President's Report

PNW PGA Professionals,

While I find it hard to believe the summer is in our rear-view mirror, I find it even harder to believe I am writing my first Foreword Press article one year ahead of schedule.

If you read last month’s Foreword Press, you know that Greg Morris accepted the Head Professional position at The Summit Club in Las Vegas, Nevada.  I’ve considered Greg a friend and a mentor for some time now and I wish Greg nothing but the best as he moves forward in his career.  I also want to thank Greg for his service to our association and his dedication to the PGA of America.

Fortunately, our Section’s constitution and by-laws account for these types of circumstances.  I will serve out the balance of Greg’s term as President, Howie Pruitt will become your Section Vice President and Roger Wallace was chosen by your section board to become your Section Secretary until the 2020 election season.  Thank you to Roger Wallace for agreeing to our decision.  I am looking forward to working with Howie, Roger and your entire section and chapter boards as we find ways to grow this amazing game and serve each of you.

My style of leadership is simple; learn from those that have come before you, listen to those around you, and make it better for those that will come after you.

I look forward to serving each of you over the next three years.  If there is anything I can do for you, please do not hesitate to contact me.  My email address is [email protected], and my cell phone is 503-476-7668.

Sean Fredrickson
Head PGA Professional – Oswego Lake Country Club
PNW PGA President
Callaway Master Staff Professional

Tips on Learning the New Rules of Golf

Tip #9: Rule 18.2a: When Ball is Lost or Out of Bounds

Molly Cooper, Certified PGA Professional
Director of Tournament & Member Programs

Welcome back to our monthly Rules article to help guide you to a successful 2019 season and beyond. I can’t believe it is September already!

PGA Members, the PNW PGA Professional Championship entry deadline is coming up FAST! The entry deadline is on September 4 at 11:59 PM. Enter today! Don't forget the deadline, as we will not be accepting late entries. Indian Summer G&CC is in fantastic shape. Go to pgatournaments.com to enter.

I chose my ninth topic to discuss 18.2a: When Ball is Lost or Out of Bounds, as we have experienced multiple questions during Section tournaments this year on this rule. I think we have experienced more questions on this than any other rule for 2019.

Rule 18.2a: When Ball is Lost or Out of Bounds

(1)  When Ball Is Lost. A ball is lost if not found in three minutes after the player or his or her caddie begins to search for it.

If a ball is found in that time but its uncertain whether it is the player’s ball:

• The player must promptly attempt to identify the ball (see Rule 7.2) and is allowed a reasonable time to do so, even if that happens after the three-minute search time has ended.
• This includes a reasonable time to get to the ball if the player is not where the ball is found.

If the player does not identify his or her ball in that reasonable time, the ball is lost.

If the ball is lost, that means the provisional ball now becomes your ball in play. That’s it. Sounds easy right?

Where we have seen people confused is twofold. One, how do we know it’s been three minutes when we don’t look at the clock? Two, when does the ball search begin?

Let’s tackle the first question. Take a watch out. Start a timer for three minutes. It really is that easy!

The second question is just as easy. Search begins when you or your caddie have started looking for the ball. Or in the case of a team competition, the three minute starts when the first team member or their caddie starts looking for the ball.

The rules do not have to be that hard. Sometimes it is just that simple.

You hit a ball off line. When search begins, get the watch out (or a phone). Start the clock when the player, their caddie or, in the case of it being a team competition, the partner or their caddie starts looking for the ball. You then get three minutes in which to either find the ball or have located a ball that you need to identify whether it is your ball.

That’s it. Once the three minutes ball search expires, the original ball is now a lost ball. EVEN IF YOU FIND IT AFTER THE THREE MINUTES. If you do happen to find a ball after the three minutes expired, that ball is no longer in play.

If you hit a provisional, that ball now has become the ball in play. If you did not hit a provisional, the ball is lost and play under stroke and distance.

I hope this little explanation has helped some in your understanding of the rules. This rule has had many questions this tournament season. I thought it could be a good topic to discuss and move forward successfully on.

I know I say this every month but please download the new Rules of Golf App on your phone. I can not stress how convenient it is and how easy it is to use. The search engine on the App is amazing! You just type in what you are looking for and you immediately have the answer at your fingertips.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Berg Wins Third Northwest Open Title

By Tanner Montgomery, PGA, PNW Tournament Manager

Hidden in the rolling farmlands outside of Walla Walla, WA, Wine Valley Golf Club has hit the decade mark in hosting the Northwest Open. With giant windmills spinning in the distance, perhaps as a sign of what may come, 167 Professionals and amateurs took to the course with hopes of being able to hoist the trophy after the three-day tournament. In the end it was PGA Professional Derek Berg of PNW Golf Academy who took home his 3rd Northwest Open Invitational title, with this his first as a PGA Professional.

