CEO's Report

Frank Talarico

Legendary baseball Hall of Famer Babe Ruth made and kept one of history’s greatest promises. Regardless of your feelings for my beloved New York Yankees, what Ruth did in Wrigley Field during game three of the 1932 World Series is one for the proverbial ages. His promise is also instructional.

With the game tied 4-4 in the fifth inning, in the midst of booing fans and the rowdy Cubs’ dugout’s heckling, Ruth stepped up to the plate, pointed to center field, and then on the very next pitch promptly hit a home run to the precise spot he had pointed. He didn’t just “barely make it.” His promised home run left the ball park at an astounding trajectory and landed “past the flag pole” that sat four hundred and forty feet away. He delivered on his promise and left no doubt about it.

The Yankees went on to win game three 7-5, and then proceeded to clinch the World Series by beating the then-demoralized Cubs, 13-6. Ruth’s promise had a lasting effect.

Read any philosopher, and the approach to a life worth living eventually arrives at the notion of making and keeping promises. This is an especially potent approach to succeeding in business. Like Ruth, we can keep the process simple: just point and deliver.

Internal promises come first. What have you assured your team would be the vision? What strategy have you devised together and what consequences of success and failure did you outline? Be crystal clear. The other internal promise you need to keep is with yourself. Have you properly vetted the vision that is driving the promise you are about to make? Are you doing this for the right reasons and at the right time? Is your mind clear and your heart true to yourself and to those around you in your personal life? Are you ensuring that physically and emotionally, you are “in shape”? Personal life distractions will destroy any chance of keeping promises—to anyone.

Be bold and be sincere. Your customers don’t necessarily expect perfection, but they deserve excellence. There is a difference. Perfection is seldom attainable. Excellence is the function of sincerity and work ethic. Ruth pointed to center field because he was resolute. He was in the midst of a hostile environment, not unlike the competitive marketplaces we all operate in each day. He was steadfast in his commitment to deliver on his promise and relentless about achieving his goal.

I would be remiss if I did not thank Greg Manley and Christine Manley for ensuring excellence at this year’s Muckleshoot Casino Washington Open Invitational and Washington Open Pro-Am. Once again, their leadership was evident in every detail. Together with our sponsors, including Kim Ponti of adidas, Robert Su of TaylorMade and Sally Schmitz of Bushnell Golf, they delivered a phenomenal event.

Let promise-keeping become habit-forming. Becoming habitually and reliably trustworthy is a powerful weapon. First, not many people, companies, or even groups can claim this as an advantage they possess. Second, consistent honesty and reliability breeds future engagement and shared success. Ruth took two strikes in that famous at-bat, baseball’s near equivalent of “sudden death.” He nonetheless made and kept his promise. Delivering on his promise of a home run, one could argue, was the turning point of the 1932 World Series. How many times would keeping your promise to a customer, co-worker, or a family member prove to be a turning point with a similar brand of dramatic and lasting affect? Integrity leads to real impact.

Keeping promises can sometimes extend to the legacy of another. One spectacular example of this is the “Freddy Initiative.” The FREDDY (Forming Relationships to Expand Diversity and Develop Youth) was formed in the fall of 2020 to honor the legacy of Sean “Freddy” Fredrickson. Apart from being the PNWPGA Section President, Sean was a husband, father, and an outstanding golf professional who had a passion for providing opportunities for youth. This summer, the first season of FREDDY Interns begin at facilities throughout our Section. 

Twelve golf courses in the Northwest have volunteered to take part of the pilot year in 2021. The new interns have already started at green grass facilities under the tutelage of PGA Professionals working together to perpetuate Sean’s vision. Please be on the lookout for future articles in ForeWord Press, where we will spotlight the first year FREDDY Interns and their achievements. If you would like to read more about the initiative, please visit:

https://freddyfoundation4.org

I encourage each of us to be bold in our promise-making. Point to your centerfield, daily. The results will inspire excellence and may very well be the turning point to something very special.

As always, if I or our Section staff can be of service to you, please do not hesitate to call on us.

Frank Talarico, CEO
ftalarico@pgahq.com

Coston Makes History — Again!

Zane Fifield, PNW PGA Tournament Intern

Three days after Phil Mickelson made history by winning the PGA Championship at age 50, Jeff Coston of Semiahmoo G&CC broke records himself at the 95th Muckleshoot Casino Washington Open Invitational. Coston, at the age of 65, won the event with a final score of 208 (-10) defeating fellow PGA Professionals Derek Berg of PNW Golf Academy, Matt Epstein of Everett G&CC and a sensational amateur in Nathan Cogswell of Meridian Valley CC who all tied for second with a final score of 210 (-8) over three days. Cogswell took home low amateur honors.

Jeff Coston has now officially become the oldest and winningest PGA Professional in the Washington Open era with six Championships spanning four decades. His first victory in the event came in 1996, with wins also coming in 1999, 2001, 2010, 2016, and now 2021.

