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President's ReportNotes from the Board During the busy summer months in the Pacific Northwest, my fellow professionals and I are busy running our clubs and courses, tournaments for our golfers, teaching students and clinics, and driving revenue to our facilities. Hopefully, we are getting out ourselves to play and compete in tournaments of our own, some of us more than others. I am guilty as charged this year, playing less than I want to. I’m hoping to change that! Bryan Tunstill, PGA
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CEO's ReportWe just finished the Senior Oregon Open Invitational at Wildhorse Resort and Casino. Host PGA Professional Mike Hegarty and his crew put on a clinic in customer service keeping all 220 seniors happy! This was the 13th straight year with Wildhorse as our host and sponsor, we appreciate their tremendous support. Congratulations to Billy Bomar on his first Senior and Section victory beating Todd Erwin and Rob Gibbons in a play-off. The Northwest Open is just around the corner, August 17-19 at the always fun Wine Valley GC in Walla Walla. If you like great golf and great wine, Walla Walla is a must play! Enter quickly as Molly will be producing groupings soon. Entries are available here. Entries are out for the 41st Winter Pro-Am in Hawaii. Imagine sipping Mai Tai’s between rounds at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows while it cold and wet back home. Former Section Professional Tom Sursely is our host and there is nothing like a week in Hawaii in January. Click here for more information or give me a call. We are excited about our new venue for the Merchandise Show. The Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center is located adjacent to our host hotel and more importantly, within walking distance of more than 30 restaurants and bars. The building is beautiful and we have separate rooms for breakout sessions during the meeting. The popular Pro-Vendor is back and we are pleased to have Fircrest Golf Club hosting this year. If you have not played Fircrest, it is a fine facility…. plan to invite your favorite rep to play. We are also pleased to have Mike Bender highlighting education on Wednesday, thank you Nike Golf. President Tunstill has invited PGA of America President Derek Sprague to attend and he may have just pulled it off. It will be nice to have a PGA Officer in attendance to bring the National effort home. As Drive Chip and Putt moves into Subregional Qualifying I want to say a big thank you to our host professionals – Josh Fish, Brandon Proudfoot, Wes Hayden, Dan Harrington, John Grothe, Colin Inglis, Dennis Dolan, Mike Kasch, Mark Gardner, Ed Bezanson and Tom Ferris. Without their efforts and the help of volunteers at each site these events would not have been as successful. A final thanks to Angela and Cecelia in the office for not only managing all the equipment and tee prizes but confirming participation and age verification for 228 players! I hope you have a busy and profitable August. Cooler temps are just around the corner! Jeff Ellison, PGA
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John Thorsnes Wants YOU to Enter the Northwest Open
John Thorsnes, PGA Director of Golf at Wine Valley, has a message for you about the upcoming Northwest Open Invitational! The tournament will be held August 17 – 19, 2015 at Wine Valley GC in Walla Walla, WA. This year once again, you will play all three days – the event is a 54-hole stroke play, no cut championship! pro online entry form | pro entry form (pdf) | amateur online entry form | amateur entry form (pdf) 6th Year at Wine Valley GCWine Valley Golf Club, which opened in August of 2009, has already been listed on Golfweek’s Best New Courses—coming in at #5. This stunning Dan Hixson design unfolds on a grand scale, playing over rolling hills in the shadow of the Blue Mountains. Wine Valley GC had broad fairways, dramatic bunkers, and bold undulating putting surfaces. In addition to fantastic golf, take time to enjoy one of the many winery tours available in Walla Walla. The Walla Walla Valley has been called “the next Napa Valley,” and for good reason. Here, winemakers from around the world are growing the next generation of legendary wineries. http://www.wallawalla.org/wineries/ We look forward to seeing everyone at beautiful Wine Valley for the Northwest Open Invitational! |
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Get Ready for the PNW PGA Professional Championship
