Carmella Ruggiero: The executive director of the Cactus & Pine Golf Course Superintendents Association is savoring her first year on the job after replacing Lynn Cannon, who had led the Cactus & Pine for the past eight years. “It’s the perfect job for me, because I love people,’’ Ruggiero said of her 720 members who care for Arizona’s golf courses.

Oh, sure, Ruggiero still has to market the Cactus & Pine chapter, track industry trends, provide further educational opportunities, and network within the organization. But she also finds time “to do the little things, and really personalize it’’ like baking birthday cakes, lining up Diamondbacks outings, and organizing Easter egg hunts.

“My goal is to make every member feel like they’re special,’’ she said. “I guess I’m a little bit like a den mother, and being 100 percent Italian, I really do like to take care of my guys.’’

It’s been a lifetime pursuit for the Scottsdale resident, who spent her early years in Buffalo, N.Y., before moving with her family to the Valley, where she eventually graduated from Arizona State with a bachelor’s degree in education. What’s unique about Ruggiero is, after a brief stint as a teacher (“It wasn’t really me.’’), she opened a high-profile catering business that led to the stars.

“While catering events at Celebrity Theatre, America West Arena and Mesa Amphitheater . . . I met (singer) Luther Vandross, and he asked me to go on the road and work for him,’’ Ruggiero recalled. “And that led to similar jobs as a road manager with Madonna, New Kids on the Block, ZZ Top, Clint Black and Ringo Starr.’’

For 12 years, Ruggiero did “fun things, like take these (celebrities) out for dinner, golf and fishing.’’ But then in 1999, “I said to myself, ‘Carm, it’s time to settle down and think about the future, as there is no life on the road.’’

Shortly thereafter, Ruggiero became the membership director at Troon Country Club in Scottsdale. “I had learned to play golf from a friend during my days at ASU,’’ Ruggiero said. “And even though I’m not very good at it, mainly because I don’t play enough, I love being out there enjoying the experience and the green grass on the golf course.’’

Some might even say her love of green led to her latest job with the Cactus & Pine GCSA. “I enjoyed working with the members at Troon, and it was a sad day when I left,’’ she said of her seven-year stint. “But I have so much respect for these guys who keep Arizona’s golf courses beautiful, that when Lynn (Cannon) asked me if I was interested in taking over for her, I never hesitated because, well, I just love people.’’

PRO RANKS

Heavy favorite: Vijay Singh has not posted a victory in his last 17 starts, but that could change this weekend at the Shell Houston Open, a tournament Singh has dominated with wins in 2002, ’04 and ’05. The last time Singh went this long without a win was 2002, when he was zero-for-18 at one point.

Even heavier: Tom Kite has the distinction of winning the 600 th and 700 th events on the Champions Tour, the 600 th being the 2000 Countrywide Tradition played at Desert Mountain in Scottsdale. This week, Kite is in the field for the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf – the 800 th event in Champions history.

NOTEWORTHY

Selected: Arizona State’s Alejandro Carnizares has been invited to play in his fourth Palmer Cup, which features teams from Europe and the U.S. in a Ryder Cup-style competition. Canizares currently holds the all-time record for victories and points in the Palmer Cup, as he’s 9-3 overall. His fourth appearance also is a record.

Party time: Members of Arizona Country Club will host a “Tear Down Party’’ this Saturday, featuring the actual demolition of its long-time clubhouse. Scottsdale architect Doug Fredrikson has been hired by ACC to build some new digs as part of the club’s $20 million renovation project.