PGA of America executive Nikki Gatch became a trustee with the Women’s Southern California Golf Association five years ago. Last month, the group named Gatch its WSCGA Golf Pro of the Year.
The award recognizes a golf professional whose contributions have furthered the WSCGA and the game of golf in the interest of women.
For Gatch, the award resonates deeply because she received the WSCGA’s Gloria Fecht Scholarship after graduating from high school.
“The scholarship supplemented my golf scholarship to Oklahoma State University, and was a huge help to me and my family in support of my education,” Gatch said. “It is quite rewarding to now be able to give back to the association that helped me so much.”
Promoting and growing the game has been job one for Gatch over the 15 years she’s worked in the Southern California golf industry. She currently serves as the PGA of America’s player development regional manager, a position she’s held for a year.
In nine years as assistant executive director of SCPGA, Gatch created junior golf programs, developed PGA professional education, and reached out to potential business partners.
She is a trustee for the WSCGA Foundation, which supports youth golf, focusing on girls’ golf through scholarships and grants and participating in the CIF regional and state high school championships.
“It is my hope that through these great programs, we are able to continue to grow the game for girls and produce lifelong players of the game, and perhaps even get more young women into the golf industry in leadership roles,” Gatch said.
