CEO's Report

Jeff Ellison, PGA

Welcome to the heat of the battle. With this great weather, I hope you are as busy as we are here in the office—and as busy as our people out working in the chapters. Busy is good in this business.

In addition to the daily routine, we are managing an operational audit from National, the conversion by National from MS Office to GSuite, upgrading our computer systems, and working through the usual tax filings and the like. I can assure you, your staff is definitely busy!

I’m sure you read in the last issue that President Morris is headed to Vegas in September. We wish him well in his new endeavors. Your board is meeting tonight to follow our Section Constitution and preparing to move forward on September 1. Sean Fredrickson will move up to President, Howie Pruitt will move up to Vice President and, at tonight’s meeting, the board will appoint a temporary Secretary.

The Rosauers Open is full with a wait list, ditto on the Wildhorse Senior Oregon Open Invitational. We must be doing something right to keep interest high in our championships. Thanks for playing!

Our destination pro-ams continue to thrive. Hawaii is sold out already and you should see entries out in early August for the Holcomb-In-One Las Vegas Pro-Am. Contested March 15-19, 2020 at Bali Hai, Chimera and Las Vegas CC this popular event fills quickly—so reach out to your team today.

The PNW PGA Merchandise Show heads to Portland this year, October 15-16 at the Oregon Convention Center. Plan to attend and BUY, BUY, BUY.  In one exciting change, the Pro-Vendor moves to Monday night and will be “played” at Topgolf. Contact your favorite rep and enter today. With the planning required, late entries will not be accepted.

Pro Vendor Invitational

The 2019 Rules of Golf process has been interesting. We continue to receive calls in the office and work hard ourselves to not only understanding all the changes, but also at finding them in the new book!  I encourage you to keep working the process to get better with the new code. One of the best ways is through a PGA/USGA Rules of Golf Workshop. The 2020 schedule is available at usga.org

www.usga.org

Angela and I have conducted 11 Drive Chip and Putt Local Qualifying events so far, with two more on the schedule next week. I hope you sent your juniors out to compete. We’ve seen 1,584 kids registered so far.

Our other big player development effort is PGA Junior League. It looks like we’ll have close to 3,500 kids enrolled this year…another healthy increase. Nice work, captains!

I’ll close with a reminder to be sure you enter your Section Championships. Whether it’s the PGA Professional Championship, the Senior PGA Professional Championship or the Assistant Professional Championship, these are the “must play” events on our schedule. All professionals, all “like” players, all your peers. Enter today.

Have a great July and I hope to see you on the road soon.

Jeff Ellison, PGA
CEO, Pacific NW Section PGA

District #14 Director's Report

Don Rea, PGA

Here in Arizona the summer is upon us, which means it is very hot and not many people are playing golf.  However, our junior programs are full, and it is exciting to see the number of new juniors that are interested in learning to play golf.

First, I want to say that the PNWPGA does a great job with juniors.  From the first meeting I attended, I have been impressed with the programs offered and the participation numbers.  Well done. 

Second, have you heard of PGA Family Cup?  You probably haven’t and that is okay.  PGA Family Cup is just like PGA Junior League, but the team consists of 2-6 family members. It is a powerful format and bringing the rest of the family into the fold is going to be awesome.  Your PGA is currently testing the model in nine states and your own Cameron Milton is running a few programs.  Early feedback is incredible and we are very excited about the possibilities.  Look for a national rollout next year, if everything goes right, with a national championship in the years to follow.

We have always talked about getting parents to get their kids to play golf.  Can we get the kids to get their parents to play?  I think we can. PGA Professionals, Chapters and Sections that are doing a great job with juniors will now have the opportunity with this program to do an incredible job with families.  Very exciting indeed! I look forward to seeing this initiative grow the game and serve the member, which is what this is all about. 

Please never hesitate to give me a call at Augusta Ranch – (480) 354-0802 #102. email me at:
drea@augustaranchgolf.com

Once again, thanks for the opportunity, God Bless and have a great day. 

Don Rea, PGA

Character Matters Part II

Monte Koch, PGA of America Employment Consultant

"Nothing is more common than unsuccessful men [and women] with talent.”– Calvin Coolidge

Last month, I talked about an article written by James Leath, the former Head of Leadership and Character Development at IMG Academy and the Founder of Unleash the Athlete, titled Talent gets you noticed, character gets you recruited. In the article, he told a story that talks about the “value adding difference” character brings to make talent work. These character traits I covered were:

• What are you doing when you think no one is watching?
• Are you one thing in person, and another person online?
• Who are your biggest influences?

If you missed it, here is last month’s article

This month, I would like to go over three more of Leath’s valuable coaching observations, as well as how you can incorporate the lessons into your own careers.

Are you a great teammate?

