The 17th hole at Atlanta Athletic Club, bunkers and water before the green.

About

Our mission: Preserve the past, support the present, and invest in the future of Georgia golf.

Our Story

In 2018, I created mrstatgolf.com (opens in a new tab) to archive as many Georgia golf tournament results as possible and showcase them on a single website. Why? Because every tournament champion worked hard for his victory and deserves to be remembered. Every champion is also a family member, friend, or mentor to someone, and that someone cares about preserving the story.

My wonderful wife, Marie, a retired teacher and a Christian, has supported, and patiently tolerated, the many hours of research, organization, and data entry that have gone into more than 37,000 Georgia tournament results won by almost 15,000 individuals and teams. Something needed to be done to make mrstatgolf.com (opens in a new tab) more than just a collection of historical results.

I have been blessed to participate in more than my fair share of those tournaments. My occasional win and made cut, and even more so my many losses and missed cuts, have given me a deep appreciation, not only for the champions, but also for the many people who make tournament golf possible.

Many of my closest friendships began through tournament golf. Some of the most meaningful moments of my life have been spent with those friends, remembering our competitions and experiences and reflecting on the privilege of being part of Georgia's golf community.

Today, thousands of Georgia junior golfers are discovering the challenge and joy of competitive golf. They deserve to know who came before them and to know a little bit about the people who helped build Georgia's rich golf history, a history they are now helping to continue.

Marie and I want these young golfers to experience some of the same gifts golf has given me: competition, friendship, memories, character, and the opportunity to become part of something larger than themselves.

Through the guidance and Christian principles of Fellowship of Christian Athletes Golf Georgia summer golf camps, GGCF can help provide those opportunities.

Georgia golf has a remarkable past worth preserving, a vibrant present worth celebrating, and a future worth investing in.

The Georgia Golf Champions Foundation was created to connect those three priorities and leave a lasting legacy for the next generation of Georgia golfers.

Preserve the past.
Support the present.
Invest in the future.

That is why we founded GGCF.

Joey Kaney, Executive Director

The clubhouse at Hawks Ridge above the lake and the 9th green.

Our First Year Progress

Georgia Golf Champions Foundation, Inc. (GGCF) was formed June 1, 2026. At our initial Board meeting on June 4, our Mission was unanimously approved: "Preserve the past, Support the present, and invest in the future of Georgia golf."

In late July, the IRS approved our application for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. By early November, our website was live, providing a public platform to share our Mission, recognize Georgia's golf heritage, and introduce the Foundation's vision for the future. With these important milestones behind us, GGCF was officially off and running.

Our first year focused on building relationships and establishing the foundation necessary to fulfill our Mission. We began reaching out to Georgia's golf clubs and golf organizations, as well as, to Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Golf Georgia. We also assembled an Advisory Council of 18 individuals who share our passion for Georgia golf and embraced our Mission.

These early relationships represent more than the beginning of an organization. They are the building blocks of a Foundation committed to honoring the people and traditions that shaped Georgia golf, supporting those who contribute to the game today, and creating opportunities for future generations.

Our first year was about laying the groundwork. The years after will be about building on that foundation, together.

Board of Directors

Gregg Wolff, Board Chair

Gregg Wolff

Board Chair

Metter, Georgia

Gregg was born and raised in Philadelphia and moved to Georgia in 1975 to attend Georgia Southern, where he played on the golf team and was named an NCAA Golf Independent All-American in 1976.

After graduating, Gregg moved to Hilton Head to begin his PGA apprenticeship under instructor Bob Spence at Palmetto Dunes. While there, he assisted Bob Toski, Davis Love Jr. and Peter Kostis with the Golf Digest Instruction Schools, an experience that shaped his own teaching methods and philosophy.

After three years competing on national mini-tours, Gregg took the manager and head professional position at Willow Lake Golf Club in his wife's hometown of Metter in 1981. He held that position for 41 years before retiring to focus on his lifelong passion of teaching others the art of golf at The Gregg Wolff Golf Academy.

In 1990 Gregg became the second person, after DeWitt Weaver, to win the Georgia PGA Grand Slam. He is a seven-time Georgia PGA Player of the Year and was inducted into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame in 1999. He has been a PGA of America member since 1984 and a committee member for the Billy and Shirley Weir Scholarship since 2010.

Gregg is married to Jerri. They have three children and two grandchildren.

