This article originally appeared in the spring-summer 2018 edition of the Arizona Golf Association's AZ Golf Insider magazine.
By John Davis
Tina Tombs said she "almost fell over" when she was informed that she had won the Dr. Ed Updegraff Award, named after a man she considers the epitome of what Arizona golf represents.
But Tombs has carried on the same traditions of and passions for the game that Updegraff displayed through her own career as an amateur and tour pro, and now as one of the country's top instructors at Arizona Biltmore Golf Club.
"I can't even begin to tell you how meaningful this is," said Tombs, who received the award during the Arizona Golf Association's Annual Meeting at Phoenix Country Club in mid-February.
"For me to even be considered for the award is unbelievable. Low scores and a beautiful swing are great accomplishments, but what sets people like Dr. Updegraff apart is his love for the game, his spirit for the game, the way he played, the way he competed the right way. It's such an honor to receive an award that represents the foundation of what I believe and what I try to give back to the game."
Tombs, who was born in Montreal but moved to Phoenix in 1980, also has left a mark on the game.
As a two-time All-American at Arizona State, Tombs was listed by Golf Digest as one of the top 10 amateurs in the world, and was inducted into the ASU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006. She spent 14 seasons on the LPGA Tour, where she won the Jamie Farr Classic in 1990.
Tombs was named national teacher of the year in 2014 and in 2015 received the Marilynn Smith Award "for service in the spirit of Marilynn Smith." Smith, of course, was one of the LPGA's founding members.
"This is home," Tombs said of her love for Phoenix and Arizona. "It's where my daughters were born and where I have lived for 40 years. Everything that I am is because of golf in Arizona and that's why this means so much.
"As far as my passion for golf and passion to help people to enjoy the game and really enjoy life, I don't think I would have any of that within me if not for Arizona golf."
By John Davis
Tina Tombs said she "almost fell over" when she was informed that she had won the Dr. Ed Updegraff Award, named after a man she considers the epitome of what Arizona golf represents.
But Tombs has carried on the same traditions of and passions for the game that Updegraff displayed through her own career as an amateur and tour pro, and now as one of the country's top instructors at Arizona Biltmore Golf Club.
"I can't even begin to tell you how meaningful this is," said Tombs, who received the award during the Arizona Golf Association's Annual Meeting at Phoenix Country Club in mid-February.
"For me to even be considered for the award is unbelievable. Low scores and a beautiful swing are great accomplishments, but what sets people like Dr. Updegraff apart is his love for the game, his spirit for the game, the way he played, the way he competed the right way. It's such an honor to receive an award that represents the foundation of what I believe and what I try to give back to the game."
Tombs, who was born in Montreal but moved to Phoenix in 1980, also has left a mark on the game.
As a two-time All-American at Arizona State, Tombs was listed by Golf Digest as one of the top 10 amateurs in the world, and was inducted into the ASU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006. She spent 14 seasons on the LPGA Tour, where she won the Jamie Farr Classic in 1990.
Tombs was named national teacher of the year in 2014 and in 2015 received the Marilynn Smith Award "for service in the spirit of Marilynn Smith." Smith, of course, was one of the LPGA's founding members.
"This is home," Tombs said of her love for Phoenix and Arizona. "It's where my daughters were born and where I have lived for 40 years. Everything that I am is because of golf in Arizona and that's why this means so much.
"As far as my passion for golf and passion to help people to enjoy the game and really enjoy life, I don't think I would have any of that within me if not for Arizona golf."