Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Encanto. + 2025 Awards.
Wednesday, Encanto event
Complete Golf Genius stats from today’s event. Click here.
Flight A top 3
Tim Sherry finished in 1st place in A Flight with a net score of 67. Andy Edson took 2nd place with a score of 68. Ron Landon also scored 68, placing him in 3rd. Gary Moffitt earned the Atta Boy award with a net score of 70.
Flight B top 3
Bill Heller is known for his “no more carving” approach. He achieved a remarkable score of 64 net. This score earned him the low net award for the event. Congratulations, Bill! Daniel Russell finished in second place with a net score of 66. Fred Baldwin secured third place with a net score of 68. Dr. Doug Walsh received the “Atta Boy” award with a net score of 69. net.
Videos that help your game
Next up for VGA, Saturday, January 10, 2026, 830 am, $85+
VGA 2025 Annual Player Awards
A Season of Skill, Drama, and Desert Magic
Fellow avid golfers, if you thrive on the thrill of tight leaderboards, the satisfaction of grinding out consistency, and those rare “did that just happen?” moments on the course, the VGA’s 2025 season delivered in spades. Played across Arizona’s stunning desert layouts, this year featured fierce battles in the Big Dog Points races—with ties galore—impressive player development, razor-sharp net scores, and three unforgettable holes-in-one. Here’s a rundown of the standout performers who made 2025 one to remember.
Saturday Big Dog Points: Ties and Tenacity Define the Day
Saturday play was all about endurance, with multiple deadlocks turning the points chase into a true test of nerves. Neal Fisel and George Kowalchik shared the top spot at 33 points, splitting the 1st/2nd prize and each earning $138 from the $275 pool. Tom Hebert took a clear 3rd with 29 points and $100.
The ties continued down the board: Joe Galli and Mike Stang locked at 28 points for 4th/5th ($63 each after adjustments), while Fred Baldwin and Rob Katzaroff tied at 24 for 6th (sharing the remaining prize). A $525 pot distributed $542 in payouts—classic VGA fairness when the scores are this close.
Wednesday Big Dog Points: Dominance Meets Multi-Way Drama
Midweek brought fireworks, led by Steve Park’s commanding 46 points for outright 1st and $150. Jim Foster and Al Yancy tied at 35 for 2nd/3rd, splitting $225 at $113 apiece. Rusty Silverman grabbed 4th solo with 34 points and $75.
The highlight? A three-way tie at 30 points for 5th/6th between Jim Cox, Neal Fisel (who also shone on Saturdays), and Doug Walsh—each taking $25 from the shared pool. Another $525 pot, with $526 paid out. These results show how Wednesday’s field rewards hot streaks in a big way.
Most Improved: Brien Byers’ Breakthrough Season
Every golfer knows the grind of shaving strokes through practice and persistence. Brien Byers embodied that journey, earning Most Improved honors with a standout transformation and pocketing $100. It’s the kind of progress that inspires us all to hit the range one more time.
Low Net Score of the Year: A Tie for Wednesday Supremacy
Handicap-adjusted brilliance took center stage in the Low Net category, where Rusty Silverman and Kevin Hutspeth tied for the year’s lowest mark at 62—each claiming $50. Additional payouts (including $100 and other $50 awards) pushed the category total to $725 allocated and $1,268 distributed. Proof that smart course management pays off big in net play.
Hole-in-One Heroes: Three Aces to Savor
The ultimate rush in golf? Watching your tee shot disappear into the cup. VGA members delivered three times in 2025, each worth $580 for a total pot of $1,740:
- Perry Variano – March 23 at Aguila’s hole #3
- Steve Richter – June 18 at Aguila’s hole #7
- Elmer Schmidt – October 3 at Southern Dunes’ #11
These shots on Arizona’s challenging desert tracks are the stuff of lifelong stories—pure magic that reminds us why we keep chasing that perfect swing.
From the tie-filled points races to personal triumphs and those electrifying aces, the 2025 VGA awards highlight the depth of talent in our group. Congratulations to all the winners and participants for an outstanding year on Arizona’s fairways. Here’s to even more birdies, fewer bogeys, and maybe another ace or two in 2026—what was your favorite moment from the season? …..By Thomas Hebert
2025 VGA Player awards. Click here
2026 VGA Big Dog points & Stats, click here.
2025 VGA Big Dog points & Stats, click here.
2025 VGA Player Analytics.
The web team, consisting of Harley Ewing and Tom Hebert, is integral to ValleyGolfers.com. Harley is responsible for creating posts and managing updates. Tom handles custom programming and donates his company’s server to power the site.
