March 1, 2021

President's Report

While we are not quite ready for golf in Central Oregon, we can prepare for the season. We can start to think about the results we want from our operations. But before you get too far along in your thinking, I want to offer a perspective on obtaining results in your organization that I gained from reading a book called “Oh Great One” by David Novak.

It comes from the power of recognition. As I have talked about the power of recognition through the years, I get asked which comes first, results or recognition? That’s like the old question, which comes first, the chicken or the egg? In reality, do we really care? I like to think of recognition as a cycle.

In the book “Oh Great One," the CEO of Yum Brands focuses on recognizing recognition. The book describes how he used recognition to turn around a company that was losing market share, was not profitable, and had sinking morale. There was a new CEO who, as you can imagine, was desperate for results. His grandson gave him a birthday present that changed everything. The CEO did not want to be called Grandpa or Grand-dad, so he announced that he would be called Oh Great One, which he later shortened to OGO. His grandson gave him a jar with OGO written on the front, filled with numerous slips of paper from family members. Each piece of paper had a statement of gratitude written on it. The fictitious CEO was deeply moved by this gesture and started thinking about how good it made him feel. The long and short of this story is that he started a recognition program in the company, which led to a huge turnaround. It wasn’t as easy as I make it sound, but you will see how he did it if you read the book.

Recognition is not just for companies that are doing poorly and need to turn around. Recognition leads to results in the greatest of organizations. One of the things we have initiated at Aspen Lakes in the golf shop is an OGO Award.

Our award is not a management award. Anyone in the department can select someone for the award. The awardee has to have done something Great, leading to Great results.

Please think about ways to use recognition for your organizations’ results and remember, two of the most powerful words are “Thank you.” There’s no scarcity for saying thank you; you can’t run out no matter how many times you use them.

I hope you can read or listen to “Oh Great One.” And if you have questions, give me a shout. I’d love to share how the recognition that you gave someone led to great results in a future newsletter!

I hope to see you "virtually" at the March 22 Section Spring Meeting,

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

PNW PGA Mexican Fiesta Pro-Am Entries Available

Join us for our first annual Mexican Fiesta Pro-Am at the TPC Danzante Bay and Villa del Palmar Beach Resort & Spa, October 31 - November 5, 2021. The dates of the tournament are November 2-4, 2021. Working with our host and Section member, Brad Myrick, PGA, as well as Rich Taylor, we are able to offer a fabulous price for your team. Look for "Mexican Fiesta Pro-Am" in your inbox for more details!

Upcoming Events

Drive, Chip & Putt

Registration open @
www.drivechipandputt.com

Local Qualifying Schedule

PNW PGA Pro-Assistant Championship

March 22-23, 2021
Canby, OR – Willamette Valley CC
Enter online

PNW PGA 100 Hole Marathon

April 28, 2021
Orting, WA – High Cedars GC
More info

Meetings & Education

All times listed in Pacific Standard Time

March 2 @ 2 PM: Refreshing Your Rules of Golf Knowledge - presented by Kathy Brown, PGA
March 10 @ 6 PM: Building Relationships (for women) - presented by Barb Trammell, PGA and Molly Cooper, PGA
March 22 @ 7 PM: PNW PGA Virtual Spring Meeting

Full Schedule

Holk's Highlights: Nick Pollock, PGA

This month we interview Nick Pollock, who was named the 2020 PNW PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year. Nick has completed two PGA Certifications. He is a CMA member and serves on the Western Washington Chapter PGA Board and Assistants’ Committee. Read more about his accomplishments below.

Facility: Seattle GC

Hometown: Seattle, WA

PGA Member Since: 2017

Tell us about your golf beginnings. How did you get started?

I was a late bloomer with golf. After college, I was a bartender at night so I had plenty of free time during the day. One day, my good buddy called and convinced me to go play with him and I fell in love with the game from the start. After playing recreationally for 10 years, I chose to follow my passion for golf by pursuing PGA Membership.

Who are or were your mentors?