Leath again tells a story in his article about a very talented linebacker who was good enough to be recruited to a strong D-1 college football program. During a visit by a recruiter (who was dressed “in plain clothes”), this athlete was helped by his teammates over and over, but wasn’t willing to spot and encourage his teammate during a weight room workout. When he was told to help his teammate, he did, but only at first. Quickly, he was back on his phone, ignoring his teammate and not helping at all. Once the workout was over, he selfishly left his teammates to clean up the workout area. The recruiter observing this said, “…We look for guys who can be trusted to do the things after being told once…The prospect headed straight for his cleats and walked out the door, never even making eye contact with me, and leaving his teammates to clean up and rack the weights. Definitely not a good fit for our culture.”

Applications to your golf career path:

• Again, your teammates are watching, and they are likely open to others about your selfless or selfish approach to the team. These stories, often based in fact, can become brands that people, employers and others believe about you.
• Are you willing to share in the effort? Do you make sacrifices for the betterment of the team? When others do it for you, do you show gratitude?

Do you make a good first impression?

Leath shares, “One of the first things I teach all my athletes is the art of the handshake. Firm grip, eye contact, be fully present while you introduce yourself.” Leath tells a story about a new student who was booed by classmates because he “sucked at entering a room” and had a “dead fish handshake.” Then, he tells, (after some coaching) how “the large man destined for the NBA walked in, smiled, and walked across the room with purpose. He shook my hand, looked me in the eye, and introduced himself clearly. The room full of other large men erupted in cheer.”

Applications to your golf career path:

• We are definitely in “the people business” so a good first impression matters. Looking people in the eye, shaking hands the right way and doing so with a purpose matters.
• How you interact with people (customers, members, teammates, etc.) goes a very long way to building trust, especially when it’s intentional and authentic to who you are.

Do you “sweep the shed?”

Leath then celebrates the winningest team in the history of modern sports, New Zealand All Blacks in rugby. They boast an unmatched 86% winning percentage and numerous championships to their name. Leath shares that in the outstanding book, Legacy, written about the All Blacks, author James Kerr discusses one of their core values that epitomizes the selfless attitude.

It’s called “Sweep the Shed.”

The goal of every All Blacks player is to leave the national team shirt in a better place than when he got it. His goal is to contribute to the legacy by doing his part to grow the game and keep the team progressing every single day. In order to do so, the players realize that you must remain humble, and that no one is too big or too famous to do the little things required each and every day to get better. You must eat right. You must sleep well. You must take care of yourself on and off the field. You must train hard. You must sacrifice your own goals for the greater good and a higher purpose. You must sweep the shed.

After each match, played in front of 80,000 plus fans, in front of millions on TV, after the camera crews have left, and the coaches are done speaking, when the eyes of the world have turned elsewhere, there is still a locker room to be cleaned…by the players!

If the New Zealand All Blacks are sweeping their locker room, then why aren’t you out there helping younger players, picking up cones, arriving first and leaving last, and setting the example for others? Are you leaving the uniform in a better place, or counting the days until they retire your jersey? You are always being watched, so sweep the shed.

Applications to your golf career path:

• This is another hard one to add to, but this is really about the details…the details matter.
• Why do details matter? Because, when we successfully handle the details, we tell the members, the customers, the event participants, our teammates, etc. they matter. The successful execution and follow-through on the details shows how much we care, and how much we care about the experience of those listed above.
• “Sweeping the shed” can also show that we know how to finish – finish strong, with appropriate follow-through and follow up. (Again, this tells others how much we care and it often leads to more loyalty, support and reciprocity from others.)

Leath then quotes president Calvin Coolidge, who once said, “nothing is more common than unsuccessful men (and women) with talent.”

As your Career Consultant, and your business coach, I hope you found value in James Leath’s insights. I also hope to inspire you, and engage with you to help you find your best level of career success. I look forward to the chance to learn more about you, your facility and your career vision soon. To share your story or situation with me, please contact me directly.

Monte Koch, PGA Certified Professional/Player Development | Career Consultant
PGA Career Services | PGA of America
Serving PGA professionals, employers in the Pacific NW & Rocky Mountain PGA Sections
Email: Mkoch@pgahq.com Cell: 206/335-5260

Career Planning and Coaching

PGA Jr. League

Branden Thompson, PGA - Regional League Manager

It’s been a great season for the PNW Section and PGA Jr. League.  Currently, our section ranks #1 in the number of players participating.  GREAT JOB!!!  It’s great to see so many kids introduced to the game and develop their skills in such a unique way from the best professionals around.  Here are a few reminders as we head into the All-Star portion of the calendar and the new Fall Rec Season.

Post-Season Dates

Opening Round Games – Completed by August 5th.  The winners of these games advance to their respective Regional Fab Four.

Regional Fab Four Rounds – Played August 10th or 11th 
There will be eight locations hosting Regional Fab Fours across the Section.  Those locations will be courses in or near to the following areas:

• North Seattle/Everett
• Sea-Tac
• Tacoma/Olympia 
• Portland
• Eugene 
• Spokane
• Central Washington
• Western Montana

Each site will host four teams seeded at random playing single elimination bracket play, with one team advancing to the Section Championship at Eagle Crest Resort.  The two rounds of play are scheduled to be completed in one day. 

