Susan West (Left), Gordon Sargent (Middle Left), John Wright (Middle Right), Mychael O'Berry (Right)
HOOVER, AL (January 6, 2020) – The Alabama Golf Association (AGA) has announced the 2020 AGA Players of the Year. To honor Alabama amateur golfers who performed exceptionally in the preceding tournament season, the AGA identifies award recipients as the number one golfer based on a season-long ranking system.
In 1994, the Men’s Player of the Year Award was established. Throughout time, the award expanded to include Women (2010), Senior Men (2016) and Senior Women (2016), Junior Boys (2017), Junior Girls (2017).
Seven Alabama Men's Players of the Year have competed on the PGA Tour or PGA Tour Champions. Notable past award winners include Garrett Osborn (2000), Patton Kizzire (2003), Bobby Wyatt (2011-2012), Michael Johnson (2013), and Robby Shelton IV (2015). Will Swift (2002, 2005, 2006) and Steve Hudson (2004, 2009, 2010) are tied for the most awards with three apiece.
Complete rankings are available on the Alabama Golf Association website at www.alabamagolf.org.
2020 Alabama Amateur Player of the Year Award Winners
Men’s
Gordon Sargent of Birmingham is a senior at Mountain Brook High School. He won his only AGA start in 2020 – This included his record-breaking performance at the Alabama State Amateur Championship. He made it to the Round of 16 at the North and South Championship, made the cut at the Southern Amateur Championship and also qualified for the U.S. Amateur Championship. Sargent has two career AGA State Titles: Alabama Boys State Junior Championship (2019) and Alabama State Amateur Championship (2020).
“It's a huge honor to be named Alabama Men’s Player of the Year, especially in a year like 2020,” Sargent said. “Very thankful that the AGA put on the State Amateur and other events. It meant a lot to play in them, and it gave me a lot of confidence going into 2021.”
He is the 2019 & 2020 Alabama Boys State Junior Player of the Year, 2020 Alabama Men’s Player of the Year and a verbal commit to Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN.
Women’s
Mychael O’Berry of Hoover is a junior at Auburn University. This is her first 2020 Alabama Women’s Player of the Year. She claimed her only AGA start in 2020 at the 30th Alabama Women’s Stroke Play Championship, finishing 2-under 211. O’Berry advanced to the Round of 64 at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship.
“This means a lot to me, especially considering the year we've all had,” O’Berry said. “I’m thankful that I had the chance to play golf this summer. The AGA has always been so fun to play in, and I've met some of my best friends through it. I'm just super grateful."
Senior Men’s
John Wright of Fairhope is the 2020 Alabama Senior Men’s Player of the Year. He finished second in the 23rd Alabama State Senior Amateur Championship. Also adding to his 2020 AGA tournament season highlights, he finished T7 in the 38th Alabama State Four-Ball Championship and T14 in the Alabama State Amateur. To ring in 2020, Wright claimed victory at the Golfweek Senior Player-of-the-Year Classic. In 1989, Wright won the Alabama State Amateur Championship.
“I’m very honored,” Wright said. “There are a lot of great names on that list in the state of Alabama from over the years, and to be recognized alongside such great players is an honor."
Senior Women’s
Susan West of Tuscaloosa maintained a strong game throughout 2020 to earn 2020 Alabama Senior Women’s Player of the Year. This is her fifth consecutive Senior Women's Player of the Year.
“While it is such an honor to be named Alabama Senior Women's Player of the Year, I'm so grateful that we even got to play this year,” West said. “Very thankful to have played golf period. I am always moved by the relationships that this sport creates and allows for us to develop. I count it a blessing!"
Susan claimed Championship titles for both the 2nd Alabama Women’s State Senior Match Play and the 2nd State Senior Four-Ball. Beyond her success in those events, West finished second at the 47th Alabama Women’s State Senior Amateur Championship. West holds 6 AGA State titles.
Senior Women’s
Susan West of Tuscaloosa maintained a strong game throughout 2020 to earn 2020 Alabama Senior Women’s Player of the Year. This is her fifth consecutive Senior Women's Player of the Year.
“While it is such an honor to be named Alabama Senior Women's Player of the Year, I'm so grateful that we even got to play this year,” West said. “Very thankful to have played golf period. I am always moved by the relationships that this sport creates and allows for us to develop. I count it a blessing!"
Susan claimed Championship titles for both the 2nd Alabama Women’s State Senior Match Play and the 2nd State Senior Four-Ball. Beyond her success in those events, West finished second at the 47th Alabama Women’s State Senior Amateur Championship. West holds 6 AGA State titles.
