Prugh Wins Section Championship; Gibbons Wins Senior Section Championship; 2017 Vegas Pro-Am information; PROfile: Ed Paine

President's Report

Bryan Tunstill, PGA

Best,
Bryan Tunstill, PGA

CEO's Report

Jeff Ellison, PGA

The Section Merchandise Show is just three weeks away, October 25-26 at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center. This beautiful building is located in downtown Tacoma. Our host hotel, Hotel Murano, is just across the street – and there are 30 restaurants and bars within walking distance! In addition to doing your buying for the year, you and your staff should be able to have a little fun. We open with the Pro-Vendor Invitational at Chambers Bay on Monday, October 24. The show runs October 25 and 26, with our Annual Meeting scheduled for the morning of October 26.

The Board is continuing the effort to openly communicate Section programs to all of you. The Annual Meeting will focus on sharing how the Section fulfilled the Strategic Plan in 2016. Come early, as Pelzer Golf Supplies is hosting a hot breakfast at 6:30 AM before the meeting begins at 7:30.

We’ve finalized the education program at the Merchandise Show. Monte Koch leads off with “Become the Chief Engagement Officer at Your Facility” on Monday October 24. The theme is engagement focused on customer (or member) activation, customer retention and customer acquisition, which will be the driver of bottom line success now and in the future. We close the Show with our traditional teaching workshop. This year, four of our top teachers will present a panel discussion to help you be a better and more effective teacher: Jason Aichele, Kathy Gildersleeve-Jensen, Jason Owens and Tom Sovay. Slated for Wednesday, October 26 be sure to attend this exciting new program.

Pro-Vendor Invitational – $35 per person, includes lunch
PNW PGA Merchandise Show – FREE for professionals & buyers
Education Seminars – flyer/registration form
Education Seminars – online registration
Hotel Reservations

The 2017 tournament schedule is coming together. Be sure to set your facility schedule to maximize your playing opportunities next year.

I hope you were able to join us at Astoria for the PPC. John Kawasoe and the Oregon Chapter were great hosts and we hit a perfect weather window for the Championship. Congratulations to Corey Prugh on his victory. Join us next year as we return to the always-popular Circling Raven Golf Club for the 2017 PPC.

We’ll see you at the Merchandise Show and Annual Meeting.

Have a great October,

Jeff Ellison, PGA

2017 Schedule

Check out the 2017 tournament schedule draft and mark your calendars! Also, don't forget to thank the 2016 tournament sponsors.

Members on the Move

by Michelle Parish - Tournament & Membership Assistant

Employment Changes
Jacob J. Hanson, PGA (A-1) - from Sand Point CC to Alderbrook G&YC

David M. Lebeck, PGA (A-8) - from Astoria Golf & CC to Portland GC

Shane A Prante (B-8) - from Fort Steilacoom GC to Lake Spanaway GC

Class Changes
Edward R. Clark, PGA (Wenatchee G&CC) - from A-1 to A-13

Corey W. Prugh, PGA (Manito G&CC) - from A-6 to A-8

Newly Elected Members
Mitchell R. Berschauer, PGA (A-8) - Seattle GC

Lisa A. Johnson, PGA (A-12) - University of Idaho

Matthew A. Montecucco, PGA (A-1) - Fort Steilacoom GC

New Apprentices
David A Grove (B-8) - Langdon Farms GC

Transfers OUT of the Section
John McComish, PGA - from Unaffiliated to Southern California

Transfers IN to the Section
Brendon J. Bain - to Central Oregon Indoor Golf from Southwest

New Quarter Century
Douglas C. DeAndre, PGA

Michael Drake, PGA

James E. Wakeman, PGA

New Half Century
Richard G. Smith, PGA

Resigned
Benjamin T. Pope (B-8)

Host PGA Professional John Kawasoe with Champion Corey Prugh

Prugh Wins PNW PGA Professional Championship

By Molly Cooper, PGA - Director of Tournament & Member Programs

PGA Professional Corey Prugh of Manito G&CC won the Pacific Northwest PGA Professional Championship in a one-hole playoff against defending Champion Tim Feenstra of Broadmoor GC. Prugh made a birdie on the first extra hole for the title and the $8,500 first place check.

