The Big Dog golf competitions begin on the first Wednesday and Saturday events of January 1st and end on the last Wednesday or Saturday of the fiscal year, December 31st. For each event, points are awarded to the first, second, and third-place finishers, with 5 points for the first, 3 points for the second, and 1 point for the third-place finishers in both A-flight and B-flight categories for each Wednesday or Saturday event. The top 6 golfers with the highest accumulation of Big Dog points for the year, for both Wednesdays and Saturdays, are declared the Big Dogs of VGA. Their prize money is awarded at the end-of-year awards banquet. The more frequently one plays, the better their chances are of becoming a Big Dog. This information is effective from January 1st, 2024.

2024 Big Dogs Wed-Sat pts / 2023 Extended season Big Dogs final

2024 VGA Big Dogs Points for Wednesday & Saturday, Jan. 1, 2024 to Dec. 31, 2024.


2023 VGA Big Dogs Nov. 1, 2022, to Dec. 31, 2023, Finals

The 2023 season of Big Dogs

Aces and Eagles by VGA Members

Most recent hole-in-ones were scored by VGA players.

Huge News, the first Hole in One of the 2023 season was scored today Dec. 21st, 2022 by Jim Drago his first ever on hole #8 at San Marcos Golf Resort. Jim’s Hole in One turned out to be the only Hole in One for the 2023 season and Jim pocketed $1175 for the 1st Hole in One since Dan Christiansen in August 2021.

Dan Christianson is hot in August because he had the below in August too. This time at Las Sendas hole # 11. Beautiful Sir Dan August 21, 2021.

August 1st, 2020: Dan Christiansen “Mr. Smoothie” Scored Hole one on hole # 7 on Las Sendas course.
July 8th, 2020, Al Dan Scored a hole in one at Desert Canyon hole # 13.
Ken Slagle Scored a hole in one on June 10th, 2020 at Lone Tree Golf Club on hole # 2.
On June 3rd, 2020 Paul Mickela scored a hole in one on hole # 7 at the Westbrook Lakes course.
 Wednesday 4-1-2020 April Fools day of all things at Bear Creek GC. Jandy Johnson: It’s my first ever hole in one! It was on the eighth hole, the pin was in the back, so 125 yards shot.  I hit my 8 iron flush with a little draw.  I couldn’t see the hole, so I didn’t get to see it go in.  I knew I  hit a good shot, but couldn’t believe it was in the hole! Here’s a pic of me with the ball.
Wednesday, June 26, 2019, Rookie, Jim Cox, joined the VGA on June 20 and struck gold on the 26th of June. He hit a seven-iron on the 152-yard par-three eleventh hole for his first ace. Jim wrote “ I hit the shot perfectly flush and knew it was going to be a good shot, little did I know how good though. The ball landed about a foot past the hole and rolled back into the hole.” Way to go Jim!
Saturday, May 25, 2019, Rusty Silverman scored a hole in one on #7 at San Ignacio during the John Pierce Green Valley Open. Good Job Rusty. Understand Neal Fisel also Aced this same hole at a previous JPO there.
Saturday, May 25, 2019, Rusty Silverman scored a hole in one on #7 at San Ignacio during the John Pierce Green Valley Open. Good Job Rusty. Understand Neal Fisel also Aced this same hole at a previous JPO there.
Today September 1st, 2018, Danny Delgado Scored an Ace at hole # 16 at ASU Karsten. On this day no one scored a birdie and Danny won it all.
Neal Fisel forgot to get a picture of his Hole in one today 4/11/2018 at Stone Creek, hole #12 at 176 yards. We were behind them on the tee box we could hear the hooting and hollering. Knew something good happened. Great work Neal.
Wednesday Bear Creek event 11/1/2017: Fred is back and what a way to start off the new VGA fiscal year of 2018 with his 3rd hole in one this calendar year. He didn’t wait long as he did it on #2 hole. Didn’t see his hole in one dance but heard it was a good one. Got 1st place in the event too with a 63 net. Nice round Fred and thanks for the drinks too.
Today May 27, 2017, I guess I proved an old golf adage if you roll enough balls toward a par three-cup eventually it will go in. It did today for me at Ocotillo Blue course hole #7. It was playing 126 yards today. I was shooting last and had been playing my usual hellter skelter good bad game but today I had one thing going for me. Luck and I had more than my share of it today. I used a Ping 9 iron which for that shot should have been more than I needed and a yellow Callaway Chrome Soft Truvis ball. Fortunately, I sculled the shot and it hooked right into the little swale in that green. It rolled to the top of the swale reversed its course and went directly into the hole. Luck surpasses skill every time. I have made 4 eagles longer than that shot but this was my first hole-in-one. I hit some other amazing shots today but that was the most thrilling for me.
Fred is back and what a way to start off the new VGA fiscal year of 2018 with his 3rd hole in one this calendar year. He didn’t wait as long as he did on #2 hole. Didn’t see his hole in one dance but heard it was a good one. Got 1st place in the event too with a 63 net. Nice round Fred and thanks for the drinks too.
Tom Hecocks 1st place @ 68 netOn June 11th, Tom “No Shoes” Hecocks holed it out on Karsten’s No. 16 for his first hole-in-one. Well done Tommy.
Fred Baldwin aced the third hole at Superstition Springs on January 20th with his trusty 9 iron. It was his third ace in the last five years!

