bryan tunstill

Bryan Tunstill, PGA
(503) 285-8354

President's Report

Summer is here, and that means that some of my fellow PGA Professionals have found their game in full stride or are about to be tested at a National Championship. I'd like to highlight our current star players, our "veterans" of the game, and our future players.

First off, congrats to PGA Professional Ryan Benzel for winning the 2016 Oregon Open Invitational, featuring the National Car Rental Pro-Am, at Brasada Canyons. Benzel of Sahalee CC birdied the final hole to win by two strokes and take the title of Oregon Open Invitational Champion. Two strokes back of Benzel was Darren Black, PGA, of Rainier G&CC and amateur Justin Kadin of Tetherow GC. Thanks to Zach Swoffer, PGA, and Daniel Wendt, PGA, for being great hosts to this championship.

As I write this article, I would be remiss if I didn’t congratulate our 8 PGA Professionals for competing in the 49th PGA Professional National Championship, contested late in June (26th through 29th) at Turning Stone Resort in New York. Representing the Pacific Northwest Section PGA are PGA Professionals Clint Ables of Tri-City CC, Jason Aichele of Meadow Springs CC, Tim Feenstra of Broadmoor GC, Ryan Malby of Iron Horse GC, Brian Nosler of Golf in the Pearl, Jason Pitt of Chewelah G&CC, Tony Robydek of Pro Golf Discount – Tacoma, and Brian Thornton of Meridian Valley CC. Congrats to you all. For full championship coverage, visit: http://www.pga.com/professionalchampionship/.

And not to forget about the senior professionals. Entries are now being accepted for the Senior PGA Professional Championship to be contested at Illahe Hills CC in Salem, OR. The event will be held Wednesday, September 7 to Thursday, September 8. The entry deadline is Wednesday, August 24th at 11:59 PM. (Please pay close attention to the entry deadline for this event. There will no longer be a late entry option to this championship. The PGA of America recently changed the entry process to a 5-year calculation which determines the amount of spots we are playing for and purse calculations.) Sign up now to be part of the fun and earn one of 7 PNWPGA spots in the National event, to be played at PGA Golf Club’s Wanamaker and Ryder courses on November 17-20, 2016.

Finally, we turn to the future stars of the Northwest, our Junior Golfers. The 2016 Pacific Northwest Junior PGA Championship was held at the Home Course in early June. Congrats to Ellie Slama of Salem, OR and Spencer Tibbits of Vancouver, WA for winning the overall boys’ and girls’ divisions. By winning, Tibbits and Slama qualified for the 41st Junior PGA Championship presented by Under Armour and Genesis Networks, Aug. 9-12 at Wannamoisett Country Club in Rumford, Rhode Island. Slama, 17, had a final-round 70 for a two-day total of 139 and a 13-stroke victory over Brittany Kwon of Bremerton, WA and Jalayne Martinez of Pasco, WA. Tibbits, also 17, posted a final-round 72 for a two-day total of 143 and won in a playoff against Joe Highsmith of Lakewood, WA and RJ Manke also from Lakewood, WA. Tibbits won on the third extra playoff hole. Tannica Porter of Eugene, OR won the Girls 13-15 age division after scores of 77-77-154 to win by one stroke over Lauryn Nguyen of Seattle, WA. Scotty Kennon of Bandon, OR won the Boys 13-15 age division with rounds of 74-69-143 by four strokes over Victor Wang of Sammamish, WA. Suzanne Tran of Poulsbo, WA won the Girls 12 & Under with scores of 82-89-171. She won by one stroke over Grace Lee of Bellevue, WA. Daniel Kim of Mukilteo, WA won the Boys 12 & Under with rounds of 71-70-141 to win by three strokes over Graham Moody of Vancouver, WA.

junior champs

The Junior PGA Championship has traditionally been a stepping-stone for many of today’s PGA and LPGA Tour professionals, as well as current collegiate stars. Past Junior PGA Championship competitors who have gone on to successful professional careers on tour include: Inbee Park, Luke Guthrie, Trevor Immelman, Cristie Kerr, Justin Leonard, Hunter Mahan, Phil Mickelson, Grace Park, Dottie Pepper, Jordan Spieth, Lexi Thompson, David Toms, Michelle Wie and Tiger Woods. We hope to see our PNWPGA Champions get better and better!

