January 1, 2021

President's Report

I think many, if not all of us, must be glad to see 2020 in the rear-view mirror. I know I will not be looking back. I hope and believe 2021 will bring us health and recovery.

Please join me in congratulating our Special Award winners for 2020! Read about their accomplishments here.

Golf Professional of the Year – John Grothe, PGA
Deacon Palmer Award – Bob Scott, PGA
Player Development Award – Ryan Young, PGA
Youth Player Development Award – Jared Lambert, PGA
Assistant Golf Professional of the Year – Nick Pollock, PGA
Patriot Award – Greg Manley, PGA
PGA Professional Development Award – Harold Bluestein, PGA
Teacher of the Year – Jason Aichele, PGA
Bill Strausbaugh Award – Marcus King, PGA
Perry Williams Award – Jeff Ellison, PGA

Past President Suzy Whaley said a few years ago, “Section award winners are the best of the best.” Thanks to our Chapter and Section awards committees for identifying this year’s award winners – we couldn’t do it without them. Thank you to everyone who nominated a fellow professional for an award and to everyone who submitted their bio – this process is crucial in recognizing our award winners and it begins with you!

Recently, we held our Section winter planning meeting with our Section leadership team, our committee chairs, and our Section Board of Directors. While we could not meet in person, there were rigorous virtual discussions about programming, events and sponsorships. In the end, we were able to approve our 2021 Section Budget. I am convinced that even with the continued effects of COVID-19, we have put together a flexible and robust plan for 2021 that will allow us to continue to grow the game and support our members. Please look for an email in your inbox titled "Update From Your Section Board" for more information. I also want to thank Frank and the section staff for planning and preparing for the winter planning meeting. They did a tremendous job and made my life easy.

2021 will have its challenges, but nothing like 2020. The 2021 tournament schedule is complete and available on our website.

I hope your holidays were safe and happy, and that you are ready for a great new year. Please stay safe and remember to check in with family, friends, and neighbors.

Howie Pruitt, PGA
Director, Golf Operations, Aspen Lakes GC
President, Pacific Northwest Section
Cell: 541-390-7875
howie@aspenlakes.com

Holk's Highlights: Brian Whitcomb, PGA

This month we interview Brian Whitcomb, a founding member of Folds of Honor. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, most of his career took place in the Southwest Section where he served as its President as well as represented District 14 on the National Board. He also served as the National PGA President in 2007-2008. He now resides in Bend, Oregon where he owns and operates Lost Tracks Golf Club.

Facility: Lost Tracks GC

Hometown: Prineville, Oregon

PGA Member Since: 1984

Tell us about your golf beginnings. How did you get started? Who are or were your mentors?

I got my start at the Prineville Golf Club. When PNW PGA legend Jim Wilkinson came home from Vietnam, he taught me how to play. I was about ten years old. His father Bill was the head professional. I watched in awe as Jimmy would hit hundreds of balls every day. Of course, my job was to pick them up as we only had shag bags and no formal range. At the end of the day, Jimmy would teach me for an hour. I caddied for Jim around the Northwest and the seed was planted. Watching Jerry Mowlds, Bill Eggers and many others play the game influenced me a lot.

How did you get involved with the Folds of Honor Foundation? Please tell us how this incredible charity came to be.

Regarding the Folds of Honor, then Captain Dan Rooney contacted me while I was serving as PGA President. He told me his story, sent me an entry form and invited me to their first fundraiser in Grand Haven, Michigan. Patriot Golf Day quickly became the centerpiece of FOH. We raised about $7,000 and thought we hit it out of the park. Like all of us, once you meet Dan Rooney, hear how pure the Mission is, you can't help but climb on and help in any way possible. My time on the FOH Board has been the most rewarding time of my life. Please know that we are at gold standard levels when you compare donations to actual dollars that get directly to the cause. Approximately 85-90 cents of every dollar flows through to provide needed scholarships. I thank each and every PGA Member who raises funds for this most worthy of causes. I also know that 2020 has been, among other things, a difficult year for golf outings. Once we get back to some sort of normalcy, I hope that you will continue to put on FOH Fundraisers. Together we are making a difference in the lives of families who protect us every day and so deservedly accept our support.

Donate today at www.foldsofhonor.org

"Stay Involved" Education Series

All times listed in Pacific Standard Time
Check your email for Google Meet join information!

January 5 @ 11 AM: How to Create Your Dream Job, Where You Are Right Now - presented by Ryan Young and Derek Siesser
January 6 @ 6 PM (Women): Hindsight is 2020: What’s Your Vision for ’21? - presented by Barb Trammell
January 15 @ 11 AM: Increasing Your Effectiveness with People Through Emotional Intelligence - presented by Monte Koch

Full Schedule

Contact the Tournament & Membership Team!

Have you or a potential Associate at your club ever had a question for the Tournament & Membership department, but were unsure who to contact? With our office continuing to work from home at this time, we wanted to create a place where you can go to ask these questions and get a response from your PNW PGA Tournament & Membership team. Click here for more information.

Virtual PGA Show

2021 PGA Merchandise Show

Registration is OPEN for the 2021 PGA Show Virtual Experience & Marketplace. Start your year off with an unparalleled event for golf industry content, connections, products & so much more!
Join us and get registered here: http://pgashow21.com/RegisterPacificNW

Employment Opportunities

Monte Koch, PGA of America Employment Consultant

These are primarily “PGA Professional” only positions posted on the PGA Career Services Job Board: https://jobs.pga.org

Internship, non-PGA positions, strictly retail and “franchise” ownership positions will not be listed here.Please visit jobs.pga.org to see these types of opportunities.

Note: these are listed as of 10 AM, December 31, 2020. Positions listed here are not guaranteed to be available. Visit jobs.pga.org to see the most current listings.

Assistant Golf Professional Positions (Full-time, not Internships)

ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL – OGA Golf Course, Woodburn, OR
2nd ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL – Riverside Golf & CC, Portland, OR
1st ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL – Wenatchee Golf & CC, Wenatchee, WA
ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL – Club at Snoqualmie Ridge, Snoqualmie, WA
ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL (Seasonal) – Wenatchee Golf & CC, Wenatchee, WA

Teaching and Coaching Positions

CERTIFIED PERSONAL COACH – GOLFTEC - Tualatin, Tualatin, OR
GOLF EQUIPMENT SALES/MASTER CLUB FITTER – Club Champion - Bellevue, Bellevue, WA
JR GOLF DIRECTOR & FULL TIME INSTRUCTOR – REDTAIL GC, Beaverton, OR

Management Positions

Note: not all positions like these will be posted here in all cases; instead, postings here will, generally, be at the request/approval of the Employer.

HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL (Seasonal, Lead Golf Host Pro) – Links at Silvies Ranch, Seneca, OR

Several new opportunities are “in the pipeline” besides those listed above - it’s time to update your job preferences

CareerLinks is now a thing of the past! Take just a few minutes and update your job preferences today on PGA.org. Unlike the old CareerLinks profile, this just takes 2-3 mins.

By updating your "Job Preferences" on pga.org, you'll start to see open positions similar to your preferences listed on your PGA.org dashboard (see picture below).

We are asking PGA Members and Associates to make these updates by clicking here, even if you aren't an active job seeker.