Family Affair in the Pacific Northwest PGA

By Tom Sovay, PGA

I grew up in a fairly large family, the youngest of six children. No one in my family golfed, but I played every sport you can imagine that involved a ball, including handball. Golf was my passion, but I didn't have the means or a course close enough to start my golf journey. I had to wait until I got a job and a car.

This isn't a story about me, but about the many families that have made our game better and the legacy they carry on. When I first got into the business as an assistant working at a municipal golf course (Jackson Park in Seattle), I knew some of the legends right away. John Hoetmer and his son Ron. Bob Tindall and his son Bill (in my opinion, the greatest golf pro I've ever met).

The family element in the golf business is extremely welcoming. I experienced this firsthand when I attended my first National Club Pro Championship in La Quinta, California. I was young and naive, and I didn't know anyone there. But then Steve Bowen came up to me and asked, "Where are you staying?" I told him I didn't know, and he said, "You're staying with me."

Steve is from a golfing family. His brother John is a PGA member, and his son Blake worked for Steve as a pro for a while. He adopted me into his golfing family that day, and I'm so grateful for his kindness and generosity.

This is just one example of the many ways that golfing families have welcomed me into their fold. Bill Tindall, who was the head pro at Jackson Golf Course in Seattle when I was an assistant, also took me under his wing. He taught me a wealth of knowledge about the business, teaching, and playing golf. He told me that public golf is vital to the game.

I've also been fortunate to be adopted by the Hixson family. Harvey Hixson is a former PGA President, and his son Dan is a renowned golf course architect. They have both been incredibly supportive of me, and I'm so grateful for their friendship.

Jim Von Lossow and his brother John are two other great golfers who have welcomed me into their family. Jim played on the PGA Tour, and John played in two US Amateurs. They have both been generous with their time and advice, and I'm so lucky to have them as friends.

Bryan and Mark Tunstill are two other golfing families that I'm honored to be a part of. Bryan is a Hall of Fame member in our section, and Mark is one of the most engaging and witty people I know. I'm so grateful for their friendship and support.

I could go on and on about all the golfing families that have made me feel welcome in this industry. But the biggest thing to remember is that I'm just one small example of their generosity. They are committed to making our game great, and the family element is an innate welcoming skill they have all inherently not only developed but perfected.

The other families that have adopted me, and whom I have tremendous respect for, include the Runge Family—three generations, Hank (father) Louie, Chris, (sons) and now Mitch; Joe Clarizo and Rob Gibbons; Steve, Corey and Alex Prugh; Jerry and JD Mowlds; John and his son Jeff Groshell; Scott Krieger and his dad, Dick. Dick wasn't a pro, but he might as well have been.

I'm so grateful to all these families for their kindness and support. They have made my journey in the golf business so much richer and more rewarding. Here are some quotes from other family members in the golf business. I find it amusing how many times I've heard people say, "Don't go into the golf business." Thank goodness these families ignored that advice, because where would our great game be without them?

“In 2014 I was honored to be the Captain of the United States Junior Ryder Cup Team. Victorius I might add. The event was in Scotland and the entire family was in attendance. Watching the greatest junior players in the world was very motivating for all of us. Also, at the 2008 Ryder Cup during my Presidency, I had the chance to have former President Bush meet my family and hold my 10-month-old grandson Brody in his arms. Quite an experience.” - Brian Whitcomb

“Family throughout my 39 years in the golf business has been somewhat two-fold for me. I have my immediate family, who have given me so much support throughout my career, and my working families that I have had the pleasure of working with at the five different clubs over that span. Since childhood we have been a sports family with my two brothers and I playing the major sports—football, baseball, and basketball—and of course golf. Eventually golf became our sport with John and I becoming PGA Professionals and my younger brother Kelly becoming a Superintendent and now a District manager with Toro. I also had the great pleasure of my son Blake, after his basketball career in college, turn pro and work for me for over two years. He is now in Austin, Texas in a different career!” - Steve Bowen

“I’m a firm believer that it takes an army of people to achieve greatness. How has it helped my career? We each have different gifts that allow us to work so well together as a group. Each and every family member has helped me be a better golfer, man of God, father, husband and businessman. I could not have gotten to where I am today without my family.” - Bryce Fisher

“My best memory with my family is when I was a kid and on a very rare occasion all of the Runge men would get to play 9 holes together at Willapa Harbor Golf Course.” - Mitch Runge

“I’ve been able to use my family members as a sounding board because my family members are in the golf business. I never feel alone.” - Ross Kukula

“First, all four of us played together many times. Second [best memory of family members in golf], attending the 2022 US Amateur gallery for my son Andrew Von Lossow [and watching him] winning the match and a spot on the Golf Channel.” - Jim Von Lossow

“Competing against my siblings as kids, as we learned how to play, was a big part of development. I took pride in trying to be an example to them as the oldest on how to succeed in the game. That no doubt helped me as I grew, and now working with my sister Sheena at The Home Course, I get to continue sharing with her our love of golf at work each day.” - Shane Prante

“For Dad's 70th birthday we all got together (Dad, David, Barbara, Danny and myself) and played a fivesome at Quail Valley which had just opened. Mom rode around in the cart, and it was the perfect afternoon. The next day Dad called me and said, “That was his best, proudest day ever on a golf course.” It will always be mine also!” - Doug Hixson

“My wonderful wife would bring our three children to the golf course in the evening so they could see Dad, and that led to doing family golf activities together. This led to the kids becoming involved in competitive golf, and all three children playing college golf and the two boys becoming Golf Professionals. Since we have three children (and if you add me), we had a natural foursome. Susan took a different path with golf and became a top-rate USGA rules expert. With the children grown up and out of the house, it has been a big part of Susan’s and my summers going to and helping run junior golf tournaments.” -Steve Prugh

“Having a son who is a golf pro has helped me be a better mentor, not only to him but other young golf professionals as my career has progressed. I think that was an area that I was not always at my best, but thankfully have improved as my son has progressed as a professional.” - Charlie Thurston

“I don't have my own children, but my siblings and dad have been involved in golf our entire lives so it's just kind of in our blood. I tried to get away and take other career paths but ultimately came back to golf because it hooks you in—especially when you have a dad and siblings to talk to about golf. It's at family events, holidays etc. It connects you all.” - Sheena Prante

“Joe Clarizio is my stepdad of 56 years. My whole family worked at Arrowhead. My mother was the GM, Joe was the Director of Golf, I was the Head Professional, my older sister was the controller, my other sister worked in F&B and my younger brother was the Superintendent. Also, all our children worked at the club at some point. Obviously, working at Arrowhead has been a big part of my family’s lives.” - Rob Gibbons

The family element is one of the things that makes golf so special. It is a game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds, and it is a great way to bring people together. Golfing families are a testament to this, and they are an important part of what makes the game so special.

I would like to thank everyone who took the time to share their memories and experiences for this article. Steve Bowen, Bryce Fisher, Rob Gibbons, Doug Hixson, Ross Kukula, Shane Prante, Sheena Prante, Steve Prugh, Mitch Runge, Charlie Thurston, Brian Whitcomb, and Jim Von Lossow, thank you!