Steve Bowen, PGA played in the Hudson Cup matches in 1998, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 2002 and 2007. In 2007, he also served at the Professional Team Captain! Bowen played in the Senior Hudson Cup matches in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2017. He will captain the 75th Professional Hudson Cup Team.
Hometown: Hermiston, OR
PGA member since: 1986
Hudson Cup awards won:
- 1988 Larry Lamberger Award
- 2013 Bob McKendrick Award
- 2017 Bob McKendrick Award
How did you get into golf as a profession and who were your mentors?
My brothers and I were all sports kids, and baseball seemed to be our sport of choice until our father started the Hermiston High School golf program during our early teens. We started playing a lot as a family, and I fell in love with the individual aspect of the game. I had total control of everything that happened, compared to all the team sports I had played before. I was hooked! My father was a great mentor, but my early professional mentors were Bill Porter and Larry Lamberger Sr. and Jr.
What are your favorite Hudson Cup memories?
I have so many great memories playing in so many different Hudson Cups, but two really stand out. The first one would have to be when my brother John and I were both on the team in 1993. The second was when I was captain in 2007 and had to lace up my shoes and play two matches due to one team member having a family emergency. It felt great to be able to help out the team!
What are you most looking forward to with captaining the 2023 Professional Hudson Cup Team at Royal Oaks?
I am looking forward to returning to Royal Oaks as a captain! After spending 17 years as Head Professional, my family and I have many great memories of Vancouver and all of the friends who still live there. I am honored to be the captain, and I look forward to watching some great golf on both the pro and amateur teams. Maybe I can help just a little, from knowing how to play this great golf course.
Scott Leritz, PGA played in the Hudson Cup matches in 2001, 2004, 2005 and 2008, as well as the Senior Hudson Cup matches in 2020 and 2022. He will captain the 32nd Senior Professional Hudson Cup Team.
Hometown: Mission Viejo, CA
PGA member since: 1999
How did you get into golf as a profession and who were your mentors? I started my professional career at Trysting Tree Golf Club as the next step after graduating from Oregon State University. My main mentor in golf was a PGA Professional named Arne Dokka.
What are your favorite Hudson Cup memories? Playing a match against Joel Dahmen in the 2008 matches at Aldarra.
What are you most looking forward to with captaining the 2023 Senior Professional Hudson Cup Team at Royal Oaks? Being a mentor to the Senior Professionals and hosting at a club I’ve been associated with as the Head Professional for 15 years.