PGA of America entries for the PNW PGA Professional Championship are now closed! If you would still like to compete for the purse and Section title, watch for the Post Entry - coming soon! Post entrants are not eligible to advance in competition. The Return to Canyon River GCThe PNW PGA Professional Championship was held at Canyon River in 2010 and we are glad to be welcomed back! Host PGA Professional Edward Bezanson and his staff are excited to host this year’s championship. Canyon River Golf Course was designed by Lee E. Schmidt, ASGCA/Brian Curley, ASGCA and opened in 2006. Canyon River meanders through towering pines and native grasslands. It offers numerous lakes and riparian marshes located throughout the property that come into play on seven holes. The mountains around the course provide for some amazing views of scenic Montana. The course was named by Golf Digest as one of the top ten new public courses to play in 2008. A Tradition of CompetitionThe Section Championship dates back to 1934, with Verne Torfin winning the title at Fircrest GC. In 2000, the Pacific Northwest PGA Championship merged with the Section CPC to create one great tournament experience, with the top finishers going on to compete at the National PGA Championship. Only open to Section Professionals, this event draws the strongest field of PGA members in the Northwest. Last year, Brian Thornton PGA Teaching Professional of Meridian Valley CC won the Pacific Northwest PGA Professional Championship by one stroke over Jeff Coston PGA Teaching Professional of Semiahmoo G&CC. Thornton previously won this event in 2007 at Suncadia Resort. For the complete list of PNW PGA Professional Champions, click here to visit the PNW PGA historical site.
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PNW Senior PGA Championship - Play for the Purse
PGA of America entries for the PNW Senior PGA Professional Championship are now closed! If you would still like to compete for the purse and Section title, complete the Section entry form and return to the Section office. You will not be eligible to advance to the Senior Professional Championship. Come "Home" to the Home CourseThe Home Course was designed by golf course architect Mike Asmundson of Scottsdale, Arizona and opened on June 29, 2007. It is a walkable layout with panoramic views of Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, and Mount Rainier present throughout the golf course. The Home Course was selected by the United States Golf Association as the assisting course for the 2010 U.S. Amateur Championship. It is truly a great championship golf course at the home of golf in the Pacific Northwest. A Senior TraditionThe Senior PGA Professional Championship was established in 1952. Back then, the championship was held at the Yakima Elks’ G&CC with only 21 professionals battling it out for the mere sum of $920 dollars. The famous Bob Duden won the championship six times during the 70’s and seven times overall. Today, this is a popular event for Section seniors. Last year, PGA Professional Steve Stull of Meadow Springs CC won the Senior PGA Professional Championship by two strokes over PGA Professional Joe Carranza of Aldarra Golf Club. CLICK HERE to view a complete list of past champions. CLICK HERE for the PNW Senior PGA Professional Championship entry. |
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Prugh Breaks Record at 2015 Rosauers Open Invitational
by Austin Fields - PNW PGA Tournament Intern SPOKANE, WA – Indian Canyon GC – 6,255 Yards, Par 71 PGA Professional Corey Prugh of Manito G&CC fired a final round score of 64 at Indian Canyon GC, successfully fending off contenders PGA Professional Derek Barron of Tacoma Golf Center and PGA Professional Jeff Coston of Semiahmoo G&CC, to take home another Rosauers Open Invitational title. After the awards ceremony, Prugh was quoted as saying, “I am so pleased to be able to win my fourth Rosauers. It is really satisfying and winning in my hometown is always so much fun.” Prugh, who has held the 54-hole tournament record at 192 (21-under par) since he set it in 2009, now also holds the record for most wins in this championship (2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015). With fantastic weather all week and the course playing at 6,255 yards for the championship, Indian Canyon gave the players an opportunity to go low. Derek Barron fired a new competitive course record of 59 the first round of the Umpqua Bank Pro Am, PGA Professional Troy Rodvold of Bellevue GC made a rare double eagle on #18 the first day of the championship, and PGA Professional Craig Schuh of Deer Park GC scored a hole-in-one the final round of the championship, making this event a thrilling experience for all. 68 PGA Professionals and 32 amateurs made the cut into Sunday. Eric Ansett of Manito G&CC won low amateur honors with a three round total of 199 (65-68-66), tying fourth with PGA Professional Bob Rannow of Ocean Dunes GC. Going into the final round, second round leader Derek Barron was two strokes in front of Corey Prugh. With both players neck-in-neck throughout the round, Prugh had a two-shot lead coming into