Eagles scored during VGA Events.

Saturday, August 17, 2024, Rob Katzaroff holed an Eagle on hole # 7 at Wigwam Gold Course.

Saturday, August 10, 2024, at Los Caballeros hole # 17 Ben Hughes racked an Eagle shot.

Wednesday, July 10. 2024 at Lookout Mountain, Daniel Russell holed an Eagle at hole # 14.

Saturday, July 6th, 2024 at TPC/Champions, Mark the Eagle man shot another one on hole # 4.

Saturday, July 6th, 2024 at TPC/Champions, not to be outdone Derek Schwertley hit one on hole # 9.

Saturday, June 29, 2024, Andrew Choi turned in an Eagle shot on hole #2 at Aguila.

Saturday, June 29, 2024, Jim Emma turned in an Eagle shot on hole #8 at Aguila.

Saturday, June 22, 2024, Kevin Willians scored an Eagle on hole # 14 at Oakwood in Sun Lakes.

Wednesday, May 8th at Ken McDonald, Jim Cox shot an Eagle on hole # 14. Hooray for El Presidente.

Saturday, April 6, 2024 at Union Hills, Gary Moffitt holed an Eagle shot on hole #3, which I’m sure made his day.

Saturday, March 30, 2024 at Aguila GC, Lonny Rakes shot an Eagle on hole # 2. Well done Lonny.

Saturday, February 21, 2024, George Kowalchik hit an Eagle shot that was a 5 wood to 8 feet and made the putt on hole 9 at the Ahwatukee Golf Club.

Saturday, January 2o, 2024 at Encanto GC, Amy Arnold got an Eagle on hole # 12.

Saturday, January 13, 2024, Steve Laveirge shot an Eagle at Robson Ranch hole on # 16.

Wednesday, January 10, 2024, Bryan Nelson struck an Eagle shot on Hole # 5 at San Marcos.

Saturday, December 9, 2023, Brandon Bracy had a great start by collecting an Eagle on hole # 1 at Encanto GC.

Wednesday, November 22, 2023, Danny Campos shot and Eagle on hole #5 at Aguila Golf Course.

Wednesday, November 22, 2023, Charlie Miller shot and Eagle on hole #8 at Aguila Golf Course.

Saturday, October 21, 2023, Mark Thompson scored an Eagle on hole # 10 at the Robson Ranch Golf Course.

Wednesday, September 13, 2023, Joey Hochevar scored an Eagle at Aguila hole # 2.

Wednesday, September 6th, 2023, Gabriel Baca shot an Eagle Score on hole # 2 at Lookout Mountain Golf Resort.

Saturday, July 29, 2023, Brandon Bracy got an Eagle shot on hole # 14 at the Wigwam Gold Course.

Saturday, July 8, 2023, Jim Emma scored an Eagle on hole #5 at Red Mountain in Mesa.

Wednesday, July 5, 2023, Danny Campos shot an Eagle on hole # 8 at the Aguila Golf Course.

Wednesday, June 7, 2023, Joey Hochevar scored an eagle at Legacy Golf Resort on hole #18.

Wednesday, April 4, 2023, Steve Yamasaki struck an Eagle shot on hole 1 at Tres Rios GC.

