Debbie Menzel

Debbie Menzel

     We are saddened to learn that long time Valero Golf Club member Debbie Menzel passed away on Monday, May 18th, 2020.

      In reviewing her time with the club we find that she played with us from 1996 until 2015. She was also our Tournament Director from 2002 until 2008 and developed our first golf website. 

     Her firsts; The first tournament she played in was the Tom Stead, March 30th, 1996. She gained her first tournament points with Sonny in the Best-Ball tournament at Cypress Lakes May 11th, 1996. She made her first birdie at Rancho Solano, June 3rd, 1996. Her first eagle two came at Foxtail – North in 2008 (she later had an eagle 3 at Wildhorse GC). Her first tournament win with Sonny was the best-Ball tournament at Paradise Valley April 29th, 2000. Her first individual win came at Delta View August 19th, 2000. Her first CP win came at Rooster Run, 2006 and she also won both LD’s that day. Her first LD win came at Shadow Lakes in 2004.

     In Major Tournament play she won the Winners Tournament in 2005 & 2008, was runner-up in 2012. She won the Pyramid Tournament in 2012 and was runner-up in 2001, 2004 & 2008. She won the Valero Cup in 2000 and was runner-up in 2012. She was runner-up in the Club Championships in 2004 & 2012.

     Other achievements Debbie attained were; Scoring Champion in 2004, Points Champion in 2004 & 2008, Most Improved Player in 2004, 2008 & 2012, runner-up in the most  improved handicap in 2006, was the # 1 ranked golfer in 2005, had the most tournament wins by year in 2000 & 2008, won the Barbara Juris Award as the best lady golfer in 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2011 & 2012, was the club’s Player of the Year in 2004 & 2008.

     Some records Debbie holds; 9 consecutive years with a tournament win, the low net course record 62 at Foxtail-North GC and with Sonny the best-ball record of 50 set at Wildhorse GC in 2003 (this record may never be broken).

     Her final stats; 20 tournament wins, 54 top 3 finishes, 234.5 tournament points, 4 major tournament wins, 74.33 net scoring average, 7 CP’s, 17 LD’s, 17 birdies, 2 eagles and 18 pyramid match wins. 

     Her last tournament win came in 2013, the last tournament she played with us was the 2015 Paradise Valley BB with partner Matt Hurst, they took 2nd place with Debbie winning both the LD’s.

     Debbie and Sonny sponsored the club’s Best-Ball tournament (the Menzel Classic) from  2002 until 2015.

     Debbie and Sonny also played in the Valero Golf League with the Hackers Unlimited team winning the league championship in 2009 and 2012 with a runner-up finish in 2006.

     Debbie was deservedly inducted into the Valero Golf Club’s Hall of Fame in 2018. We’re going to miss her.