September 1, 2021

President's Report

We have all heard the age-old question: “Are leaders born or made?” The answer, in my opinion, is yes.

I believe leaders have an inborn desire to serve. The traits and skills to become a great leader can be taught. The PGA of America is our Association; if we want our Association to grow and serve our membership, it’s on us. There is not some giant hidden force out there deciding the success of our Association. Many members have stepped forward as volunteers to lead our Association. Because the leaders are volunteers, we are constantly searching for more new leaders to step forward and serve.

If you are a member interested in serving our Association but not sure you have the skills, PGA LEAD is a great way to develop your leadership skills.

What is PGA LEAD?

PGA LEAD is a Leadership Development Program for PGA Members. Do you have the desire and passion to share your diverse ideas, be involved on committees at the Chapter, Section, and National levels of the Association, run for office, or become a volunteer leader within PGA of America governance? Do you want to learn about enhancing and elevating your brand, facilitate a board meeting, or become a more engaging public speaker? If so, then PGA LEAD may be the leadership development program for you.

PGA LEAD started in 2016, and every two years, a new class (Cohort) is formed. Since the program’s onset, the Pacific Northwest Section has led the way with more members selected than any other Section in the PGA.

What has PGA LEAD meant to the PGA of America? Thirteen PGA LEAD members have ascended into PGA Section Board positions, including one Section President, three Section Vice-Presidents, and one Section Secretary. In addition, nineteen PGA LEADers are serving on PGA National Committees for the 2019-2022 term. I also serve on the National Board of Control.

PGA LEAD is accomplishing our mission; however, this success will only continue if new leaders step forward. The application deadline is rapidly approaching: September 17, 2021.

If you are a member with more than one year of service, I encourage you to apply for PGA LEAD. Not only will you get excellent training and development, but you will also frequently meet with the senior leaders of the PGA of America. Within the family of PGA LEADers, you will establish relationships and friendships that will last a lifetime. Please see the attached PDF for more information on PGA LEAD. Apply for PGA LEAD by clicking here or by accessing the application on PGA.org.

Please stay safe, reach out, and contact someone you have not seen or talked to in a while,

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

Sekulic Wins Northwest Open Invitational

by Tanner T. Montgomery, PGA
Manager of Tournament Operations

Amateur Max Sekulic captured the Northwest Open title by four strokes over PGA Professional and three-time Northwest Open Champion Derek Berg. Max, a senior at Washington State University, shot 66-65-62 for 193 (-23).

After the conclusion of the two-day Northwest Open Pro-Am, which raised $5,000 for Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that helps provide educational scholarships to the families of fallen and disabled service members, the stage was set for the 168 participants to battle in the three-day championship at Wine Valley GC.

On Monday, August 16, the scores were low after the first day of play. PGA Professional Derek Berg of PNW Golf Academy lead the way with an opening round 63. Not too far behind him were PGA Professionals Corey Prugh of Community Colleges of Spokane and Russell Grove of North Idaho College, shooting 64 and 65 respectively.

A dramatic increase in wind speeds lead to higher scores on the second day of the tournament, ending in a tie for first place at 131 between Max Sekulic and Derek Berg, PGA.

“My standard ball flight is low and penetrating from so many years of playing windy golf. I get a lot of forward roll on my tee shots meaning shorter clubs and wedges into greens,” stated Max, unfazed by the conditions.

After shooting 62 the final day, Max not only captured the Northwest Open Championship title, a tournament that had its inaugural event in 1901, but also set the new low 54-hole score for the event at 193.

“It's an honor to hold the scoring record! I think it’s the first time in my career that I've been a record holder! And to do it at an event that's been going on for so long brings even more prestige to it,” Max said of his accomplishment.

“Winning the Northwest Open means a lot to me!” he continued. “Having my first professional win was an important milestone for me. Playing well and shooting low numbers is validation that I’m working on the right things and that I have the ability to play golf at the professional level.”

Sekulic has had a fantastic summer so far. He also won the Canadian Amateur Championship and finished second at the Rosauers Open Invitational. We look forward to following his success this fall back at WSU.

We’d like to thank Wine Valley GC for hosting the Northwest Open Invitational for all these years. Thank you to owner Jim Pliska, PGA Director of Golf Chris Isaacson, Assistant PGA Professional Brady Sharp, Superintendent Tyler Daniels and their staffs for an amazing week.