"I am so excited to have won the PNW PGA Professional Championship, it’s great to have had the opportunity to play against and come out on top against our best Professionals in the area. Not only a great tournament but being able to qualify for our National Championship again is awesome," said Prugh of his win. He had previously qualified for the PGA Professional Championship in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

The PNW PGA Professional Championship was a 54-hole championship and served as a qualifier to advance directly to the PGA Professional Championship, June 18-21, 2017 at Sunriver Resort, Sunriver, Oregon. In addition to Prugh and Feenstra, Scott Erdmann of Oswego Lake CC, Russell Grove of College Golf Camps Of America LLC, Brent Murray of Oswego Lake CC, Ryan Malby of Iron Horse GC and Bryan Tunstill of Columbia Edgewater CC each earned spots to represent the Section next June.

Additionally, the low 20 scores at the 50th PGA Professional Championship next June will earn a place in the 99th PGA Championship, August 10-13, 2017 at Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, North Carolina.

Going into the final round three strokes back of defending Champion Feenstra, Prugh was finally able to bring the game around to his favor.

"I had a really good stretch from hole 6-12 after making bogey on 3 and 5, I played that stretch 5-under and that propelled me to the top," said Prugh.

With this win, Prugh just needs to add the Washington Open Invitational title to complete his PNW PGA Grand Slam. When asked about being so close, Prugh responded with enthusiasm.

"It feels great to be so close, you know it is a goal of mine to be able to win them all and I was very happy to get a win in [this] event for the first time. It also means that I can't wait for another crack at the Washington Open. I have had some good finishes there but I'm super excited for the opportunity to add that to my resume."

With this recent win, Prugh has captured seven PNW PGA Section majors. His previous majors include: Oregon Open Invitational in 2008, Northwest Open Invitational in 2011, and the Rosauers Open Invitational in 009, 2011, 2013 and 2015.

Special thanks go to John Kawasoe and Astoria G&CC for a great week. We also had some amazing Presenting Sponsors with Club Car, Mercedes Benz and Omega. Our Supporting Sponsors of Titleist/Footjoy, Nike Golf and TaylorMade-adidas-Ashworth-Adams were all on site supporting our players and enjoying some great golf shots.

View final results: https://2016secppc.golfgenius.com

The Hudson Cup and Senior Hudson Cup Teams were also announced after the PGA Professional Championship. These teams will represent the PNW PGA against the top 10 amateurs on October 19-21 at Fircrest GC. View final Hudson Cup points lists below.

Points Lists

Omega Player of the Year:

Corey Prugh - 515
Brian Thornton - 460
Tim Feenstra - 435

Omega Sr. Player of the Year:

Jeff Coston - 575
Rob Gibbons - 525
Joe Carranza - 400

Assistant Player of the Year

John Cassidy - 467.5
(tie) Tim Feenstra - 467.5
Shane Prante - 430

Hudson Cup Final Points Lists

Hudson Cup

Brian Thornton - 395
Tim Feenstra - 387.5
Corey Prugh - 377.5

Senior Hudson Cup

Rob Gibbons - 862.5
Jeff Coston - 827.5
Joe Carranza - 620

Play One More Event in 2016!

The Pro-Vendor Invitational takes place October 24 at Chambers Bay GC. This precedes the Merchandise Show and Annual Meeting in Tacoma. The cost is just $35 per person and includes lunch.

online entry form | download entry form (pdf)

Chambers Bay GC features towering dunes, massive fairways, and breathtaking views. As host of the 2015 U.S. Open, it tested some of the greatest golfers in the world. Golf Digest rated it the top public golf course in Washington State in 2015. In 2016, Golfweek Magazine rated it #2 in America’s Best Municipal Courses.

Champion Rob Gibbons and host PGA Professional Steve Bowen

Gibbons Wins PNW Senior PGA Professional Championship

By Molly Cooper, PGA - Director of Tournament & Member Programs

PGA Professional Rob Gibbons of Arrowhead GC won the Senior PGA Professional Championship at Illahe Hills CC by five strokes over PGA Professional Mark Keating of OGA GC, PGA Professional Joe Carranza of Aldarra Golf Club and PGA Professional Jeff Coston of Semiahmoo G&CC. This win is Gibbons’ first Senior PGA Professional title, and his second senior major of 2016. He captured the Senior Players’ Championship at Wine Valley GC in April.

“It is always a great feeling to win, especially when it’s one of our majors. Winning is what it’s all about. Winning two times this year was not expected,” said Gibbons.

When asked what it was about the host site that catered to his game, Gibbons praised Illahe as being an excellent course that requires precise play.

“I drove the ball well, tried to position my iron shots below the hole for uphill putts and limit three-putting. I had no three-putts for the two days.”