2020 Junior Players of the Year
Junior Girls
Michaela Morard, 2020, of Huntsville is a graduate of Randolph School in Huntsville and a freshman at The University of Alabama. She won her only AGA start in 2020 – This included her fifth title at the Alabama Girls State Junior Championship surpassing Martha (Jones) Lang for most all-time victories. She followed that performance up with a victory at the Tennessee Women’s Open and advanced to the Round of 64 at the US Women’s Amateur Championship. Morard has nine career AGA State Titles: Alabama Girls State Junior Championship (2015, 2017-2020), Alabama Women’s State Amateur Championship (2019), Alabama Womens Stroke Play Championship (2016, 2018), and the Alabama Women’s Four-Ball Championship (2015 with Michaela Williams). She is the 2020 Alabama Girls State Junior Player of the Year.
Junior Boys
Gordon Sargent (Please see 2020 Alabama Men's Player of the Year biography.)
The Alabama Junior Players of the Year awards are based on Alabama State Junior Golf Rankings. The points accumulated from September 1 thru August 31 of the current year are taken into consideration. The top Boy and Girl in the current year rankings, as of August 31, will be awarded the Alabama State Junior Player of the Year.
Past Alabama Players of the Year Award Winners
Men
1994 - Eric Hamilton
1995 - Patrick Levio
1996 - John Coles
1997 - Eric Hamilton
1998 - Scott Weatherly
1999 - Joey Holley
2000 - Joey Holley
2001 - Talbert Griffin
2002 - Will Swift
2003 - Patton Kizzire
2004 - Steve Hudson
2005 - Will Swift
2006 - Will Swift
2007 - Garrett Osborn
2008 - Talbert Griffin
2009 - Steve Hudson
2010 - Steve Hudson
2011 - Bobby Wyatt
2012 - Bobby Wyatt
2013 - Michael Johnson
2014 - Stewart Jolly
2015 - Robby Shelton IV
2016 - Patrick Martin
2017 - Matt Gourgeot
2018 - Clay Guerin
2019 - William Buhl
Women
2010 - Kathy Hartwiger
2011 - Kathy Hartwiger
2012 - Kathy Hartwiger
2013 - Cammie Gray
2014 - Virginia Green
2015 - Kathy Hartwiger
2016 - Elaine Wood
2017 - Elaine Wood
2018 - Cammie Bentley
2019 - Anna Claire Little
Senior Men
2016 - Steve Hudson
2017 - Steve Hudson
2018 - Claud Cooper
2019 - Robert Nelson
Senior Women
2016 - Susan West
2017 - Susan West
2018 - Susan West
2019 - Susan West
Junior Boys
2017 - Ethan Hagood
2018 - Nick Dunlap
2019 - Gordon Sargent
Junior Girls
2017 - Michaela Morard
2018 - Michaela Morard
2019 - Michaela Morard
About the Alabama Golf Association (AGA)
The Alabama Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization founded in 1915 whose mission is to serve and promote amateur golf in Alabama. AGA membership consists of over 115 member clubs represented by nearly 20,000 individuals. The activities and services of the Alabama Golf Association are governed by a Board of Directors consisting of Alabama golfers who wish to serve the game and the association through service.
AGA is the USGA's liaison for golf in Alabama conducting national championship qualifying, administering the USGA Handicap system including the GHIN Handicap service, course & slope rating and education. The AGA annually conducts 23 championships and team match competitions for men, women, juniors, and seniors. The AGA also conducts Alabama high school golf championships and assists with many collegiate events including the SEC Men's Golf Championship. In addition to competitions, the AGA administers the AGA Women's Scholarship Fund that is dedicated to assisting young female golfers in higher education and supports the Alabama Turfgrass Research Foundation.
Since 1980, the AGA has managed the affairs of the Southern Golf Association which includes conducting the Southern Amateur Championship and Southern Junior Championship, in conjunction with the Board of Directors of the Southern Golf Association.
For more information about the Alabama Golf Association, visit www.alabamagolf.org.
AGA is the USGA's liaison for golf in Alabama conducting national championship qualifying, administering the USGA Handicap system including the GHIN Handicap service, course & slope rating and education. The AGA annually conducts 23 championships and team match competitions for men, women, juniors, and seniors. The AGA also conducts Alabama high school golf championships and assists with many collegiate events including the SEC Men's Golf Championship. In addition to competitions, the AGA administers the AGA Women's Scholarship Fund that is dedicated to assisting young female golfers in higher education and supports the Alabama Turfgrass Research Foundation.
Since 1980, the AGA has managed the affairs of the Southern Golf Association which includes conducting the Southern Amateur Championship and Southern Junior Championship, in conjunction with the Board of Directors of the Southern Golf Association.
For more information about the Alabama Golf Association, visit www.alabamagolf.org.
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Media Contact:
Audrey Ferguson
AGA Communications
205-803-6524
audrey@alabamagolf.org
