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Gateway Tour Staff
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Ryan Pray
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ryan@thegatewaytour.com
Ryan Pray, Executive Director for Gateway Pro Tour, has been part of the Tour staff since its first tournament in 2002. Ryan has been a crucial asset to the Tour and it’s because of his dedication, vision, energy, and understanding of player’s needs, that Gateway Pro Tour is moving forward as it is today.
Basing out of the Phoenix area, Ryan has served a number of markets for Gateway Pro Tour. He created and directed the initial Beach Series in Myrtle Beach, SC, in 2003, serving as Tournament Director there for two years (2003-2004). He then created and directed the Pacific Series in San Diego, in the winter of 2004, and did the same with the RTJT Series in Alabama, in the winter of 2005. When Gateway acquired The Golden Bear Tour in 2005, Ryan created and oversaw the transition of the West Palm Beach Series.
Originally from Des Moines, IA, Ryan graduated from the San Diego Golf Academy in 2001 where he earned his degree in Golf Complex Operations and Business Management. Prior to his career with The Gateway Tour, Ryan served as an assistant golf professional at Gainey Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale, AZ, from 1999-2001 and Director of Business Development for SDGA from 2001-2002 before making his leap to Gateway Pro Tour.
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Rick Cramer
DESERT TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR & HEAD RULES OFFICIAL
rickcramer@thegatewaytour.com
Heavily involved with Gateway Pro Tour since it’s inception in 2001, Rick Cramer took over as the Desert Tournament Director full-time in 2003 after a long, tenured playing career spanning over 20 years. Having turned pro in 1982, Rick played the PGA Tour in 1986 and the Nationwide Tour numerous years throughout the 80’s and 90’s, up until 2004, when he decided to change directions fully and focus completely on Gateway Pro Tour. He has played in four U.S. Opens and has one Nationwide Tour victory to his credit in 1996, when he won the Wichita Open.
Originally from Ft. Collins, Colorado, Rick was a two-time “All American” at the University of Colorado, and his experience and understanding of golf at the professional level has truly been an asset to Gateway Pro Tour.
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Stacy Pray
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
stacy@thegatewaytour.com
As Executive Assistant for Gateway Pro Tour, Stacy is responsible for the daily operations of the Tour office, while providing direct support to the CEO, President and Executive Director.
Stacy brings numerous years of experience with her administrative background; most recently serving as Executive Assistant to the Domestic CFO of Clear Channel Outdoor.
Prior to that, Stacy was employed by San Diego Golf Academy (SDGA) as Executive Assistant to the CEO. It was here that Stacy was first introduced to golf and developed a passion for the business side of the sport. During her time at SDGA, she served as the “right hand” woman to the CEO. Together they enjoyed a mutual understanding of the value of a dynamic new type of workplace alliance where she was often called upon to communicate, plan, organize, negotiate, and participate in decision making at very high levels.
Stacy consistently strives to set the high water mark for excellence in the administrative field. She accomplishes this valuable asset by having a complete understanding of the dynamics of the business, the priorities of the company and the priorities of the Executive Director.
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Wes Bliler
DESERT TOURNAMENT OPERATIONS
wes@thegatewaytour.com
A recent addition to the Tour in 2008, Wes comes to Gateway Pro Tour after an extensive golf and business background that spans over the past 35 years.
Originally from the Phoenix area, he began his golf career as a golf instructor for the Army from 1973-1975 before returning to the valley to play for the Phoenix College Men's golf team. Following his time with PC, he turned professional and worked at various Phoenix area golf clubs while playing the mini-tour circuits from 1976-1979.
Moving his focus away from golf then in 1980, he worked in various sales capacities and in the restaurant industry for the next 25+ years, including serving as one of the owners of the well-known Hackers Bar & Grille in North Scottsdale.
Wes' extensive background in the golf industry, as well as personal and friendly demeanor to the players, has made him fit in with the Tour instantly.
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Tom Cramsie
DESERT STARTER/ SCORING
Tom was born and raised in Chicago, IL and after he graduated from Marquette University, he worked in the food industry with Kraft Foods for 32 years. After he retired in 2002, he took his life long passion for golf to Gateway Pro Tour, working on the Gateway Tour staff in various capacities.
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Billy Johnson
DESERT STARTER/ SCORING
Born and raised in Freeport, IL, Billy joined the United States Air Force in 1958, serving for 4 years before joining the civilian work force in 1961 working in various capacities in the St. Paul, MN area.
He then started his own office and machine sales business in 1966, running the company for 35 years, before moving to the Phoenix area in 2001. An avid golfer his whole life, Billy started with Gateway Pro Tour in its second season and has since become a favorite of of our players over the past 5 years.
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Mike 'Sarge' Alt
DESERT TOURNAMENT OPERATIONS
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Jon Levy
STAFF WRITER
jon@thegatewaytour.com
Jon has been with Gateway Pro Tour since November of 2006 and comes to us via Scottsdale Community College as a former NJCAA National Coach of the Year. He served as the Head Golf Coach at SCC from 2003-2007, leading the Fighting Artichokes to four consecutive ACCAC titles and three consecutive top-10 NJCAA finishes before winning the NJCAA Division I National Championship in 2007.
Originally from Bloomfield Hills, MI, Jon played collegiate golf at Iowa State University (1994-1998) then played full-time professionally for the next five years on various mini-tours throughout the country. Moving to Scottsdale to teach golf in 2002, he took over one of the most well-known and respected junior college golf programs in the country at SCC and has already seen some of his players make their mark in professional golf, including Gateway Pro Tour. With an interest in writing and journalism, Jon wrote a monthly column for Golfweek.com’s, “Junior Golf Extra” section in 2004 and 2005, and also had two other articles appear on the site’s home page during that time.
Bringing a wealth of competitive golf and player-knowledge to the Tour, Jon ambitiously adds a personal element to the website and other media sources for the Tour’s players. Formerly the Director of Communications for the Tour, he currently serves in the capacity of Staff Writer and writes all articles appearing on the website.
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