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Our Staff

  • Derek Gutierrez, PGA

    Director of Golf / General Manager, Santa Ana Golf Club, Inc.
    National Board Director, PGA of America, District 12

    Derek Gutierrez, a Native New Mexican, has been with Santa Ana Golf Corporation on the Santa Ana Pueblo for eighteen years and has served in the capacity of assistant golf professional, tournament director and head golf professional at Twin Warriors Golf Club from 2004 – 2013. Derek was promoted to the position of director of golf operations at Santa Ana Golf Corporation in June of 2013 and his duties include overseeing both golf facilities and two restaurants; Prairie Star Restaurant and Wind Dancer Bar and Grill. Elected to membership in the PGA of America in May of 2004 following graduation from the PGA of America’s Professional Golf Management Program, Derek received the prestigious Acushnet Scholarship in that same year recognizing the nation’s top PGA PGM graduates.

    As one of the first two graduates of the PGA PGM Program in the state to reach the status of head golf professional, Derek has an extensive background in tournament operations and served on several committees that organized many high profile events such as the 2003 and 2009 PGA Club Professional Championship, Nike Tour and Buy.com events, 1996, 2003 and 2010 NM Open, and the 1999 USGA Women’s’ Amateur Public Links Championship. He currently serves on the Sun Country Section PGA Board of Directors as past-president. Derek has served on the PGA of America’s National Committee for Inclusion which is dedicated to attracting more minorities and women to the PGA of America. Additionally, Derek was installed as PGA of America District 12 Board Director on November 4, 2021. He and the entire team at Santa Ana Golf Club, Twin Warriors Club, Prairie Star Restaurant and Wind Dancer Bar and Grill are committed to providing a memorable experience for all of our patrons and look forward to seeing you on our fairways and greens very soon!

  • Zach Hoefel, PGA

    Head Professional, Twin Warriors Golf Club

    Zachary Hoefel, a Native New Mexican, has been with the Santa Ana Golf Corporation for eleven years. He graduated from the PGM program at New Mexico State University in 2003 and started as an Assistant Golf Professional at Santa Ana Golf Club, right after graduation. He worked at Santa Ana Golf Club for 3 years, then in 2006 was promoted to tournament director at Twin Warriors Golf Club. Zach was elected to PGA Membership in May of 2006, and was tournament director until May 2013, when he was promoted to Head Golf Professional.

    Zach serves as a Sun Country Section PGA At-Large Director and was named "2021 Golf Professional of the Year." He was also nationally recognized by TaylorMade Golf as sales "Crusader for the Central Region- 2021." Zach runs the PGA Hope adaptive golf program for veterans at Twin Warriors and has been a major contributor to the Folds of Honor Foundation since 2009 with his annual "Hoefel Open" memorial tournament. Zach and his team at Twin Warriors Golf Club looks forward to seeing everyone out here very soon.

  • Christopher Heslin

    Golf Course Superintendent
    Twin Warriors Golf Club
  • Sandy Lemon, LPGA & PGA

    Corporate Director of Instruction

    Sandy Lemon, director of instruction for both Twin Warriors and Santa Ana, is a PGA and LPGA Professional who has specialized in teaching for over 30 years. She is an instructor of LPGA Golf Clinics for Women and has received the PGA Excellence in Education Award and was Section East Chapter Teacher of the Year. Sandy was a three time state golf champion in Virginia, Illinois and Georgia during which time she became an Inductee in the Southern Illinois University Hall of Fame. Sandy played on the Asian Golf Tour and the Futures Golf Tour. In addition to her extensive playing background, she has developed and implemented numerous golf schools, clinics, and tournaments. She held the Head Professional position at a 36 whole facility in Savannah, Georgia for 18 years.

    Her expertise is in the area of instruction and club fitting. Sandy was named Callaway Golf Club Fitter of the Year for 2005, and Top Ten for the last three years. Sandy became a Master Staff Professional for Callaway Golf in 2013 and was inducted into the Callaway Hall of Fame in 2017. Recently Sandy received an email from Chip Brewer, President & CEO of Callaway Golf, notifying her she had been chosen for the 2021 Ely Callaway Award. Only the fourth recipient of this national award, Sandy was chosen from over 5000 golf professionals.