Saturday, April 1. 2023, No April Fool, Danny Campos shot an Eagle shot at hole # 4 at Viewpoint GR.

Saturday, March 18, 2023, Kevin Haskew captured an Eagle shot on hole #2 at Pueblo El Mirage GC.

Saturday, March 1, 2023, Rusty Silverman got 1st place @ 69 net and an Eagle on hole #10 Sun City CC.

Saturday, February 25, 2023, Rusty put a ball within 1/8 of an inch of a double Albatross at Pueblo El Mirage hole # 18. Well done Russ.

Saturday, February 18, 2023, Danny Campos 2023 President scored an Eagle shot on hole # 16 at Cave Creek.

Wednesday, February 15, 2023, Steve Richter sank an Eagle shot on hole #4 at Bear Creek 18 Golf Course.

Saturday, February 11, 2023, Bob Inman armed with new clubs and a reconstructed shoulder scored an Eagle on hole # 5 at Francisco Grande.

Wednesday, the 1st day of February 2023, Fred Baldwin shot an Eagle on hole # 14 at Toka Sticks Golf Course.

Saturday the 21st of January 2023, Willian “Willie” Nelson scored an Eagle shot on hole number # 18 at Pueblo El Mirage Golf Course.

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2022, Tom Anderson scored an Eagle on hole # 16 at Bear Creek GC.

Saturday, October 8, 2022, Dan “El Presidente” Campos scored an Eagle on hole # 6 at the Coldwater GC.

Wednesday, October 5, 2022, Darrell Ruehle connected for an Eagle on hole # 14 at the Legacy golf course.

Saturday, October 1, 2022, Steve Laveirge hit an Eagle shot on hole # 11 at Cave Creek GC.

Saturday, September 24, 2022, Paul Mickela scored an Eagle at Encanto CC Hole #8.

Saturday, August 20, 2022, Jim Emma holed an Eagle on hole # 4 at the TPC Champions course.

Saturday, August 6. 2022, Al Dan scored an Eagle on hole # 15 at Verrado Founders course.

Wednesday, August 3, 2022, Tom Anderson hit an Eagle on hole #15 at Lookout Mountain GC at Tapatio Cliffs.

Wednesday, July 20, 2022, Dave Dean scored an Eagle on hole #14 at the Verrado Victory course.

Wednesday, June 22, 2022, Steve Yamasaki hit an Eagle shot at hole # 13 at the Legacy Golf Resort.

Saturday, June 11, 2022, Devin Smith scored an Eagle on hole # 4 at the TPC Champions Course.

Wednesday, April 27, 2022, Ken Baca scored an Eagle on the 3rd hole at the Duke GC.

Saturday, April 23, 2022, Devin Smith scores another Eagle on hole #18 at View Point.

Saturday, April 16, 2022, Devin Smith scored an Eagle on hole # 2 at Francisco Grande GC.

Saturday, April 9, 2022, Mike Roether scored an Eagle on hole # 4 at Ken McDonald.

Wednesday, April 6, 2022, Steve Yamasaki scored an eagle on Hole 15 at Sundance GC.

Saturday, April 2, 2022, Mark Thompson holed an Eagle on the 11th hole at Pueblo El Mirage.

Wednesday, March 26, 2022, Tom Hebert shot an Eagle on hole # 7 at Coldwater GC.

Wednesday, March 2, 2022, Jim Cox hit an Eagle on hole #3 at Coyote Lakes.

Saturday, January 22, 2022, John “Hard Hitting” Adair scored an Eagle at Tres Rios hole #1.

Wednesday, January 5, 2022, George Banach scored an Eagle at San Marcos hole # 18

Saturday, November 27, 2021, at San Marcos GC, Danny Campos holed an Eagle on hole # 9,

Saturday, November 27, 2021, at San Marcos GC, Jeff Stefl scored an Eagle on hole # 18.

Wednesday, November 10, 2021, Joey Hochevar scored an Eagle on hole # 5 on the Wigwam Blue Course.

Saturday, November 7, 2021, Michael Lopez holed an Eagle on hole # 16 at the Laughlin Golf Course at the 2021 VGA Club Championship being played there.

Wednesday, October 20, 2021, Jandy Johnson scored an Eagle on hole 13 at the Coyote Lakes Golf course.

