TOM CUNNINGHAM
Executive Director
email: tomc@jgaa.org

Tom has been a resident of Phoenix for 51 years and a graduate of ASU with a B.S. degree in accounting. Upon graduation from college he entered the field of accounting for a short period of time and was a principal in a property and casualty insurance agency for over 20 years.

He has been a member of the Phoenix Thunderbirds for 25 years, past USGA Junior Amateur Committee member, presently a member of the USGA Regional Associations Committee and Executive Director of the Boys Junior America’s Cup Team Matches.

He has been involved with the Junior Golf Association of Arizona since 1986, as a two year past president of the JGAA Board of Directors and the associations Executive Director since 1994.

SEAN FERRIS
Assistant Executive Director
email: sferris@jgaa.org

Sean has been a resident of Arizona since 1982 and took up the game of golf at age 14 at Bellair Golf Club in Glendale, Arizona. As a junior golfer, he played in the events which now comprise the Junior Golf Association of Arizona.

Upon graduation from Ferris State University with a Professional Golf management degree, he started his career as a PGA golf professional at Desert Mountain Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona. As a Head Professional at courses in California and Arizona, he has always encouraged and supported junior golf programs including being named the home course for the Northern California Junior Golf Association while at Greenhorn Creek Golf Club in Angels Camp, California.

Sean has served junior golf in many capacities over the years including Junior Golf Director for the Southwest Section PGA from 2001 – 2007, President of the Junior Golf Association of Arizona 2003-2007 and was named the “Junior Golf Leader of the Year” by the Southwest Section PGA in 2004.

CHRISTI ATHAS
Tournament Director
email: cathas@jgaa.org

Christi was raised in Eldora, Iowa and has been playing tournament golf since she was eleven. She has played numerous tournaments winning three state high school team and individual championships. Christi was Player of the Year twice for the State of Iowa and has competed in many national tournaments including winning three PGA Jr. Series events, one AJGA event, and one FCWT event.

She qualified for four USGA events; the 2005 Women’s Public Links and Women’s Amateur in which she made it to the round of 32 in both of those championships, the 2006 Women’s Public Links and Women’s Amateur and made it into the first round of match play at the Public Links.

She was on the women’s golf team for four years at Iowa State University and graduated in August 2007 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Sport Management. She won the first collegiate tournament she played in as a freshman and recorded ten top ten finishes throughout her career. She holds the eighteen holes and fifty-four hole score school record for Iowa State. Christi was also on the Big XII All Academic team twice and on the Dean’s list her last semester.

Besides playing golf, Christi has helped with three Iowa State golf camps and three summer clinics for juniors ages eight through fifteen. In both she assisted coaches with teaching instruction and coordinating golf activities for the juniors. She was also involved with Student Athletic Advisory Council where she served as the golf chairperson and was involved with numerous community service projects.

Christi was the USGA P.J. Boatwright Jr. Intern for the JGAA during the summer of 2007 and on completion of the internship the position of Tournament Director was offered to her which she accepted.

CHAUN GROENEVELD
Administrative Assistant
email: chaung@jgaa.org

Chaun has been a resident of Phoenix for 36 years, although moved around the country for several years while her husband was in the Navy. She has 2 grown daughters and is a former JGAA and LPGA*USGA Girls Golf parent. Chaun has been with the JGAA since 2003, starting as part time summer help working into her current position of Administrative Assistant.

KATHY KNADLER
LPGA-USGA Girls Golf
Phoenix Director
email: kknadler@jgaa.org

Kathy was born and raised in Colorado and played in the Colorado Women’s Golf Association junior program. She was the 1986 Colorado State Stroke Play and Match Play Junior Champion and the 1988 Colorado State Amateur Champion.

She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in teaching from the University of Wyoming while competing on the UW Women’s Golf Team. Her collegiate golf accomplishments include two-first place finishes, 3 top ten conference finishes and one year as an Academic All-American.

Kathy was a Physical Education and Health teacher and golf instructor in Northern Colorado prior to moving to Phoenix in 1995. She has served as Director of the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf of Phoenix program since 1997, Secretary of the Junior Golf Association Board of Directors since 1999, has achieved Class A status as a PGA Golf Professional and Class A status as an LPGA Teaching Professional. She is the current developmental programs director for the JGAA.

DONNA STAPLETON
Office Assistant
email: donnas@jgaa.org

Donna joined the JGAA in 2005 working part-time as an office assistant. Prior to employment with the JGAA, Donna enjoyed staying at home raising 3 daughters with her husband John. Junior golf was introduced to Donna’s family 7 years ago when one of her daughters took interest in golf. Today all 3 daughters are members of the USGA*LPGA Girls Golf and JGAA. Her previous work experience includes 12 years of property and casualty insurance. Donna was born and raised in the Phoenix area and briefly resided in California and Nevada.