I hope summer is treating you all well so far, and that you get out as often as you can to play a round of golf, teach the game to your patrons, and, most, importantly, find time to spend with your family.

Best,
Bryan Tunstill

jeff ellison

Jeff Ellison, PGA

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CEO's Report

Our great friends at the Rosauers Open Invitational are getting ready to host us for the 29th event! This year, we return to MeadowWood GC in Liberty Lake. Our host, Bob Scott, PGA is looking forward to welcoming all his friends to beautiful MeadowWood. This time, with a full year to prepare for the championship, look for great things at MeadowWood. Our generous sponsors are offering up a $135,000 total purse and thanks to you they enjoy the pro-am and return every year. There may be a few spots left in the championship, get your entry form here.

Congratulations to Jim Pike, Mike Montgomery and the entire team at Sahalee CC for a tremendous job hosting the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship last month. The Section is thankful for the over 100 PGA members who helped manage the practice areas and made for a smooth event. My personal thank you to Angela Hinzpeter and Molly Cooper who staffed the Section operation on site, they went the extra mile to make the event successful putting in 7 straight 16 hours days. We are lucky to have them on the team.

It’s been a very busy first half of the season and it’s not letting up. We are closing in on the final result of our Department of Revenue audit. On July 6, we go live with a major upgrade to our accounting system – so we can keep sending you checks. Together with the staff in the chapters, we’ve converted our scoring system to Golf Genius. Finally, we are in the middle of conducting nine Drive, Chip and Putt Qualifiers in a three-week stretch. We feel for you on those long days, we are right there with you!

July is also time for our Summer Officers Meeting. Your leaders gather for a mid-season update just to ensure we are on track serving the members and growing the game. Bryan Tunstill, Greg Manley, Greg Morris and Marcus King are here to serve you…..reach out to them if you have something they should discuss.

Finally, thank you all who paid your dues. If you have not….whoops, they were due yesterday. Log into pga.org and take care of it today before they process the late charges!

Jeff Ellison

The Pacific Northwest Section PGA Merchandise Show will be upon us before you know it. Scheduled for October 25-26, we return to the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center and, right next door, the Hotel Murano. With the show, hotel and 30 restaurants all within walking distance, everyone had a great time last year. The Pro-Vendor will be contested on the morning of October 24 at a fantastic venue – Chambers Bay! Start recruiting your vendor partner now. We’ll also have our usual education offerings – stay tuned for details.

Summer is just starting, but it’s a great time to start thinking about seeing the sunshine at least once this winter. Entries are out for the 42nd Hawai’i Pro-Am. We head to the Big Island, January 12-19 and visit the fantastic Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows. You’ll enjoy 82 degrees every day, play golf on both the North and South courses and, if you are smart, spend a little time on the beach each day! Click here for more information or give Jeff Ellison a call in the office: 800-688-4653.

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Northwest Open Invitational Returns to Wine Valley GC

Entries are now available for the Northwest Open Invitational at Wine Valley GC on August 15-17th. PGA Director of Golf John Thorsnes is excited to host this year and invites you to take part of this historic championship. The entry deadline is Wednesday, August 3rd.

pro online entry form | pro entry form (pdf)

History of the Northwest Open Invitational

The history of the Northwest Open is as significant as the history of golf in the Pacific Northwest. The list of past champions reads like a who’s who in Pacific Northwest Golf. In fact, sixteen members of the Pacific Northwest Section’s Hall of Fame are Northwest Open Champions. CLICK HERE to see the complete list of champions.

The early years were dominated by Seattle Golf Club’s Robert Johnstone (who won 6 of the first 10 events) and “Long Jim” Barnes. Barnes, the professional at Tacoma C&GC from 1911 – 1915, won the first two PGA Championships (1916, 1919) in addition to the 1921 U.S. Open and the 1925 British Open! Spokane’s Marvin “Bud” Ward captured six championships over a 22 year span, five as an amateur and his last as a professional.

