May 2, 2022

President's Report

First, thank you to Chris, Bill, and Frank for stepping up during my absence. I am bummed that I missed our special awards dinner and our spring meeting. I still have not had a face-to-face Section meeting as your President.

Have you ever been surprised during a performance review? I have been coaching one of our junior managers and helping him learn how to improve his working relationship with his boss. We are working with a technique using “gap” analysis. Let me describe it. Often, the surprise in a performance review is directly due to the lack of, or poor communication. When you examine your job, what are the critical elements of the job? Which of these elements are most important? How well are you performing these elements? To start the gap analysis, answer these questions. Write them down. Now the fun part: ask your boss to answer the same questions about your job. Ask your boss to write down his/her answers. Once this is complete, meet with your boss and share your lists.

In many cases, there will be a “gap” in the answers. There may be something that you believe is a critical element of your job, that you think is very important, and that you are very good at. However, when your boss reveals her list, you discover that she does not see the element you’ve defined as critical, thus does not see it as important and has been wondering why you work so hard on the element. That is the foundation for the surprise because if you had never had the conversation, your boss’s displeasure would likely be reflected in your performance review. It’s possible that your review would be negative.

If you don’t want to be surprised, and want to ensure that you are aligned with your boss, take the time to do the gap analysis. For many of us, we are beginning our season. Many of you who are managers are hiring new staff or bringing back returning staff. This is a great time to schedule this type of meeting. If you are an individual contributor, ask your supervisor/manager to go through this gap analysis process with you so you are both clear on priorities and expectations.  Most of us will agree that we don’t like surprises unless it’s a party.

As always, thanks for your time, and thank you for all that you do. Please stay safe and healthy and reach out to someone you have not contacted in a while.

Have a great season and get out and play!

Howie Pruitt, PGA
Director, Golf Operations, Aspen Lakes GC
President, Pacific Northwest Section
howiep@msn.com

Vice President's Report: The Call to Action

Happy spring!  Hopefully, as May arrives, so does some sunny weather.  April was less than desirable in Montana and much of the Pacific Northwest.  With the better weather will also come a big wave of golf activity in our section.  If we are anything like the southern states, golf demand will be at an all-time high again this season.

As a section, we have prepared for a great year and I hope you will join me in thanking Frank and his staff, the board, and the officers for their dedication to our association and membership.  There are many tasks on our list for 2022, and the Section and Chapter Boards have been busy attending to details.

In preparation to write this article, I went to the website and reviewed the past several ForeWord Press issues.  I would like to recognize Bill Shea for his work as the Awards Chairman.  That is a daunting process, and Bill’s attention to detail and dedication to run a top-notch program this year was impressive.  I also really enjoy the inspiring messages about leadership, mentorship, and growth from Frank and Howie, and I must thank Doug Doxsie for his mentorship and dedication to our Section.  We are the leaders in our industry. I bet every one of us is an inspiring mentor to someone, and Doug is one of mine. 

This leads me to the theme of my article: “The Call to Action”.  My club recently went through the challenging survey process.  It is both great to hear the positive feedback and difficult to take the criticism that accompanies a survey.  In reviewing our results as a team, my managers came to focus on the need to work together and self-evaluate.  I love the old proverb “many hands make for light work”, and my crew is doing just that.  We found that if we helped each other review each department, and strive to improve, we could turn our weaknesses into strengths.  Thus, we have spent the first quarter of the year refining processes, improving communication, polishing the skills of our staff, and preparing for greatness.  Additionally, my Board of Directors has started the Master Planning process for our facility.  This, too, is a daunting task.   

For me, as a PGA Professional, my top three golf-related actions are instituting a 17U PGA Junior League program to accompany our outstanding 13U program, to start a PGA Hope program in Missoula, MT, and to be part of the PGA Junior Ambassador Program, PGA JAM, that our Section will be pioneering this summer.  This is a tall order for my team, but we have a great plan, and I am confident we will see great results.

For all of us PGA Professionals, the industry and world are very challenging this year.  Supply chain issues, full tee sheets and lesson schedules, customer service, and work-life balance are going to be very demanding.  If I can make one suggestion that we all need, it is to make a plan.  Plan for your family time first, plan as far ahead as you can for products and services you and your people need, and plan to deliver your best. 

We wear many hats in our profession and we can’t be everything to everyone.  Along the way I have been inspired by the adage, “under-promise and over-deliver, don’t over-promise and under-deliver.”  I challenge each of you to focus on the details in your calling, contact more people more often, follow through on your tasks, and make time for yourselves.  Grace is the best thing we can give ourselves sometimes.  And remember, even if something is a struggle, like my golf game, we are PGA Professionals, what a cool thing!      

Thanks for your time,

Chris Nowlen, PGA
Pacific Northwest Section Vice President  

Welcome, New Section Staff Members!

Coston Wins PNW PGA Senior Players' Championship

by Tanner Montgomery, PGA - Manager of Tournament Operations

PGA Professional Jeff Coston of Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club won the PNW PGA Senior Players’ Championship by shooting a 7-under 137 for the two-day event at Wine Valley GC on April 13. He won by four strokes over runner-up PGA Professional Billy Bomar of Bomar Putting Company (141).

