-3.png)
Tom Reul, an SCGA member through Briarwood GC, was selected Board President of the Southern California Golf Association, effective Jan. 1, 2027, at its Annual Meeting, held Thursday at Brookside GC. He will succeed Lynne Haraway.
Reul joined the SCGA Board in 2019 as a longtime tournament official. This year marks his 19th year as an SCGA volunteer.
“I am deeply honored, very humbled, and quite hopeful for the future we are going to build together,” Reul said. “I believe in finding joy in the little things, treating people kindly, and leaving places better than you found them. Golf gives you the opportunity to do all three every day.”
Joining Reul as a 2027 SCGA Officer is Board Vice President John Fischer, The Los Angeles CC. Reul will lead a diverse board representing a cross-section of clubs, backgrounds, skills and geography. Also serving on the 2027 board are:
Jorge Badel, PGA, South Bay Public Links GC
Bob Baker, Lakewood GC
Bill Fennessy, Altadena GC
Andy Jones, The Farms
Kathy Kurata, Friendly Hills CC
George Mallory, PGA West Private
Bob Osborn, Old Ranch CC
Carol Sarkissian, Western Hills CC
Laurence Stein, Brentwood CC
and Immediate Past President Lynne Haraway, Wood Ranch GC.
Also honored at the Annual Meeting were:
Service Awards
Bob Livingstone, who received the Lynn Smith Award, is honored for his outstanding contributions and service to amateur golf in Southern California. A former SCPGA Director of Junior Golf, Livingstone was a two-time Big West Coach of the Year during his 15-year tenure as the men’s golf coach at Long Beach State University. He also served as a City of Long Beach Superintendent of Golf Operations, NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Committee member and President of the SCGA (2021). Livingstone has served on the El Dorado Men’s Club Board of Directors since 1985 and is currently in his second stint as a USGA Committee member. He has worked 40 USGA championships and achieved Expert Level certification on the Rules of Golf in 1991. Livingstone was inducted into the Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame in 2001 and has been recognized with lifetime memberships to the SCGA and SCPGA.
Gary Albin, who received the Jim House Award, recognizing the work of an exceptional SCGA volunteer. Albin, who joined the SCGA in 2004, is known by many as “Marine One,” a nickname denoting his 24-year service in the Marines. He achieved Expert Status on the USGA/PGA Rules Exam and has served as a SCGA Rules Chair, one of the highest volunteer distinctions. Ablin has volunteered 100+ days in the tournament field on an annual basis.
Larry Conkings, who received the Newell Pinch Delegate of the Year Award for his service as an active Club Delegate and demonstrated exceptional ability in working as a liaison between his club and the SCGA. Conkings currently serves as President of both the Recreation Park Men’s Golf Club and the Navy Golf Course Golf Club, continuing his legacy of service and leadership within the golf community.
Karen Kiddy, who received the Don Carlson Handicap Chair of the Year Award, recognizing her dedication and leadership in promoting and maintaining the World Handicap System. Beyond her role in the World Handicap System, she has been actively involved with various women’s clubs in leadership roles, including the Anaheim Hills Women’s Golf Club, San Juan Hills Women’s Golf Club and the Women’s Public Links Golf Association.
Player of the Year Awards
Max Emberson was named the 2026 SCGA Player of the Year. He won the 2025 Southern California Junior Amateur Championship, finished runner-up at the 2026 California Amateur Championship and reached match play at both the U.S. Junior Amateur and U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championships.
Maggie Ma was named the 2026 SCGA Women’s Player of the Year. She won the 2026 SoCal Junior Amateur Championship, 2026 California Women’s Amateur Championship and was a quarterfinalist on the national stage at the 2026 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship at just 14 years old.
Tim Hogarth was named the 2026 SCGA Senior Player of the Year. This is his seventh Player of the Year award and further cements his legacy as one of the greatest amateurs in Southern California. He is the reigning Tournament of Club Champions Senior Men’s Division winner and, in 2026, won the 2026 SCGA Senior Four-Ball Championship. He was also a semifinalist at the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship and won the Los Angeles, Long Beach and Pasadena City Senior Championships.
Eunice Cho was named the 2026 SCGA Senior Women's Player of the Year. This year, she won the 2026 SCGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship, SCGA Senior Women’s Match Play Championship and the SCGA Senior Women’s Four-Ball Championship. She also reached the Round of 16 at the 2026 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship.