Wednesday, October 6, 2021, Fred Baldwin scores an Eagle on hole #13 at Power Ranch.

Saturday, October 2, 2021, at Cave Creek GC Danny Delgado scored an Eagle on hole # 16.

Saturday, October 2, 2021, at Cave Creek GC George Banach scored an Eagle on hole # 15.

Saturday, August 21, 2021, Randy Thomas stroked an Eagle on hole #2 at The Las Sendas GC.

Saturday, July 10, 2021, Thomas Hebert scored an Eagle on hole #8 at Longbow GC in Mesa

Wednesday, June 16, 2021, Larry Burton scored an Eagle on hole # 8 at the Whirlwind Devils Claw course.

Saturday, May 8th, 2021, Jason Foster scored an Eagle on hole # 2 at the Cave Creek Golf course.

Saturday, April 10, 2021: Steve Richter scored an Eagle on hole # 14 at Francisco Grande GC.

Saturday, March 27, 2021: Tommy “No Shoes” Hecocks scored an Eagle on hole #5 at Aguila Golf Course.

Wednesday, March 2, 2021: Ken Slagle hit an Eagle on hole # 10 at Aguila GC.

Saturday, February 20, 2021: Congratulations to Joey Hochevar who scored an Eagle on hole # 10. Nice going Joey.

Wednesday, November 25, 2020: Dave Dean had an eagle on the 368-yard par-five hole at Verrado Victory on November 25. He hit the driver, three-wood to ten feet from the green tees. Way to go, Dave.

Wednesday, November 25th: Dave Dean had an eagle on the 368-yard par-five hole at Verrado Victory. He hit the driver, three-wood to ten feet from the green tees. Way to go, Dave.

Saturday, October 3, 2020: Ben Hughes had another eagle. His latest was at Southern Dunes on October 3. He hit a three-wood from the tee to 181 yards and then a low seven iron to the back of the green and holed a tricky 70-foot putt for his eagle on the 469-yard hole number three. Quite impressive!

Saturday, October 17, 2020: Tom Hecocks eagled the 493-yard 18th hole at Coldwater on October 17. He hit driver, three-wood to forty feet and made the putt for his eagle. Nice going, Tom.

Wednesday, September 2, 2020, Ken Slagle scored an Eagle on Whirlwind Devil’s Claw course hole #13.

Wednesday, August 5th, 2020, Tom Hebert eagled hole #7 at the Troon Monument course.

Wednesday, August 5th, 2020, Ben Hughes eagled hole #14 at the Troon Monument course.

Wednesday, June 10th, 2020, Kevin Haskew Scored an Eagle at Lone Tree Golf Club on hole # 3.

Saturday, May 2, 2020, Some fireworks for Steve Richter on # 5 at Aguila today as he nailed an Eagle on that hole. Short par 5 but said he hit a decent drive followed by a wood to 8′ past the pin and dropped a downhill putt for the Eagle. 

Saturday, March 21, 2020, Dan Campos scored an Eagle on hole # 10 at Ken McDonald. Two beautiful shots to the Green and an even better putt for the Eagle.

Saturday, February 8th, 2020, Rusty Silverman scored an Eagle on hole # 9 at San Marcos at the VGA event there. Understand he was on in 2 and only had to make a 3 ft putt for the Eagle. Nice work Rusty.

Saturday, September 28, 2019, John Adair scored an Eagle on hole # 5 at Aguila.

Saturday, September 21, 2019, Danny Campos scored an Eagle on hole # 6 at the Wigwam Red course.

Saturday, May 6, 2019, Ben Hughes scored an Eagle on hole # 16 at Union Hills GC.

Saturday, April 20, 2019, Tommy No Shoes Hecocks scored an Eagle on hole # 2 at Cave Creek GC.

Wednesday, April 17, 2019, Steady Freddy Baldwin scored an Eagle on #17 at Palmbrook CC. Well done Fred.

Wednesday, April 10/2019, Zach Hamm scored an Eagle on hole # 15 at Ken McDonald Golf Course in Tempe Arizona.

Wednesday, March the 13 of 2019, Ed Chapman scored an Eagle on hole # 2 on the Legend of Arrowhead Course. Well done Ed.

Saturday, February 23, 2019, Eugene Disque connected for an Eagle on hole # 7 @ Tres Rios.

