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Utah Golf Association Names 2025 Service Award Winners

On behalf of the Utah Golf Association (UGA) Board of Directors, Executive Director Easton Folster has announced the 2025 Service Award winners for significant contributions to the success and growth of the game of golf in Utah.

Utah Golf Association Gold Club Award, Mike Bailey

Mike Bailey will be honored at the UGA annual awards banquet early next year as the recipient of the 2025 Gold Club Award, recognizing his extraordinary contributions to the game through leadership, service, and integrity. A former UGA president and USGA Executive Committee member, Bailey has played a pivotal role in modern golf governance, helping revise the World Handicap System, update the Rules of Golf, create the U.S. Adaptive Open, and establish rules for golfers with disabilities. Known as a “steady compass” for the UGA, Bailey’s influence has shaped a culture of stewardship and passion within Utah amateur golf. A member and historian at The Country Club and a respected attorney in Salt Lake City, Bailey credits his accomplishments to opportunity, teamwork, and family support, qualities that make him a fitting honoree for one of Utah golf’s most distinguished awards.

Utah Golf Association Woman of the Year Award, Karen Bruin

The UGA has named Karen Bruin as the recipient of the 2025 UGA Woman of the Year Award, honoring her passion, love and respect for the game, and her role as a leader, friend and inspiration to her peers. Known for her competitive spirit, sharp knowledge of the Rules of Golf, and lively personality, Bruin made every round memorable. “She was very competitive, but she was fun to play with. We laughed and laughed all the time. She had fun golfing; she enjoyed it,” said close friend Karen Gardiner.

Bruin, who passed away in May at age 80, was a longtime member of The Barn Golf Club and Schneiter’s Riverside Golf Course, where she was a club champion, women’s league leader, and captain of The Barn’s traveling team for more than 20 years.

Utah Golf Association Volunteer of the Year, Dave Jenkins

The Utah Golf Association has named Dave Jenkins its 2025 Volunteer of the Year, honoring his exceptional dedication and service to the game. A UGA rules official for nearly a decade, demonstrating the consistency, fairness, and good humor that have made him a fixture at Utah tournaments. A former software engineer from Sandy, Jenkins found his passion for officiating through local golf leagues and quickly became known for his preventive officiating approach, helping players avoid penalties and learn from every experience. Valued for his professionalism, kindness, and storytelling, Jenkins embodies the spirit of volunteerism that sustains the game.

Charles Nibley Excellence in Golf Promotion Honor

Glen Richeson (with his wife Pat) is the recipient of the 2025 Charles Nibley Excellence in Golf Promotion Honor, celebrating his lifelong dedication to the game and his community. Richeson, who passed away this year at age 88, played a pivotal role in transforming Moab Golf Course into an 18-hole destination by leading a community-driven expansion project in the late 1980s. His welcoming spirit helped make Moab a favorite stop for golfers across Utah, inspiring lasting events like the Glen Richeson Steak & Sudsfest tournament. A former football coach and tireless community leader, Richeson secured funding, organized volunteers, and worked side by side with locals to bring his vision to life—never seeking personal credit. As a permanent tribute, a memorial rock will soon be placed between holes 14 and 15, honoring the man whose efforts shaped not only a golf course but also the heart of Moab’s golfing community.