July means it’s time for the Rosauers and this year we return to the original site, Indian Canyon Golf Course, for the 30th Rosauers Open Invitational. Our thanks to Rosauers and the entire Spokane golf community for making this championship a success not only for the PGA Professional with $135,000 in total purse but also the official charity, the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery. Thanks to the tremendous support of our sponsors in the first 29 years, over $2.7 million has been raised to support their important work. Please join us for the Umpqua Bank Pro-Am and the championship. Enter at: https://www.pnwpga.com/event/2017-rosauers-open-invitational.
July is the final month of Drive Chip and Putt Local Qualifying with opportunities at Canyon River (July 6), The Creek at Qualchan (July 9), Pasco Golfland (July 19) and Emerald Valley (July 23). If the juniors you work with are not signed up, reach out to them today! Players from these sites will join the qualifiers from our 7 sites in June to compete for the chance to eventually reach Augusta. Five juniors from our sites made it last year! Send parents to www.drivechipandputt.com to register.
The Pacific Northwest Section PGA Merchandise Show will return to the very popular Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center on October 24-25. Not only is this a great time to work with current vendors but also find new lines for your shop. Included in this week is the Pro-Vendor on Monday at The Home Course as well as two excellent education programs. Look for more information soon.
Congratulations to Russell Grove on winning his first Section major – the Oregon Open Invitational at Juniper Golf Club. Russell tamed the course and the wind for a six shot margin of victory and the $7,500 first place check. Our thanks to General Manager Travis Kane and Head Professional James Billings for being terrific hosts. We could not conduct this championship without our sponsors – National Car Rental, Bridgestone, Sun Mountain, Sketchers, AMA/Sundog, Greg Norman, Legendary Headwear, Orange Whip and of course, Abby’s Pizza. Please thank them when you get the chance. One important note, the 2018 Oregon Open Invitational will change dates. In response to the new PPC dates we are moving to the final week of June contesting the championship on June 26-28, 2018 at Aspen Lakes Golf Course.
We just signed on PXG as a new sponsor for the Northwest Open Invitational at Wine Valley in August. Look for Jake Thomas on the range with a demo day opportunity.
Finally, there are still a couple of days to pay your PGA dues before National applies the late charges. You can pay by credit card by simply logging into your PGA.org account.
Have a great July and I hope to see you at the Rosauers.
Jeff Ellison, PGA