ONTARIO, CALIF. (Dec 16, 2020) – The Southern California PGA Foundation is very pleased to announce that the Southern California PGA Section’s Honorary President, Tony Letendre, PGA, will serve as the next Chairman of the Southern California PGA Foundation, effective on January 1, 2021.
Tony is currently the Assistant General Manager at Dove Canyon Golf Club in Trabuco Canyon, California. A graduate of University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ Hotel Administration program, Tony has been a PGA Member since 2004. Letendre has served on the SCPGA Board of Directors since 2007 and just recently completed his term as President earlier this month.
“I couldn’t be happier to be named the next Chairman of the Southern California PGA Foundation. It has been my honor to serve this Foundation for over ten years. I’ve seen firsthand how this wonderful game can positively impact local youth and I want to see some of the projects we started while I was President of the Section and even before, become reality,” said Tony Letendre, PGA.
Prior to his time at Dove Canyon Golf Club, Letendre served as the Head Professional and Director of Golf at Toscana Country Club and Newport Beach Country Club, respectively, for more than a decade. He has been on the faculty of two accredited golf colleges and was an instructor for The First Tee [Orange County]. His passion for growing the game of golf will prove valuable in his new role.
“Our job is to get people to give it a try. Whether they become the corporate golfer who plays once per year or they become a die-hard weekend warrior, our job is to give them an opportunity to try the game of golf. Our Foundation has done an outstanding job at providing resources and opportunities to those in-need and I am looking forward to lending my support toward these worthy causes,” said Letendre.
“Tony has been a valuable member of our Foundation’s and Section’s Board of Directors for over 13 years and we’re truly fortunate to have him as our next Chairman. He has been instrumental in our success and we can’t wait to provide more support for youth throughout Southern California,” said Foundation Director Matthew Gilson.
Tony succeeds Frank Talarico, Jr., who recently accepted the Chief Executive Officer position with the Pacific Northwest PGA Section in Tumwater, Washington. Frank guided the Southern California PGA Foundation for the past 23 years, starting with his position as Foundation Director in 1997. The Southern California PGA Foundation cannot thank Frank enough for his leadership, guidance, and dedication for over two decades.
“To have been a part of the SCPGA Foundation for twenty-three years, the last four as the Board Chair, is an indescribable privilege. The staff, Section, and our Board has consistently delivered undeniable impact to our community and the game of golf. I have every confidence in Tony’s ability to continue this tradition, and am excited to see what the Foundation does next,” said CEO of Pacific Northwest PGA Frank Talarico, Jr.
Please join us in welcoming Tony Letendre, PGA, as the Chairman of the Southern California PGA Foundation.