the final hole. On hole #18, Barron was greenside in two while Prugh had an eight foot putt for birdie; Barron drained his 30 foot eagle putt, which forced Prugh to make his putt to win the championship. Without hesitation, Prugh drained the winning putt to earn the title of Rosauers Open Champion for the fourth time. Prugh said, “On my last putt all I was thinking about was executing what I could control. It was hard but so gratifying to be able to get it done when it mattered.” Special recognition goes out to our title sponsor Rosauers Supermarkets for their continued support of this event for 28 years, and Umpqua Bank for their Pro-Am title sponsorship. A special thanks to Head PGA Professional Gary Lindeblad and staff for bringing the Rosauers Open back to Indian Canyon. Head Superintendent Fred Marchant, Assistant Superintendent Josh Harty, and the rest of the maintenance staff had the golf course in amazing conditions all week. The PNWPGA would like to personally thank all of the volunteers that put in countless hours during this event and for making this tournament the most infamous in Eastern Washington. Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery is the major beneficiary in this event. The crisis nursery is a safe haven for children who are at risk of abuse or neglect. The 2015 event raised $135,000 for the charity, with $2,600,000 raised through the years. To learn more about the charity or to make a donation, please go to http://www.vanessabehan.org .
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Holk's Highlights
Did you have a teacher who influenced you in golf? "With my days caddying on the tour, I have been really lucky to work with some of the best instructors in the world. The teacher who stands out the most, who really helped me get to where I am today, would be Stan Utley. Back in high school I used to caddy for Stan on the Nike Tour when it stopped at Meadow Springs every year. I remember going to the driving range the Monday of the event when I was in 8th grade, asking him if he needed a caddy. His first question to me was, “What's the best part of your game?” I replied my chipping and putting and he replied, “You’re hired!” At that time, I had no clue who he was and that he was the short game guru. I ended up caddying for him four years in a row. Stan taught me a lot about the game throughout my high school years (how to caddy, swing fundaments, and how to teach). In college, I kept a good relationship with him and used him a lot for advice. I now see him every once in a while when I am out at a PGA Tour event, and I can say I wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if I didn't meet him back in 8th grade." Brought to you by Grant Holcomb and:  |
Jason AicheleFacility:Meadow Springs CC Hometown: Richland, WA University: University of Wyoming (Business Degree, full golf scholarship) PGA Member Since: 2005; Class A since 2011 You received the 2014 PNW PGA Teacher of the Year Award. Can you tell us a little about your programs for women and juniors that earned you recognition for this award? "I currently do a yearlong coaching program with kids that help them work towards college and receiving golf scholarships. I work with these kids, not only with their golf swings, but also nutrition and what the proper nutrition does for your mental game. A lot of the program is teaching the kids how to work towards certain goals on and off the course. So far every kid that has gone through my program is in college. Also, with my indoor facility I put up a few years ago, I am able to run a four-season golf program not only for juniors but for men and women golfers. This has worked well so far." Do you have any advice for Professionals in our Section, in designing their own programs for women and junior golfers? "Be creative and keep adding new things for your students to keep them excited to play golf. There are a lot more things to work on… than just working on the swing. Learn your student and figure out a program that best fits them! Offer all different types of programs to help keep the game fun for everyone!" If you would like to nominate someone for Holk's Highlights, please e-mail mcannon@pgahq.com. |
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The 80/20 Rule Applied to the Job SearchCarol Pence, PGA | PGA Employment Consultant | CPence@pgahq.com In 1906, Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto created a mathematical formula to describe the unequal distribution of wealth in his country, observing that 20% percent of the people owned 80% percent of the wealth. Over time, the principle that 20% of something always is responsible for 80 percent of the results became known as Pareto’s Principle or the 80/20 Rule. You can apply this rule to almost anything, from the science of management to the physical world.
