July 1, 2021

President's Report

It is a bittersweet time for all of us in the Pacific Northwest Section. We are getting ready to celebrate July 4th, the birth of our great nation, and we continue to mourn the loss a year ago of Sean “Freddy” Fredrickson.

Years ago, as I coached executives in Silicon Valley about work-life balance, I often used the example of a hand in a bucket of sand. I would remind them that no matter how hard and long they worked, when they left their roles, once their hand was pulled out of the sand, it filled in like they were never there. Another person was hired to take their place and the work went on filled by someone else. Some executives got it; some didn’t or wouldn’t believe it.

That said, every now and then someone comes along and disproves my theory. Someone, because of what they accomplished in life, grows even bigger after they are gone. Freddy is one of those people. Freddy’s passion for golf allowed him to meet and interact with thousands of people, women and men, young and old. Freddy was incredibly compassionate and always had time to listen, sometimes at the expense of his own personal time.

Through “Forever Freddy” his commitment to growing the game and providing opportunities for others to get into the game will continue and grow stronger everyday.

Freddy was a loving husband and father, a community activist, and a great role model for all PGA Professionals.

Freddy, your sand never filled in and it never will.

We miss you!

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

Swann Makes History at Pelzer Golf Oregon Open Invitational

As the crowd gathered and watched the final putts being made on the 54th hole by the final group, all who watched knew they were witnessing something spectacular and awe-inspiring. Kennedy Swann, a decorated NCAA collegiate athlete from Tokatee Golf Club with both individual and team accolades, won the 2021 Pelzer Oregon Open Invitational and became the first woman to win a Pacific Northwest Section tournament. Swann led the way for most of the third day and finished at 11-under (205), with PGA Professional and defending champion Brady Sharp and another astounding amateur in Mason Koch tying for second a couple of strokes back at 9-under (207). With the overall win, Swann also took home low amateur honors with Brady Sharp earning low professional honors.

“It was pretty similar to a collegiate event, except for the fact that I was competing against men and I had a caddy. There were definitely some nerves on the last couple holes, but other than that I felt pretty calm all day,” said Swann, who has played in both the Augusta National and U.S. Women's Amateur. “Trey did such an amazing job of keeping me calm, loose, and talking. Anytime I can go out and have fun on the course I know I’m gonna play well.”

Going into the final day, Swann was two strokes behind the leader Isaac Buerger (T-6th), an amateur from Eagle Crest Resort, and one behind highly decorated PGA Professional Jeff Coston (T-4th) of Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club. However, things quickly changed when Swann went three-under in her first four holes, and the players alongside her ran into trouble, leading to Swann’s two-stroke lead after those four holes.

“Honestly, I think I made my playing partners kind of nervous in the first few holes,” Swann replied when asked how she kept her composure throughout the rest of the round and staved off some great attempts to make comebacks by her competitors. “I’m used to playing with guys, but they're not used to playing with girls. I used this to my advantage and just focused on enjoying the round. The only thing I could control was how I played, not how they played.”

“Kennedy is an amazing winner and our first woman to have won a Pacific Northwest PGA Section event in our almost 100-year history,” stated Molly Cooper, PGA, who has been the Director of Tournament and Member Programs since 2004. “Seeing a woman win for the first time made me proud to be part of an organization that embraces women and celebrates their accomplishments. This is a great win for the PGA.”

This was Swann’s first win in the Section and a memorable one for that. In regards to her future plans, she noted, “I have a sponsor's exemption into the LPGA Marathon classic in the beginning of July, so I’ll be playing in that next. After that I will be playing in the USGA Women’s Amateur in New York at the beginning of August, then going to Q-School right after. I am also up for the Curtis Cup so hopefully I might get to go to Wales, then I will turn pro after either Q-School or that event.”

During the first 36 holes of the event, there were two separate team competitions, with a team event and a four-ball event happening concurrently. The winners from the team event consisted of PGA Professionals David Phay and David Castleberry with amateurs Matt Kline and Doug Pierce, who shot a combined score of 34-under par (254) over the 36 holes. The winners from the four-ball event were PGA Professional David Phay and amateur Doug Pierce, who combined their scores for a total of 19-under (125), beating PGA Professional Darren Black and amateur Andrew Von Lossow by one stroke (126) over 36 holes.

As always, we would like to thank all of our sponsors for this event, namely our Title Sponsor Pelzer Golf Supplies as well as Sun Mountain, Sketchers, CMC, Legendary Headwear and Club Car. With their help along with our PGA Professionals, the PNW PGA was able to donate $3,000 to KIDS Center through this wonderful event.

Player of the Year Points Lists

Northwest Open Invitational Entries Available

Upcoming Events

Holk's Highlights: Steve Stevens

This month we profile Steve Stevens, PGA, who recently summited Mt. Everest. Read on to learn about his thrilling adventure!

Be Featured in Our Next PGA Coach Email!

You've filled out your PGA.coach profile*, now reach thousands of potential students! 

1. To be featured in email communications to our opt-in database of avid golfers, please complete this short questionnaire.
2. We would love to include a short video of your golf tip or clip from a lesson.
3. You will get leads from the PGA Coach profile and it costs you nothing!

Now is the time to capitalize on the renewed interest in golf. People are searching for golf lessons and watching golf tip videos online. We are looking to promote YOU in making this golf trend stick. 

* Haven't filled out your PGA.coach profile yet? Recently, Ryan Young conducted a PNW PGA “Stay Involved” Education covering PGA.coach.  If you were not able to attend this live, please reach out to the Section office for the link.

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

Compensation Matters to Every PGA Professional

Help Yourself & Help Your PNWPGA 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 today.
 
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

Pros on the Move

by Robin Lindsey, Tournament & Membership Coordinator

• William C. Hart, PGA (A-1) - from Heron Lakes GC to Kitsap G&CC
• Blake A. Netter, PGA (A-8) - from Creekside GC to Willamette Valley CC
• Josh A. Yzenbaard, PGA (A-6) - from RedTail GC to Westside Golf Range

• (none)

New Associates

• Kelly T. Connor (B-8) - Coeur D'Alene GC
• Mark D. Muzzy (B-8) - Riverside G&CC
• Nicholas R. Onustack (B-8) - Manito G&CC
• Anthony P. Preston (B-8) - Walter E. Hall GC
• Caleb B. Stetzner (B-8) - Anaconda CC

Newly Elected Members

• (none)

• Michael P. Franko IV, PGA (LM) to Medford, OR from Southwest Section
• K L Gildersleeve-Jensen, PGA (A-6) to Kalispel G&CC from Southwest Section
• Connor N. Lynch, PGA (A-8) to Puyallup, WA from Southwest Section
• Brady J. Phillips, PGA (A-8) to Wildhorse Resort GC from Unaffiliated Section
• Maxwell G. Riggs, PGA (A-13) to Rock Creek Cattle Co. from Northern California Section

• Ward H Sutton, PGA - from Yakima CC to Michigan Section

• Edward R. Clark, PGA
• Tod J. Fitterer, PGA
• Mark S. Flitton, PGA
• Keith Henderson, PGA
• Jon P. Kukula, PGA
• Tim J. Olson, PGA
• Troy A. Rodvold, PGA
• Steven D. Stensland, PGA

• Mannie J. Jewell, PGA