CEO's Report

Frank Talarico

Service is Not Always Seen

Mr. Charles Plumb flew seventy-five combat missions in Vietnam. After his seventy-fifth successful mission off the deck of the USS Kitty Hawk, his plane was shot down by a surface-to-air missile. Plumb, relying on his training, ejected and parachuted safely only to be captured by the enemy. He spent six grueling years in a communist, Vietnamese prison. Nevertheless, he survived.

Later in life, Mr. Plumb and his wife were eating at a restaurant. During their meal, another diner came over to him at the table and recognized him. “You’re Plumb! You flew jet fighters in Vietnam off the Kitty Hawk. You were shot down.”

Plumb, taken aback but also confused by the stranger asked, “How do you know that?”

“I packed your parachute,” the man replied. The man excitedly shook Plumb’s his hand, adding, “I guess it worked!”

Plumb assured him, “It sure did. If your chute hadn’t worked, I wouldn’t be here today.”

After the shocking, chance meeting, Plumb had trouble sleeping. He kept thinking about that man. Charles Plumb has said in interviews after the encounter that the incident stayed with him, and he was always perplexed.  “I kept wondering what he might have looked like in a Navy uniform: a white hat, a bib in the back, and bell-bottom trousers. I wonder how many times I might have seen him and not even said ‘Good morning, how are you?’ or anything because, you see, I was a fighter pilot, and he was just a sailor.”

Mr. Plumb recounts that he then frequently began to think of the man very differently. How many hours the sailor who had packed his parachute must have spent on an uncomfortable long wooden table in the bowels of the ship, carefully folding the silks of each chute. Most of all, Plumb considered that with each fold, that man held in his hands the fate of someone he didn’t know and likely would never meet.

I challenge us, this month, to take a moment and consider if anyone has done something that has helped make your day “better.” Recognize them right away.

Each of us are touched by individuals who provide what we need to make it through the day. Equally important, each of us can make a difference in someone else’s day. Whether it be a peer, a member, or a stranger—and sometimes that difference is made silently—we cannot afford to miss these difference-making opportunities. They are just too important.

As I try to do every chance I get, I would like to thank those who make the lives of our Members better through their partnership with and support of our Section. This month, I want to say a very special thanks to Keith Moskowitz and Kyle Freeman from Under Armour for generously outfitting both teams competing in the 73rd Hudson Cup Matches. Also supporting this year’s event, please join me in thanking John Bond and Ren Weaver from Legendary Headwear for ensuring our teams and their captains look their best while competing in this year’s Matches. Also joining our family of sponsors, Therabody and their amazing Theragun product line will be joining the Pacific Golf & Turf Pro-Am Championship as a supporting sponsor.

I’d like to remind our Members of two important upcoming events. The annual PNWPGA Merchandise Show. Registration is now soon, as we return in-person to Tacoma Convention Center October 19-20, 2021. I encourage you to register as soon as possible. Also, this year, the section is providing new and exciting reasons to join us in-person. This year, the Section will be raffling—exclusively for Members in attendance— a trip for two to Ireland, including accommodations and amazing golfing. My sincere thanks to Bud Garmany and Garmany Golf for sponsoring the PNW PGA Merchandise Show Ireland trip sweepstakes.  Keep your eyes open for specific details and make your plans to attend, and win.

Pre-register for the Show

Scheduled around this year’s show are two fantastic education opportunities. “Strategies for Building Meaningful Relationships in Your Career” and “Strategies for a Successful Career in Coaching/Teaching” will both be offered this year. Both seminars include a networking session and snack break.

Register for 10/18 education

Register for 10/20 education

Lastly, get PGA HOPE certified to work with veterans in a FREE one-day seminar presented by Bob Epperly, PGA. The purpose of the training program is to provide a comfortable first experience for military Veterans and REACH’s military golf program. PGA Professionals attending one of these sessions will be eligible to participate as instructors for these programs. This program is also a great opportunity for PGA Professionals to be trained to teach all people with disabilities at their clubs. Receive 6 MSR Credits (Required Category) for attending.

Learn more

As always, if I or our amazing Section staff may ever be of service to you, please contact us.

