Divot Digest
2026 HOHOKAM INVITATIONAL PARTEE FORE THE USA
TONTO VERDE GOLF CLUB
MARCH 10TH, 2026
in this ISSUE
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FROM THE CLUB PRESIDENT TODD HALL FROM THE DIRECTOR OF GOLF JEFF OSTLUND TODD HALL JEFF OSTLUND
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STROKE PLAY CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP STROKE PLAY CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
TITLEIST - BALL PROMOTION
CALLAWAY - BALL PROMOTION
HANDICAP COMMITTEE
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TONTO TRAVEL - MEN ’ S TRIP TONTO TRAVEL - MEN’S TRIP
MGA
WGA
LNGA
LADY PUTTERS
FROM THE CLUB PRESIDENT TODD HALL
Our ladies just completed a very successful HoHoKam and I’d like to thank the entire staff for having our courses in top shape and making our guests feel welcome and special. Congratulations to all the flight winners and to the 2026 HoHoKam Champions Marsha Heitzman and her guest Trish Swanson. As we move into March and the warmer days of spring approach, we’ll be welcoming family and friends to Tonto Verde for Easter and Spring Break. We want everyone to enjoy their time here, be safe, and enjoy some golf. Let’s all embrace the lively atmosphere while maintaining the courtesy and pace of play that define our Club. The best way you can help your guests do that is to assure they are aware of our rules and expectations. No one is allowed to be on the golf courses unless they have registered to play with the Golf Shop; the cart paths on the courses are not walking paths and no pets are allowed on the courses. Our dress code, expectations for golf facilities, and pet policy, can be found here by clicking on the links. Also, please be a role model and explain to your guests about the use of the entry and exit gates, no driving carts in the rough, filling divots in the fairways, raking bunkers, and fixing all pitch marks on the greens. I hope you enjoy your time with family and friends and they experience the best of Tonto Verde.
This past week was a highlight. I spent quality time with great company, played a few memorable rounds of golf, and got to know eight fellow TVGC members much better during the Tonto Travel men’s trip to Wickenburg. If you’ve never joined one of the Tonto Travel trips that Somin Beversdorf coordinates, you’re truly missing out on something special. These outings are always first-class featuring outstanding golf courses, delicious meals, excellent accommodations and genuine camaraderie. I highly recommend signing up for a future trip. I’m confident Somin has some exciting Tonto Travel adventures lined up for the 2026–27 golf season. Don’t miss your chance to experience it! Mark your calendars for the TVGC annual meeting at the Church of the Verdes beginning at 3:00 pm on Thursday, April 9 to be followed by a reception, for those that attend the meeting, at the Tonto Verde clubhouse. th Thank you all for your continued support and for being such wonderful members of the Tonto Verde Golf Club family. Todd Hall, TVGC President Todd Hall
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FROM THE DIRECTOR OF GOLF JEFF OSTLUND
RANDOM BUT NOTEWORTHY Upcoming Demo Day:
ForeTees registration is open for the Men’s & Women’s Stroke Play Club Championships scheduled for Tuesday, March 31 on the Ranch Course and Thursday, April 2 on the Peaks Course. Each flight will have gross and net winners except for the Men’s Senior Championship Flight (age 70+; gross only competition from the white tees). See the flier below for more details. st nd Members not playing in the Desert Classic next week should be aware that Open Shotguns are the primary option for play 3/19 through 3/21. Sign up under the “Events” tab on ForeTees for any of the following: Thursday 3/19 – 8am Open Shotguns (both courses) Friday 3/20 – 8am Open Shotguns (both courses) Saturday 3/21 – 12pm Open Shotgun (Ranch Course) Afternoon tee times are also available on the Peaks Course on 3/21 starting at 1:00pm.
