January 15, 2023

CEO's Report

Frank Talarico | ftalarico@pgahq.com

Resolve to Have Objectives, Not Set Goals

‘Tis the season to make New Year’s resolutions.  New Year’s resolutions date back 4,000 years to the Babylonians, who celebrated their first barley harvest with resolutions for future habits to promote future successes. Resolutions are still prevalent in modern times, with 39% of US adults setting resolutions every year. The three most popular goals relate to health: exercising more, eating healthier, and losing weight. 

Unfortunately, 43% of people expect to fail before February, and an amazing 23% do so in the first week of January.  Why?  The main reason seems to be the timing of New Year’s resolutions – people aren’t ready to commit yet.  The secret to becoming part of the 9% that succeed? Only set New Year’s resolutions that are highly relevant, timely, and specific to you.  Have objectives.

Tony Robbins says setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible. Mark Cuban says effort is measured by setting goals and getting results. Elon Musk says to stop being patient and start asking yourself how you can accomplish your ten-year plan in six months.  Most of us love to set goals. Problem is, our goals rarely love us back.

Maybe that’s because most people don’t follow the two-week rule and give it at least two weeks to form a habit.  Most people give up too soon. Maybe that’s because the way you are wired has a significant impact on how well a particular goal-setting strategy works for you.  Maybe it's simpler than that—it’s because you set “goals” in the first place. Some business experts and professional coaches just don’t believe in goal setting because a “goal” is an end toward which energy is aimed. To these thinkers, why in the world would we start something with the end in mind?

There is a popular quote on the subject that “reaching a goal is a penalty you receive for setting one.” Instead of setting goals, have objectives with no limitations.  While that might just sound like semantics, the difference lies in how the pursuit is framed in terms of target and timeline.

If you start a business, the conventional goal-setting approach, as example, would be to set a goal of building a $5 million business. If you want to make the leap from hourly to salary, your goal may be to become a supervisor or manager. If you want to check off a personal best wish, your goal may be to run a marathon. Each goal has an end. Which means each goal is, by its nature, limiting.

Instead, set an objective with no limitations. Instead of trying to build a $5 million business, make it your objective to grow your business. Instead of trying to become a supervisor, make it your objective to become a better leader. Instead of trying to run a marathon, make it your objective to become a better runner.  You can do those things forever.

Remember, an objective is energy aimed in a direction. So why not aim your energy in a direction without any limit? Put your energy into making smarter decisions. Put your energy into developing your team. Put your energy into better engaging and serving your customers.

You can do those things forever.  Because you didn’t set a goal with a finish line or end point, you’re much more likely to achieve more than you imagine possible—and be among the 9% of Americans who successfully achieve their resolutions. 

2023 promises to be a year filled with successes and significant milestones across our five chapters, and for the PNWPGA Section.  A step in the right direction is a continued return to pre-Covid ways of doing our business locally and as an association. Back in person for the first time since 2019, the 2023 PGA Teaching and Coaching Summit takes place from January 22-23 in Orlando, FL. Click here to learn more.  Additionally, The PGA Show returns to Orlando, Jan. 24-27, 2023. Learn more and register here today

No Chapter or Section success would be possible without the growing family of our supporting sponsors and partners.  I am proud to remind you to ensure you are eligible for the 2023 Farmers Insurance-Jared Bouchey Agency Hole-In-One Challenge.  Back for its second year, the Hole-In-One Challenge is your chance to win up to $10,000 for hole-in-ones made at eligible 2023 events.  Last year’s winner, Derek Berg, was the sole, eligible winner and took home a check for $10,000.  Our special thanks to Mr. Jared Bouchey for his continued support of our members and our Section.

I am happy to announce a new member of the PNWPGA Section family of sponsors.  Mr. Ian Crick and Stracka Line are now a presenting sponsor of our Pro-Assistant Championship, PNWPGA Junior Championship, and the 75th Hudson Cup Matches.   You will all be learning more about Stracka Line and how they can bring significant value to your clubs.

As always, if I or any member of your amazing Section staff may ever be of any service, please call on us.  Happy New Year!

Frank Talarico, CEO

District #14 Director's Report

Jeff Lessig, PGA - National Director, District 14 | jlessig@pgahq.com 

Amending the PGA of America Constitution is not, nor should it be, an easy process.  Indeed, it requires an affirmative vote by a two-thirds majority of delegates at the PGA Annual Meeting.  It is notable and laudable that at our recent Annual Meeting here in the Southwest Section our delegates unanimously voted to approve:

New language added to Article 1, Section 3 of the PGA Constitution.

“The Association affirms its love for golf by promoting the game and inviting everyone, embracing all dimensions of diversity. This includes individuals with diversity of thought, culture, race and ethnic background, gender, age, religion, politics, sexual orientation, physical abilities, national origin, and other differences.”

To be sure, this relatively brief constitutional affirmation is the product of many months and years of intentional deliberation by a select group of our fellow professionals.  Here is a more explanatory narrative of our commitment.

INCLUSION & DIVERSITY

The PGA of America aspires to create a game, a workforce and an industry supply chain that mirror America. In pursuit of that vision, we continue to bring inclusion to life across all of our lines of business. In 2014, the Association’s leadership intentionally positioned inclusion and diversity as a foundational principle in the Long-Term Strategic Plan, recognizing that we will be defined by how this commitment resonates throughout the PGA of America, our programs, and practices.
 

