Michael Block of Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo has earned the Rolex Southern California PGA Player of the Year Award for the fifth consecutive year and the ninth time during his career.
Block collected 1,592.50 points in his 11 events during the year, winning the SCPGA Four-Ball Championship, the SCPGA Section Professional Championship, and playing on the winning squad in the Metro Chapter Team Stableford Championship. He recorded nine other top-five finishes this year.
In addition, Block tied for second in the 122nd California State Open, the PGA Professional Championship and the SCPGA Stroke Play Classic No. 2 after finishing solo second in the SCPGA Stroke Play Classic No. 1.
For good measure, Block shot a career-best score of 58 this year and posted a 4-1 record to help lead the United States to a 15½-10½ victory over Great Britain and Ireland in the 30th PGA Cup at Fox Hills Resort & Club in Surrey, England.
This came after Block claimed six victories in 2021, four titles in 2020, six more in 2019, five in 2018, an incredible nine in 2017, five in 2016, three in 2015, seven in 2014, six in 2013, two in 2012, three in 2009 and two in 2008.
Block, who turned pro in 1998 after graduating from University of Missouri St. Louis, also won the 2001 California State Open and is one six Players of the Year being honored by the SCPGA for 2022.
Dr. Alison Curdt of Wood Ranch Golf Club in Simi Valley claimed her seventh straight Rolex Women’s Player of the Year Award by amassing 261 points in six events, playing on the winning squad in the SCPGA Women’s Division Team Championship and also claiming the SCPGA Women’s Match Play Championship.
Rick Garboski of the Golf Development Complex in Moorpark won his first SCPGA Rolex Senior Player of the Year Award with 806.17 points in 13 events. Garboski won the SCPGA XXIO Laguna Woods Pro-Am and the SCPGA Northern 2-Day this year.
Marianne Huning of Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angles captured the SCPGA Rolex Women’s Senior Player of the Year Award with 200 points by capturing all three events she played in this year—the SCPGA Women’s Senior Match Play Championship, the SCPGA Women’s Section Championship and playing on the winning team in the SCPGA Women’s Division Team Championship.
Ryan Nomura of Spanish Hills Club in Camarillo claimed the SCPGA Rolex APA Player of the Year with 174.75 points in his four events, including a tie for first in the SCPGA Stroke Play Championship and victories in the Northern Chapter Triple Play Championship, the NC Spring Stroke Play and Skins Championship, and the NC Professional Championship.
Paul Wise of Hillcrest Country Club in Los Angeles won his third SCPGA Rolex Super Senior Player of the Year Award with 520 points in 14 events. Wise captured nine events, including the SCPGA Super Senior Match Play Championship, the Senior Division of the SCPGA Players Championship, and the Senior Joe Robinson Memorial. He didn’t finish outside the top four in any of the 14 events.
The Players of the Year will be honored at the 2022 SCPGA Presidents Dinner in Newport Beach on Dec. 11 along with the SCPGA Special Award winners.