“Each win has its theme and story. The Washington Open has always held a special place for me. I’m just trying to stay young from the neck down,” Coston replied when asked what this Washington Open means in comparison to his past wins.

Over his career, Jeff has won 44 events in the Section, most notably completing the Grand Slam of Majors (Washington Open, Oregon Open, Rosauers Open, Northwest Open and PGA Professional Championship).

Coston began the final round five shots behind Colin Inglis, PGA of Shadow Hills CC. When asked how he felt down the stretch, knowing he had to come from behind, Jeff recalled, “I was +2 after the first four holes! Bleeding bad. I affirmed out loud my desired outcome on each shot, relaxed my mind and body, let go of the past and played a game of freedom. I never thought about where I stood until the final hole. Did not consider winning until my tee shot on our 17th hole, which is #8. I later realized I went -6 last 12 holes. Could have been more. Not bad for a grandpa.”

Prior to the tournament, the Muckleshoot Casino Washington Open Pro-Am benefiting Folds of Honor took place. The Donovan Brothers team led by PGA Professional Darren Black, along with amateurs Darrell Donovan, Kevin Donovan, Todd Densley and Dennis Wallick took home the pro-am victory. This event raised $68,000 for the Folds of Honor and Friends Of American Lake Veterans Golf Course.

The Pacific Northwest PGA is proud to have strong sponsor support including the title sponsor of Muckleshoot Casino with Donovan Brothers, Hargis, Annasea, Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Oak Harbor Freight Lines, Inc. as Presenting & Master Sponsors. Additionally, adidas, TaylorMade Golf, Bushnell Golf and Club Car skins sponsored the event.

Final results: https://2021secmuckleshootpa.golfgenius.com

PGA Jr. League

Branden Thompson, PGA - Regional League Manager

The busy season is upon us, but please take the time to read this extremely important information.

If you have not ordered your team kits yet or have some late additions, please submit for them via this link:

www.pgajrleague.com/teamkits

Important National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Championship Season information

All-Star rosters are due by the end of the day on July 31st. You will receive the link to the submission form around July 1st. I always appreciate the captain that will be in charge of the All-Star team letting me know as soon as possible.

Both 13u and 17u age divisions will be included in the Championship Season this year through the Regional Championship.

Please read the excerpt from Conditions of Play regarding very important information about the composition of All-Star teams. Please make sure you understand the roster requirements for 2021. The entire conditions of play can be found on the Captain Resource Center under Key Resources and at the following link:

https://www.pgajrleague.com/cop

PGA Jr. League PNW Section Championship Qualifier Sites and Dates

Both the 13u and 17u age divisions will be included in the Championship Season this year. Only 13u will advance past the Regional Championship.

The format will be nine-hole aggregate score, best three of the four scores from each team. 

The top two teams in each age division from each site will advance to the PGA Jr. League PNW Section Championship at Eagle Crest Resort on August 21st.

The top two teams in each age division will advance to the Regional Championship at Gold Mountain GC in Bremerton, WA on September 3-5.

PGA Family Cup

I’m excited about a new and unique opportunity open exclusively to PGA Jr. League Captains in 2021: PGA Family Cup! You may or may not have participated in our limited pilot in 2020, and we’re launching to former and current PGA Jr. League Captains in 2021.

www.pgafamilycup.com

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed that families are seeking activities they can enjoy together in a responsible way, and they’re discovering that golf is a fun and healthy way to spend quality time outside in fresh air.

Read more about PGA Professional John Moscoso’s 2020 experience with PGA Family Cup here.

PGA Family Cup is designed to be flexible to fit the needs of your customers and facility. Through our learnings from host professionals, we recommend a series of two or more 9-hole, par 3 events with a team scramble format to maximize fun and inclusivity; however, you can modify your event(s) as you see fit.

Download our PGA Family Cup Facility Guide here for a programming overview and best practices.

PGA Family Cup brings family members of all ages together and connects them through golf. Golf is a game for a lifetime, and PGA Family Cup teams are multigenerational. Think grandparents, aunts, uncles, moms, dads, children, cousins and more, all playing on the same team.

Watch this short PGA Family Cup video to learn more.

PGA Family Cup is a great opportunity to bring the entire family together (whether they golf or not) and create life-long memories in a fun, new and meaningful way. Level up your engagement with families in 2021!

Learn more and register today at PGAFamilyCup.com.

One-on-One Time

Want to  discuss PGA Jr. League, Family Cup, or just bounce some ideas around? The following link will take you to my Calendly page where you can choose a time that works for you, and eliminate the need to email back and forth. 

Click Here to schedule

Have a great season,

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

Thinking Creatively in Growing the Game

Monte Koch, PGA of America Employment Consultant

Ian James is an expert. Not on playing golf per se, but on understanding and tapping into the wants and needs of golfers or better yet, golf consumers. He is a “consumer expert.” He built his entire career on helping major retailers (e.g. grocery store chains) and major brands understand how to reach consumers with their marketing more effectively. When Ian started RetailTribe, he did so to bring his expertise around consumers to a place he’s passionate about, the game and business of golf. With that background, I can say that Ian is one of my favorite resources for ways to think and/or be thoughtful. He never suggests what to think, but he pushes “how to think” and nudges us to “think differently” or at least “more thoughtfully” about what we are doing in planning our operation, our programming, etc.