Wednesday, January 30th, 2019, Rich Golz captures the first Eagle of 2019 on Hole # 4 at Stonecreek today.

Wednesday, November 12th, 2018, John Adair scored an Eagle on hole # 15 of the Verrado Founders course. 

Saturday, September 1, 2018, Phil Weideman scored an Eagle on hole # 17 at ASU Karsten.

Saturday, June 30th, 2018, Tony Dalton scored an Eagle on hole number 7 at Wickenburg Ranch CC.

Saturday, June 2nd, 2018, Barry Jennyjahn Eagled # 13 at Falcon Dunes GC. He drove the green pin high right, 5 feet from the pin. That hole is approximately 300 yards.

Saturday, May 26, 2018, Tom Orr scored an Eagle on hole # 11 at Superstitions Springs GC.

Wednesday, May 16, 2018, Tom Willis scored an Eagle at the 500 Club hole # 18. Great finish Tom.

Wednesday, April 18, 2018, Rusty Silverman scored an Eagle on # 11 today said he was putting so bad he had to chip it in.

Saturday, March 10th, 2018, Ben Hughes shot an Eagle on # 15 hole at Aguila.

Saturday, March 10th, 2018, Kevin Gilmore shot an Eagle on # 5 hole at Aguila.

Wednesday, February 14th, 2018, Tom Giljum shot an Eagle on hole # 5 at Club West GC.

Saturday, February the 10, 2018, John Adair scored an Eagle on hole #15 of the Union Hills GC.

Wednesday, December 17, 2018, Dave Dean scored an Eagle on Hole #5 called the Swale at Troon North Monument Course.

Saturday, November 18, 2017, Tom Hecocks scored an Eagle on hole # 17 at the Palmbrook CC in Sun City AZ.

Wednesday, October 25th, 2017, Dave Dean Eagled #14 at the Palmbrook Country Club in Sun City. October must be a good month for Eagles had 3 so far this month.

Saturday, October 21st, 2017, Rusty “Golden Boy” Silverman popped in an Eagle on hole #4 on the Wigwam-Patriot course.

Saturday, October 10th, 2017, Danny Campos scored an Eagle today on # 10 hole of the  Antelope Hills North course.

Saturday, September 16th, 2017, Dan Campos scored an Eagle on hole # 7 at Wickenburg Ranch. He also won the event with a 61 net.

Saturday, August  19th, 2017, Larry Burton scores an Eagle on hole #5 at the Raven @ South Mountain.

Saturday, August 12, 2017, Ron Amstutz scores an Eagle on #3 at Camelback-Ambiente Course.

Saturday. August 5, 2017, Rusty Silverman scored an Eagle on #18 at the Legacy Golf Resort. Per Rusty, Bombed 3 wood off the tee. Another 3 wood just short and chipped it to take Freddy’s money”.

Saturday, April 8, 2017: Rusty Silverman hole an Eagle on hole #3 at Cave Creek.

Wednesday, April 5, 2017: Harley Ewing scored an Eagle on #3 hole at Club West. Harley finished the Eagle from the Green fringe area about 60 feet away with a pitching wedge. John Euler birdied the same hole.

Saturday, November 26th, 2016: Dan Campos eagled the 17th hole at Ken MacDonald.

Wednesday, December 28, 2016: Dan Christiansen eagled the 10th hole at Palmbrook GC.

Tony “Mr. President” Dalton eagled the ninth hole, a par five 535-yard hole at the Gold Canyon Dinosaur Mountain course on July 9th.  That’s a great eagle!

Rich Golz, a recent new member of the VGA, eagled the second hole, a par four 300 yard hole at Southern Dunes on August 24th.  It was a shot to be remembered.  Rich hit his drive into a fairway trap 50 yards from the green.  He then hit a screamer that bounced over the green and up a steep hill for at least 20 feet.  The ball hesitated, and then rolled down the hill, onto the green, and into the hole!  Wow!

Ben Hughes eagled the fourteenth hole, a par four 337-yard hole, at GCU on September 3rd.  Ben jarred the hole with a wedge.  NICE SHOT after four mishits with the same club earlier in the round.  It’s a good thing he didn’t throw it in the pond on 13 as some VGA players have done in the past.

John Adair eagled hole number eight at Moon Valley.


