves as a perpetual tribute to Donna Sauve, a former SCAGA President, a committed USGA Committee member, and a tireless servant to the sport of golf in the region.

Donna Sauve is an individual who embodies the ideals of the Sun Country Amateur Golf Association (SCAGA) through her extensive volunteer work in championship officiating, course rating, and governance over the years. She has a lifelong passion for golf and has been actively involved in promoting and supporting the sport. Donna's journey in golf started at a young age, and despite limited competitive opportunities for girls at the time, she persevered and eventually became a dedicated volunteer for various golf organizations.

In 1987, after a 12-year break to raise her children, Donna participated in her first SCAGA event and was impressed by its well-organized structure. This positive experience inspired her to become more involved in the administrative side of golf. She later received an invitation to join the US Women's Amateur Public Links (WAPL) Championship Committee, where she committed herself to supporting female golfers seeking to compete at a national level.

Donna's contributions have made a significant impact, with numerous Sun Country players benefiting from the opportunities she helped create through the US WAPL Championship. Her dedication and passion for the game have led to the success of Sun Country qualifiers in national championships.

Throughout her golf journey, Donna has actively supported the missions and integrity of the USGA and SCAGA by giving back to the sport. She has volunteered in various roles, including high school events, NCAA tournaments, and SCAGA competitive events, focusing on rules and administrative roles. Donna has also served on the SCAGA Board of Directors and has been a dedicated member of the SCAGA Rules Committee.

In summary, Donna Sauve has been an outstanding advocate for golf and a tireless volunteer who has positively impacted the sport in the Sun Country region, embodying the values and dedication that SCAGA aims to promote.

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Goeff Galen

"Winning this award is a tremendous honor. I'm truly grateful to Gary Bauerschmidt, Griff Lechner, Patrick Wallace, and the entire Sun Country team for their patience with my humor. As a Sun Country volunteer rules official, I've had a rewarding experience officiating a wide range of golf tournaments, from men and women to juniors, high schools, colleges, seniors, and pros. I firmly believe in the role of a rules official as a guide and educator."

Rick Jensen

"Volunteers are the working arm of the USGA. Given sufficient money and time, our families and friends allow us to follow our passion of golf. Mine is to grow the game of golf in New Mexico and West Texas. To pin point it further: our young men and women will be the future golfers among amateurs and even the PGA and as such, they are my focus."