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
Wednesdays: Revised 12/27/2023 | Points |
1st- Jim Cox | 43 |
2nd-Tie-Robert Froehlich, Rusty Silverman | 33 |
3rd- Doug Walsh | 23 |
4th-Dave Dean | 22.5 |
5th-Fred Baldwin, George Kowalchik | 20 |
Saturdays: Revised 12/23/2023 | Points |
1st- Tie-Larry Burton, Eric Neilan | 24 |
2nd-William Nelson | 22 |
3rd-Neal Fisel | 21 |
4th-Ron Amstutz, Donald Majors | 20 |
5th-Tie-Warren Meehan, Rusty Silverman | 19 |
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.
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 3/6/2024 | Points |
1st- Elmer Schmidt | 18 |
2nd-Fred Bill Heller | 12 |
3rd-Fred Baldwin | 11 |
4th- 3rd-Tie-Jeff Darbut, Dave Dean, Lovell Robinson | 10 |
5th-Tie-Don Majors, Shah Pragnest | 9 |
6th-Neal Fisel | 7 |
2024 Saturdays revised 3/9/2024 | Points |
1st -Eric Neilan | 19 |
2nd-Tied-Matt Brogen Jr, Steve Laveirge | 13 |
3rd-Tie-Larry Burton, Neal Fisel | 11 |
4th-George Kowalchik | 10 |
5th-Tie-Robert Froehlich, Lonny Rakes | 9 |
6th-Dan Bengtson | 7 |
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 10/26/2022 | Points |
1st-Gary Vance | 30 |
2nd-Dave Dean | 25 |
3rd-Al Dan | 21 |
4th-Ken Baca | 19 |
5th- Dan Clark | 18 |
Saturdays: Revised 10/29/2022 | Points |
1st-Mike Roether | 25 |
2nd-Bill Heller | 23 |
3rd- Rusty Silverman | 22 |
4th-Larry Burton | 18 |
5th-Tom Anderson | 17 |
2021 VGA Big Dogs Nov. 1, 2020, to Oct. 31, 2021
Wednesdays: Revised 10/27/2021 | Points |
1st-Tom Anderson | 42 |
2nd-George Kowalchik | 29 |
3rd-Paul Mickela | 23 |
4th-Jim Cox | 22 |
5th-Dave Dean | 21 |
Saturdays: Revised 10/23/2021 | Points |
1st-Rusty Silverman | 56 |
2nd-Mike Roether | 26 |
3rd-Tom Anderson | 23 |
4th-Jeff Currie | 19 |
5th-Tie- Fred Baldwin, Larry Burton | 18 |
2020 VGA Big Dogs Nov. 1, 2019, to Oct. 31, 2020
Big Dogs for (Wednesdays 2020) rev: 10/28/2020 | Points |
1st-Dave Dean | 37 |
2nd-Jim Cox | 29 |
3rd-Larry Burton | 28 |
4th-Ken Slagle | 27 |
5th-Tie-Kowalchik, Vutrano | 18 |
Big Dogs for (Saturdays 2020) rev: 10/31/2020 | Points |
1st-Dan Christiansen | 24 |
2nd-Mike Roether | 22 |
3rd-Dan Clark | 20 |
4th-Bill Heller | 19 |
5th-Ken Baca | 18 |
2019 VGA Big Dogs Nov. 1, 2018, to Oct. 31, 2019
Big Dogs for (Wednesdays 2019) rev: 10/30/2019 Final | Points |
1st-Warren Meehan | 46 |
2nd-Dave Dean | 42 |
3rd-Larry Burton | 38 |
4th-John Euler | 32 |
5th-Tom Giljum | 31 |
Big Dogs for (Saturdays 2019) rev: 10/26/2019 Final | Points |
1st-Dan Christiansen | 38 |
2nd-Fred Baldwin | 27 |
3rd-Rusty Silverman | 25 |
4th-Danny Campos | 24 |
5th-Tie- Burton, Clark, Fisel, Hebert, Storms | 19 |
2018 VGA Big Dogs Nov. 1, 2017, to Oct. 31, 2018
Big Dogs for (Wednesdays 2018) rev: 10/31/2018 Finals | Points |
1-Bill Heller | 40 |
2-Tom Willis | 35 |
3-Fred Baldwin | 31 |
4th-Mike Roether | 30 |
5th-Larry Burton | 24 |
Big Dogs for (Saturdays 2018) rev: 10/27/2018 | Points |
1st-Rusty Silverman | 50 |
2nd-Bill Heller | 32 |
3rd-Tony Dalton | 30 |
4th-Tie-Larry Burton, Ron Gunderson | 27 |
5th-Tom Hebert | 26 |
2017 VGA Big Dogs Nov. 1, 2016, to Oct. 31, 2017
Big Dogs for (Wednesdays 2017) rev: 10/25/2017-Finals | Points |
1st-Dave Dean | 47 |
2nd-Rich Golz | 34 |
3rd-Tom Giljum | 32 |
4th-Tony Dalton | 23 |
5th-Burton, Rankin | 21 |
Big Dogs for (Saturdays 2017) rev: 10/28/2017-Finals | Points |
1st-Fred Baldwin | 28 |
2nd-Jeff Currie | 27 |
3rd-Tony Dalton | 26 |
4th-Rusty Silverman | 24 |
5th-Tie-Larry Burton, Dan Christiansen and Tom Hecocks | 23 |