The tournament began on the morning of Monday, August 19. With the winds cooperating through the first two days of play, there were plenty of good scores. PGA Professional Colin Inglis of Emerald Valley Golf Club shot a terrific 8-under par 64, which put him in the lead at the end of the first round.

The morning of day 3 felt a lot like the previous two days with the weather being ripe for low scores. This all changed as we headed into the afternoon play. With gusts up to 40 mph, competitors knew that keeping the ball down and making as many pars as possible would be the key to making a run at the championship. During the final round, Derek Berg did just that and was able to claim victory with a total score of 10-under par 68-78-70-206.

“It definitely made me adjust the game plan on a few holes, but you just have to suck it up and play,” Berg commented on the windy conditions. “I enjoy more difficult conditions or courses, compared to a birdie fest, because it makes par more meaningful. Wine Valley definitely turned into a difficult test very quickly on that last day.”

Knowing that Wine Valley is capable of throwing those kinds of winds at the players, and being able to capitalize when the conditions are friendlier is extremely important. What Berg can do during those conditions is why he believes his game matches so well with Wine Valley. “I can hit it a fair distance and fairly high as well. Wine Valley gives you ample room off the tee so you’re able to let it go a bit more out there. Also, there are some hole locations that being able to get the ball in the air can help a bit too.”

We’d like to thank Wine Valley GC for hosting yet another Northwest Open Invitational. Thank you to host PGA Professional Chris Isaacson and his golf shop team, as well as Superintendent Tyler Daniels and his grounds crew for the fantastic course. We look forward to returning to Wine Valley GC again for the 2020 Northwest Open Invitational!

Pacific Golf & Turf PNW Pro-Am Championship

A Fun Experience for Professional and Amateur Alike

“The PNW Pro Am Championship should be on everyone’s list of tournaments to play. Every year the event is held at the best courses in the Northwest. It is also a great opportunity to bring one of your best amateurs from your club or area and play in a fun yet competitive atmosphere.” – Corey Prugh

Play Pronghorn

Panoramic views of the Cascade Mountains, ancient lava caves, and stunning water features. Pronghorn’s nationally acclaimed golf courses are maintained carefully with pristine grooming practices and have placed Pronghorn among the 25 Best Golf Communities in North America by Golf.com as well as Golf Digest’s Editors’ Choice Award 2017: Best Golf Resorts in the Pacific Northwest.

Pronghorn Resort opened the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course in 2004 with Jack Nicklaus sending the very first tee shot right down the middle. The Jack Nicklaus Signature Course provides a minimalist experience with an emphasis on the golf game itself, combining playability with smooth transitions and true putting surfaces.

The clubhouse and Tom Fazio Championship Course opened in 2007, creating the ultimate golf experience in Central Oregon. The masterful Tom Fazio designed course blends the complexity of championship golf with the inherent aesthetic of the natural terrain.

Sign up your team today!

PNW PGA Merchandise Show & Pro-Vendor Invitational

Thank You For Supporting Our Vendors and Sponsors

Join us for a brand-new Pro-Vendor experience at Topgolf-Hillsboro. Please note:  NEW TIME THIS YEAR: 7pm to 9pm. The entry fee is just $40 for professionals (vendor entry is complimentary) and includes a fajita dinner buffet followed by a Topgolf competition.  The entry deadline is September 30, 2019 (NO registrations will be accepted at the door).

Register Yourself and Your Buyers for the Show!

Registration for the show is encouraged – and free for professionals and buyers! Education seminars will be held on Monday, October 14 and Wednesday, October 16. This is a good way to get a lot of MSR's at once - stay tuned for education registration, coming soon.

PNW PGA Professional Championship

Olympia, WA – Indian Summer G&CC
September 17-19, 2019
Entries close September 4 @ 11:59 PM

OMEGA Player of the Year Points

1. Shane Prante - 335

2. Derek Berg - 300

3. Scott Erdmann - 280

OMEGA Senior Player of the Year Points

1. Jeff Coston - 342.5

2. Joe Carranza - 270

3. Tom Sovay - 230

Assistant Player of the Year Points

1. Colin Inglis - 587.5

2. Ryan Malby - 517.5

3. Shane Prante - 480

Hudson Cup Points

1. Shane Prante - 365

2. Derek Berg - 342.5

3. Russell Grove - 255

Senior Hudson Cup Points

1. Jeff Coston - 660

2. Billy Bomar - 522.5

3. Tom Sovay - 510

Get Ready for Vegas in March!

