Looking at the early morning temperatures here in Central Oregon, it’s clear we are into the fall season. Most golf courses are beginning to “punch,” and rounds will start to slow down. It has been a crazy year for sure. This is an excellent time to begin thinking of what you will do during the slower months. If I can make a suggestion, it’s a great time to work on Education. While lifelong learning should be our goal, it doesn’t hurt that Member Service Requirements (MSR) often come with our learning. Don’t let the end of the cycle catch unprepared. Check out the Section education schedule at: https://www.pnwpga.com/member-services/education.
So what should you work on? Well, Leadership is never a bad place to start. There are hundreds of definitions of Leadership. We can all state characteristics of Leadership, good and bad. But I think having a clear, usable definition allows you to have a filter for all of your actions and decisions. Looking at information from Simon Sinek, Ken Blanchard, and others is an excellent place to start. I keep a note on my desk that has my definition of Leadership. I look at it daily, and ask myself, am I leading enough? Another valuable asset is Monte Koch, our Career Consultant. Monte has a wealth of knowledge in subjects like Leadership and Career Development. He is here to help us. Please put him to work for you. Lastly, look for new opportunities to learn.
The applications for the next PGA LEAD Cohort just opened. Here is the link: https://news.pga.org/members/pga-lead-accepting-applications. If you are interested in Chapter, Section, and National volunteer leadership, PGA LEAD can help you start. We have had six Cohorts in PGA LEAD since it began in 2016; approximately sixty members have completed or are close to finishing the program. Of those sixty members, we have one Section President, two Section Vice Presidents (who will become Presidents in October), six members who serve on Section Boards, and 15 LEAD members who are on PGA National Committees. If you are a member in good standing, I encourage you to click on the link for more information and the application. Our Section has had more members participate in the LEAD program than any other Section. Let’s keep it going; apply now. The deadline for submission is October 13, 2020.
Let’s congratulate our winner of the PNW PGA Professional Championship recently held at Canyon River Golf Club. Corey Prugh of Community Colleges of Spokane won the Section Championship in a four-hole playoff against Brady Sharp of Wine Valley GC and Bo Baker of The Creek at Qualchan. Prugh previously won this event in 2019 and 2016.
In addition to Prugh, Sharp, and Baker, Tim Feenstra of Broadmoor GC, Russell Grove of North Idaho College, Colin Inglis of Shadow Hills CC, and Derek Berg of PNW Golf Academy will be representing us in the 2021 PGA Professional Championship presented by Club Car and OMEGA, held at PGA Golf Club (Wanamaker & Ryder Courses) in Port St Lucie on April 25-28, 2021.
Please participate in your Chapter meeting and get ready for our virtual show and meeting coming in October.
Stay safe,
Howie Pruitt, PGA
Director, Golf Operations, Aspen Lakes GC
President, Pacific Northwest Section