Whether you are seeking a new position or wanting to excel in and enhance your existing one, you can think of other applications of the 80/20 Rules. Make Pareto’s Principle work for you!
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The Terrible Cost of "Not Knowing", Part IIMonte Koch, PGA | Player Development Regional Manager | mkoch@pgahq.com In my article for the July 2015 Foreword Press, I wrote about the importance of our customers and members knowing what we as golf professionals truly do as our core business activity, to drive revenue through more rounds and activity. In that article, I asked these two questions:
The key in question 1 is about “intentional salesmanship”. By intentional, I mean active. Whether it’s a “Guys n Gals Social Learning Club” for adults or a “PGA Sports Academy Junior Camp”, you’re actively talking about it, teaching the entire staff to sell it or bring it up when the opportunity arises. It’s certainly not passive marketing or just putting up a flyer on message board or above the urinals in the restroom, which basically rely on luck to work. For question 2, I’d like to go deeper than I did last month, but I’d like to discuss it in reverse. For your employer, you need to be sure they KNOW YOUR WHY in what you are doing in player development to drive revenue to THEIR BOTTOM LINE. It’s in their enlightened self-interest to be concerned with the "why" and "how" it applies to their cash flow, as well as their rounds and revenue. In that frame of reference, I would again strongly encourage you to START WITH WHY and be able to share it with your employer, or anyone who interacts with them. They have “skin in the game” or they represent the group/person/entity who does, and they will tend to act accordingly. In terms of knowing, there is huge difference between AWARENESS and UNDERSTANDING. Example 1: If your employer is AWARE that you/your team have two PGA Junior League (PGAJLG) teams, that is good. But not good enough! They must UNDERSTAND why you engaged with 22 kids and their parents via PGAJLG and why that is great for their bottom line. Example 2: If your employer is AWARE that you/your team have started a Social Learning Club model for your recreational adult golfers, that is good. But not good enough! They must UNDERSTAND why you chose to create this social learning model and how it will likely lead to:
Sharing these stats and even proving them with real examples from your operation will be valuable to help them (your employer) understand your why and how it benefits their bottom line. See a real example from Columbia Edgewater CC. |
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What Are You Worried About?Blake Parrish | BP Financial Associates | blake@bpfinancialassoc.com “Golf is a good walk spoiled” -Mark Twain The economic recovery in the U.S. turned six years old on June 30, 2015. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis GDP data since March 9, 2009 our economy has been in bull mode. The S&P500 index has returned a whopping 248.3% since. Despite things getting better in the U.S., it still seems like enthusiasm is somewhat dampened and that more attention is given to the potential fallout from events like the Greek debt crisis and/or the sudden plunge in Chinese equities, in my opinion. In other words, the negative still trumps the positive. Consider that for a thousand years – China was a third world country. In the last thirty years they decided to borrow technology from first world countries (United States) and leap frog into being a high tech powerhouse. This one time infusion only works for a while in a high speed world where other countries keep on developing through free markets and democracy. Some in the media even went so far as to speculate over whether the events in Greece and China were enough to throw the U.S. into recession. Such thinking is growing more commonplace these days due to globalization. The Chinese stock market is still up 75% higher than a year ago, even after the one month decline in July of roughly 28%. Let’s look at it over a longer period of time. And, compared to our +200 percent gain over the past six years, the Chinese stock market is up a little over 8% (1.4% per year !) This six year trend is not even close to a bubble. I think they only grow 4-5% GDP. I remember when Japan was the second largest economy in the world during the 1990’s and falling hard, while our economy kept growing to new all-time highs. The government got lucky in picking winners and losers, but eventually the upward trend came to an end. They couldn’t transition toward making new things. Simply put, if you are worried about the U.S. sliding into recession because of a global meltdown from China’s struggles, and would like to follow a pretty dependable barometer, then monitor the spread between the yields on the 2-and 10- Year Treasury Notes (T-Note). |
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Pros on the MoveMichelle Parish | Tournament & Membership Assistant Employment Changes
New Apprentices
Newly Elected Members
Transfers OUT of the Section
Transfers INTO the Section
New Quarter Century Members
Deceased
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