Our annual destination event will take place March 15-19, 2020. By popular request, we will be playing The Las Vegas Country Club again this year. We have also added Bali Hai GC and Chimera GC back into the lineup. Tournament headquarters and accommodations will be at the Luxor Hotel & Casino.

Start building your team, and look for entries coming soon!

Holk's Highlights: Derek Berg

This month we interview Derek Berg, who recently won his first PNW PGA major as a professional. “It is definitely nice to take home the check this time, but it always feels good to play well and come out on top, amateur or professional,” said Berg. Learn more about Derek and his journey from amateur to professional.

Facility: PNW Golf Academy

Hometown: Duvall, WA

PNW PGA Tournaments & Awards Won:

• 2005 Northwest Open Invitational (as amateur)
• 2006 Northwest Open Invitational (as amateur)
• 2010 Oregon Open (as amateur)
• 2011 PNW Assistant Championship
• 2017 PNW Assistant Championship
• 2017 PNW Assistant Player of the Year
• 2019 Northwest Open Invitational

Tell us a little bit about your career. Who or what inspired you to get into golf and become a PGA Professional?

I started playing when I was 10 years old. I really just picked it up from my dad, cleaning out the garage and finding an old set just sitting in there. I just started hitting those around and once my dad saw that I liked it, he signed me up for lessons. I played in the WJGA until I went to college at the University of Washington, where I played from 1999-2003. After school, I stayed amateur and worked at courses, trying to play as much as I could.

In 2011, I turned pro and joined our PNW PGA Section. About two months later, I was fortunate to have a group of people invest in me so I could try playing golf full-time. During those three years, I played on four different tours and traveled a good amount. After playing less than desirable, I found myself back in our section working at Sahalee Country Club. During those five years at Sahalee I learned a lot, worked with a great staff, and was able to finish up and get my PGA Membership. I have now moved on to a greater passion of mine, which is teaching, at the PNW Golf Academy and look forward to what the future holds.

Golf has been a part of my life for 28 years now! I believe the fact that you can always improve is what has kept me going for so long, and now I want to help others in doing so. I just want to continue to learn and understand how I can better pass that along to my current and future students. 

Thank you, Derek Berg!

Pros on the Move

by Robin Lindsey, Tournament & Membership Coordinator

Employment Changes

• Brian F. Green (B-8) - from Palouse Ridge GC to Salish Cliffs GC
• Thomas M. Graves (B-8) - from Creekside GC to Persimmon CC

Class Changes

• Gordy Graybeal, PGA (Jefferson Park GC) - from A-1 to A-14

New Associates

• Tyler J. Carlson (B-8) - Green Meadow CC
• Collin A. Strobeck (B-8) - Nile GC
• Sheena K. Prante (B-8) - Salish Cliffs GC

Newly Elected Members

• Andrew S Tyrholm, PGA (A-8) - Crosswater Club at Sunriver

Transfers INTO the Section

• Christopher J. Gaines (A-6) - to GOLFTEC - Wendover from Carolinas Section
• Jacob R. Duenckel (B-8) - to Washington National GC from Colorado Section
• Kevin T. Phillips (B-8) - to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort from South Central Section
• Maureen S Barolet (RM) - retired from Middle Atlantic Section

Transfers OUT of the Section

• Edward Leinenkugel - from Astoria, OR to S. Texas Section
• Andrew J. Gross, PGA - from Bandon, OR to Southwest Section

New Quarter Century Members

• James H. Noe, PGA

The R Word

Blake Parrish, CFP®

In many ways, individual investors are often their own worst enemies.  Our goal at B P Financial is long-term wealth creation for our clients.

Nothing drives me crazier than when people say things like, “The market isn’t for me," or “I’m not in the stock market" or “The so-called experts are saying a recession is coming so I need to sell it all and wait.”

Yes, you’re in the market because you’re in the economy and, whether you realize it or not, you’re making other people rich.  From the moment you wake up, you’re in the market.  It doesn’t stop on your terms and start up again when you think the worst is over.

Let's talk about where we are in the market and the facts about the R word, "recession".

"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."