Publications »Arizona Golf Hall of Fame
Induction Ceremony Information
Donna Cunning (Female Amateur) - Donna did not take up the game of golf until later in life when her kids went off to school. Unbeknownst to her, what developed was a lifelong love affair with the game that continues to grow with this award.
"It is an honor that is beyond my wildest dreams," she said. "I took to the game and it took to me. I feel in love with it, the beauty of the whole thing, the people I met, being outdoors and the creativity that is required. Golf constantly challenges you. It has been so much in my life that I can't put into words what it means."
Her golfing prowess is well established and was named Arizona Senior Golfer of the Year four years in a row. Her titles included multiple championships: Women's Southwestern GA Championship (6);Arizona State Senior Championship (5); and the Moon Valley Club Champion (11). Other key competitions included the USGA Women's Amateur Championship; US Women's Senior Championship, Trans National Women's Amateur Championship; Mexican Women's Amateur Championship and the Broadmoor Women's Invitational. Additionally, she has participated in the National Ladies Club Championship where she was runner up in 1985 and placed fifth in 1986.
Of all of her accomplishments Donna beams with pride when talking about the bond that has grown with her family through golf.
"My whole family plays golf and they even ask Grandma to play," she said. "How lucky can you be, that they don't mind going out to golf with Grandma or have Grandma come down to look at their golf swing at the driving range. There is no age barrier in golf and you speak the same language. That is the thing I have loved about golf."
As much as she says she has received from the game, Donna has enjoyed giving back as evidenced by her strong support of the AWGA, where she has been involved with several of their committees. She was the Rating Chairman for Central District for three years prior to the new rating system, Publicity Chairman for two years, State Junior Girls Championship Chairman and History Committee co-Chair with Evie Hill from 2003 - present.
For the past 20 years, Donna has been employed at PING and was hired as the personal assistant to late Karsten Solheim (Arizona Hall of Fame Inductee in 2000) as a direct result of her golf background and is something that she greatly cherishes.
"When I decided to go back to work, I didn't want to give up being around golf," Cunning said. "It was so perfect to have been around golf by the man that changed golf."
Donna has been married to Jim for 48 years and they have two grown children.
