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Derek Gutierrez, PGA
Director of Golf / General Manager, Santa Ana Golf Club, Inc.
Sun Country Section PGA 2024 "Bill Strausbaugh Award"Derek Gutierrez, a Native New Mexican, has been with Santa Ana Golf Club, Inc.on the Santa Ana Pueblo for over twenty years and has served in the capacity of assistant golf professional, tournament director and head golf professional at Twin Warriors Golf Club from 2004 – 2013. Derek was promoted to the position of director of golf operations at Santa Ana Golf Club, Inc. in June of 2013 and his duties include overseeing both golf facilities and three restaurants; Prairie Star Restaurant, Wind Dancer Bar and Grill at SAGC, and Atush Grill at Twin Warriors. Elected to membership in the PGA of America in May of 2004 following graduation from the PGA of America’s Professional Golf Management Program, Derek received the prestigious Acushnet Scholarship in that same year recognizing the nation’s top PGA PGM graduates.
As one of the first two graduates of the PGA PGM Program in the state to reach the status of head golf professional, Derek has an extensive background in tournament operations and served on several committees that organized many high profile events such as the 2003 and 2009 PGA Club Professional Championship, Nike Tour and Buy.com events, 1996, 2003 and 2010 NM Open, and the 1999 USGA Women’s’ Amateur Public Links Championship. He currently serves on the Sun Country Section PGA Board of Directors as past-president. Derek has served on the PGA of America’s National Committee for Inclusion which is dedicated to attracting more minorities and women to the PGA of America. Additionally, Derek was installed as PGA of America District 12 Board Director on November 4, 2021, and served until November 2024. He and the entire team at Santa Ana Golf Club, Twin Warriors Club, Prairie Star Restaurant, Wind Dancer Bar and Grill, and Atush Grill are committed to providing a memorable experience for all of our patrons and look forward to seeing you on our fairways and greens very soon!
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Pat Murphy, PGA
Head Golf Professional
Pat Murphy grew up in the East Bay of California, where he learned to love golf, thanks to his parents. This love transferred to school at NMSU in 2004, where he pursued a degree in Professional Golf Management. Internships included Poppy Ridge Golf Course, Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, and Picacho Hills Country Club. A move to Albuquerque landed him with Outside Services at Twin Warriors in 2011. Soon thereafter, he moved to Santa Ana in a full-time golf assistant role, then Tournament Coordinator, and subsequently back to Twin Warriors as Tournament Director. In preparation for the retirement of long-time Head Professional Dave Brown, his final move was back to Santa Ana as Tournament Coordinator. Pat assumed the position of head professional in May of 2023.Pat was elected to the PGA in 2009 and currently serves on the Sun Country PGA Board as the At-Large Director, while chairing the Education Committee.
Pat always wants everyone to have a fun time, so come out and have a good time with friends or make some new ones.
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Scott Pilgreen, GSA
Head Golf Course Superintendent
Santa Ana Golf Club/Twin Warriors Golf Club -
Sandy Lemon, PGA & LPGA
Corporate Director of Instruction
Sandy Lemon, director of instruction for both Twin Warriors and Santa Ana, is a PGA and LPGA Professional who has specialized in teaching for over 30 years. Sandy has just been named 2024 Sun Country Section PGA "Jack Harwick Teacher of the Year".
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Jacob Sanchez, PGA
1st Assistant/ Tournament Coordinator
2024 Sun Country Section PGA "Assistant of the Year"
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Kika Torrez, PGA Affiliate
Golf Assistant -
Jonathan Beck, PGA Associate
Golf Assistant
"Here to empower golfers of all skill levels to reach their full potential by providing personalized, insightful instruction that emphasizes technique, strategy, and enjoyment. I am committed to fostering a supportive environment where each student can build confidence, achieve their goals, and develop a lifelong passion for the game of golf." -
Leandro Chavez
Outside Services Supervisor
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Shop Staff:
Alex Moores, Golf Assistant | John Maguire | Ethan Mahan
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Starters:
Nuey Johnson | Doug Johnston
Administration
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Sona Herrick
CFO, Santa Ana Golf Club, Inc.
Sona Herrick joined Santa Ana Golf Club in 2021, first managing the HR department, and then to Finance Manager. In late 2024 Sona was promoted to CFO. She was born and raised in Los Alamos, New Mexico and graduated from UNM with her Accounting Degree in 1982. After graduating college, she moved to Durango, Colorado where she lived for 25 years. She worked as the Controller, then Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Purgatory Ski Resort for nine years. After leaving Purgatory, she worked as the Controller for Bula, Inc., a ski headwear and apparel manufacturer and official supplier to the U.S Ski Team, and then as Controller for a local real estate company.
In 2007 she re-united with her high school heart throb, they married, and she moved to Carlsbad, NM where he worked for Sandia National Laboratory. She went to work for Nuclear Waste Partnership, LLC as the Senior Project Analyst for the Environmental Compliance Division of the WIPP Project, then transferring to the Accounting Department as the Standard Ledger Accountant. In 2017 her husband was transferred back to Albuquerque and they happily landed in Placitas.
In all her positions, she managed Human Resource requirements, often overseeing the HR functions of the organization. She enjoys working with employees and navigating the many facets of human resource management.When not at work, her husband and her enjoy kayaking/rafting, hiking, tennis, and of course, golf. She hopes to improve her golf game being employed by a golf course. While her score has not improved much since she started playing in the 80s, she now counts every stroke. Next goal, improve the handicap.
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Felicia Tavenner
Human Resources Manager, Santa Ana Golf Club, Inc.
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Micah Jones
Executive Assistant / Web Manager, Santa Ana Golf Club, Inc.
Micah first came to work on the Santa Ana Golf Club property in 1999 as an administrative assistant with the Sun Country Section PGA, which was housed on the golf club. After a six-year stint with the PGA, Micah was hired as an administrative assistant and benefits administrator for the golf corporation, moving just across the lawn to her new office in 2005. She is now executive assistant to Derek Gutierrez, assists with all four departments of the corporation and serves the SAGC, Inc. Board of Directors. Micah also serves as the web and social media manager and assists with corporate marketing.
Micah grew up in Dumas, TX and moved to Albuquerque in 1986, enrolling at UNM. She worked in the food and beverage industry in sales, service and management while attending the university, so she brings both F&B experience and PGA of America experience to the corporation. Micah graduated Magna Cum Laude in General Honors, with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Psychology, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa membership and has completed the majority of work towards a Masters in Education with a Training & Learning Technology focus. Micah loves to hike with her dog and cook, and loves social media, even on her off time.
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Santa Ana Golf Club, Inc. Board of Directors
- Jay Garcia, Chairman
- Joey Sanchez, Vice-Chairman
- Jeremy Armijo, Secretary
- Kevin Montoya, Director
- Larry Pasqual, Director
- Joey Sanchez, Vice-Chairman
- Jay Garcia, Chairman