This month we interview Vince Domenzain, recipient of the 2022 PNW PGA Patriot Award. Vince is improving the lives of veterans with golf instruction, golf course access, friendship, and fundraising. His Southern Oregon Military Appreciation Golf Tournament raised over $300,000 for local veterans’ programs. His club was chosen to host the David’s Chair Golf Tournament and he also runs a PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) program. Vince is passionate about giving back to our nation’s veterans and creating a community for them through golf.
Facility: Stone Ridge Golf Club
Hometown: born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona
PGA Member Since: 1994
Who or what inspired you to become a Golf Professional?
Being introduced to golf at 9 years old and immediately falling in love with the game, it seems I have always been around golf my entire life. I stared by playing as a junior, picking the range, washing golf cars, working the bag room and then into the golf shop. I was fortunate to learn from some great PGA Professionals along the way and always admired what they did and how they did it. They say if you love what you do, you never have to work a day in your life. I feel very fortunate.
Can you tell us about your WWII Veteran father and how you were inspired to use the game of golf to help Veterans?
My father, Rudy Domenzain, has always been a mentor to me in many ways. He was always so proud of the time he served in WWII with the Army Air Corps which became the US Air Force. He always taught me to respect our country and honor those who served and sacrificed. One of my fondest memories with him was when we visited the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. He took the time to read every Veteran’s name that was on the memorial wall. It was very moving for him and for me, with eyes tearing up, showing his respect for our lost Veterans.
My father’s example of respecting Veterans for their sacrifice and of giving back when you have the chance made it an easy decision to get involved. I was lucky as a PGA Professional to have the opportunity and to give back to our Veterans through the Down Range Program and PGA HOPE.
What is the Southern Oregon Military Appreciation Tournament?
While working at another facility we would run various fundraisers for military groups and then they would not continue the next year. A group of us decided to create our own fundraising event and call it The Southern Oregon Military Appreciation Tournament. The event has grown into one of the premier Veterans fundraisers in Southern Oregon and has received a fantastic response from local business sponsors and local golfers. Now in its eleventh year, Stone Ridge Golf Club is proud to carry on this esteemed fundraiser for our local Veterans. Part of this year’s proceeds will assist with the development of the PGA HOPE programs hosted at Stone Ridge GC.
What would you tell other PNW PGA Professionals thinking of taking the free PGA HOPE training or starting a PGA HOPE program at their facility?
As PGA Professionals we have a great opportunity to have training provided by the PGA with the HOPE programs. They have given us all the tools you need to create your own program. Seeing the benefits it brings to our Veterans is as satisfying to me as it is to them. To hear a Veteran say the words, “Golf has saved my life” is all you need to hear to take pride in being in the position as a PGA Professional to help our Veterans.
Thank you, Vince Domenzain!