I hope February 1st finds you well. We are a month into 2023, and a month away from golf season. Well, in MT that may be a bit presumptuous, especially since I am sitting here writing this with a heavy head cold watching it snow! For other parts of the Section, the weather will be changing soon, and I hope you are all excited for a great 2023 golf season.
I am fired up for the season after attending the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando this past week. This year, I was fortunate to take my Head Pro, Connor Sproull, Director of Instruction, David Owens, and Controller, Mike Dunn. The chance to share the experience with a couple of guys that haven’t attended before was rewarding. Mike and Dave were taken aback by the size of the event. It is something like 19 miles if you walk the entire show floor and demo day event. The inspiration for me is the new technology, new clubs, and apparel for the season. Two things happen when I attend the show. First, it corrects my poor sleep schedule from the fall and winter. I am now ready to rise at 5:30am for the foreseeable future, whether that is good or bad. Second, I am ready to see the golf course full, start player development programs, host member events, and play golf.
At the PGA Show, I attended my first Junior Player Development Committee meeting. There were a lot of great minds in the room with super ideas. There is great opportunity for junior golf riding the wave of the success of PGA Junior League. I am pleased to see our Section’s PGA JAM program in the discussion as well. If you have any ideas or suggestions for me, please send me an email. I would like to hear it.
Frank sent me an email at the conclusion of his ED Meeting prior to the start of the Show to let me know that the PNW Section posted the most growth in PGA HOPE for 2023 of any other of the forty-one sections. This growth was seen in two critical areas: number of PGA Hope sites (from 5 to 13, or 77%) and number of veterans served (29 to 200 veterans, or 590%). That is awesome! We are truly a leader amongst the 41 Sections. We have grown from 5 sites to 13. I love this program, and I hope you will get involved in teaching and changing lives for veterans. Last month I received a random email with pictures of a dormant golf course in Northern California. It turns out that one of my Vets from our program last fall returned to a golf course he worked at in college to play. Chuck had never played golf, until our class. He now plays often, and though he would say he hasn’t improved, the fact that he can play nine holes and enjoy himself says otherwise.
As you are wrapping up preparations for the 2023 golf season, I hope you will join me to do one thing that is new and one thing to improve. I have said it before, that you all elected me and gave me this opportunity to write an article each month. I want to help inspire and grow our business. My team of pros at MCC are working on PGA.Coach, as I have mentioned. That is something new. We are also improving our service practices through strategic planning as a manager group at my facility. I know that Frank and the Section staff are doing the same things to rejuvenate and improve. Take this time and opportunity to do the same. On a side note, and for yourself, make sure to enroll in the PGA’s new Deferred Compensation program. It is easy to sign up and get more information at pga.org. It is a simple way to add to your retirement by doing what we do best for the game.
Best wishes for a relaxing February and successful planning for the 2023 golf season,
Chris M. Nowlen, PGA
cnowlen@pga.com
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Team Oscarson Wins Pelzer Golf Hawaiian Paradise Pro-Am
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The Pelzer Golf Hawaiian Paradise Pro-Am took place on January 12-19 at the Kaanapali Golf Courses in Maui, Hawaii. Players enjoyed beautiful weather, stunning views, and championship golf. Special thanks to Pelzer Golf Supplies as our title sponsor as well as ProTag as our supporting sponsor.
The Royal Kaanapali Course hugs the shoreline before winding its way to the West Maui Mountain foothills. Legendary Arnold Palmer was quoted as saying that the 18th hole was one of the best and most challenging finishing holes he had ever played. The Kaanapali Kai Course features subtle, undulating greens with natural canals, trenches and lava rock boundaries which lie along many of the holes.
Teams played Saturday, January 14 on the Royal Kaanapali Course, then Monday, January 16 on the Kaanapali Kai Course, before returning to the Royal Kaanapali Course for the final round on Tuesday, January 17.
The team led by PGA Professional Jim Oscarson with amateurs James Postma, Brett Lovely, Ruben Canas and Greg Zevely came out victorious at the end of the week, winning the overall team competition. Congratulations!
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Holk's Highlights: Brett Eaton, PGA
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This month we interview Brett Eaton, winner of the 2022 PNW PGA Merchandiser of the Year – Private category. Previously honored with this award in the Resort category in 2014, Brett has taken his success in merchandising to several of Washington’s premium courses, including Homestead GC (awards in 2003, 2004, 2005), Semiahmoo Resort – Semiahmoo G&CC and Loomis Trail GC (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014) and Tacoma C&GC (2022). He is also the recipient of the 2014 Western Washington Chapter PGA Golf Professional of the Year award.
