November 2016 CEO’s Report

I hope you were able to join us in Tacoma for our Merchandise Show, Annual Meeting and Education programs.  The venue is perfect for our activities with everything you need within just a few blocks – convention center, hotel, restaurants and a few spots for later.

Thank you all who wrote orders at the show. Orders are why our vendors spend their own money to attend. Your support makes this important function successful for everyone – thank you.  Special thanks our breakfast sponsor Craig Pelzer, and to our Annual Meeting sponsor PGA National Resort.  Sponsors really help us create great programs for YOU. We are finalizing plans for the merchandise show next year in Portland. Watch your email for updates. Thank you to your staff for pulling off this big event. The schedule is non-stop for three days, and they handled it like the pros we know they are.

With the Show and Annual Meeting in the rear view mirror, we are on to the next project. The 100th PGA of America Annual Meeting is just around the corner, November 9-11 in New York City.  Your delegation will represent you on the floor as we consider the three candidates for PGA Secretary. Information on Jim Richerson, Russ Libby and Rick Murphy can be found on PGA.org. Please direct any comments on these candidates to our two official delegates – Bryan Tunstill or Greg Manley – before they fly out on November 8. It will be an important week as we work to identify the best new leadership of the PGA of America.

Everyone’s friend Grant Holcomb continues to sponsor the Holcomb-In-One Las Vegas Pro-Am.  Slated for March 12-16, we head to sunny Las Vegas and the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino for golf and all the fun only Las Vegas can offer.  We have 12:30 shotguns the first two days and only get up “early” the last day for our 10:30 shotgun.  The golf courses are fun and the addition of Las Vegas Country Club will make for three great courses. The later week also provides outstanding weather for the festivities. Reach out to Molly or me if you have questions. For complete information, visit https://www.pnwpga.com/event/holcomb-in-one-las-vegas-pro-am-2017/.

The 2017 tournament schedule is almost final.  In addition to the traditional sites for three of our majors, we return to Juniper GC for the Oregon Open Invitational and the always popular Circling Raven GC for the PGA Professional Championship. We are once again fortunate to enjoy another great season of outstanding venues. View the 2017 schedule: https://www.pnwpga.com/tournaments/2017-tournament-schedule-draft/.

The Annual Meeting was the conclusion of the election for Section Secretary. Congratulations to Sean Fredrickson of Tualatin CC who was sworn in as your new officer.  A special thanks to Dan Harrington for his dedication and service to the membership.  Your new President is Greg Manley, your Vice President is Greg Morris, and Bryan Tunstill is taking on the role of Honorary President. We also bid farewell to Marcus King after 12 years of service on the Section Board. Along with the new officer crew, we have five new members of the Section Board of Directors. Beginning their four-year terms on the Board are Jason Aichele, Harold Bluestein, Chris Nowlen, Chris Runyan and Bill Shea.  Your new board gets rolling full speed next month, culminating in our Winter Planning and Board Meeting on December 5-6. If there is something you want addressed, please reach out to President Manley.

This winter, take on your own player development effort. Whether you join our 164 PGA Junior League teams, enhance your adult programming or add a Drive Chip and Putt Prep Clinic, do something that works at your facility.  The programs have a secondary benefit for the golf business, but done right they will benefit you and your facility much more than anyone else. If you need assistance, or just a few fresh ideas, reach out to Monte Koch, mkoch@pgahq.com or 206-335-5260.

The season is at an end and your staff is already hard at work preparing for next season.  We have 230 events to plan, numerous board and membership meetings to organize, and of course all the education and membership processes to complete.  It will be a busy winter making sure everything is ready for 2017.  Please extend your thanks to this dedicated group when you have a minute.

Have a great November and I look forward to seeing you in the spring.

Jeff Ellison, PGA

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