Last year PGA Professional Derek Barron of Tacoma Golf Center came back to capture the 2015 Northwest Open Invitational after a shaky front nine with four birdies in a row. Barron then went on his birdie streak setting a new Northwest Open Invitational record of 199, 17 under par.

Wine Valley Golf Club

Wine Valley Golf Club, which opened in April of 2009, has been rated 5th on Golfweek’s Best New Courses. This stunning Dan Hixson design unfolds on a grand scale, playing over rolling hills in the shadow of the Blue Mountains. Wine Valley GC had broad fairways, dramatic bunkers, and bold, undulating putting surfaces.

Learn More

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PNW PGA Professional Championship to be Held at Astoria G&CC

National is now accepting entries for the PNW PGA Professional Championship at Astoria G&CC on September 20-22, 2016. The entry deadline is Wednesday, August 31 at 11:59 PM. You may register for this event through PGA of America Membership services at 800-474-2776, www.pga.org or www.pgatournaments.com. Please pay attention to the 11:59 PM entry deadline for this event!

Your Section Championship & Qualifier for the National PGA Championship

This championship confers the title of “The Pacific Northwest Section Champion”. It is the most important and elite PNW PGA tournament of the season.

Eligibility: You must be employed in one of the following classifications as of August 31 to be eligible to play in the PNW PGA Professional Championship: MP, A-1, A-2, A-4, A-5, A-6, A-7, A-8, A-9, A-10, A-11, A-12, A-13, A-14, A-15, A-16, A-17, A-18, A-19, A-20, A-21, A-22, A-23, A-24, LMA and LMMA.

Advancement: The top seven finishers in our PNW PGA Professional Championship will advance directly to the 50th PGA Professional Championship, supported by Club Car, Mercedes-Benz USA and OMEGA, held at the PNW’s very own Sunriver Resort’s Crosswater and Meadows courses, Sunriver, Oregon on June 25-28, 2017.

That’s right! We are playing for spots to advance to the National Championship held within our own Section next June! Additionally, the low 20 scores at the 2017 PGA Professional Championship will earn a place in the 99th PGA Championship.

Learn More

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Compete for the Section Senior Championship Title!

We are now accepting entries for our Senior PGA Professional Championship at Illahe Hills in Salem, OR. The event will be held Wednesday, September 7 to Thursday, September 8. The entry deadline is Wednesday, August 24th at 11:59 PM. Please pay close attention to the entry deadline for this event. There will no longer be a late entry option to this championship. The PGA of America recently changed the entry process to a 5-year calculation which determines the amount of spots we are playing for and purse calculations.

Eligibility: Professionals must be eligibly employed and classified in one of the following active membership classifications as of August 24 or have Life member status (LM, LMA, LMM, or LMMA) to be eligible to play in the Senior PGA Professional Championship Qualifier: MP, A-1, A-2, A-4, A-5, A-6, A-7, A-8, A-9, A-10, A-11, A-12, A-13, A-14, A-15, A-16, A-17, A-18, A-19, A-20, A-21, A-22, A-23, A-24.

Advancement:The top seven qualifiers from the PNW Senior PGA Professional Championship will advance directly to the 2016 Senior PGA Professional Championship supported by Mercedes-Benz USA. The event will be played on PGA Golf Club’s Wanamaker and Ryder courses on November 17-20, 2016.

If you want to have a chance to advance to qualify for the Senior PGA Professional Championship supported by Mercedes-Benz USA, you must enter through PGA of America Membership services at 800-474-2776, www.pga.org or www.pgatournaments.com

The top seven players that advance to the Senior PPC will receive a bonus payout of $300 each.

Two Entries, One Championship

If you want to sign up for PNW Senior PGA Professional Championship, please download the entry form here: www.pnwpga.com/pdf/entrysrpga.pdf. This SEPARATE (and additional) entry is for a chance to play for the purse and title of Senior PGA Champion.

You will need to get BOTH entries in if you wish to qualify for the Senior PGA Professional Championship AND our Section title!

