Guy Wimberly, who made major contributions to the game of golf in the southwest part of the United States, has died at the age of 81. Wimberly was a longtime PGA professional and one of the founding fathers of the Sun Country PGA Section. In fact, he was nicknamed “Mr. New Mexico Golf.”
Wimberly played college golf at the University of New Mexico, where he won a Western Athletic Conference title and earned the distinction of being an All-American. His time in Albuquerque spanned eight years – 1957 to 1964 – because of a stint in the military. Eventually, however, Wimberly earned his degree in journalism and speech. Interestingly, according to the Albuquerque Journal, he covered golf for that paper while a Lobo student-athlete.
Wimberly found his calling as one of the leaders in golf tourism for New Mexico. His first job in the golf industry was as the pro at San Mateo Golf Center. He had a hand in elevating several New Mexico golf facilities, especially Arroyo del Oso in Albuquerque beginning in 1969. Under his direction, according to the PGA of America, the 27-hole facility serviced more than 140,000 annual rounds.
He went on to serve from 2006 to 2008 as PGA director of golf at Sierra del Rio Golf Club in Elephant Butte, New Mexico.
Wimberly also guided the formation of the Sun Country Amateur Golf Association and the Junior PGA Tour in his state. In 1979, Wimberly and Bob Meiering, with whom he had taken over Arroyo del Sol, were co-recipients of the PGA Merchandiser of the Year for Public Facilities. In 1988, Wimberly earned the Horton Smith Award for contributions to PGA education.
In addition to Meiering, Wimberly’s older brother Herb, the longtime golf coach at New Mexico State, as well as his own college coach Dick McGuire were among the men he worked alongside in elevating New Mexico golf.
Guy Wimberly, a great friend of NMSU Golf, has passed away. Wimberly was known as “Mr. New Mexico Golf” and was a founding father of the Sun Country PGA Section. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, especially his brother Herb Wimberly. Rest In Peace Guy Wimberly. pic.twitter.com/NFXyNpODK7
— NM State Men's Golf (@NMStateMGolf) May 3, 2020
Wimberly holds a place in several local and national halls of fame, including the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame and the UNM Alumni Letterman’s Hall of Honor. He also was inducted into the PGA of America Hall of Fame in 2011.