FOUNDATION
April 2024 Denise Martinez Remembered... and the many reasons a tournament honors her name
by William Godfrey, Forest Highlands Club Historian
“It is not the length of life... but the depth of life.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Denise Martinez was one of those individuals who had depth of life. She was beloved by Forest Highlands members and most everyone she encountered over her shortened life. In 2008, at 46, Denise died tragically in a motor scooter accident in Truckee, California. Denise held two positions at Forest Highlands. Initially, in the late 1980s she was an assistant professional to Mark Johnson, PGA, our first Director of Golf. In 1995, Martinez was hired away from Troon North, where she was head professional, to replace Johnson at Forest Highlands. She was later named Director of Golf, one of the first women in Arizona to hold the title. In a March 2024 phone interview with Johnson at Martis Camp in Truckee, California, Mark shared his memories of Denise. “She was a very humble and gracious person. She was so accommodating. We were lucky to have her on the summer staff. It was never about her, always about someone else,” Johnson said. “Denise was the ultimate Hospitalian. She was also a great player who under- played her playing ability.” DENISE - THE PLAYER As a junior at McClintock High School in Tempe, Martinez won the State girls’ individual title in 1979 by a single shot over the legendary Heather Farr. But even in her teens, Denise wanted to share her success with others. An example of her graciousness was shared by Amy Gosla Walker, a teammate. who posted her memories on Legacy.com. “I was on the golf team at McClintock with Denise. We had some great times together. I remember how small and petite she was, but boy could she hit the ball far,” Gosla recalled in late September 2008. “She was very humble about her championship title as a junior. She wanted all of us to be in the picture with her holding the 1st place trophy. Unlike the rest of us high school girls, she didn’t like all the attention. After all these years, I can still picture her beautiful smile.”
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VOICE IN THE PINES • APRIL 2024
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