June 1, 2022

President's Report

And we’re off! Our season in Central Oregon is off and running and I hope yours is the same. As we enter these very busy times, remember the importance of finding a good work-life balance for yourself and your staff.

Some of you know that I serve on the National Board of Control. We meet several times a year, both virtually and in person. Last week, we met in Tulsa, and I had the opportunity to visit Southern Hills on Thursday morning. It was great to see the Team of 20 PGA Club Professionals prominently displayed on banners, posters, and videos. It was an honor to stand on the ninth tee box and watch many of these professionals come through, going toe-to-toe with the best players in the world. As President of the Pacific Northwest Section, it was a true honor to watch our three players, Austin Hurt, Colin Inglis, and Tim Feenstra, rip it off the tee. I can only imagine what it must feel like to see those years of hard work and sacrifice pay off. Some of the Tour players did not want our club professionals in the event in years past. I am proud that the PGA leadership stood its ground. The Tour players have their Championship, and the PGA members have our Championship. Our players played well on a challenging course.

What impact does our association have on golf? Who won? J.T., and who was at his side the whole time, coaching him, encouraging him, and supporting him—his dad, a longtime PGA Professional, Mike Thomas.

I hope you get a chance to use that PGA perk to get access to our Championship in the future. Seeing our professionals play and seeing our association showcase what we do for golf makes me proud to be a member of the PGA of America.

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

Moody Wins Northwest Open Invitational in Playoff

by Cameron McCauley - PNWPGA tournament intern

The Northwest Open Invitational has a storied history and boasts an impressive roster of champions. Since 1901, it has been contested at a variety of golf courses in the Pacific Northwest. This year, 157 PGA Professionals and amateurs competed for the title at The Home Course on the Puget Sound while taking in pleasing views of the Olympic Mountains and Mount Rainier. The site offered a course in exceptional shape and some unpredictable weather for the competitors.

The tournament began on the morning of Monday, May 16, partly cloudy with the temperature around 55 degrees. Amateur Dalton Dean from Everett G&CC came out firing a 63, 9-under. Just behind him were amateur Graham Moody of Royal Oaks CC with a 67 and PGA Professional Jeff Coston of Semiahmoo G&CC firing a 68.

The morning of round three was completely different from the previous two days, with the temperature in the low 50’s and gusts of wind as high as 30 mph with rain. As the leaders began to tee off, the weather began to lighten with a steady breeze in the afternoon and a slight drizzle of rain. Moody was not put off by the conditions, however, stating, “It is important to understand that everyone you are competing against is battling the same conditions, so I try to keep a positive and optimistic attitude. Growing up I enjoyed the added challenge that bad weather provided, and I feel this has prepared me for rounds like this.”

Graham Moody fired a 71 in the final round, which put him into a playoff with Jeff Coston. In the end, Moody came out on top to claim the Northwest Open title, with scores of 67-67-71-205, 11-under for the week.

“I have played the Home Course in many events throughout my junior golf career, so it was a course I felt very comfortable with,” stated Moody. “Arriving on property the first day of the event, it was clear that the maintenance crews had done an incredible job getting the course in championship shape. I feel that short game is one of my strengths, and to play that course very well the best way to separate yourself from the field is to chip and putt very well.”

“The Northwest Open has a very long history of elite golf in the Pacific Northwest, so to have my name on the trophy with names like Fred Couples is very cool,” Moody added. “Any time you get to compete with the best golfers in the area it is a great opportunity, and I am grateful to have come out with a win.”

The Pacific Northwest Section PGA would like to thank The Home Course for their hospitality and support of our championship this year. Special thanks to PGA General Manager Justin Gravatt, PGA Head Professional Mitch Runge, and all their staff for a fantastic week. We are proud to have the support of our sponsors Tagmarshal, the City of DuPont, Club Car, and the PGA Tour. We look forward to returning to The Home Course for the 2023 Northwest Open Invitational.

Pelzer Golf Hawaiian Paradise Pro-Am

Entry includes:

• Seven nights accommodations in an ocean view room
• Three rounds of golf (Jan 14, 16 and 17)
• Dinner on Jan 12 and 18
• Breakfast on Jan 13

Player of the Year Points Lists

Holk's Highlights: Adam Englehorn, PGA

Facility: Meridian Valley CC

Hometown: Boise, Idaho (GO VANDALS!)