Learn More

National Car Rental PNW Assistant PGA Professional Championship

Renton, WA – Fairwood G&CC
August 8, 2016

Details

Rosauers Open Invitational - Late entries available!

Liberty Lake, WA – MeadowWood GC
Umpqua Bank Pro-Am: July 13-14
Championship: July 15-17, 2016

Details

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The 82nd Oregon Open Invitational

National Car Rental Pro-Am Team Champions (left to right: PGA Professional Darren Black, amateur Mike Haack, amateur Matt Marrese, and PGA Professional Tim Feenstra); Champion PGA Professional Ryan Benzel

By Mitch DeKruif, PNW PGA Tournament Intern

Brasada Canyons GC in Powell Butte, Oregon was the host site for the 82nd Oregon Open Invitational featuring the National Car Rental Pro-Am. The 7,295 yard, par 72 golf course saw three days of competition in which 192 professionals and amateurs vied for both teams and individual victories.

The team competition was sponsored by National Car Rental, and consisted of 48 teams made up of two PNW PGA Professionals and two amateurs, competing in a best 2 of 4 net format. The team of PGA Professional Darren Black (Rainier G&CC), PGA Professional Tim Feenstra (Broadmoor GC), Michael Haack (Meridian Valley CC), and Matt Marrese (The Golf Club at Newcastle) became the National Car Rental Pro-Am Team Champions with a two day total of 257. PGA Professional Darren Black and amateur Michael Haack also won the Four-Ball Pro-Am team competition.

The National Car Rental Pro-Am series seeks to provide professionals and amateurs the exciting experience of competing in golf tournaments all over the country. Over 20,000 golfers are expected to participate in 200 tournaments hosted in all 41 PGA sections this year, including two events in the Pacific Northwest Section, the Oregon Open Invitational and the Pacific Northwest Pro-Am Championship.

After the team competitions were decided at the conclusion of 36 holes, the low 70 players and ties advanced to Thursday all aiming for the title of 82nd Oregon Open Invitational Champion. PGA Professional Ryan Benzel (Sahalee CC) came out on top. Two strokes behind Benzel was PGA Professional Darren Black tied with amateur Justin Kadin (Tetherow GC).
When asked what it felt like to win the Oregon Open Invitational, Benzel responded:

"It felt great to win the Oregon Open! I believe any player feels a sense of achievement and a boost of confidence when they are able to finish at the top of the leaderboard. I'm so happy to have won the Oregon Open as I had been close to winning in the past, so to finally win definitely feels great.”

In order to stand atop the leaderboard, Ryan had to traverse a challenging golf course, grind through unfavorable weather conditions and fend off fellow competitors who are no strangers to the winner’s circle.

"The part of my game that contributed most to the win had to be my putting. I rolled the ball very well each day, read the greens well, and my speed on nearly every putt I hit all week was perfect," he said. A well-executed short game and closing birdie on the tough 18th hole allowed Ryan Benzel to raise the crystal at the conclusion of the Oregon Open Invitational.

The Oregon Open Invitational benefited the KIDS Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child abuse. The Oregon Open donated $3,500 along with a raffle that the organization put on during the event. All proceeds go directly to the KIDS Center. Go to kidscenter.org to learn more or donate.

We’d like to thank host professionals Zach Swoffer and Dan Wendt, along with Brasada Ranch for the gracious accommodations and fantastic golf course. Another thank you goes out to National Car Rental for sponsoring the team competitions and the rest of our amazing sponsors. We will be returning to Juniper GC next year for the playing of the 83rd Oregon Open Invitational.

Final Results

Points Lists

Player of the Year | 1. Brian Thornton, 220 | 2. Ryan Benzel, 210 | 3. Jeff Coston, 202.5
Senior Player of the Year | 1. Jeff Coston, 345 | 2. Rob Gibbons, 240 | 3. Tom Sovay, 165
Assistant Player of the Year | 1. Tim Feenstra, 205 | 2. John Cassidy, 177.5 | 3. Chris Griffin, 172.5
Hudson Cup | 1. Ryan Benzel, 220 | 2. Jeff Coston, 205 | 3. Darren Black, 190
Senior Hudson Cup | 1. Jeff Coston, 540 | 2. Rob Gibbons, 445 | 3. Steve Prugh, 330

Candidates for Secretary

What would you change in the Section and Chapter operations?

fredrickson

Sean Fredrickson, PGA

Chapter and Section operations are often topics of “water cooler” conversations. As a board member I hear my share of feedback. Some feedback is positive but the bulk of the feedback is negative. I've been asked to offer my own opinion of our Section and Chapter operations; specifically what I would change.

