The daughter of a hotelier, Phyllis Nickum Golden moved to the Texas Panhandle in 1994 and spent years in local hotel operations, including the Ambassador Hotel in Amarillo. After retiring from that job, she founded Cowgirls and Cowboys in the West in 2011, a western tourism attraction that is regularly listed on Tripadvisor’s top “things to do” in Amarillo. She serves on a number of community and nonprofit boards, including the Amarillo Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and the Amarillo Tri-State Fair Exposition.

  1. How does it feel to be the first woman in history to serve as board president for the Tri-State Fair, and what are you excited about this year? It is a huge honor to be able to represent 102 years of women who have contributed to this great nonprofit, which does so many things to enhance our community, families and education throughout the Tri-State Area. I am truly honored and deeply humbled. 
  2. Your business caters mostly to tourists and travelers. What do you hear from them about their experience in the Panhandle? Tourists love the kindness and hospitality of the people of our area. And they particularly love our western culture.
  3. What has you most excited about the future of tourism in this area? I love that all of our tourism partners have come together, with the guidance of the Amarillo Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, and are making a great impact in tourism overall! The Route 66 Festival, Amarillo Film Commission, increased horse and cattle shows, and our vibrant social media are just a few of examples.
  4. Amarillo is known for its western/cowboy heritage. In your opinion, what’s the most authentic example of it? Oh my! All you have to do is look around—there are so many options! But I would say the Coors Cowboy Club Ranch Rodeo and Working Ranch Cowboy Association would be focused, specifically, in that genre. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Cowgirls and Cowboys in the West, which I have operated since 2011. We offer a “History on Horseback” Tour and chuck wagon events.
  5. What’s it like to live and work on the edge of Palo Duro Canyon? It is heaven on earth. 

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