Early spring makes for busy times! If you are like the team at MCC, you are still short of help, but the golfers are out in full force. It is wonderful!
Last week, Connor Sproull, David Owens, and I played 100 holes for charity. We had a great time, but it was a long day! The best was when a member asked us how many holes we had played. We were through 64. He mentioned we only had 36 more to go…. I asked him how often he gets out for 36 holes in a day, to which he kindly said he would never do that, it’s hard on his back. I could already feel his pain. All three of us had nice support for our charities, exceeding our goals for junior golf through the Missoula Country Club Foundation, Special Olympics, and the local Humane Society. Thank you to Molly Cooper for starting the PNW PGA 100 Hole Marathon and all the professionals that stepped up to participate. Across the Northwest, we will be impacting communities as leaders and experts in our industry. Nice job!
The early end to winter has created challenges for our PGA JAM program. Our juniors run their own winter indoor simulator league! It is a great opportunity for the youths to organize, collaborate, and play golf with friends. We modified it into a Friday night simulator championship this week so they can golf on the course moving forward. Up next is the golf fundraiser they run for the Ronald McDonald House Charities and the MCC Foundation. The kids run the entire tournament, and their favorite part is choosing the rather challenging hole locations with our superintendent. This year they also designed this amazing golf bag that will hopefully begin production early this summer. If you want one, let me know. PGA JAM applications are now available for the 2024 program year. For more information and to apply to this PNWPGA grassroots player and leadership development program, please click here.
The 2024 FREDDY Initiative applications are open. Established in the memory of Section President Mr. Sean Frederickson, the FREDDY Initiative marries mentorship in a career pathway in golf with juniors who may have never considered such a career or even were aware how to pursue one. Interested facilities are encouraged to learn more and apply here. This is a wonderful program honoring a great man. We are currently looking to participate. I hope you will too. Likely, you already have a candidate that is coming to work for you this spring as a seasonal employee. Please, take a few minutes to consider this opportunity and expand a young employee’s horizons through mentorship.
The Pacific Northwest Hall of Fame ceremony inducting Mr. Doug Doxsie, PGA is set for April 27, 2024, at the beautiful Seattle Golf Club. I am thrilled to participate in this year’s event for one of my mentors. It will be a terrific event. Please join us if you can. Those interested in attending this prestigious event, please register here.
Next week, MCC will host the Western Montana Chapter spring meeting, education, and Match-Play Championship. The turnout this year is awesome with forty-six registered to play in the event. That seems to be the theme all around our Section. Participation in championships, pro-ams, and programs is growing, and events are full. The number of Associates in our Chapters and Section is also growing. The Section staff continues to do a terrific job of serving our members and our pros continue to grow the game. This is a great time to be a PGA Professional.
You are all going to be extremely busy and this is going to be a long season. Make sure to take care and make time for yourselves and your family.