The next era of Pacific Northwest Golfer magazine
Troy Andrew, Publisher
Welcome to the first fully digital issue of Pacific Northwest Golfer, a new chapter in our publication that has connected golfers across our region for three decades.
When this magazine was first launched in 1994 by the PNGA, it was more than a publication. It was a statement of who we were and what we aspired to be.
Under the leadership of then Executive Director John Bodenhamer and driven forward by the passion and vision of longtime PNGA Director, Past President, and Distinguished Service Award recipient Spike Beeber, the foundation was laid for what quickly became the most respected regional golf magazine in North America.
Spike, John, and the PNGA Board believed the golfers of the Pacific Northwest deserved a publication that captured the story of golf in our region while upholding the high-quality tradition of the PNGA, and that is exactly what they delivered.
As the world of communications evolved, the PNGA was fortunate again to benefit from forward thinking leadership. When the early 2000s brought a rapid shift in digital content and declining print advertising, Peter Fibiger, another longtime PNGA Director, Past-President, and Distinguished Service Award recipient, stepped in to guide our communications strategy during a very pivotal moment. Under Peter’s leadership, the magazine not only adapted but thrived, balancing print with a growing digital presence and ensuring our members stayed informed, connected, and engaged.
While volunteer leaders of our Board such as Spike and Peter shaped the magazine’s direction, for the past 19 years it has been Tom Cade, our Director of Communications and Editor-in-Chief, who has brought each issue to life with the help of many outstanding writers throughout the Pacific Northwest. And by his side for just as long has been our Director of Marketing, Marilyn Esguerra, whose design work has given the magazine its signature look and feel. Together, four times a year, and every year, they have turned complex puzzles into masterpieces!
Today, nearly three decades after that first issue rolled off the press, we find ourselves at another turning point. Rising printing and postage costs, availability of accurate mailing addresses, and the changing expectations of how news is delivered has brought us to a decision that is very logical but has also been very emotional.
Beginning with this December issue, Pacific Northwest Golfer will transition fully to this digital format. Saying goodbye to print is bittersweet, because there is still something very special about holding a magazine in your hands. But just as Spike, Peter, and so many others embraced change when it mattered, we now step forward with that same optimism and purpose.
The digital platform we are using is among the best in the industry, used by top publications nationwide. It offers enhanced and dynamic storytelling, immersive photography and video, broader reach, and instant access, all while meeting the expectations of today’s golfers who engage with content across multiple devices.
Most importantly, this transition allows us to continue our legacy by ensuring it remains relevant, accessible, and exceptional for decades to come.
Pacific Northwest Golfer has always been about connection. It has connected golfers to one another, connected our region through shared stories, and connected generations of golfers across Alaska, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. That will not change. The format may evolve, but the mission remains the same!
As we reflect on where we have been and look toward what lies ahead, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the leaders who built the foundation, the writers and photographers who elevated every issue, Tom and Marilyn for their unwavering dedication, and the members who made this magazine a cherished part of the PNGA experience. You are the reason these stories mattered, and the reason they will continue to matter.
Though the printed pages come to an end, the story continues, carried forward by the same spirit, the same community, and the same love of the game!
In the photo at top: In November 2023, Peter Fibiger (left) received the PNGA Distinguished Service Award at a ceremony held at Victoria Golf Club. Fibiger was a longtime PNGA Director, Past-President, and for a dozen years was the PNGA Communications Committee Chair, guiding this magazine through its many phases. Bestowing the award was PNGA Executive Director, and Publisher of this magazine, Troy Andrew (right).