I’ve been extremely fortunate to work for, and learn from, some great PGA Professionals and Club Managers. Doug Doxsie and Kipp Johnson top the list. Craig Moore, Darren Black, Marcus King, and Brian Coury have been great resources for me as well.

To face the challenges caused by COVID, you created a tee time system, an online pro shop and a new 13-week golf league. What was the biggest challenge of the pandemic so far and what solution are you most proud of?

Most importantly, keeping our staff and members healthy. As far as our first-world challenges in the golf industry go, the constant changing of regulations and the uncertainty of when more regulations (or easing of regulations) are coming have been the biggest operational challenges. Preparing for multiple scenarios, adjusting on the fly, and communicating those changes with our members, often with very little warning, takes a lot of team effort. I am most proud of the way we implemented multiple tee time systems on short notice while preparing to re-open back in May. We were a show-up-and-play facility, and our club software company was not able to get us set up in time with a tee time system. We got creative with Golf Genius for the first few weeks before building and switching to an actual tee time software system. It took tremendous amounts of work, communication, and video tutorials to educate and train our membership. The feedback from our members was nothing but positive. To them it was as seamless as could be and that was extremely rewarding.

Congratulations, Nick Pollock!

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 pm, Feb 28, 2021. Visit jobs.pga.org to see the most current listings.

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

1st ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL – Bear Creek CC, Woodinville, WA
ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL – Circling Raven GC, Worley, ID
ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL – Twin Lakes GCC, Federal Way, WA
ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL – Inglewood GC, Kenmore, WA
ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL – Golf Club at Newcastle, Newcastle, WA
1st ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL – Tri-Mountain GC, Ridgefield, WA
ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL – Waverley CC, Portland, OR
ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL – Golf Club at Redmond Ridge, Redmond, WA
ASSISTANT PROGRAM DIRECTOR – First Tee of Greater Seattle, Seattle, WA
ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL – Settlers Bay GC, Wasilla, AK
ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL – Iron Horse Golf Club, Whitefish, MT
ENTRY LEVEL ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL – Orchard Hills CC, Washougal, WA
ASST PROFESSIONAL/ENTRY LEVEL STAFF – Arrowhead Golf Club, Mulino, OR
ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL – The Club at Rock Creek, Coeur d’Alene, ID
ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL – Wenatchee Golf & CC, Wenatchee, WA
ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL – Black Rock Creek GC, Sunnyside, WA
ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL - CLUBFITTER – REDTAIL GC, Beaverton, OR

Teaching and Coaching Positions

DIRECTOR OF INSTRUCTION – Buffalo Peak GC, Union, OR
CERTIFIED PERSONAL COACH – GOLFTEC - Southcenter, Tukwila, WA
CERTIFIED PERSONAL COACH – GOLFTEC - Lynnwood, Lynwood, WA
CERTIFIED PERSONAL COACH – GOLFTEC - Bellevue, Bellevue, WA
CERTIFIED PERSONAL COACH – GOLFTEC - Tualatin, Tualatin, OR
JR GOLF DIRECTOR & FULL TIME INSTRUCTOR – REDTAIL GC, Beaverton, OR
FULL-TIME TEACHING PROFESSIONAL – 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 – Walter Hall GC, Everett, WA

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.

Pros on the Move

by Robin Lindsey, Tournament & Membership Coordinator

Employment Changes

Matthew M. Epstein, PGA (A-1) - from Inglewood GC to Everett G&CC
Wade E. Farbo, PGA (A-8) - from Linville Ridge CC to Wenatchee G&CC
Jacob J. Hanson, PGA (A-1) - from Mill Creek CC to Inglewood GC
Harvey C. Volentine, PGA (A-1) - from The Sevierville GC to Meadow Lake Golf Resort
Robert E. Wells (B-8) - from Gamble Sands to The Club At Snoqualmie
Ridge Ryan B. Whitaker, PGA (A-6) - from Tumble Creek Club @ Suncadia to Ellensburg G&CC

Classification Changes