But before we can discuss how to make things better, we all should have a comprehensive understanding of how our Section and Chapter functions.

For starters, we have 14 Section employees that serve over 1100 Professionals. There are 5 Chapter Boards, numerous committees and a Section Board comprised of Chapter Presidents and Vice Presidents. Additionally, the Section board has a President, a Vice President, a Secretary and a Past President. All of these groups of people play a collective role in the operation of our Section and Chapter.

I can't begin to tell you how dedicated our employees, our committees and our boards are to the success of our Section and Chapter activities. Personally, I can't them enough for their efforts.

This past winter, your board and staff worked together to develop a long overdue Strategic Plan for our Section. Our strategic plan identified 6 Core Components; Tournaments, Player and Professional Development, Employment, Community Outreach and Charity, and Governance. The staff was then asked to come up with a business plan for the coming year using our Strategic Plan as a guide.

Additionally, our committee structure was also redefined in an effort to align their respective scope with our Strategic Plan. The result is a board, a staff, and committees all working as a cohesive unit towards a common purpose; serving the members and growing the game.

In years past, I believe that our board, our committees and in some respects our staff lacked a precise plan. Furthermore, I found it hard to determine if our actions and decisions were successful as we had a no specific evaluation criteria in place to guide us.

It will be my goal as your next Section Secretary to ensure that our operations are aligned with our goals as an association. When we are asked why we do what we do we must be confident in our ability to answer. It will be…

Because all of our Tournament Operations must be second to none. We need to take a hard look at our tournament program and make sure are meeting our stated goals. Payouts, entry fees, sign up processes, and formats must be constantly evaluated and updated as needed.
Because it is our goal to drive participation in the game. We need to devote more resources to growing the game. We need to increase our programs and our funding. I think we've made some progress, but we have a long way to go to make growing the game a high priority.
Because we must engage our membership and cultivate Professionals that care for the game. Professional development is critical to the future of the game. If we grow outstanding professionals, the game will flourish. Our board and staff must continue to lead the way in informing, motivating and educating new and experienced professionals alike. To date, I think we've done very little on this front and this must change.
Because we need to support our Professionals and provide opportunities for advancement. Enhancing our brand and our value needs to be a high operational priority. We must continue to focus on connecting professionals and employers.
Because it is in our best interest to continue to be recognized as a supporter of local charities and community involvement. Golf is a great conduit between those that have and those that need. If we are in a position to help, we need to make sure we do so. We must continue to align ourselves with charitable organizations.
Because we have a need to govern our association to be responsible, and improve the affairs of our Section and Chapters. The PNWPGA has a proud history of service. We need to cultivate leaders and develop a framework for leaders to be successful.

How would I change our Section and Chapter operations? My answer lies in our ability to understand our mission, our vision, and our goals. If I am elected to serve as your Section Secretary I promise to hold our staff, our Section and Chapter Boards and our committees accountable to our Mission Statement--to serve the Membership and grow the game of golf.

harrington

Dan Harrington, PGA

As I sit down to write this month’s article, I have just seen two major championship trophies hoisted into the air and one almost perfect team become a bridesmaid. The champions, both clear cut examples of perseverance, Dustin Johnson and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The bridesmaid, a team that despite winning over 92% of its games in the regular season, did not win the trophy. The Cavs won a title for Cleveland for the first time in 52 years, DJ won his first major in what felt like his 52nd major attempt, and the Golden State Warriors were about 52 seconds away from winning back-to-back titles. How do these three at all relate to our PGA Section and your PGA Chapter? Most of us would agree that it takes fortitude and often years of experience to build, manage, and ultimately achieve an “operational Championship.”