  • Patrick Herrera

    PGA Associate 1st Assistant | Tournament Coordinator
    Patrick picked up the game of golf at the age of four. He was a member of the Bernalillo High School golf team, and was a two-time District Champion. Patrick spent five years at the Notah Begay III Foundation, housed at Santa Ana Golf Club. His duties included conducting Junior golf camp sessions during that time. He joined the SAGC, Inc. team in 2018, working at both the Santa Ana and Twin Warriors golf shops. Patrick is working toward his Class-A PGA of America membership, and currently the 1st Assistant/ Tournament Coordinator at Twin Warriors Golf Club.
  • Shop Staff:

    Steve Novak | Dave Michel | Craig Lucero
  • Roger Campbell

    F&B Manager | Atush Grill
  • Chris Arquero

    Outside Services Supervisor
  • Starters:

    Nuey Johnson | Mike Sarracino
  • Atush Grill Staff

    Kat Holgate | Dot Garcia | Lorraine Dechristofaro | Megan Sierra | Angel Kopacka | Kimberly Slade

Administration

  • Sona Herrick

    Finance Manager, Santa Ana Golf Club, Inc.

    Sona Herrick joined Santa Ana Golf Club in 2021. She was born and raised in Los Alamos, New Mexico and graduated from UNM with her Accounting Degree in 1982. After graduating college, she moved to Durango, Colorado where she lived for 25 years. She worked as the Controller, then Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Purgatory Ski Resort for nine years. After leaving Purgatory, she worked as the Controller for Bula, Inc., a ski headwear and apparel manufacturer and official supplier to the U.S Ski Team, and then as Controller for a local real estate company.

    In 2007 she re-united with her high school heart throb, they married, and she moved to Carlsbad, NM where he worked for Sandia National Laboratory. She went to work for Nuclear Waste Partnership, LLC as the Senior Project Analyst for the Environmental Compliance Division of the WIPP Project, then transferring to the Accounting Department as the Standard Ledger Accountant. In 2017 her husband was transferred back to Albuquerque and they happily landed in Placitas.
    In all her positions, she managed Human Resource requirements, often overseeing the HR functions of the organization. She enjoys working with employees and navigating the many facets of human resource management. When not at work, her husband and her enjoy kayaking/rafting, hiking, tennis, and of course, golf. She hopes to improve her golf game being employed by a golf course. While her score has not improved much since she started playing in the 80s, she now counts every stroke. Next goal, improve the handicap.

  • Felicia Tavenner

    Human Resources Manager, Santa Ana Golf Club, Inc.

  • Kathy Morrow

    Consultant, Santa Ana Golf Club, Inc.

    Kathy Morrow joined Santa Ana Golf in 2009, first working in the Pro Shop, moving into the Accounting Department in 2012, and becoming the Human Resource Manager in 2015. In 2021, Kathy accepted the Finance Manager position. Kathy has lived in Albuquerque since 1983, coming from Joplin, MO. She has played golf since the age of 8, starting in a free Parks & Recreation program, sponsored by the City of Joplin. Swimming lessons were too costly, so golf it was! She has maintained her love of golf over her lifetime.

    Kathy brings an extensive management background to Santa Ana, having managed people & programs throughout her career, most recently in healthcare. The last 10 years, Kathy has spent time doing the things she has always wanted, obtaining a BA in Interior Design in 2006, after many years of dabbling in the decorating field, as well as becoming more involved in ladies golf, allowing her to surround herself with the game she loves. Kathy keeps herself busy in her spare time volunteering, chairing the Albuquerque Women’s Golf Championship, and any and all arts & crafts.

    Kathy plans to spend the last years of her career at Santa Ana Golf Club working with employees to continue to make it a great place to work, play, and dine for all who walk through the doors.

  • Micah Jones

    Executive Assistant / Web Manager, Santa Ana Golf Club, Inc.

    Micah first came to work on the Santa Ana Golf Club property in 1999 as an administrative assistant with the Sun Country Section PGA, which was housed on the golf club. After a six-year stint with the PGA, Micah was hired as an administrative assistant and benefits administrator for the golf corporation, moving just across the lawn to her new office in 2005. She is now executive assistant to Derek Gutierrez, assists with all four departments of the corporation and serves the SAGC, Inc. Board of Directors. Micah also serves as the web and social media manager and assists with corporate marketing.

    Micah grew up in Dumas, TX and moved to Albuquerque in 1986, enrolling at UNM. She worked in the food and beverage industry in sales, service and management while attending the university, so she brings both F&B experience and PGA of America experience to the corporation. Micah graduated Magna Cum Laude in General Honors, with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Psychology, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa membership and has completed the majority of work towards a Masters in Education with a Training & Learning Technology focus. Micah loves to hike with her dog and cook, and loves social media, even on her off time.

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