Section Championship – August 24th – 25th at Eagle Crest Golf Resort in Redmond, OR
The eight teams that won their respective Regional Fab Fours will be seeded at random to play an eight team, single elimination bracket.  Rounds 1 and 2 will be played on Saturday, August 24th.  The final will be played the morning of Sunday, August 25th.  The winner and runner up at the Section Championship qualify for Regionals.

Regionals – September 14th – 15th at The Cascade Course at Gold Mountain Golf Complex in Bremerton, WA

National Championship – October 12-15th at Grayhawk GC in Scottsdale, AZ

All-Star Roster Requirements

All-Star rosters consist of 10 players representing every team in the league. The Captain of the regular season championship team has the honor of being the All-Star Captain, unless they opt to pass that on to another Captain from the league.  The absolute requirements for each roster are:

• Each team in the league must have at least one player on the team.
• No team may have more than 5 players on the team. 
• All players must be 13 years of age or younger as of August 1st, 2019

The recommended allocation of roster spots is noted in the Conditions of Play.  How the spots are allocated changes depending on the size of the league.

All-Star rosters are due by July 31st.  Please have them in on time or early so we can verify each roster.  The All-Star Captain is responsible for submitting the roster via the online portal on the Captain Resource Center (www.pgajrleague.com/crc).  Please let me know if you need help with this important step.  You will need each player’s name and birthdate to complete the process. 

Fall Rec Season
New for this year is the offering of a fall season.  This is a great way to continue the momentum you’ve created all summer and keep the kids improving.  Whether you are interested in creating an in-house league or joining other teams, contact me to help you set it up.  Play for the fall season can begin anytime after August 1st. 

I hope you’ve enjoyed another fun year with the kids. I look forward to seeing many of you as you advance through the All-Star season.

Thanks,

Branden Thompson, PGA
561-293-2585
bthompson@pgahq.com

Open Events

Folds of Honor Scramble | August 3, 2019

The 2019 Folds of Honor Scramble will return to Moose Run GC in Anchorage, Alaska. PGA Professional Josh Cantrell will host us on Saturday, August 3, 2019. Since 2017, this event has raised important funds for Folds of Honor.

Folds of Honor Scramble online entry form

Folds of Honor Scramble entry form (pdf)

Learn more

National Car Rental PNW Assistant PGA Championship | August 5, 2019

Assistants – plan on entering! Bosses, give your Assistants time off to play in their Championship! The National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship will take place at Arrowhead GC on August 5, 2019. The entry deadline is Wednesday, July 24 at 11:59 PM. Please pay close attention to the entry deadline! You may register for this event through PGA of America Membership services at 800-474-2776, www.pga.org or at www.pgatournaments.com.

Assistants, this is your qualifier for the National PGA Assistant Championship! The top 3 finishers will advance directly to the 43rd PGA Assistant Championship, held November 14 – 17, 2019 at the PGA Golf Club, Wanamaker Course in Port St. Lucie, FL.

Learn more

Northwest Open Invitational | 19-21, 2019

Pro-Am benefiting Folds of Honor | August 17-18, 2019

We are excited to return to Wine Valley GC for the Northwest Open Invitational on August 19-21. Host Professional Chris Isaacson invites you to take part in this fun and historic championship. The entry deadline is July 31.

Northwest Open Online Entry Form

Northwest Open Entry Form (pdf)

Learn More

Preceding the Northwest Open Invitational, the Northwest Open Pro-Am will pair four amateurs with a PGA professional. The Pro-Am supports Folds of Honor.

Pro-Am details and entry

PNW Senior PGA Professional Championship presented by Cadillac | September 5-6, 2019

The 2019 Senior PGA Professional Championship will be held at Bear Creek CC on September 5-6, with the optional pro-am on September 4 (we will pair you with another PGA Professional and amateurs from Bear Creek CC). Please take the time to enter ALL events you wish to participate in. You have TWO options: 1) qualify for the 31st Senior PGA Professional and play for the purse or 2) only play for the purse.

Seniors, this is your Section Championship & Qualifier for the National Senior PGA Championship! The top five qualifiers from the 2019 PNW Senior PGA Professional Championship presented by Cadillac will advance directly to the 31st Senior PGA Professional Championship presented by Cadillac. The event will be played October 3-6 at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, Texas.

Learn more

PNW PGA Professional Championship presented by Cadillac, Club Car and OMEGA | September 17-19, 2019

Entries are available for the PNW PGA Professional Championship presented by Cadillac, Club Car and OMEGA. This year’s championship will take place September 17-19 at Indian Summer G&CC. The entry deadline is September 4th at 11:59 PM. You may register for this event through PGA of America Membership Services online at www.pgatournaments.com or by phone: (800) 474-2776.

This is your Section Championship & Qualifier for the National PGA Championship! The top seven qualifiers will advance directly to the 2020 PGA Professional Championship presented by Cadillac, Club Car and OMEGA, held at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, Texas on April 26-29, 2020.

Learn more