I enjoy being a member of a PGA Section that year after year is a winner, in my opinion, about 92% of the time. Will we win an operational “title” in 2016? Is there really a trophy at the end of year for the PNW Section or does the other 8% represent an on-going collective effort to achieve perfection? Our Section wins with great efficiency due to the amount of sweat equity and professional expertise expended by our knowledgeable staff as well as guidance from Section officers and Chapter Directors. At this level I feel change, both internal and external, is inevitable. As your Secretary, I would serve you the golf professional by collecting and presenting your suggestions to the Section board and committees for consideration. An ever-improving, transformative operation that retains and trains its members and apprentices is the one that comes closest in my mind to “winning the championship.”

As a member of the Western Washington Chapter since 1996, I’ve seen several changes in our operation over the years. We all know the golf landscape, the profession, and the business has changed in twenty years. One thing that hasn’t changed, and something I would strive to continue improving, is education and its relationship to career path mentoring in our Section. I know firsthand that our Chapters do a good job planning and delivering quality, timely education topics and that our PGA Northwest regional career services consultant Carol Pence does an amazing job assisting golf professionals and employers alike. Beyond this it’s “Yer on your own Kid.” This is why I would continue enhancing our current Education Committee operational structure so that the Section and Chapters may work more closely than ever before. As Section Secretary it would be my goal to guide what I like to call a “Section Super Committee” to deliver the same highly intensive and participatory education and career enhancement education opportunities to all Chapters. This can be done by obtaining and implementing current technologies to better broadcast educational materials and bring the members of our vast geographical Chapters together.

My newest hero is Dustin Johnson. After numerous leads on the final day of major championships, as well as battling personal issues, he has emerged as the poster child for perseverance. All of us at some point have experienced bumps in the road in life, our profession, or attainment of personal goals. In this breath our Section and Chapter operations need to continue moving forward through any change or adversity that presents itself. My personal lifetime leadership goal has not wavered …continuing as an officer of our winning, yet ever-improving Section. Thank again for your time. Please reach out to me anytime with your comments.

Respectfully,
Dan Harrington, PGA

Holk's Highlights

Ryan Benzel, PGA

Facility: Sahalee CC
Hometown: Grew up in Ritzville, WA, currently Redmond, WA.
PGA Member Since: 2006

My PGA Professional career began in 2003 when I was hired as an Assistant Professional at Seattle Golf Club by Doug Doxsie. I simply wanted to continue to be around the game and also to continue to play competitively. Little did I know how much becoming a PGA Professional would change my life. I have been very fortunate in my golf career to work at great places and play in great championships, but I have also been around some very great PGA Professionals: Ron Barker, Steve Prugh, Brad Rickel, Les Blakley, Dan Hill, Doug Doxsie, Fred Jacobson, and now Mike Montgomery. I learned the game and how to compete from Ron Barker. Brad Rickel taught me how to be a leader, when to have fun, and when to focus. And Doug Doxsie, shaped who I have become as a PGA Professional.

Brought to you by:

Career Services
Carol Pence, PGA
(510) 706-1583
CPence@pgahq.com

Five Steps to Productive Networking

Whether looking for new business or a job new opportunity, networking can be key to success. It is easy to meet new people while attending a PGA seminar or meeting or at tournaments, or when you play at different facilities. It happens in everyday life as well. You never know when you might be getting a sandwich at a golf course, or waiting in line at Starbucks, and be standing next to someone who can turn out to be instrumental in your career. Will you know how to take advantage of the opportunity when it comes?

The fundamental challenge is to get to know people and make a positive impression on them that will lead them to remember you… or to recommend you to others. Thus, being able to strike up and maintain a conversation with a new person is an essential career skill.

