TPG Modeler of the Year Trophy

Each year, the Torrey Pines Gulls honor one or more modelers who have demonstrated levels of volunteerism or flying achievement that separates them from the rest with the Modeler of the Year trophy. This trophy was donated by Mark Smith to the club in 1971. Mark Smith was the operator of Mark’s Models, maker of the popular Windward, Windfree, Wanderer and other famous kits. Officially the trophy is called the “Mark’s Models Perpetual Award for Outstanding Member in the Torrey Pines Gulls” but over time it has been shortened to “Modeler of the Year.” Mark was a wonderful modeler who enjoyed flying at Torrey Pines and other locations in southern California with his father Rod Smith. He was an amazing asset to the hobby and a fierce competitor in the early years of competitive RC soaring, and a true friend of the Torrey Pines Gulls.

Mark’s legacy of club involvement lives on through this trophy and the excellent effort made on behalf of the Torrey Pines Gulls by the many winners listed below.

Winners

1971 - Jim Haldy
1972 - Kelly Pike
1973 - Larry Fogel
1974 - Ken Banks
1975 - Alex Mladineo
1976 - Frank Cox & Don Edberg
1977 - Al Doig
1978 - Bob Anderson & Roger Taylor
1979 - Walt Pfeiffer
1980 - Frank Hunter
1981 - Pepper Kay
1982 - Bozorn Byrd
1983 - Angelo Orona
1984 - John Menard
1985 - Reg Moore
1986 - Steve O’Leary
1987 - Gary Knapp
1988 - Robert Mohrlock
1989 - Sal Peluso & Gary Anderson
1990 - Richard Bledsoe & Martin (Joe) McBride
1991 - Jim Bolen
1992 - Steve Condon
1993 - Roger Fraser
1994 - Larry Fogel
1995 - Jerry Fry
1996 - Ron Scharck
1997 - Don Richmond
1998 - George Joy & Jerry Fry
1999 - Arthur Markiewicz
2000 - Gary Fogel
2001 - Jerry Craft & Ian Hirschsohn
2002 - TPG Slope Negotiating Committee
2003 - Lenny Brzezinski
2004 - John Davies
2005 - No Award Given
2006 - Parviz Kamiab
2007 - Drew Arnett
2008 - Keith Finkenbiner, Cliff Hunter & Tom Minegar
2009 - Don Lochhead
2010 - John Bruner
2011 - Don Lochhead, Mark Wood & Mark Canfield
2012 - Marty Dine
2013 - Chuck Norris
2014 - Tim Traver
2015 - Ray Pili
2016 - Dale Gottdank
2017 - Dan Cummins
2018 - Steve Hurd
2019 - Chuck Norris
2020 - Keith Finkenbiner
2021 - Ray Pili
2022 - Mark Baldacchino
2023 - Cliff and Sandy Hunter
2024 - Justin Tolman
2025 - Jake Olefsky & Tom Farley