THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE · ELECTED NOV 2025

FIVE MEMBERS. ONE MISSION.

The HMGA Advisory Committee exists to elevate the men's golf experience at Hiwan — through collaboration, communication, and coordination between members and club leadership. The Hud Dean Cup is the biggest event we help run, but it's only part of the calendar we steward.

MISSION

Grow the game. Strengthen the community.

Grow participation, enjoyment, and camaraderie in men's golf at Hiwan by organizing competitive and social events, strengthening communication with the club, and creating an inclusive environment that reflects the values and traditions of Hiwan Golf Club.

VISION

A welcoming golf community for every skill level.

Cultivate a Hiwan men's golf experience where players of all skill levels connect, grow, and thrive — on and off the course. Build traditions that last and make sure members feel connected to both the events and the community.

FOSTER COMMUNITY

Create opportunities for members to build meaningful relationships through shared experiences, camaraderie, and the spirit of the game.

PROMOTE GROWTH

Encourage players to challenge themselves and improve through competitive and recreational play — golf is a lifelong journey.

ELEVATE EXPERIENCE

Continuously enhance the professionalism, quality, and enjoyment of HMGA events to deliver exceptional value and memorable moments.

COMMITTEE CHARTER

HOW WE OPERATE

01 · PURPOSE

Why the committee exists

Provide structure and continuity to member events, support professional staff in planning and executing the men's golf calendar, and serve as a representative body for the broader HMGA membership.

02 · COMPOSITION

Five elected members

Elected November 2025 via approval voting (up to five selections per ballot). Open to all HMGA members in good standing. Annual elections replace expiring terms to ensure ongoing representation.

03 · RESPONSIBILITIES

What we collaborate on

  • Plan and oversee the annual men's golf calendar with the Director of Golf and GM
  • Provide input on tournament formats, rules, menus, and fees
  • Support communication and marketing to grow participation
  • Maintain consistency across Hud Dean Cup, Member-Member, Club Championship
04 · CADENCE

How often we meet

Quarterly regular meetings with additional sessions before major events. At least twice annually we coordinate with the GM, Director of Golf, and Events Team on scheduling, logistics, and budgets. Decisions by simple majority; quorum requires three members present.

05 · AUTHORITY

Partnership with club leadership

The committee operates in partnership with Hiwan Golf Club leadership. We propose budgets, recommend fees and prize structures, and form subcommittees as needed. All financial and operational decisions require final approval by the General Manager and Director of Golf.

06 · TRANSPARENCY

How we stay accountable

Communicate key updates and decisions to the full HMGA membership on a bi-monthly basis. Share annual election results and meeting summaries through the Director of Golf. The charter is reviewed annually by the HMGA Chair and General Manager.

THE COMMITTEE

Elected November 2025
Jeff Shipley
Committee Chair
JEFF SHIPLEY
3-year term · expires 2028

BACKGROUND

Member since 2017. Four-time Hud Dean Cup Captain and Hud Dean Cup Commissioner 2022–2025. Saturday Group regular (Lamperski / SGG). Retired — previously led Private Bank at Wells Fargo. Lifelong golfer who served as an apprentice in the PGA of America's career path, qualified through the 36-hole Players Ability Test, and completed PGA Business School 1.

VISION

Cultivate a welcoming and inclusive golf community at Hiwan where players of all skill levels connect, grow, and thrive — on and off the course.

Tim Murray
Vice Chair
TIM MURRAY
3-year term · expires 2028

BACKGROUND

  • 24-year Hiwan member · 24-year active HMGA member
  • 20-year Saturday Golf Group member · 8.4 Index
  • Three-time Flight Champion at the Club Championship
  • Two-time Maxwell Cup invitee · One-time Year-End Overall Horse Race winner
  • Active in Stroke Play, Member-Member, Member-Guest, Hud Dean, Opening Day, Frost Off
  • Corporate and volunteer board-level leadership experience

VISION

Golf at Hiwan should be fun. Tournaments should be fair for all, impeccably managed, and professional start to finish — communication and rules should be clear. Maximum participation is the goal, balanced with the integrity, history, and group enjoyment of each event.

Stephen Reed
Secretary
STEPHEN REED
2-year term · expires 2027

BACKGROUND

Three years at Hiwan and counting. Former collegiate player and reigning Hiwan Club Champion. Helped organize this year's Hud Dean Cup and saw firsthand the work that makes these events successful. Professionally, Director of AI Solutions at The Standard — leading teams building products that scale across industries — and bringing the same energy and structure to HMGA.

VISION

Build on Hiwan's traditions while making men's golf even more meaningful for the years ahead. Excited about the permanent team concept: when you join the HMGA, you're assigned to Team Hud or Team Dean and represent that team for life. Every round in the new men's league counts — both bringing us together each week and serving as the qualifying path for the Hud Dean Cup.

  • Keep the Hud Dean Cup and other major events competitive, fair, and memorable
  • Make the path into the Cup clear by tying it to league play and other majors like Stroke Play
  • Strengthen communication and build traditions that last
Rick Newberg
Internal Events Coordinator
RICK NEWBERG
1-year term · expires 2026

BACKGROUND

29-year member of Hiwan and HMGA. Played from a 7 handicap on the Blue tees down to a 15 on the White. Civil engineer by training. Public Works Construction executive for 25 years, then 10 years as a self-employed business consultant. Founded, built, managed, and sold a market-leading software development company over 15 years.

VISION

Represent the Blue, Blue/White, and White Tee players in the club and make sure their voice is heard. Make the HMGA all-inclusive.

  • Tournaments: create and manage the HMGA annual events; add one to two more annual events
  • Hud Dean Cup: make it more inclusive to all handicap levels, establish clear qualifying criteria, ensure parity between teams, improve scoring with Golf Genius, elevate F&B and swag
  • League Play: promote HMGA league play; incorporate Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday groups; use Golf Genius for portals, sign-ups, scoring, and season-long standings
Ray Dowdle
External Events Coordinator
RAY DOWDLE
1-year term · expires 2026

BACKGROUND

Long-time Hiwan member who has played most HMGA events over the past 25 years. GHIN index has run the gamut from 20+ down to a 1, giving him perspective on Hiwan golf both net and gross. Holder of a Club Championship and a couple of Stroke Play Championships. Recently retired from a career in media sales and technology.

VISION

Provide Troy and the club with the member input to make HMGA events as good as they can be. Guiding principles: maintain competitive balance, and host events that let members — old and new — play with friends while meeting others in a competitive environment.

The HMGA calendar already includes many established, successful events. The Hud Dean Cup (previously the Hiwan Cup) is among the best of them, and the three-flight structure introduced this year is a real step forward. Going forward, every member should have the opportunity to qualify each year, with teams chosen by the captains and announced a few weeks ahead — giving teammates time to bond and build a real rivalry.