Friday, March 7th: Callaway, Srixon, XXIO & Cobra (10am-2pm) Sign up for an appointment on the ForeTees app or in the Golf Shop if you’re interested in a focused fitting with any of these club companies. The first tee time of the day will move earlier to 7:09am starting Sunday 3/15. The Golf Shop hours will adjust to be open from 6:30am-5:00pm on a daily basis. Titleist and Callaway have their Loyalty Rewards promotions (Buy 3 Dozen, Get 1 Dozen Free) going on right now. These promotions only apply to their premium ball lines and must be ordered through the Club Central app or through a member of our golf staff. The Early Morning Play Policy remains in effect for those of you that enjoy chasing the dew off the course. We ask that the lead group adhere to a 3.5 hour pace or skip completely around the maintenance crew so as not to interfere with their prep work.
Until next time, fairways and greens!
Jeff Ostlund, Director of Golf Jeff Ostlund
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STROKE PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
TUESDAY, MARCH 31ST ON RANCH THURSDAY, APRIL 2ND ON PEAKS $40 ENTRY PER PLAYER. DOUBLE TEE START BOTH DAYS. SIGN UP NOW ON FORETEES.
REWARD PASSWORD: LOYALTY26
PURCHASE ANY 3 DOZEN PERSONALIZED CHROME BALLS AND RECEIVE A FOURTH DOZEN FREE
HANDICAP COMMITTEE
Peer review is normally conducted by someone playing in the same group during a round, or by someone who has knowledge of a player’s demonstrated ability and can reasonably verify or challenge the player’s Handicap Index. To facilitate the process of peer review, scores must be posted as soon as possible after completion of the round. Challenges and disputes should be raised with the player and/or reported to the Handicap Committee of the golf club where the player is a member for consideration. (Rule 4.4, Rules of Handicapping) We recommend that players review, weekly, their own Peer Review Report.
For those of you playing in the Desert Classic and Hohokam, note that rounds are postable. Participants should check their Peer Review Report after play is completed. You will see that these rounds are listed and the report will reflect whether scores were posted. Here are links to Peer Review Report instructions: via cell phone and via website. PER THE USGA: Peer review is the process by which either a player’s score or Handicap Index can be confirmed or challenged. While the Handicap Index calculation has built in safeguards to protect against handicap manipulation, the human element is equally important to ensure fair play.
PHOTO CRED TO PRESTON LUMAN
MGA
Plan to attend the MGA Annual Awards Banquet & Golf Event, which is scheduled for Wednesday, April 22nd, after completion of the MGA Cup final round. Whether or not part of the MGA Cup Event, all members are invited to attend the Annual Awards Banquet & Meeting. All members that might be included in the MGA Cup event and anyone wanting to attend the Annual Awards Banquet & Meeting must sign up on the TVA member website: Event Registration/Lifestyle/April 22/MGA AWARDS BANQUET & GOLF tab. Once identified, the 88 MGA Cup qualifiers will be registered automatically for the golf event and dinner by the Golf Shop. The MGA will pay $30 of the meal cost for all dues- paying members attending this special dinner. The subsidy will be paid from your general dues funds, so sign up and come out early and enjoy the shootout and a very special dinner event. Jon Lynch, MGA Communication Jon Lynch
This year’s Member/Member event was held on February 23 & 25. A field of 160 players was divided into 10 flights with generous payouts for each flight. The team of Alex Stamey & Don Longe were the Overall Gross winners with Chris Ward & Dave Lage taking Overall Net honors. All the results are posted on the member website under Results/MGA. rd th Reminders: MGA monthly meeting/breakfast/golf event on March 25. Registration is open now, so sign up if you want to play. Details are on the website under Golf Event Registration th Registration is also open for our Game Day Event on April 8th, which is our last event of the season before the MGA Cup, which begins on April 15th. Be sure to check the updated MGAC point standings on the member website or with the Foretees app. Tap on “Golf Leagues” - “Results” and within the Men’s Golf Association, click on the “MGA CUP Spreadsheet“. This year’s field will again be comprised of the top 88 point getters, including ties, who will compete in the MGA CUP flighted finals. The purse is $10,000 again, with each participant awarded a cash prize. The games will take place on April 15th & April 22 , with dinner and awards following the final round at the MGA Annual Meeting. nd
WGA
Congratulations to all the participants and flight winners for the 4 Member Event held February 10 and 12 . Taking home the overall award with an amazing score of -32 was the team of Melanie Smith, Judy Knudsvig, Carol Wallman and Debi Tompkins. th th
The Hohokam Invitational “ParTee FORE the USA!” was very well attended with 50 teams participating.We truly appreciate Chair Claudia Pilot, her committees and volunteers, as well as Matt McKovich, Donnie Oslund, the proshop and outside staff, sponsors and the food service staff. Thank you for all your time and work resulting in this wonderful and fun event for the WGA!