Wednesdays revised 3/6/2024Points
1st- Elmer Schmidt18
2nd-Fred Bill Heller12
3rd-Fred Baldwin11
4th- 3rd-Tie-Jeff Darbut, Dave Dean, Lovell Robinson10
5th-Tie-Don Majors, Shah Pragnest9
6th-Neal Fisel7
2024 Saturdays revised 3/9/2024Points
1st -Eric Neilan19
2nd-Tied-Matt Brogen Jr, Steve Laveirge13
3rd-Tie-Larry Burton, Neal Fisel11
4th-George Kowalchik10
5th-Tie-Robert Froehlich, Lonny Rakes 9
6th-Dan Bengtson7
The 2024 Season of Big Dogs.

Billy “I Can’t See It” Heller eagled the par-five hole number two from 160 yards at Casa Grande.  Way to go Billy!

2022 VGA Big Dogs Nov 2021 To Oct 2022

Wednesdays: Revised 10/26/2022Points
1st-Gary Vance30
2nd-Dave Dean25
3rd-Al Dan21
4th-Ken Baca19
5th- Dan Clark18
Saturdays: Revised 10/29/2022Points
1st-Mike Roether25
2nd-Bill Heller23
3rd- Rusty Silverman22
4th-Larry Burton18
5th-Tom Anderson17
2022 Finals

2021 VGA Big Dogs Nov. 1, 2020, to Oct. 31, 2021

Wednesdays: Revised 10/27/2021Points
1st-Tom Anderson42
2nd-George Kowalchik29
3rd-Paul Mickela23
4th-Jim Cox22
5th-Dave Dean21
Saturdays: Revised 10/23/2021Points
1st-Rusty Silverman56
2nd-Mike Roether26
3rd-Tom Anderson23
4th-Jeff Currie19
5th-Tie- Fred Baldwin, Larry Burton18

2020 VGA Big Dogs Nov. 1, 2019, to Oct. 31, 2020

Big Dogs for (Wednesdays 2020) rev: 10/28/2020Points
1st-Dave Dean37
2nd-Jim Cox29
3rd-Larry Burton28
4th-Ken Slagle27
5th-Tie-Kowalchik, Vutrano18
Big Dogs for (Saturdays 2020) rev: 10/31/2020Points
1st-Dan Christiansen24
2nd-Mike Roether22
3rd-Dan Clark20
4th-Bill Heller19
5th-Ken Baca18

2019 VGA Big Dogs Nov. 1, 2018, to Oct. 31, 2019

Big Dogs for (Wednesdays 2019) rev: 10/30/2019 FinalPoints
1st-Warren Meehan46
2nd-Dave Dean42
3rd-Larry Burton38
4th-John Euler32
5th-Tom Giljum31
Big Dogs for (Saturdays 2019) rev: 10/26/2019 FinalPoints
1st-Dan Christiansen38
2nd-Fred Baldwin27
3rd-Rusty Silverman25
4th-Danny Campos24
5th-Tie- Burton, Clark, Fisel, Hebert, Storms19

2018 VGA Big Dogs Nov. 1, 2017, to Oct. 31, 2018 

Big Dogs for (Wednesdays 2018) rev: 10/31/2018 FinalsPoints
1-Bill Heller 40
2-Tom Willis35
3-Fred Baldwin 31
4th-Mike Roether30
5th-Larry Burton24
Big Dogs for (Saturdays 2018) rev: 10/27/2018 Points
1st-Rusty Silverman50
2nd-Bill Heller32
3rd-Tony Dalton30
4th-Tie-Larry Burton, Ron Gunderson27
5th-Tom Hebert26

2017 VGA Big Dogs Nov. 1, 2016, to Oct. 31, 2017 

Big Dogs for (Wednesdays 2017) rev: 10/25/2017-FinalsPoints
1st-Dave Dean47
2nd-Rich Golz34
3rd-Tom Giljum32
4th-Tony Dalton23
5th-Burton, Rankin21
Big Dogs for (Saturdays 2017) rev: 10/28/2017-FinalsPoints
1st-Fred Baldwin28
2nd-Jeff Currie27
3rd-Tony Dalton26
4th-Rusty Silverman24
5th-Tie-Larry Burton, Dan Christiansen and Tom Hecocks23