Recently, on one of his Thoughtful Friday shares, Ian asked this question and it’s one I believe all of us should ask right now: WHO EVER ASKS YOU TO BE CREATIVE?

Ian James’ post continued with, “You undoubtedly often get asked to operate. But when did you last get asked to ‘create a solution’? When I speak to chairpersons, general managers, committee members, even facility marketing leaders, they’re either unsure what creativity to ask for or even how creativity could help their business. There’s a very definite limitation to the scope of expectation club management and leadership have regarding PGA Professionals. I often hear them complaining that their Professional team isn’t doing enough. They’re just not sure ‘enough of what’.”

I’m reminded of Henry Ford’s vision to create the affordable automobile. When everyone wanted a faster horse, he created an automobile that was not only faster than a horse, it was stronger and more durable. In other words, he didn’t improve the status quo, he developed and created a workable solution.

Ian continues in his post with, “Creativity is a word we don’t readily associate with the profession of golf. But it’s a skill we need to appreciate if we want to grow the game.”

He then posed questions (see below) requiring creative answers that he believes club leaders should be asking more often and more about. Under his questions, I will pose questions I believe will drive more creativity and more solutions for us as PGA professionals.

As Ian James states, “These are questions that challenge you to CREATE solutions that build stronger and more loyal connections between golfers and the game; golfers and the community; golfers and the club.”

Here’s three final questions that Ian and I would like to ask you to ask yourself:

  1. How has your past training and what you’re currently doing to develop your professional skillset equip you to answer those questions?
  2. For this season, what steps are you going to take now to start equipping yourself to be more creative and more capable to turn ideas into workable solutions?
  3. For the long term, what important disciplines can you gain between the end of the season and next year to be more creative, more resourceful and more influential with your Club/facility leadership?

And, just in case you didn’t know, I am “all in” to help you find the creative solutions to any of these questions above when you have time. Hope to see you around the Section sometime soon.

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

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Career Planning and Coaching

Employment Opportunities

Monte Koch, PGA of America Employment Consultant

Click here to access the PNW PGA job postings

Compensation Matters to Every PGA Professional

Help Yourself & Help Your PNW PGA Peers

We have now launched the updated and simpler Compensation Profile/Survey for PGA professionals. Like the changes we’ve made to the Job Preferences Profile, I'm excited to say the new Comp Profile is much more concise as a survey than it was previously. It will still have all the needed components you, employers and other industry decision makers all are looking for in comp reports. A key feature is that it is going to be more timely, current and relevant…you can update it whenever you make a job change, negotiate a raise, etc. As before, the information you submit is confidential and viewable/editable only by you.

In the past 18 months, many of you have reached out to me for comp reporting and I’m happy to share that many of these reports have resulted in increases in compensation, negotiation successes and more. But, these current reports take a lot of time (but they are worth it). 

With your help and that of your peers, these reports will be easier to complete, they’ll be even more accurate AND more in the eyes of our employers/owners. For those of you in smaller markets, and/or those in teaching/coaching roles and similar non-traditional positions, your participation is imperative.

With that said, I am asking you to take a few minutes to:

Complete your Compensation Profile Survey now >>

Thank you in advance for helping me “help you and your fellow Section professionals” in this area that is so important to each of us as PGA professionals. If I can assist you or one of your peers with a compensation report, please reach out to me.

Regards, Monte

Open Events

PNW PGA “Stay Involved” Education

G P S, Golfer Positioning System
June 30 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Presented by Bob Duncan, PGA and John Grothe, PGA

Education Schedule

Alaska Folds of Honor Championship

July 10, 2021
Anchorage, AK – Moose Run GC
Enter online

Rosauers Open Invitational

July 16-18, 2021
Spokane, WA – Indian Canyon GC
Enter online

Northwest Open Invitational

Pro-Am: August 14-15
Championship: August 16-18
Walla Walla, WA - Wine Valley GC
More information

Senior Oregon Open Invitational

July 27-29, 2021
Pendleton, OR – Wildhorse Resort
Enter online

National Car Rental PNW PGA Assistant Championship

August 2, 2021
Salem, OR - Illahe Hills CC
enter at www.pgatournaments.com

PNW PGA Professional Championship

September 21-23, 2021
Molalla, OR - Arrowhead GC
enter at www.pgatournaments.com

Pelzer Golf Mexican Paradise Pro-Am

October 31 - November 5, 2021
Villa Del Palmar Beach Resort & Spa/TPC Danzante Bay
enter online

PNW PGA Arizona Sun Pro-Am

December 5-9, 2021
Fort McDowell, AZ - We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort
enter online

Tournament Schedule

JUNE 15, 2021

Foreword Press

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