Pacific Northwest Golf Association and Pacific Northwest Section PGA to Induct Five at Joint Hall of Fame Ceremony
Tacoma, Wash. – For the eighth time in Northwest golf history, the Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA) and the Pacific Northwest Section PGA (PNWPGA) will conduct a joint Hall of Fame ceremony to honor inductees from each organization. This combined Pacific Northwest Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held at Inglewood Golf Club in Kenmore, Wash. on April 18, 2026.
Being inducted this year for the PNGA are Craig Doell of Victoria, B.C., and Erik Hanson of Kirkland, Wash. The PNWPGA will be inducting Jeff Ellison of Olympia, Wash.; Sean Fredrickson of Lake Oswego, Ore.; and Bill Porter of Moses Lake, Wash.
The induction ceremony is open to the public. Click here to purchase tickets.
The respective Halls of Fame recognize those who have distinguished themselves through outstanding playing accomplishments as well as contributions to the game in the region.
“The PNGA and Pacific Northwest Section of the PGA have the privilege to honor individuals every two years at a joint Hall of Fame Induction dinner,” said PNGA President Michael Cook. “PGA Professionals are recognized for their contributions and long-term dedication to the game of golf and the PNGA individuals for their competitive accomplishments in the Northwest and nationally. It is an honor to recognize all the Hall of Fame inductees in the Pacific Northwest for 2026.”
Chris Nowlen, PNWPGA president and PGA general manager/director of golf at Missoula (Mont.) Country Club, said, “It is truly an honor to collaborate on this Hall of Fame induction ceremony, an event that continues to strengthen the relationship between our two organizations while giving us the opportunity to recognize the superstars of the game who came before us. We owe a great debt of gratitude to these leaders for their dedication and devotion to both the game and the business of golf. On behalf of the Members, Associates, and staff of the Pacific Northwest Section of the PGA of America, thank you for your service, and welcome to the Hall of Fame.”
Craig Doell first picked up a club at age six. He would go on to become the most successful left-handed amateur golfer in all of Canada, forging a golf career that includes wins in the 1999 and 2004 PNGA Men’s Mid-Amateur championships, as well as three victories apiece in both the BC Men’s Mid-Amateur and Mid-Master. He finished third in the 2003 Pacific Coast Amateur, and was named to 13 Morse Cup teams over the years at that championship. He was also named to the PNGA Lamey Cup 15 times. He was selected to Canada’s World Amateur team in 2004, and was a member of the Canadian National Team in 2004-2005. Being selected to more than 24 provincial and national teams, he competed in Argentina, Peru, Costa Rica, Mexico, New Zealand, and throughout the U.S. He won the 2002 Peru International Amateur. Doell was inducted into the Golf Hall of Fame of BC in 2023. Click here to view his full list of accomplishments and bio.
Jeff Ellison, PGA, devoted his career to strengthening the Pacific Northwest Section through leadership, member-centered service, and collaboration. A PGA of America member since 1986, Ellison served for 30 years at the Pacific Northwest Section office, first as Director of Tournament Operations (1990-2004) and then as Executive Direction and CEO (2004-2020). During his tenure on staff, he received the Perry Williams Award three times (1994, 2003, 2020) for his dedication and service to the Rules of Golf, conducting Rules of Golf workshops for over 15 years; served four years on the National PGA Tournament Committee; and served two years on the National PGA Executive Director Committee. Ellison modernized the Special Awards process and expanded growth-of-the-game initiatives, including Yamaha Player Development Grants and the Section’s role as a pilot for Drive, Chip and Putt.
