Junior Golf Association of Arizona announced that Executive Director Tom Cunningham has decided to retire at year’s end.  One of Arizona’s most influential people in the golf industry, Cunningham served as Executive Director of JGAA for nearly 20 years, where he was instrumental in increasing the JGAA’s membership base, fundraising and introducing and supporting new programs including the LPGA*USGA Girls Golf program from its inception, the JGAA Boys Club introductory program among others and expanding the influence of the JGAA beyond the borders of Arizona.

”My mission for the past two decades has been to ensure that we strongly support the etiquette, discipline and respect within the game of golf, while making golf accessible and affordable to kids and their families,” said Cunningham.  “I’m confident that this work will continue with the board’s leadership and the direction of Scott McNevin as the new executive director to chart the organization’s course in the coming years.”

JGAA has appointed Scott McNevin as Cunningham’s successor as Executive Director. Cunningham has assisted with and will help ensure a smooth transition into this role.  “McNevin is well-positioned to lead the JGAA.  Additionally, his decisive leadership and experience have led him to be highly respected amongst the organization, the golf industry and the members,” said Jeff Reich, president of the JGAA volunteer board of directors. 

“This is a tremendous opportunity to be influential in golf and to continue the growth of this great organization and to implement new programs for junior golfers of all ages and skill levels,” said Scott McNevin.

McNevin will take the helms as Executive Director of the Junior Golf Association of Arizona effective as of January 1, 2014 and will oversee 1,100 junior golfers and interact with more than 3,000 Arizona youth annually. Since joining the JGAA in 2010 as the Assistant Executive Director of the JGAA, he has been pivotal in propelling its mission to restore etiquette and discipline for kids at all skills levels in the game of golf.

Prior, Scott was the Director of Rules and Competitions with the Arizona Golf Association responsible for conducting AGA Championships, tournaments and seminars.

In 2004, he worked for the American Junior Golf Association as a Tournament Director and overseeing fifteen national junior golf events. Scott holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Minor in Business from the University of Oregon. His career started with Peter Jacobsen Productions and the American Junior Golf Association which lead him down the path of pursuing his passion of golf and making it a career.

When not on the golf course Scott enjoys spending time with family, traveling and cheering for the Oregon Ducks.