Frank Talarico, CEO
ftalarico@pgahq.com

District 14 Director's Report

Doug Doxsie, PGA

As I sat at my computer to write this monthly article, it was Labor Day, which gave me a moment of reflection about the PGA of America. I found this definition of the Labor Day holiday: “Labor Day is an annual celebration of workers and the labor force's achievements. The idea is to recognize and honor the American labor movement and the ways in which American workers have contributed to the country's success over the years”.

How appropriate that we take time to celebrate all of our PGA of America Members and Associates for what has transpired over the last 18 months. The contributions all of us have made to navigate through this pandemic to provide golf, a healthy and relaxing break from the stress for our society, is amazing. We all know the challenges we have faced during this time—constant regulations and protocol changes, shrinking labor markets, record numbers of players—all which has pushed us to dig deep and do what we always do, make it happen at our facilities and for our customers.

At the core of the PGA of America is our passion for the game and the people that play it. The amount of work you all put in for charities, growing the game, junior programming, and more is to be celebrated. The number one asset of the PGA of America is not our Ryder Cup, PGA Championship, reserve fund, golf properties, or the like. Our number one asset as an association are our PGA Members and Associates! When you read this, Labor Day will be behind us but take a moment and reflect and pat yourselves on the back for all you do for the game of golf, the golf industry, and the PGA of America. You all certainly deserve it.

As I mentioned in my previous article, I have the pleasure of co-chairing the National PGA Membership Committee. Working closely with the Education and Employment Committees, we are working creatively and aggressively to attract people to work in our industry. We are experiencing what our analytics show: that we are on the verge of a workforce crisis and shortage. We all know the challenges: compensation, work-life balance, and an aging out core of golf professionals. To attract future professionals requires a delicate balance and not changing our standards for membership in: demonstrating a credible game, completing education, and accruing work experience. Our focus has instead been on how to make it more attractive and convenient to join our Association through reducing costs and delivering content in a modern, more attractive way.

Last month I mentioned the new B-25 category, which allows those who have completed all their PGA Education and work experience credits to remain an active part of our association until they pass their PAT and then become a PGA Member. We have also approved a number of competitive collegiate, amateur and professional golf tournaments that are PAT approved events. If someone played in these events and met the PAT standard, they would have a passed PAT in-hand and be ready to start their PGA education.

We have also created a PGA Affiliate program that allows a person to take Level 1 education, which will remain virtual, giving them a taste of our association and the process to become a member. They will have no rights or privileges in the PGA but they can complete Level 1 without being employed in the industry. If they decide to move to Level 2 education, then employment becomes required. This is a great way to market to second career people who don’t have to quit their current job to experience our industry before deciding to make a career change.

Finally, we have approved that Level 1 education will remain virtual, while levels 2 and 3 will be in-person at our new home of the PGA of America in Frisco, Texas. This maintains the important mentoring part of our education but reduces the cost from three trips to two trips for education. There are certainly more details to all of these new modifications that can be found on pga.org, or contact me and I am happy to elaborate. These changes have all been enthusiastically approved by the Board of Directors. These are great starts to attracting potential PGA Members; we will keep working.  

Enjoy the Ryder Cup this month! When we talk assets, this is arguably the second greatest asset of our association. It is the best golf event in the world and gives us a chance as an association to tell our story of what the PGA of America and our golf professionals do for the game to millions of viewers. Go USA!

Stay safe, stay healthy and thanks for all you do,

Doug Doxsie, PGA
Seattle Golf Club
PGA District 14 Director
425-681-8889
doxpga@msn.com

PGA Jr. League

Branden Thompson, PGA - Regional League Manager

As the season winds down for most of you, I just wanted to say thank you on behalf of all the PGA Jr. League players and parents for a fun season. Here are some highlights:

  1. We had almost 3,300 players in all divisions, making the Pacific Northwest PGA the #2 section in the country pending fall participation
  2. We crowned the Section Champions at Eagle Crest Golf Resort after a year without All-Stars. 
    • 13u - West Spokane League, Captain Travis Huskisson, PGA
    • 17u - Meridian Valley CC League, Captain Brian Thornton, PGA
  3. Gold Mountain GC hosted a Regional Championship where the PNW Section was represented by the following teams in addition to the two above:
    • 13u - Bend South, Coach Ryan Smith
    • 17u - Chambers Bay, Captain Matt Montecucco, PGA
    • 17u - Echo Falls, Captain Greg Morris, PGA
  4. Brian Thornton’s 17u squad from Meridian Valley captured the first Regional Championship at that age level.
  5. Achieved a 72% Net Promoter Score, indicating that you continue to deliver great experiences for your consumers.
  6. The average program fee for the section was $286, driving just short of $1 million dollars in revenue to our professionals and facilities.