Upcoming events:
Game day and breakfast meeting on March 10 with 8:30 am breakfast/business meeting followed by golf at 10am. th Past President Luncheon is set for April 8 . th Women’s Stroke Play Club Championship will be held Tuesday March 31 and Thursday April 2 . st nd WGA cup dates are April 14 and 21 . WGA closing day and award dinner will be held April 21 . th st st This season is speeding by way too quickly but there are a lot of weekly events remaining for your participation Viki Wilds, WGA Communication Viki Wilds
The Tonto Verde Roadrunner Interclub team finished its season capturing the low net trophy at Blackstone Country Club on February 16. Eight teams compete in a stroke play format of best gross and best net score accumulating over the season. Great playing ladies! Robin Cole and Sandy Queen are captains of the team. Sonoran and Cactus Interclub teams will complete their final matches in April. th Cheers to Judy Sevier for the wonderful eagle on Ranch No. 3 on February 19! Playing partners Camille Larson, Wendy Anton and Kathleen Stroh witnessed her final 85 yard shot to the hole. th
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LNGA
The Lady Niners got off to a fast start in February with the Annual East vs. West Event. Matt Tolan enters the results of the competition, showing that the East (Blue) bested the West (Red).There was quite a turnout as many braved the somewhat chilly air. Even so, a good time was had by all and was finished off with another fine meal from our wonderful culinary staff.
The next event, before the closing ceremony, will be the Member/Member, which will be held on March 10, 2026. This year’s theme is Power Women, and players are invited to dress as their favorite Power Woman, whether she be athletic, musical, artistic, political, etc. The Lady Niners applaud the unique ways our ladies put the themes/decorations/games together to make our golfing experience even more fun. A Big Thank You to Event Chairs and Event Assistants for your hard work in the preparation of all the events we have had since the beginning of the season. Don’t forget to sign up for the LNGA Academy, this month will focus on putting. REMEMBER TO RECORD YOUR SCORES IN GHIN
Following the East vs. West event was the ever-popular LNGA/WGA mixer. This year’s theme coincided with the 2026 Olympics as the participants were dressed in their red, white, and blue. Decorations of country flags, both in the air and on the tables, welcomed the contestants after the competition. Realistic podiums and medals of gold, silver, and bronze rounded out the event.
Carol Noonan, LNGA Communication
Carol Noonan
LADY PUTTERS
The weather has been good so far this season for Lady Putters and for the 18-Hole putting course, which has seen lots of activity from members, grandparents, and grandchildren over the Spring break. Love, kisses, hearts, and chocolate were in abundance on Feb 11th when Lady Putters celebrated Valentine’s Day with their annual “Love on the Green” putting competition, followed by a sumptuous lunch and a guest speaker from Sunshine Acres. On March 11th, Lady Putters will again rise to the challenge with our own celebration of 250 Years of America. We expect to see
lots of Red, White and Blue; there are prizes to be won and surprises galore! While Putting sign-up and announcements are scheduled for 10.00am, as usual, we will be toasting America before putting so members and guests are encouraged to come early to kick off the celebrations before they hit the putting course. Raffle tickets will be on sale with proceeds going to a superbly worthy cause-Sunshine Acres Children’s Home in Mesa – so bring money, big smiles, putters and expect to have lots of fun. Bring a guest!
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