Sean Fredrickson, PGA, is remembered as a transformative leader whose service, integrity, and unwavering commitment to others left an enduring mark on the Pacific Northwest PGA. A PGA member from 2002-2020, Fredrickson dedicated nearly two decades to advancing the game through exemplary leadership at private clubs throughout the region, including Oswego Lake Country Club, Tualatin Country Club, The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club, and Columbia Edgewater Country Club. From 2007-2016, Fredrickson served on the Oregon Chapter PGA Board of Directors, including as president in 2015-2016. He then served on the Pacific Northwest Section Board of Directors from 2016–2020, including as president during one of the most challenging periods in the Section’s history, guiding the organization through a CEO transition, and then through the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. He was named the Oregon Chapter’s Golf Professional of the Year in 2019, a year in which he also earned the Chapter’s Merchandiser of the Year award.
During a decade-long career as a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball, including for the Seattle Mariners, Erik Hanson picked up the game of golf as a hobby, and would eventually build a post-baseball golf career that includes 12 combined PNGA and WA Golf championship titles, including four wins in the PNGA Master-40 Amateur. He excelled in every age group he competed in, and in 2022 was named the PNGA Senior Men’s Player of the Year. He would also qualify for 17 USGA national championships, including the 2015 U.S. Senior Open. Hanson has earned a roster spot in 13 PNGA Lamey Cups, and a combined 22 Hudson and Senior Hudson Cup teams. Competing against the region’s PGA professionals, he won the 2004 Northwest Open, 2005 Oregon Open, the 2024 Senior Washington Open, and finished second in the Washington Open three times. Click here to view his full list of accomplishments and bio.
Bill Porter, PGA, developed his game early, playing one year of collegiate golf at the University of Oregon before turning professional in 1980. A PGA of America member since 1992, Porter qualified for the Ben Hogan Tour (now known as the Korn Ferry Tour) in 1991. From 1992 to 1996, he competed on both the Ben Hogan Tour and the PGA TOUR, winning the Nike Louisiana Open on the Ben Hogan Tour, and recording his best finish on the PGA TOUR with a tie for 11th at the 1995 Deposit Guaranty Golf Classic. In addition to his tour success, Porter won multiple Section major championships, including three Northwest Opens, three Oregon Opens, the Rosauers Open, the PNW PGA Championship, and the Washington Open. Since 2003, Bill has served as the head golf professional and director of golf at The Links at Moses Pointe in his hometown of Moses Lake.
The PNGA and PNWPGA each have their own respective Halls of Fame, with the PNGA honoring the amateurs and the PNWPGA honoring the PGA Professionals. The PNGA established their Hall of Fame in 1978, and it currently has 75 amateur golfers as members. Click here to view a complete list of inductees and a full list of their accomplishments. The PNWPGA established their Hall of Fame in 1981, and it currently has 59 members. Click here to view a complete list of inductees and their bios.
The PNGA and PNWPGA will continue to have a separate selection process for inductees into their respective Halls. However, members of both Halls will someday be showcased together as one combined display at the future Northwest Golf House, which will be located at The Home Course in DuPont, Wash.
About the Pacific Northwest Section PGA
The Pacific Northwest Section is one of the 41 geographically separated districts which make up the Professional Golfers’ Association of America. The Section provides services for the PGA golf professionals throughout the Northwest, and is divided into five chapters: Western Washington, Central Washington, Inland Empire, Western Montana, and Oregon. The Pacific Northwest Section is the largest in the country geographically, and with over 1,100 members, apprentices, and novices, ranks sixth in the number of golf professionals. Its membership is a group of professionals dedicated to making golf a better game. They are the club professionals throughout the Northwest who are responsible for the day-to-day activities at the many facilities throughout the Section. They are the driving force behind growing the game through programs like Drive Chip and Putt and PGA Jr. League. Visit pnwpga.com for more information.
About the Pacific Northwest Golf Association
The PNGA was founded on February 4, 1899. It is a 501c3 charitable, international, amateur golf association dedicated to preserving the true spirit of golf by supporting its member associations, conducting quality championships, providing support, promoting benefits and activities beneficial to golfers in the Pacific Northwest. Its member associations include the state or provincial golf associations of Alaska, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. For 127 years the Association has remained committed to being a truly regional organization. For more information visit thepnga.org.