There are easy ways to make it genuine and intentionally beneficial for your goals in the conversation. Here are some key tools for impromptu public networking:

scg

Members on the Move

Michelle Parish
Tournament & Membership Assistant

Employment Changes

Matthew T. Fredrickson, PGA (A-8) - from Tualatin CC to The GC at Newcastle
Joshua Grenier (B-8) - from Coeur D'Alene GC to Prairie Falls GC
Martin A. Reinland (B-6) - from Clarkston CC to Dave's Valley Golf
Cody C. Rowe, PGA (A-8) - from Pumpkin Ridge - Witch Hollow to Riverside G&CC
Christopher M. Woods, PGA (A-14) - from GolfTEC - Tualatin to GolfTEC - Beaverton

Class Changes

Chris T Curran, PGA (MeadowWood GC) - from A-8 to A-1
Brad A. Hunter, PGA (GolfTEC - Tualatin) - from A-6 to A-14
Bob Scott, PGA (MeadowWood GC) - from A-1 to A-4

New Apprentices

Mark R Babst - The Highlander GC
David C Brown - Arrowhead GC
Bryce E Fisher - Arrowhead GC
Robert H Fisher - Arrowhead GC
Andrew I Gihm - The GC at Newcastle
Timothy J Ray - Meadow Lake Golf Resort
Timothy Sullivan-Byorick - The GC at Echo Falls
Jess A Wingett - The Highlands GC

Newly Elected Members

Mitchell A. Girard, PGA (A-8) - Olympia C&GC
Russell E. Grove, PGA (A-8) - Twin Lakes Village GC
Paul R. Montanaro, PGA (A-8) - Gamble Sands GC

Transfers OUT of the Section

Cody J. Vukovich, PGA - from Cutter & Buck to S. California Section
Clark R. Willard, PGA - from Bandon Dunes Golf Resort toWisconsin Section

Transfers INTO the Section

Eric R Barna - to Gozzer Ranch Golf & Lake Club from Southwest
Jason J. Dobey, PGA - to Unaffiliated from N. California

Deceased

Kelly J Wechter - obituary

New Half Century

Thomas Parkhurst

Player Development
Monte Koch, PGA
Player Development Regional Manager
(206) 335-5260
Mkoch@pgahq.com

Are You Playing the Same Ol’ Game Even Though the Game Has Changed? (The Story of Grasslands C.C. And the New Formula for Success)

In the past four years plus, I’ve seen some amazing stories of success with player development, member engagement and retention here in the Pacific Northwest PGA Section. I have seen, and been blessed to help, PGA professionals get their dream job – or create it – through efforts to develop successful player development and member engagement concepts.

I have also seen well-intentioned PGA professionals (and/or golf club owners) with a massive blind spot. They still believe in the old business formula: great service + great course conditions = success. Yes, service still matters and so do course conditions. But, let’s face it, our customers can get those nearly everywhere.

Thinking “PGA Service” is the key to success is off-base in today’s world. That’s the same as thinking a set of MacGregor MT woods (real wood), Wilson FG-17 irons and a Titleist Pro-Traj will perform as well as any of today’s modern equipment. I started the final round of the Oregon Open at Brasada Ranch this month. One thing I didn’t see was a player teeing it up with that old equipment. Why not? Well, we all know that would be insane.

And yet, there are PGA professionals, owners and board members who still think the business formula that worked before (when the Pro-Traj was still the best ball) is still the right one. That is also insane. To prove that point of view, I’d like to share a story with you...

Financial Services
Blake Parrish
Senior VP, Portfolio Mgr.
(503) 619-7237
blake@bpfinancialassoc.com

Your Home is Yours

“Study the rules so that you won’t beat yourself by not knowing something.” – Babe Didrikson Zaharias

Have you watched nervously as the the investments in your 401(k) rise and fall amid a volatile market leading into the years you plan to retire? There’s a good chance the value of your home is rising in today’s environment. So, rather than take money out of your retirement plan when it may be low, why not leverage money out of your home when it is high? You know the old adage, “buy low and sell high.”

Having a buffer asset can help manage sequence of returns better and make a retirement income plan more efficient.A reverse mortgage can reduce the risk of outliving our savings by allowing us to use loan proceeds during down markets rather than tap a shrinking nest egg at the wrong time.

If you’ve dismissed reverse mortgages in the past as inappropriate, they are worth a second look.

Certified Financial Planner Boardof Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.”