Western States Golf Association
Established in 1954 * Member USGA & GHIN
HISTORY OF WESTERN STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION
1954-present
Western States Golf Association was founded in 1954 with a small group of golf clubs. The charter member clubs were:
- Bay Area Golf Club, San Francisco California
- Cosmopolitan Golf Club, Los Angeles California
- Los Angeles Postal Golf Club, Los Angeles California
- Paramount Golf Club, San Diego California
- Vernondale Golf Club, Los Angeles California (subsequently changed to Vernoncrest)
- Desert Mashie Golf Club, Phoenix Arizona
- Fir State Golf Club, Seattle Washington
- Leisure Hour Golf Club, Portland Oregon
WSGA’s Genesis for Recognition of individual performances of duties beyond expectation:
2005 & 2008 Hall of Fame
- Alan Bennett, June 2005, member of Cosmopolitan Golf Club
- George Colebrook, Jr., June 2005, member of Desert Mashie Golf Club
- Henry Marshall, June 2005, member of Golden Gaters
- Dock Matthews, June 2008, member of Cosmopolitan Golf Club
- Albert Mayfield, June 2008, member of Cosmopolitan Golf Club
- James Redwine, June 2008, member of Sacramento Area Black Golf Club
On December 10, 1978, WSGA reached a milestone when the first Hall of Fame ceremony was held at the Broadway Federal Savings and Loan Association in Los Angeles, California.
Recognizing their loyal and dedicated services the Association over the years, the following members were inducted by President Pearl Carey into WSGA’s Hall of Fame:
- J. Cullen Fentress, WSGA President Emeritus
- Vernon Gaskin, WSGA Honorary Vice President
- Captain Morris Henderson, President of Bay Area Golf Club (deceased at the time of induction)
- Mary Woodard, (deceased at the time of induction)
- James Stratten WSGA’s first General Tournament Chairman
- Mae Crowder, WSGA Honorary Vice President
- Clifton Walker, WSGA’s first General Handicap Chairman (deceased at the time of induction)
- Felbert Cobbs, WSGA’s first Northern California Area Vice President
In complying with tradition as established by the Association, over 20 worthy members of long-standing and meritorious service have been inducted into WSGA’s Hall of Fame.
In complying with tradition as established by the Association, 5 worthy members of long-standing and meritorious service have been inducted into WSGA’s Hall of Honor in 2013.
Advancement in WSGA has extended to many golf clubs located in the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. WSGA is proud of the role it has played in golf since inception in 1954.
WSGA acknowledges:
- Bill Wright of Fir State Golf Club for becoming the first African-American National Champion when he won the USGA National Public Links title.
- The financial assistance extended to Charlie Sifford prior to his joining the PGA Tour, as the Professional Golfers Association lifted its Caucasian-only clause in 1960.
- Ashley Smith (deceased) of Bay Area Golf Club, a perennial WSGA champion, also distinguished himself by winning the San Francisco, Hayward, and Oakland City Championships, and the Alameda Commuters Championships.
- Alton Duhon of Cosmopolitan Golf Club became the second African-American to win a National Championship when he won the 1982 USGA National Seniors Amateur Championship.