FINAL RESULTS

Player of the Year Points Lists

FULL POINTS LISTS

Rolex Player of the Year

1. Colin Inglis - 465
2. Shane Prante - 345
3. Matt Epstein - 337.5

Hudson Cup

1. Colin Inglis - 385
2. Shane Prante - 350
3. Matt Epstein - 337.5

Assistant Player of the Year

1. Colin Inglis - 647.5
2. Shane Prante - 582.5
3. Brady Sharp - 425

Rolex Senior Player of the Year

1. Jeff Coston - 300
2. Tony Robydek - 280
3. Rob Gibbons - 267.5

Senior Hudson Cup

1. Jeff Coston - 700
2. Rob Gibbons - 647.5
3. Tony Robydek - 535

Open Events

PNW PGA Professional Championship

The entry deadline for the PNW PGA Professional Championship is September 8th at 1:00 PM Pacific (4:00 PM Eastern). You may register for this event through PGA of America Membership Services online at www.pgatournaments.com or by phone: (800) 474-2776.

Pacific Golf & Turf PNW Pro-Am Championship

October 6-7, 2021
Pullman, WA – Palouse Ridge GC
Enter Online

PNW PGA Merchandise Show

October 19-20, 2021
Tacoma, WA – Tacoma Convention Center
Pro Registration

PNW PGA Arizona Sun Pro-Am

December 5-9, 2021
We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort
Cholla & Saguaro courses
Enter online

PNW PGA Hawai'i Pro-Am

January 13-20, 2022
Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa
Ka'anapali golf courses
Enter online

"Stay Involved" Education Webinars

Sep 9 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Pacific | "Internships: How Mentoring Young Professionals Can Drive Your Bottom Line"

Have you wanted to learn more about the PGA Golf Management internship program and how it can help you? Join us for a 60-minute webinar presented by Director Cole Mize and Internship Coordinator Luke Nickodemus.

Holk's Highlights: Mark Tunstill, PGA

This month we profile Mark Tunstill. Not only is he a highly involved senior player, but he has also donated countless entry fees to young professionals in the Section and Oregon Chapter to provide them with the opportunity to play as well. When he was a young professional, he was inspired by some of the greats in our section including Brent Murray and Pat Fitzsimons.

Hometown: Lebanon, OR

Facility: Mallard Creek GC

PGA Member Since: 1993

Tell us about your golf beginnings. How did you get started? Why did you decide to pursue this career?

When I was about 8 years old, my father and grandfather would take me to the golf course with them in Southern California and I would drive the cart and hit a few shots. Soon, a few shots turned into playing 9 holes. By the time we moved to Oregon, my brother and I would play golf just about anywhere we could. Tuna cans were used as cups, which we would dig out and place into the ground of the local elementary schoolyard. We would also hit tennis balls throughout the makeshift course we constructed behind our neighbors’ houses and shared lawns. I’m sure they love us for it!

As I grew older, I became infatuated with golf. My father was a sales representative and would often be invited to play in the charity pro-ams that the companies he represented would sponsor. Having an inside-the-ropes experience alongside the game’s greatest was all it took for me. I still have a picture of my father, brother and I at the Fred Meyer Challenge (Portland Golf Club) with Fuzzy, Arnold, Watson, Peter, Norman, Strange, Freddy and Chi-Chi. Bryan and my dad were wearing shorts way too short and somehow they let me in with a tank top.

By the time I went to college, at the University of Oregon, I had decided that I would try to walk on the golf team. Kreiger cut me after shooting 80 (or more) in “qualifying”. I respect that and I think the world of Scott. During the summers, I found a job working in the bag room at Oswego Lake Country Club and was able to slide into the golf shop when an opening became available. I spent my apprentice years at Oswego Lake and became a member in 1993. In 1994, a group of members raised a whole pot-load of money for me to give playing a shot. Over the course of about 15 months, we moved to Florida, played the Gold Coast Tour for a year, went to tour qualifying school and came back to Oswego Lake. Still one of the best times of my life.

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

PNWPGA JOB BOARD NOTICE

Your Compensation Profile Participation is Needed!

The deadline is September 1, 2021 at midnight, Eastern Time to get your MSR point. So PLEASE take a few minutes to complete your Compensation Profile before the deadline.

PLEASE click the link below to access and complete your compensation profile (you will need to login to http://PGA.org). Tell your co-workers to do it…tell your PGA friends to do it! In the past, the PNW was one of the top reporters in the country, and right now we are in 32nd of 41. We can do better! Let’s show that we are the best PGA Section in the country.

Finally, please don't hesitate to call or email me if you have any questions or difficulty in completing your profile. Thank you for your contribution to this important tool used to impact compensation for you and your peers!

https://account.pga.org/compensation-profile

Thanks for your time...hope to see you soon!

Regards, Monte