National PGA Jr. League Championship Broadcast on ESPN

Although our 13u teams fell short against a strong team from Thanksgiving Point in Utah, we’ve got a lot to be proud of.  Continue the celebration and momentum from a great season by passing on the broadcast schedule for the National Championship.  The final match will be live on ESPN.  Hold a watch party for your team!

Here’s the broadcast schedule:

2022 Planning

There will be a few changes for 2022 that you will need to know about.  Be on the lookout for communications regarding those along with a bunch of helpful webinar/tutoring opportunities that you will want to take advantage of.  The main change is that the registration system is changing to make it easier on you and your players.  You must join a session to learn about that.  Dates and times will be announced soon. 

PGA Jr. League Fall Season

The Fall Season is a great time to continue the amazing momentum junior golf has right now.  Offer PGA Jr. League as an in-house program or join with another facility to run a league.  Team kits include an outerwear piece and new styles. 

Click this link to register as a captain today!

One-on-one Assistance

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

Regards,

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

6 Ways to Work on Yourself This Fall

Monte Koch, PGA of America Employment Consultant

I hope you will take advantage of some of the many ways that you can improve your skills and your team, many for FREE, this fall.

1. Learn from and be inspired by some of our Section's legends in the new PNWPGA "Fore The Best" podcast. In it, I’m blessed to interview some of our best and brightest and learn from them in areas of motivation, operations, coaching golfers and more. The first episode will premiere on September 16, 2021 so look for it in your inbox!

PNWPGA Fore The Best podcast

2. Join me and Molly Cooper, PGA, for the PNW PGA Fall Education panels, presented live at the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center. Each is designed to give you the tools to improve your career as well as provide valuable networking opportunities.  The cost is $35 per panel.

3. Take advantage of the upcoming PNWPGA “Stay Involved” education webinar series this fall and winter (and earn MSR's when you participate live). Tune in right from your golf shop, on your laptop, or on the road!

See the schedule

 4. Go back into the impressive archive of topics from the PNWPGA “Stay Involved” education webinar series. Did you miss a webinar? We’ve covered some excellent topics including: Dynamic Pricing, Social Media, Next-Level Coaching for Teachers, Better Practices for Retaining New Members, Rebuilding Your Group Business Model, and so much more. Email Marlena at the Section office for the link to the archive: mcannon@pgahq.com.

5. Get ADM certified and get your PGA.Coach profile. It only takes two hours to complete the training. Not only is ADM a great resource, but the PGA.Coach directory is a great way to get leads!

“The American Development Model (ADM) has changed the way I coach. Deepening my understanding of age appropriate learning has taking my coaching to the next level. My students are having more fun and I am seeing greater levels of retention since implementing ADM into my coaching.” – Patrick Oropallo, PGA

PGA.coach

6. Don’t forget to complete the Compensation Profile at least once a year, and anytime after your compensation situation changes. It takes 20% of the time the old Compensation Survey took to complete!

Compensation Profile

 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

Book a 30 Minute Virtual Meeting

Online Professional Development

Update your Job Preferences

Complete/Update your Compensation Profile

Career Planning and Coaching

Rannow Wins PNW Senior PGA Professional Championship

Tanner T. Montgomery, PGA
Manager of Tournament Operations

On September 3, the Pacific Northwest Section crowned the 2021 PNW Senior PGA Champion after two rounds of competition at Rainier Golf & Country Club in Seattle, WA. Bob Rannow of Ocean Dunes Golf Links won the title by one stroke over Tony Robydek of Meadow Park GC.

Designed and built by Bob Collins, Rainier Golf & Country Club opened its first nine holes in 1920. It was considered one of the finest “out-in-the-country golf links” in the Seattle area, with the second nine opened for play in 1924. The second oldest private golf club in Seattle, Rainier G&CC has matured and evolved into one of the most imaginative and demanding tests of golf in the Northwest. The course is a shot-maker’s delight; it rewards power, finesse, and most importantly, accuracy.

