STUDIO CITY AND ONTARIO, Calif., March 2, 2023—The Southern California Golf Association (SCGA) and the Southern California PGA (SCPGA) are pleased to announce a new unified and elevated program to celebrate and honor golf luminaries who have helped transform and shape the Southern California golf landscape. 

The inaugural class will be inducted into the new Southern California Golf Hall of Fame on March 15 at Industry Hills Golf Club at Pacific Palms Resort. This year’s inductees include golf course architects, professional golfers, industry leaders, PGA golf professionals and trailblazers who have made a significant impact on the game and golf community. 

The SoCal Golf Hall of Fame is honored to welcome the following inaugural class:

Pearl Sinn-Bonanni; a three-time All-American at Arizona State, multiple United States Golf Association (USGA) title winner and former LPGA Tour Player

Jim Vernon; a Stanford graduate who served as president of the SCGA, the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation and the USGA.

Also to be recognized at this event are six posthumous inductees: TaylorMade Golf founder Gary Adams, “Father of Playing by Yardage” Gene Andrews, golf architect Max Behr, professional golfer and former Braemar CC head professional Ralph Guldahl, LPGA founder and instructor Shirley Spork and Jimmie DeVoe, the first African-American to gain PGA membership.  

The new program is supported by a SoCal Golf Hall of Fame website (socalgolfhof.com) which comprehensively profiles all inductees with biographies, photos, videos and personal accolades. The Class of 2023 will be featured on the site upon their induction on March 15.

Historically, the SCGA and SCPGA managed their own Hall of Fame programs, accounting for a total of 88 combined inductees, 11 being elected to both. Working together, the SCGA and SCPGA have combined efforts to create a unified SoCal Golf Hall of Fame. This elevated regional program will continue to shine a light on those who have influenced the game of golf in the region by recognizing and celebrating past inductees from each association and new members.  The SoCal Golf Hall of Fame will include the combined 88 golf notables from the SCGA and SCPGA’s respective previous programs.

To learn more about the SoCal Golf Hall of Fame program, visit: socalgolfhof.com. 

The March 15 ceremony will be hosted by golf course architect, historian and author, Geoff Shackelford and is by invitation only. If you are interested in covering the inaugural event, please contact Frank Moore at (818) 980-3630 ext. 341. 

About the SCGA 

The Southern California Golf Association (SCGA) is devoted to providing all Southland golfers with the best experience possible. Its primary goal is to enhance the enjoyment of the game for those who actively live the golf lifestyle or have just learned to swing a club. Advocating on behalf of our community of passionate golfers, the SCGA provides accessible and affordable opportunities for anyone looking to be involved with the game. Whether crowning champions at amateur tournaments or providing a Handicap Index to track a golfer’s progress, the SCGA is committed to providing exceptional service to its members. 

About the SCPGA 

The Southern California Section was established in 1924, and today is comprised of over 1,700 golf Professionals working at over 500 facilities within the Section. The mission of the Southern California Section (SCPGA) is the purpose of the PGA of America, to promote the enjoyment and involvement in the game of golf and to contribute to its growth by providing services to golf professionals and the golf industry. The SCPGA provides competitive playing opportunities, educational seminars, and growth of the game initiatives, within a geographic area that stretches from San Luis Obispo to the Tijuana Border, and from the Pacific Ocean to the Nevada and Arizona borders.