Our commitment is vital to the health and relevance of our business and the game overall. In order to attract more of the increasingly diverse consumer population to the game, the business, and golf’s workforce, we must become more inclusive in every regard. We have made meaningful strides in embracing and leveraging inclusion and diversity, with particular emphasis on education and skill development, workforce diversification, vendor inclusion, and community engagement, but there is still much more work to be done.

We take a holistic approach to bringing inclusion to life across all of our lines of business. When we lead inclusively, diversity naturally follows. Both are crucial ingredients to innovation and our ability to grow participation in the game, as well as to help ensure the livelihood of our PGA Members. We are committed to deepening the true understanding of inclusion, and the business case for it, at every level of the Association.

We continue to provide our PGA Members, leadership and staff with education and resources to better understand the fundamentals of inclusion and diversity, and how to leverage it to the benefit of our businesses. Broadening our cultural competency allows us to connect more authentically with consumers from diverse backgrounds.

In order to attract the increasingly diverse consumer population to the game, we are committed to furthering inclusion in our industry. We are working to ensure that diverse groups are well-represented among our membership, staff and vendors. To achieve this, we take a four-pronged approach to integrating diversity considerations throughout our Association: education and skill development, workforce diversification, vendor inclusion and community engagement.


Unanimous.

Jeff Lessig, PGA

Player Engagement

Patrick Oropallo, PGA - Player Engagement Consultant | poropallo@pgahq.com

Let’s Talk about the Championship Season and Here’s Why

Some of you might be wondering why I have chosen to talk about the Championship Season when we have not even begun the regular season! I believe successfully navigating change, particularly with a program such as PGA Jr. League, requires a measured and thoughtful approach. As you consider your Championship Season plans, I want to ensure you have all the right information to be successful.

For many, the Championship Season consisted of forming an All-Star team, maybe playing in a Section Qualifier, possibly a Section Championship then calling it a day. I know many of you did not charge for this because you all love the game and will do anything to see it grow. What if I told you All-Star Play Days are a fantastic way to enrich the Championship Season for your players and put more coaching revenue in your pocket? Traditionally, qualifying for the Regional Championships was limited to the Section Qualifiers and subsequent Section Championship. Now, All-Star Play Days provide an alternative pathway to the Regionals by way of the Regional Leaderboard. The top four teams from the Region 11 Leaderboard qualify for the Regional Finals.   

Here are the basic mechanics of an All-Star Play Day.

  • Any PGA Professional can host a Play Day at their facility if certain criteria are followed such as course yardages, rules, and other conditions of competitions.
  • A minimum of two All-Star teams must participate to conduct an official Play Day.
  • A Play Day is 9 holes of Scramble Stroke play with three of the lowest out of four scores counting toward your team score. Many coaches will arrange for 18 holes in one day thus “knocking out” two Play Day scores on one day.
  • Three 9-hole scores are required to qualify for the Regional Leaderboard.
  • NEW for 2023, Section Qualifying Tournament events will count as Play Day rounds.
  • An All-Star team may participate in as many Play Days as they like before the deadline of August 18, 2023. Many coaches will plan 5-6 Play Days, thus having the ability to score/keep the three lowest 9-hole rounds, thereby positioning themselves well for the Regional Leaderboard.
  • You can check out the 2022 Region 11 Leaderboards here as examples: 13U Final Leaderboard, 17U Final Leaderboard

For everyone and particularly those of you in remote locations, All-Star Play Days may be the answer to qualifying for the Regionals without incurring large travel expenses, lost time at the lesson tee, or most importantly, lost time with your loved ones.  Coaches can now provide a well-rounded experience for their All-Star teams. Of course, this improved experience coupled with your expertise is worth charging for, and parents/guardians will be glad to support you in this manner.

Best Practice: Consider the addition of multiple supervised practice sessions as an All-Star team. This value addition coupled with your Play Days makes for a significant experience, and it’s one that you can and should charge for!

Let’s plan together! Connect with me to determine how All-Star Play Days can benefit you and the families you touch as a part of PGA Jr. League. 

Patrick Oropallo, Certified PGA

Schedule a 1-Hour Video Call
Email Me | oropallo@pgahq.com

2022 PGA Jr. League Game Changer Awards Announced

Congratulations to the Pacific Northwest Section Golf Professionals who are being awarded the PGA Jr. League Game Changer Award for 2022. These award winners will be recognized at the upcoming PGA Show in Orlando, Fla. Kudos to them for their outstanding effort in 2022. Keep up the great work!

Employment Opportunities

These are primarily “PGA Professional” only positions posted on the PGA Career Services Job Board: https://jobs.pga.org

PNWPGA JOB BOARD NOTICE

Upcoming "Stay Involved" Education Webinars

Jan 18 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm PDTWays to Build and Maintain a Successful Teaching Business – presented by Tom Sovay

Jan 20 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm PDTPlayer Engagement Opportunities: PGA Jr. League and PGA Family Cup – presented by Patrick Oropallo

In-Person Education Opportunities

Jan 21 @ 8:00 am - 4:30 pm WA Golf Rules of Golf Workshop – Fairwood G&CC

Feb 9  @ 9:00 am - 4:45 pm 2023 OPGA Coaching & Teaching Summit – Corvallis Club

Save the Date! Feb 20-21 – Sweet 16 Education – The Coeur d'Alene Golf & Spa Resort

Upcoming Events

Holcomb-In-One Las Vegas Pro-Am

March 5-9, 2023
Caesars Palace
Las Vegas CC, TPC Las Vegas, Anthem CC
Enter online

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