Heading to the final hole with only a one-shot lead, accuracy meant everything to Rannow. With a birdie, Rannow finished at 143 (-1) for the two-day championship. “The putt on the last hole added confidence in that I was able to react to the target under pressure,” Rannow said of his winning shot.

In addition to Rannow, Tony Robydek of Meadow Park GC, Mark Knowles of McCormick Woods GC, Greg Manley of Meridian Valley CC and Monte Hanson of Bend GC qualify for the 2021 Senior PGA Professional Championship presented by Cadillac, held October 21-24 at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Jeff Coston of Semiahmoo G&CC has an exemption into the national event as a previous winner of the National Senior PGA Professional Championship.

“I am really looking forward to representing the PNWPGA section at the National event and look forward to hanging out and meeting new PGA Professionals,” said Rannow of the opportunity.

Rob Gibbons of Arrowhead GC captured the Hugh Starkweather award, which goes to the low player for both rounds who is age 60 years or older.

Winning the Senior Division were Gordy Graybeal of Jefferson Park GC and Paul Cobleigh of Suntides GC.

We would like to thank Darren Black and all of his staff at Rainier G&CC as well as Frank McCaslin, Club President, and Bryon Hammock, General Manger for hosting this prestigious event.

Final results

FREDDY Interns Spotlight

Shelby Jacobson Hunt

Since the passing of our late PNWPGA Section President, Sean Fredrickson, the team at the Fredrickson Family Memorial Foundation has been hard at work to honor our dear friend with an opportunity to get more youth players into golf and expand diversity in our game and profession. The FREDDY initiative (Forming Relationships to Expand Diversity and Develop Youth) launched early this year. The goal is to reach players who may not have yet considered golf as a profession or even a hobby. We would like to introduce two more of our first-year participants in the last FREDDY Interns Spotlight of the season.

This season, the team at Seattle Golf Club selected Ally Hill as their FREDDY Intern to learn what the golf industry has to offer. Ally is from Bothell, WA and is currently a Sophomore at Innovation Lab High School. Her favorite studies are art, American Sign Language, and photography. She says she decided to attend this school because they focus on “collaboration and life preparation after high school.” Ally participated in the First Tee of Seattle after being introduced by a family friend and hopes to continue to develop her golf skills with her younger siblings and keep learning the game. We hope Ally continues her journey with golf and wish her the best for her upcoming school year!

Brad Ebberson and his team at Tualatin Country Club selected recent Tigard High School graduate Karina Barron as their first FREDDY Intern. Karina will be attending Western Oregon University this fall and majoring in Secondary Education with a minor in Bilingual Studies. Karina participated in a local mentoring group called Intercambio where younger students were matched with high school mentors to support student success on both ends. Karina will be the first college student in her family and is “very proud to be a role model to my younger brother and cousins.” She is half-Mexican and half-Salvadorian and she hopes to visit both places and see her grandfather in El Salvador. Before this summer, Karina’s only golf experience was mini golf.  Outside of her studies, Karina likes to bake, listed to music, and spend time with her family. We are happy to hear that Karina enjoyed her experience at Tualatin Country Club and hopes to return next season!

Employment Opportunities

Monte Koch, PGA of America Employment Consultant

Click here to access the PNW PGA job postings

Your Compensation Profile Participation is Needed

Do it for yourself and your peers. Here are some of the reasons I have heard from PGA Members and Associates for why they have not completed your profile yet… and my responses.

PLEASE, PLEASE (I did it again) 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 we can be again. 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!

Complete your Compensation Profile Survey now >>

Regards, Monte

Open Events

"Fore the Best" Podcast hosted by Monte Koch

September 16 @ 9:00 AM

Norm Blandel - Part I
Norm Blandel -  Part II

PNW PGA “Stay Involved” Education with Monte Koch

September 16 @ 1:00 - 2:00 PM: Effective Position & Facility ResearchLearn More

PNW PGA Professional Championship

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

Pacific Golf & Turf PNW Pro-Am Championship

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

PNW PGA Merchandise Show

Tacoma, WA - Greater Tacoma Convention Center
Pre-register for the show

October 18 @ 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Fall Education
Register for 10/18 education

October 19 @ 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Merchandise Show

October 20

PNW PGA Arizona Sun Pro-Am

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

2022 Tournament Schedule

Start planning on playing next season!
2022 Tournament Schedule

September 15, 2021

Foreword Press

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