Northwest legend Al Mundle passes; service set for May 6
The Pacific Northwest Section PGA has announced the passing of Al Mundle on March 25, 2023. He was 91.
Al was a remarkable man, a distinguished member of the golf community, and a true gentleman. He left a legacy of dedication and service that will forever be remembered by those who knew him.
Since his career as a PGA professional began in 1957, Mundle had built a strong reputation throughout the Northwest. He is arguably the dean of Oregon teaching pros, and during his career was named teacher of the year five times in the Professional Golfers Association’s five-state Pacific Northwest Section.
Al’s passion for golf was evident throughout his life, and his contributions to the game were significant. He served as the PGA head professional at several of the most distinguished clubs in the Northwest, including Overlake Golf and Country Club in Medina, Wash., Eugene (Ore.) Country Club, and most recently RiverRidge Golf Complex in Eugene, where he spent 17 years before retiring from there in 2010.
His expertise and commitment to excellence were recognized with numerous awards, including the PNW PGA Golf Professional of the Year award in 1974 and 1978, and the Bill Strausbaugh award in 1977, 1981, and 1983. He was inducted into the PNW PGA Hall of Fame in 1989.
Al was heavily involved in PGA Chapter and Section affairs, serving as Section President in 1971-1972, and as the Hall of Fame Committee Chairman for many years into the 1990s.
He was a PGA Century Life Member, and his love for the game extended beyond his professional duties. Al was known for his kindness, generosity, and unfailing support of young golfers, always willing to lend his expertise and encouragement to those starting out in the sport.
Al is most well known as a mentor and instructor to young golfers. For many years he served as assistant coach of the men’s golf team at the University of Oregon (where he himself graduated in 1954), and was the personal coach of 2000 U.S. Amateur Champion Jeff Quinney, who also won the 1998 and 2000 PNGA Men’s Amateur before launching a career on the PGA Tour. Quinney is now the assistant golf coach at the University of Oregon.
If you had a lesson with Mundle, you’ll always remember him, and not just for his ability to reduce a complex endeavor, the golf swing, into its simplest elements, but for his humility, decency, enthusiasm and relentless optimism.
A fine player himself, Al won the 1993 Oregon PGA Seniors’ Championship, three PGA club titles, and been a member of the Senior Hudson Cup team on two occasions.
Al was a great friend to many, and his passing is a profound loss to the golf community and to all who knew him. Anyone who ever met him will tell you he never said a bad word about anyone. He will be missed.
Memorial service to be held for Al Mundle
When: May 6, 2023
Time: 10:00am with reception to follow
Where: Walla Walla Country Club
1390 Country Club Road
Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone: 509.525.1780
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Al’s name to:
The PNWPGA Junior Golf Fund, which is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation, committed to the future of golf by educating juniors and providing them the opportunity to play.
Donations can be made online by clicking here.
Donations can be made by mail at: Pacific Northwest PGA
PO Box 14819
Tumwater, WA 98511
Attention: Junior Golf Fund