PGA Member Since: 2017

How did you get started in your golf career and who were your mentors?

Growing up I played every sport but golf until, one day when I was in the 8th grade recovering from a soccer injury, my Grandpa Loyd asked me if I had any interest in playing golf. He told me that his sister, LPGA Tour Professional Shirley Englehorn, had left some clubs that were going unused in the garage. Two weeks later the junior high golf season started. I tried out, made varsity, and our team won the first event. I was hooked!

As a senior in high school, I found out about the PGA Golf Management program at University of Idaho and knew that I wanted to be a PGA Professional. I've been around the entire Pacific Northwest since 2012, and look forward to many more years!

My mentors are Ron Rawls, Doug Doxsie and Greg Manley – all with very unique and different paths through the PGA of America.

What does Bob Kitto Memorial Junior Golf Fund mean to you?

Bob Kitto Junior Golf Memorial Fund was founded in 2021 when a longtime member and advocate for junior golf at Meridian Valley Country Club passed away after a long fight with health issues. Personally, it is an opportunity to carry on and honor a legacy of a courageous man and support junior golfers in South King County. I was fortunate enough to spend time with Mr. Kitto before he passed away and no matter what he was going through, he wanted to make sure that you were doing well and had a smile on your face. The funds raised will go to providing scholarships for PGA Jr. Leaguers, assist Junior Scholarship Members with tournament fees (three annual scholarships awarded at MVCC), and other expanded opportunities for ALL junior golfers, members or guests, through Meridian Valley Country Club. 

$ = 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.

Special Award Nominations are OPEN!

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 Sara Smith, Tournament & Membership Coordinator

• Seth M Chapin (A-8) - from Student to The Idaho Club
• Chas Holmes (A-13) - from Yakima CC to Bear Creek CC
• Timothy Sullivan-Byorick (B-8) - from Harbour Pointe GC to The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge
• Tara M. Tokonitz (A-8) - from Golf Galaxy - Cascade to Columbia Edgewater CC

• Timothy R. Marritt (Heron Lakes GC) - from A-6 to LM
• Jeffrey A. Kragt (The Oregon GC) - from A-8 to A-1
• Pat Huffer (Wenatchee G&CC) - from A-1 to A-4
• Dan Hill (Seattle, WA) - from MP to LMMA
• Scott Lusk (Eagle Point GC) - from A-13 to LMA

New Associates

• Isaac Hall (B-8) - Indian Canyon GC
• Ty Brearley (B-8) - Coeur D'Alene Resort GC
• Craig Chittenden (B-8) - Ellensburg G&CC
• Amanda Hauth (B-8) - Canyon River GC
• Bryan Jan (B-8) - Olympia Country & GC
• Ross Elliott (B-8) - Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
• Andy Brautigam (B-8) - Seattle GC
• Andrew Coleman (B-9) - Bandon Golf Design
• Brett Richardson (B-8) - Esmeralda GC
• Daniel Campbell (B-8) - Loomis Trail GC
• Beau Walker (B-8) Black Rock Creek GC

Newly Elected Members

• Seth Chapin (A-8) - The Idaho Club
• Matt Nosbaum (A-8) - Indian Canyon GC

Transfers INTO the Section

• Kevin T. Phillips (A-14) to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort from Northern California
• Kyle G. Sidlo (A-8) to Rock Creek Cattle Company from Southern California
• William J. Thornton (A-8) to Rock Creek Cattle Company from New England
• Jacob D. Warner (A-8) to La Quinta CC/The GC at Black Rock from Southern California
• Aaron A. Moe (A-8) to The GC at Black Rock from Southern California
• Angela M. Stafford (A-20) to Golf Genius Software from Southwest
• Brady J. Phillips (A-1) to Mt Adams CC from Michigan
• Kelly B. Horen (B-1) to Stewart Meadows GC from Colorado
• K L Gildersleeve-Jensen (A-6) to Las Barrancas GC/Kalispel G&CC from Southwest

• Troy M. Flateau - from Golf Genius Software to Southern Texas
• Casey C. Ward - from Rock Creek Cattle Company to Rocky Mountain
• Ryan J. Silverstein - from Gozzer Ranch Golf & Lake Club to Tennessee

• Robert J. Osgood, PGA

• Mark T. Sursely, PGA