Chris Hubbard, winner of the Southwest PGA Youth Player Development Award
Mary Jo Bellner Swartzberg
Chris Hubbard, PGA Golf Administrator for Girls Golf of Tucson, was recently given the distinguished Southwest PGA Youth Player Development Award. The award ceremony, held on Feb. 27 at the Phoenix Country Club, recognized Hubbard for his many contributions toward youth golfer development. This was Hubbard’s first award as a member of the Southwest PGA. The following was the narrative that was used for presenting the award to Hubbard:
The Southwest PGA Youth Player Development Award—Chris Hubbard, PGA Golf Administrator for Girls Golf of Tucson, has been honored with the Southwest PGA Youth Player Development Award. This accolade celebrates a PGA Professional who has demonstrated exceptional and outstanding contributions and accomplishments in the realm of youth player development. Hubbard earned his membership in the PGA of America in 2012, initially serving as a golf course superintendent at three different facilities, including a stint at Mauna Kea Golf Course in Kamuela, Hawaii. Despite his full-time agronomy role, his true passion and focus was in the development of junior golfers, all of which he pursued through volunteer work. From 2013 to 2016, Hubbard dedicated his time to volunteering with the nonprofit LPGA-USGA Girls Golf-Tucson (GGTA) program, which aims to introduce golf to girls aged 7 to 17 through lessons and on-course play. His role expanded in 2017 when he assumed the position of the PGA representative for GGTA, taking charge of instructors, managing clinics, coordinating play day events, and organizing fundraising tournaments. In 2019 he assumed the role of volunteer director for the entire GGTA program, a position he holds to this day. Hubbard’s unwavering dedication, commitment, and passion for junior golf development extends to numerous programs and organizations he is actively involved in, including the First Tee of Tucson, PGA Jr. League, Drive, Chip and Putt, the Arizona Women’s Golf Association, and the Southwest PGA Junior Prep Tour. He also plays an integral part in several junior programs at both the Section and Chapter levels, as well as within the Arizona Junior Golf Association.
You might see Hubbard at the SaddleBrooke One driving range. And if you do, please offer him your congratulations!