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Dec 11, 2024

A Tribute to Gary Nieland: An incredible friend who embodied the PNGA volunteer spirit

by Troy Andrew, PNGA Executive Director

Gary Nieland truly embodied the spirit of the Pacific Northwest Golf Association. He dedicated countless hours to ensuring PNGA championships were among the best in the region, leaving an enduring mark through his commitment, passion, and friendship. His unwavering support shaped not only the PNGA’s legacy but also inspired everyone fortunate enough to work alongside him. For me personally, Gary’s guidance and friendship toward me when I was a rookie Director of Rules and Competition in 1999 at the age of 26 set the foundation for my career.

In 2008, Gary Nieland was honored with the PNGA Distinguished Service Award, considered the association’s highest honor.

Sadly, we lost this remarkable individual on November 25, 2024, when Gary passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family.

His contributions to golf and the PNGA over the years are impossible to overstate. From 1992 through 2006, Gary rarely missed attending and volunteering at PNGA championships conducted throughout the region. His presence on site was a gift. He was a constant and welcome figure, beloved by players, directors, volunteers, host club staff, PNGA staff, and members alike. Gary formed relationships built on mutual respect, kindness, and camaraderie. And occasionally, we would pause from work to have a little fun, sometimes a little too much fun! But memories I will cherish forever!

Gary served as a PNGA and WSGA Club Representative at Scott Lake Golf Course in the Olympia, Washington area, later becoming a PNGA Director, and ultimately serving as Vice President. For nine years, Gary chaired the PNGA Championship Committee, overseeing all 15 championships, managing the Pacific Northwest Player of the Year Awards, and ensuring the PNGA’s championship department ran smoothly.

His passion shined the brightest when volunteering at the PNGA Junior Boys’ Amateur. He found immense joy in administering this championship, thoroughly enjoying the young players who he viewed as the future of the game. He always brought a personal touch that made this championship extra special.

Gary also dedicated himself to the Washington State Golf Association (now going by WA Golf), serving as a Club Representative and a member of its Championship Committee. Acting as a key liaison between the PNGA and WA Golf, Gary played a pivotal role in ensuring excellence at events across Washington and Northern Idaho, including USGA qualifiers. His contributions, particularly his meticulous attention to detail, were legendary.

Gary was instrumental in securing a championship trailer, and then outfitted it to serve as the staff’s office while on the road during the season. With Gary is Troy Andrew in 2002, the first year the trailer was in use.

He gave special attention to the small things that made the championships exceptional, and took immense pride in everything he did, ensuring every aspect of preparation was perfect. From carefully placing the PNGA championship banner to assembling the starter’s tent so that other volunteers and players had everything they needed, and he ensured the championship scoreboards were perfectly aligned and displayed in PNGA colors.

Gary was also instrumental in the creation of the famous PNGA flag display at our championships. One of my fondest memories of Gary was working alongside him to create a new and improved flag display, a project that took place in his garage. Together, we cut the metal poles into 10-foot sections and painted them white. Even now, the thought of those moments brings a smile to my face, and I am proud that the flag display still stands today at every PNGA championship. Gary assured the flags were displayed perfectly at championships, also assuring they were perfectly straight, in alphabetical order, with the host state or province receiving top billing. Nothing escaped Gary’s meticulous eye!

Among his many legacies, he played a pivotal role in helping me secure board approval to purchase our very first championship trailer. When the PNGA acquired this traveling headquarters, it was Gary who took it upon himself to oversee the custom cabinetry and office layout inside, ensuring it met precise specifications, including a special spot for the small refrigerator, where cold drinks awaited staff members at the end of long championship days. Not only that, he personally customized every detail inside to fit our specific needs.

One of the most impactful years Gary had in my life was in 2002. At the time, I found myself without an Assistant Tournament Director and was preparing to hit the road with our new truck and trailer as the sole staff member responsible for administering all PNGA and WA Golf championships, along with USGA qualifiers. Seeing the situation, Gary stepped up and approached me and our Executive Director at the time, John Bodenhamer, and offered his time to accompany me to every championship that summer until I could find additional help.

Remarkably, we not only made it through the summer but successfully administered all the championships and qualifiers. Along the way, we created some incredible memories and forged an even stronger friendship. That year, we also had the invaluable support of Brice Waddell, an exceptional USGA Boatwright Intern. Brice became a vital part of our team, and at the end of the summer, he was hired full-time, going on to serve PNGA and WA Golf in the championship and communications department. We have many incredible volunteers that give countless hours to our association, but I haven’t witnessed anything of this magnitude since 2002!

In 2000, the PNGA Men’s Amateur was held at newly-opened Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. The championship was won by Jeff Quinney, who would also win that year’s U.S. Amateur and be named that year’s PNGA Men’s Player of the Year. Left to right are Troy Andrew, Gary Nieland, Bandon Dunes owner Mike Keiser, and PNGA staff John Saegner Jr.

Accompanied by his family, Gary was honored with the PNGA Distinguished Service Award in 2008, a recognition well-deserved for his immense contributions. But beyond his remarkable contributions, Gary was a kind, thoughtful man with an incredible sense of humor. I will forever cherish the moments we shared and the lessons he taught me.

Thank you, Gary, for everything you have done for the PNGA, for golf in the Pacific Northwest, and for all of us privileged to know you. Your legacy lives on in the championships you nurtured, the friendships you built, and the countless lives you touched. You are, and always will be, the embodiment of the PNGA volunteer spirit.

Rest in peace, my dear friend. You will be missed, but never forgotten!