December 2018 CEO’s Report

Welcome to our latest innovation to ForeWord Press – twice-monthly editions designed to make our communications more timely and more efficient for you; shorter editions in response to your busy schedules.  Thank you Marlena Cannon for your efforts to serve our members.

A big congratulations to Caleb Hung of Overlake G&CC who was just selected to join PGA Lead.   Caleb is our seventh Section member to be selected for this prestigious program.    PGA Lead is designed to train our next generation of leaders. In response to this need, you will see a Section program roll-out in 2019 that will be delivered at the Chapter level.   Our Board is designing this effort and of course we’ve drafted one of the original PGA Lead candidates, our new Section Secretary Howie Pruitt to “lead” the program.  Look for more information soon.

“Grow the game” is part of our mission statement and we will soon release applications for the 2019 Yamaha Player Development Grants.   Now in its FIFTH YEAR, this program supports your efforts to grow the game.  It’s not about a Section program; it’s about $14,000 distributed to support YOUR programs.  Look for the application soon and apply!   Our thanks to Ben Foreman and Yamaha for their continued support.

The Pacific Northwest Section PGA Junior Fund will also be offering a Youth Player Development Grant program.  This is driven by your contributions to the 1% Club, either mail in your check or go to the web site to contribute online.

One Percent Club Payment Form

Forty Section professionals enjoyed another great Bandon Dunes Playing Workshop, thanks to the terrific staff at Bandon Dunes and our new sponsor Jason Fenton of Honma.  The Bandon team puts on a good show. Look for us to return next December.  I’m finalizing dates this week…. and no you can’t sign up right now!

We are off to Ireland, September 21-28, 2019.   We already have two teams in the door, give me a shout for details about professional pricing.    Our courses are some of the best links experiences in the world.   If you like golf, beer, whiskey and the color green, this trip is for you.

PNW Ireland Pro-Am

We are just two weeks away from a major update to the Rules of Golf.   Be sure you have the book and load the app on your phone or tablet. I’m sorry, but you better spend a little time learning the changes.   Simply put, more rules have changed than stayed the same, so please do a little prep before we have to talk in the scoring tent.   The OGA and WSGA are offering seminars, many chapters have already started programs and I will work with our great partner Golf Genius to develop a road show for you offering education on both the Rules and Golf Genius.  There are great resources online at USGA.org. Also look for a digital tool kit headed your way from the USGA before the end of the year that will help you share the changes with your members.  There’s nothing hard to understand, there are just a lot of changes.

Finally, our 2019 Section Tournament Schedule is complete and available. Make it a point to take advantage of the excellent events we offer.  Whether it’s the Northwest Open or Ireland Pro-Am, we have something for you.   Our chapters are also finalizing their schedules.  Each of our five chapters offer an impressive array of events, find the ones that work for you and play.  Play for your enjoyment, play to connect with your members or play to connect with your fellow professionals,  or play for a piece of the $1,755,000 we paid out in 2018.  But just play.

2019 Tournament Schedule

One final thank you to the tremendous staff that serves you every day, the crew in the office and the crew working in the chapters. All are here to help you enjoy your membership and prosper in your career.   We welcome the opportunity to help you, just give us a call.

Happy Holidays,

Jeff Ellison, PGA
CEO, Pacific NW Section PGA

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