Participants entering through PGA National also qualified for the 2016 Senior PGA Professional Championship, to be held November 17-20 at PGA Golf Club’s Wanamaker and Ryder courses. In addition to Gibbons, seven other players qualified: Keating, Carranza, Steve Stull of Meadow Springs CC (Kennewick, WA), Brent Murray of Lake Oswego CC (Oswego Lake, OR), Mike Buss of Salem GC (Salem, OR) and Scott Krieger of Broadmoor GC (Seattle, WA). Jeff Coston was already exempt.
Good luck in Florida this November!

Winning the senior division, played from a different set of tees, was PGA Professional Steve Reuhl of Columbia Super Range. He won by one stroke over PGA Professional Kevin Bishop of Saint Martin’s University.

Rob Gibbons also captured the Hugh Starkweather award, which goes to the low player for both rounds that is 60 years and older.

The PNW PGA would like to thank PGA Professional Steve Bowen and the rest of Illahe Hills CC staff for a wonderful week.

View final results: https://2016secseniorpga.golfgenius.com

Join Us in Vegas, March 12-16, 2017!

Join us on our yearly trip to play the best golf courses in Las Vegas! Our annual destination event will take place March 12-16, 2017. We are playing golf Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Enter soon - the cost goes up after November 30. By popular request, we will be playing the ever-popular Anthem CC and Chimera GC, and new this year Las Vegas CC.

entry form | flyer

Don’t miss out on this fun opportunity, which includes:

4 Nights lodging at the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino
3 Rounds of Golf w/ Carts and Range Balls
Welcome Reception & Awards Dinner
$19,000 Prize Fund (based on 24 teams)
Tee Prize Package

Don’t delay in getting your entry in! Limited to the first 24 teams • The cost for this trip is: $1,485 / $1,725 single occupancy / $1,370 no room • The cost increases $150/player after November 30

Grant Holcomb is returning as our title sponsor with his companies Antigua, Slazenger, Sun Mountain, Z Sport, AM&E, Range Servant and Imperial Headwear.

We’d love to see you in Vegas! Contact Molly or Jeff at the PNW PGA Section Office at 800-688-4653 for details on this exciting event!

Holk's Highlights: Ed Paine, PGA

Facility: The Golfer's Edge

Hometown: Wenatchee, WA for 61 years

Ed Paine began his golf career as an assistant under Del Herring at Three Lakes GC in Malaga, WA from 1977 to 1979. He was then out of the golf business, except for club repair and custom clubs, from 1980 to 1990. Then in 1990, Del Herring, who was now General Manager or Kahler Glen GC, asked Paine to help open and run their 9-hole course. Paine turned professional again and worked as the head professional at Kahler Glen GC until 1998. In 1999, he moved to Leavenworth GC and worked with Jim Van Tuyl. Late in 2007, he felt a change was in order.

“My wife, Tonnea, and I opened The Golfers Edge our indoor golf facility. Mr. Ellison and the PGA came over to inspect us and gave us their approval, and off we went… the scariest moment of my life,” said Paine.

Learn the full story

How to Look for Opportunities Outside Your Section

Carol Pence, PGA of America Employment Consultant

The idea of starting fresh in a new section can be exciting. Maybe you are ready for a change or have a need to get to a certain locale. Whatever the reason may be, most likely there will be obstacles to overcome in landing a new position in a different section.

In today’s highly competitive job market, you will need to convince employers that you are a better candidate that all of the local PGA Professionals. Another common obstacle is the lack of funds employers choose to put towards any relocation expense for a new hire. They may also desire to get someone into the position very quickly, precluding the time it takes to move across several states.

Here are six tips to get you started

Love & Respect in the Golf Shop

Monte Koch, Player Development Regional Manager

In the past 30 days or so, I’ve been going through a small group study called “Love & Respect” (by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs) with my best friend (and wife) and some other couples. Even though I have been married happily for more than 23 years, I have indeed learned a great deal about how I can grow as a husband, father, son, friend and golf professional.

In the book/video series, Love & Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerich, 7,000 were asked: “When you are in a conflict with your spouse or significant other, do you feel unloved or disrespected?” 83% of the men said “disrespected” and 72% of the women said “unloved.” An interesting distinction between Men & Women: (generally speaking)!

Several key learnings have come to the forefront for me that I believe can be applied to the golf business we are all a part of.

Here are a few of them

Longevity

Blake Parrish

Do you have longevity in your family tree? Some say that the person who will live to be 150 years has already been born. I say, you’d better be making calculated decisions if you plan to retire in your 60’s as people are already living longer and inflation is the enemy. Since we’re on the topic, please go to the SS website right now and create a login so that you know exactly what to expect from social security here.