Together, We Go Far
Henry Ford famously said, “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is a process, and working together is success.” Working together and forming mutually rewarding partnerships are the life-blood of any business. The Pacific Northwest Section PGA is no exception. I am proud to announce our latest partner in the ongoing effort to align with like-minded, equally passionate sponsors. Please join me in welcoming Pelzer Golf as the 2021 Title Sponsor for the 2021 Oregon Open Invitational. Pelzer Golf joins supporting sponsors Legendary Headwear, Sun Mountain, Skechers Golf and CMC Golf. Club Car is, again, generously supporting the Section Skins. The PNWPGA is grateful to our sponsors, alongside whom we are empowered to produce one of the finest tournament program in the nation.
I am thrilled to also announce that Craig and his firm will also take title to the 2021 Mexican Paradise Pro Am, supporting that new destination event and deepening his commitment to the Section, our professionals and our associates. Pelzer Golf’s decision to join us in such a substantive way is the more proof that a strong and lasting partnership delivers extraordinary value, especially when our businesses are as complementary. Pelzer Golf is renowned for their exemplary customer service. I encourage you all to take a minute to review their current catalog or simply connect with Craig.
Being together is always better. As you have heard me say so many times before, we chose to work in a profession that is, by definition, a social game. To be forced to compromise our ability to freely socialize with one another, even in the midst of a global pandemic, is still challenging. I would argue that for those of us in the golf business, it is especially difficult. Last Wednesday, April 28, I had the sincere pleasure to be in-person with nine fellow participants in the inaugural “100 Holes of Golf Marathon.” This year’s event was graciously hosted by High Cedars Executive Course. My thanks to the host facility for donating their executive course to us for the day as well as to each of my fellow participants. Special thanks to Molly Cooper for having this fantastic idea to spend thirteen hours, together, to raise funds for our respective, chosen charities. The day was coordinated perfectly. Despite putting my very rusty, very amateur game on display, selfishly, I would not have traded a single second of my time with so many dedicated, amazing golf professionals. My thanks, too, to the many other participants who also participated at other courses across our Section, prior to and after April 28. The first year resulted in more than $50,000 in funds raised!
As I reported during our time together at this year’s Spring Meeting, the Section has very aggressively developed a new, consumer-facing database. Using best practices I’ve been fortunate to have deployed in prior professional roles, the Section staff and I have worked diligently to build—and grow—a group of opted-in, eager, golfing enthusiasts. That database is now just under 47,000-strong. There are very clear sponsor opportunities attached to this effort. Our work to grow it will benefit both our partners as well as our Section.
For me, the most exciting opportunity to this work is that it creates a new channel through which we can now promote you, the PGA Member, your business and the many valuable services you prospective offer. Last week we decided to take the database for a test drive. Many of you likely saw the PGA Coach email that was sent. That email features four Section teaching professionals and a short video lesson for each. That email, also, featured a click-through to PGA Coach, inviting recipients to find a PGA Member close to them. Response was phenomenal. That initial email beat every prior email in every key metric: open rate, click through, to name just two. We also saw fantastic activation numbers. Sixteen percent of every person that opened the email also clicked through to find a PGA Member near them. These are very real, very viable business prospects.
While playing a hundred holes last week I was telling Caleb Hung about the “database test drive.” As I finished my sentence about activations, Carissa Shaw volunteered, “I have already received ten leads from that email!” This works. I encourage every one of you to complete your PGA Coach profile. For those with questions on just how to effectively create your online profile, the Section is offering a “Stay Involved Webinar” on precisely this topic, May 19. Please, mark your calendars. Our efforts to promote you, the PNWPGA, are only going to become even more intense and, hopefully, profitable for you. We are here to achieve one very clear, very important goal: To promote the Member and Grow the Game. Together, that goal will be accomplished.
As always, if I or any member of your phenomenal Section staff can be of any service to you, please contact us.
Frank Talarico, CEO