As for the two-day team game, we had a four-way tie for first place between the teams of Al Patterson and Don Bidinger; Chris Repass and Jay Poletiek; John Freitas and Mike Swingle; and Bruce Stewart and Jeff Nielson. These teams of one PGA Professional and one amateur each fired 10-under 134 over the course of the two rounds.

“I love to compete and challenge myself. I had fun. It feels good to shoot below my age,” said Coston, who shot rounds of 65 and 72. He previously won this event in 2006 and 2018.

Asked about his thoughts on this victory, Coston replied, “It has been a lifelong pursuit, study and passion. I feel convicted about what I’ve learned and owned of the mental mindset, technical template, strategy, visual imagery, measurable practice and creating a moment for The Moment.”

The Senior Players’ Championship is a two-man team competition of one Pacific Northwest PGA Professional and one amateur playing a both an individual and a four-ball competition.

Wine Valley Golf Club has been rated "One of The Top Three Golf Courses to Play in Washington" by Golfweek. It has been awarded many other honors since opening in 2009. This stunning Dan Hixson design unfolds on a grand scale, playing over rolling hills in the shadow of the Blue Mountains. Wine Valley GC has broad fairways, dramatic bunkers, and bold, undulating putting surfaces.

Thank you to PGA Director of Golf Tyler Sweet, owner Jim Pliska, Superintendent Tyler Daniels, and all of their staff for an exciting event!

PGA.Coach - Your Biggest Marketing Opportunity

Holk's Highlights: PGA Championship Qualifiers

Congratulations to Colin Inglis, Austin Hurt and Tim Feenstra for earning spots in the 2022 PGA Championship, to be held May 19-22 at Southern Hills CC. We are rooting for you!

Colin Inglis – Shadow Hills CC

(T-6) 67-70-68-76–281

Austin Hurt – Wing Point G&CC

(T-11) 66-68-73-75–282

Tim Feenstra – Broadmoor GC

(T-18) 68-72-71-72–283

$ = eligible for 10k Hole-In-One Challenge! Learn More

$ 3/8/22 - Derek Berg - Meridian Valley CC #3
3/16/22 - Taylor Porter - Anthem CC #17
4/13/22 - Al Patterson - Wine Valley GC #11

Twenty-four lucky and hard-working teams will earn a spot in a two-day event at Gamble Sands Resort & GC on August 29-30, 2022. Each invited team will consist of one PGA Professional and three amateurs. To receive an invitation, all you need to do is earn your facility a spot on the PNWPGA Callaway Golf Challenge leaderboard during the Challenge Year, January 1 - July 15, 2022.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Entry Releases

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

Pros on the Move

by Denise Taylor, Tournament & Membership Administrator

• BJared Lambert, PGA (A-1) - from Salishan Golf Links to Astoria G&CC
• Connor Lynch, PGA (A-8) - from Grayhawk GC to Auburn GC
• Brandon Stransky, PGA (A-1) - from The Oregon GC to Rock Island GC
• Carrie DeGree, PGA (A-8) - from Columbia Edgewater CC to Royal Oaks CC
• Steve Borror, PGA (A-13) - from Bandon Dunes Golf Resort to Eagle Point GC
• Jeremy Moe, PGA (A-1) - from Boca Woods CC to Tualatin CC
• Wallace Small, PGA (A-8) - from Sahalee CC to Aldarra GC
• Thomas Kollasch, PGA (A-9) - from Blue Lakes CC to Broadmoor GC
• Bruce Vieira (A-8) - from CDA National Reserve to Rock Creek Cattle Company
• Scott Hermann (A-1) - from Tumble Creek Club @ Suncadia to Yakima Elks G&CC
• Jeff Kragt (A-8) - from Rock Creek CC to The Oregon GC
• Patrick Oropallo (A-6) - from Oak Knoll GC to Southern Oregon Golf Academy

• David Brown (Arrowhead GC) - from B-8 to B1
• Steven (Scott) Lusk, PGA (Eagle Point GC) - from A-13 to LMA
• Kelly DeShaw (Yakima, WA) - from A-1 to LM

New Associates

• Hunter Westcott (B-8) - NW Golf Guys
• Paul Drazba (B-8) - Pacific Dunes
• Nick Huff (B-6) - Camas Meadows GC
• Dennis Boothroyd (B-8) - Washington National GC
• Eric Frank (B-6) - GOLFTEC- Bellevue
• Joshua Yap (B-6) PNW Golf Academy

Newly Elected Members

• Nicholas Cooke, PGA (A-8) - Harbour Pointe GC
• Kennedy Swann (A-3) - LPGA

Transfers INTO the Section

• Tara Liebert (B-8) to Buffalo Hills GC from Southern Californa Section
• Kelly Horen (B-8) to Ashland, OR from Colorado Section
• Dan Shull (RSV) to Plains, MT from Nebraska Section
• Ryan Malby (LMA) to Kalispell, MT from Southwest Section

• Bryan Winkel - from Redmond, WA to Colorado Section

• Monte Koch, PGA
• Ryan Malby, PGA
• Robert Gelinas, PGA

• Ronald Coleman, PGA
• Donald Smith, PGA