Houston’s Dana Laine was named the 2023 South Volunteer of the Year for her myriad efforts across the state.
Long before she started assisting amateur golfers in 2018 as a TGA Volunteer, Laine was a registered nurse. She’s spent 40 years in the profession before retiring, a long and varied career that included working in acute care at Memorial Hermann as part of the hospital’s Life Flight Care team and with the Texas Medical Board doing investigative work involving physicians.
In the mid-2010s, Laine and her husband John joined Sugar Creek Country Club in Sugar Land and bought a house near the course, which probably had a little something to do with Laine becoming borderline consumed with playing golf and trying to get better.
As she diligently worked on her game, Laine also dabbled in some competitive arenas. She teed it up in several intraclub events at Sugar Creek and played in the Greater Houston Women’s City Amateur. During that City Am event, she got into a spot of bother and needed a Rules Official. Longtime TGA and USGA Rules expert Sis Singletary helped Laine with the situation. Singletary’s friendliness, professionalism, and expertise made strong impressions on Laine.
Soon after, Laine played in her first TGA Women’s Championship. She saw Singletary again there. Laine had positive experiences in her club’s LGA tournaments and the Houston City Am, but she was blown away with the atmosphere at the TGA event.
“It was just so well run,” she said. “I was so impressed with everything.”
About this time, Laine was looking for other ways to get involved with golf. A friend suggested she inquire about becoming a volunteer with the TGA, so she called John Cochran IV, the TGA’s Director of Competitions for South Texas.
“She had seen us hosting events at Sugar Creek, where she is a member, and wanted to learn about how to give back,” Cochran said. “She has grown as a volunteer since then, and she’s always willing to help when she comes out to events. Dana isn’t afraid to ask questions and is always a sponge when around others that have been volunteering longer and have more experience.”
Although she’s one of the newer volunteers, Laine always feels right at home with her TGA family.
“Dana has shown a desire from her first day as a volunteer to give back to golf,” Cochran added. “She is devoted to continually learning from other volunteers and is very active throughout the season. She does not hesitate to pitch in where needed or ask what else she can do. Having Dana as a member of our volunteer program has helped elevate our events across all the TGA’s competitions.”