John Shurley, Treasurer

John Shurley

Treasurer

St. Simons Island, Georgia

John's hometown is Warrenton, Georgia. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia's Tull School of Accounting.

He started his career with the international firm Ernst & Young and completed it with Warren Averett, a southeast regional firm, where he served as Managing Partner of the Atlanta office. He was a member of the audit division with a concentration in construction, manufacturing, hospitality, nonprofits, forensic accounting and litigation support.

John retired after a 45-year CPA career and moved to St. Simons Island in January 2022. He continues to consult on general business issues on a limited basis.

John and Marcia were longtime residents of Dunwoody and members of Dunwoody United Methodist Church and Dunwoody Country Club, where John retains a non-resident membership. They are active members of Wesley Church at Frederica and the King & Prince Golf Club on St. Simons Island.

John is married to Marcia. They have three children and eight grandchildren.

Jim Foote, Board Member

Jim Foote

Board Member

Gainesville, Georgia

James "Jim" Dean Foote is a lifelong resident of Gainesville, Georgia. He recently retired after 35 years as President and Co-Owner of Milton Martin Honda. Throughout his career, Jim was known for his commitment to customer service, strong community relationships, and leadership in the automotive industry.

Jim has remained active in the Gainesville community through civic and church involvement. He is a past member of the Gainesville Rotary Club and currently serves as a Deacon at Lakewood Baptist Church.

A passionate supporter of the game, Jim established and maintains the Footehills Chip & Putt golf course, where he enjoys introducing and encouraging others in the game. He is a member of Chattahoochee Country Club and was the 2025 Georgia PGA Senior Division Tour Senior Amateur Player of the Year.

Jim is honored to serve on the Board of the Georgia Golf Champions Foundation and looks forward to supporting its mission and its impact on young golfers throughout Georgia.

Jim is married to Malinda. They have three children and twelve grandchildren.

Rusty Strawn, Board Member

Rusty Strawn

Board Member

Eatonton, Georgia

Rusty was born and raised in McDonough, Georgia. He was Owner and CEO of Strawn & Co. Insurance until 2024, when the company was acquired by Oakridge Insurance, and he continues his career in insurance sales. He is Chairman of the Board for United Community Bank in East Metro Atlanta.

Rusty is Co-founder and Chairman of the Reynolds Senior Amateur, an event benefiting junior golf in Georgia.

A scholarship golfer at Alexander City Junior College and Georgia Southern University, Rusty was a two-time TAAC All-Conference selection and the 1993 Georgia Mid-Amateur Champion. In 2022 he won both the United States and Canadian Senior Amateur Championships and was named Global Golf Post World Amateur Player of the Year. He was inducted into the National Senior Golf Hall of Fame in 2025.

Rusty has competed in 19 USGA Championships, nine British Senior Amateur and Open Championships, and three Canadian Senior Amateur Championships, and has represented both the state of Georgia and the United States in numerous team competitions.

Rusty and Jennifer are members of Lakeside Church at Lake Oconee. They have three children and three grandchildren.

Joey Kaney, Executive Director

Joey Kaney

Executive Director

Warrenton, Georgia

Joey was born and raised in Warrenton, Georgia. A four-year golf letterman at Georgia Southern College, he graduated in 1977 with a degree in General Business. He was an assistant professional at Palmetto Dunes on Hilton Head from 1977 to 1979 and managed Super-Sod in Fort Valley, Georgia from 1983 to 1991.

Joey founded mr. stat, inc. in 1996 and created mrstatgolf.com (opens in a new tab) in 2018. He founded the Georgia Golf Champions Foundation in 2026 and is honored to be named its Executive Director.

As a player, Joey was the 1971 high school state champion, the 1972 Georgia Jaycee Junior Champion and the 1979 Hilton Head Open Champion. He won the 2021 Georgia Super-Senior 4-Ball Championship with John Foster, was the 2024 Georgia Open Super-Senior Co-Champion, and was the 2024 Georgia PGA Senior Division Tour Super-Senior Player of the Year.

Joey served on the Georgia State Golf Association's Historical Preservation Committee from 2022 to 2026.

Joey is married to Marie. They have four children and eight grandchildren.

Special thanks to Keith Burdette for the course photography across this site.

The boardwalk across the water at Piedmont Driving Club.

Be part of the Foundation's first year

Give today and help send a Georgia junior to FCA golf camp.