After all the weather the Northwest has received over the past three weeks, I think we are all searching for some good news. Here you go: daylight savings time begins March 10th and March 20th is the first day of spring. That means green grass and golfers ready to shake off the winter blues.
I had the pleasure of attending the Inland Empire Chapter meeting on February 17th. It was great to see the chapter board at work, under the direction of Chapter President Chris Runyan and assisted by Executive Director Jason Letus. The Inland Empire Chapter is in good hands and they have a great plan in place for 2019. Jason will be taking on a new role this year, Jason is now the Executive Director of the Inland Empire Chapter and the Central Washington Chapter. Jason will be taking on this role while working out of the section office. You will also see Jason at our section majors as he helps the rest of the section staff with our tournament programs. This move will allow us to better serve the members in these two chapters and enhance communication levels.
I would also like to welcome Dana Pugh to the Section staff. Dana will be the new voice answering the phones at the section office. As we welcome Dana to the staff, we have to say goodbye to another one. Cecelia Morales (Cece) is leaving the Section team for a great new exciting opportunity. Thank you Cece for the last 5 1/2 years of hard work on the behalf of the Section members. You will be missed but I know you will flourish in your new job.
Compensation Survey, COMPENSATION SURVEY, there is a reason why I said it twice… If you haven’t filled it out yet at pga.org, you have until March 31st to earn 2 MSR’s and help your fellow PGA Professionals at the same time. The goal is to make this year’s PGA Compensation Survey the most successful ever. In 2017 we were second in the country with a completion rate of 72%. In 2018 that dropped to around 48%. The main reason why this survey is so important is it helps us all! The data produced is used every day by your fellow PGA members, Associates and Career Consultants to make a case for improved compensation. The survey is completely confidential and your individual data cannot be seen or accessed. Please go online to pga.org and fill it out today.
You still have time to fill out the Yamaha Player Development Grants. Two separate Player Development Grants are offered, Youth and Adult. Our goal is to provide as many grants as possible, with a maximum of $1,000.00 per grants. The section has $24,000.00 to give out to those professionals that apply. There are two requirements, provide documentation in the form of receipts on the use of the funds and also write a short one-page “Best Practice” on your program that we can share with other professionals on our website.
As the officers make their rounds to the chapter meetings, please reach out to us and let us know your thoughts and concerns, we are here to serve the membership.
The Spring Meeting is right around the corner at Seattle Golf Club, see you there!
All the best,
Gregory C. Morris, PGA
President, PNWPGA
Head Golf Professional, Iron Horse GC