Don Pooley is one of Arizona’s most accomplished professional golfers, with a career spanning more than 40 years on the PGA Tour and PGA TOUR Champions. A Phoenix native who grew up in Riverside, California, Don came to the University of Arizona in 1969, where he played four years of collegiate golf and earned a business degree in 1973. After turning professional, Don earned his PGA Tour card in 1976 and went on to record 13 professional victories, highlighted by wins at the 1987 Memorial Tournament and the 2002 U.S. Senior Open. In 1987, he also made a million-dollar hole-in-one at the Bay Hill Classic. He captured the 1985 Vardon Trophy, led the PGA Tour in putting statistics twice, and recorded 130 top-10 finishes. Don and his wife, Margaret, met at the University of Arizona and have called Tucson home for more than 50 years. They have two daughters, four grandchildren, and Don is a proud member of both the University of Arizona Hall of Fame and the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame.Cookie Sponsor:
Literacy Connects was formed through the merger of five Tucson-area literacy organizations, including Reading Seed, a program with longstanding ties to the Rotary Club of Tucson. While Literacy Connects provides literacy programming for children and adults, a highlighted program is Reading Seed, which pairs trained volunteer reading coaches with elementary students to build reading skills, confidence and a love of reading. Staff emphasized the importance of early intervention and the transition by third grade from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.”
Founded in 1990, Parent Aid works to prevent child abuse and neglect by strengthening families before challenges become crises. Its mission is to build “confident, connected families through parent education and a nurturing community.” Parent Aid’s approach is strengths-based and preventive, emphasizing connection, practical parenting skills, reducing stress and isolation, and meeting families without judgment. Its services are organized within five “Pillars of Family Strengthening.”
Sister José Women’s Center provides a low-barrier day center and overnight shelter for women experiencing homelessness, offering meals, showers, laundry, clothing, respite, shelter, case navigation and connections to health, behavioral health, housing and employment resources. The Center serves approximately 1,900 unduplicated day guests annually, with about 400 women using the overnight program. Staff described a strategic shift from primarily measuring outputs, such as meals, visits and bed nights, toward helping guests achieve greater stability and measuring longer-term outcomes.
This is a wonderful opportunity to connect, share stories, and build friendships in a relaxed and casual setting.
Hello, Rotarians!
How Energy Shapes Tucson's Future!
