This month we profile George Mack, Jr., PGA, a Pacific Northwest PGA legend! George grew up in one of Oregon’s most prolific amateur golf families with double-digit wins in the Oregon Coast Invitational by his father, himself and his three sisters. His sister, Lara Tennant, was inducted into the Pacific Northwest Golf Hall of Fame in 2022.
Facility: Black Butte Ranch – Big Meadow – Sisters, OR
PGA Member since: 1993
The Oregon Coast Invitational was an annual family vacation and George was introduced to golf at a young age through caddying at the tournament. Jerry Mowlds, PGA ran the junior golf program at Columbia Edgewater CC, where his family were members. While George credits his father as his short game guru, he met many great golfers at Columbia Edgewater who inspired him as well including Dick Yost, Don Krieger and Brent Murray.
George became one of Oregon’s best amateur players, winning the Oregon Mid-Amateur Championship (1989) and Oregon Amateur Championship (1990) before turning professional.
George’s greatest success as a golfer came in 1992 in the second stage of the PGA Tour’s National Qualifying School, when he closed strong with a 3-under 33 on the back nine to advance into Q-School’s final stage. That earned him exempt status on the 1993 Nike Tour (now known as the Web.com Tour), where he logged five top-25 finishes. In 1994, George moved on to the Asian Tour. In 1995, Mack joined the Pacific Northwest Section, where he has won many events including:
- 2001 Oregon PGA Championship
- 2015 PNW PGA Senior Professional Championship
- 2019 PNW PGA Senior Players Championship
As an engaged and committed PGA teacher and coach, George Mack, Jr. has primarily relied on the teachings of Chuck Hogan. Mack has been the Director of Instruction at Black Butte Ranch (OR) and Rio Verde Country Club (AZ) for several years/seasons. His “Winning Philosophy” includes “Great golf requires reacting and blending with the target and its conditions, making confidence a more controlled state.”
Monte Koch interviewed George Mack, Jr. on the “Fore the Best” podcast.
In Part I, George talks about his family and early career
In Part II, George shares his mentors and teaching philosophy