Facility: Tacoma Country & Golf Club
Hometown: White Rock, BC, Canada
PGA Member Since: 2000
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Tell us a little bit about your career. Who or what inspired you to become a Golf Professional?
I have been very fortunate to work with two great golf professionals; when I first started in the golf business I worked for Wayne Clark at Homestead G&CC and then shortly thereafter I worked for Marty Keiter at Kapalua Golf Resort at the Bay Course. Still today, Wayne and Marty are both very passionate about the golf business shown through camaraderie with fellow golf professionals, whether this is playing golf in tournaments, teaching, member relations, junior golf, merchandising, playing golf with members, tournament operations and member golf trips. Having the ability to learn and work for both of them has allowed me to grow as a Golf Professional and learn the many aspects of the golf business in which we all wear many hats.
You are known for your creative merchandising ideas. Can you share some of your ideas from your upcoming education webinar?
- Tacoma C&GC Member Logo, the Ballie Tartan will be in the backdrop of our TCGC logo. We will have a small area in the golf shop designated for member only logo apparel.
- TCGC Logo Penny Press Machine – ball markers, we have a penny press machine in the golf shop that offers four different logos (we provide the pennies) this allows members and visiting guests an opportunity to create 1 to 4 ball markers for their round of golf. Juniors love coming into the golf shop to roll out their ball marker for the day. This in turn leads to connection with parents of junior members and additional visits to the golf shop.
- Glassy Baby’s with Tacoma C&GC logo, we started out with a small order of 36 (six different color styles), which then turned into an order of 64 Glassy Baby’s for the tee gift for our Women’s MGI.
- Kitty Keller Christmas Ornaments – once I received the ornaments, I showed them to a few of the women on Women’s Day and the word spread so quickly, we sold out prior to the holidays. This January, I placed an order for 60 more ornaments.
What is one of the most memorable and successful merchandising campaigns you’ve created?
When I first arrived at Tacoma C&GC in January 2021, I loved the Alexander Ballie photo in the main clubhouse, it’s a main focal point. I thought to myself, “How can I showcase Mr. Ballie and his family tartan?” I reached out to Seamus Representative to see if we could track back the history of the Ballie Tartan – it took 14 weeks for Seamus to receive the sample of the family tartan to then create the headcovers for our Men’s MGI. Each headcover had a leather patch with their name embossed on it, the headcovers were placed on stakes around the lawn edge which allowed members to locate and receive their headcover.
What merchandising trends do you foresee in 2023?
With the tremendous growth in golf for all sectors for golf – resort, daily fee, private, par 3, executive and off course facility like Top Golf – we are introducing many new golfers to the game of golf which we love. With this, we have seen many vendors expanding into their apparel print golf shirts which compliments their brand. As golf shop operators we have many more options to choose from and provide options for our visiting guests and members at our facilities.
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Sweet 16 Education Seminars
sponsored by Pacific Golf & Turf, EZ-GO, and ForesightSports
February 20-21, 2023
The Coeur d'Alene Golf & Spa Resort
Register Now
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Upcoming "Stay Involved" Education Webinars
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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
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Pros on the Move
by Sara Smith, Tournament & Membership Coordinator
Employment Changes
- Mikal W. Harpster, PGA (A - 20) - from Fairmont Hot Springs Resort to ISG A/S Trackman
- Aaron M. Benedetti, PGA (A - 12) - from Lewis & Clark College to Pacific University of Oregon
- Adam Kennedy, PGA (A - 6) - from Glendale CC to Columbia Super Range
- David A. Eshelman (B - 1) - from Lake Spanaway GC to Tapps Island GC
- Adam M. Slemp, PGA (A - 1) - from Interbay Golf Center to Inglewood GC
- David A Grove (B - 1) - from Langdon Farms GC to Salishan Spa & Golf Resort
- Eliot R. Gouveia, PGA (A - 8) - from Aspen Lakes GC to Awbrey Glen GC
- Joshua R. Scothorne, PGA (A - 13) - from Walter E. Hall GC to Interbay Golf Center
- Kathleen M. Brown, PGA (A - 20) - from Coeur D'Alene GC to Golf Genius Software
Classification Changes
- Sean P. Lanyi, PGA (18 Shots) - from A - 14 to A - 4
- Tyler J. Carlson (Quail Ridge GC) - from B - 1 to B - 8
- Luke B. Olson (Druids Glen GC) - from B - 1 to B - 8
New Associates
- Chris L. Terry (B - 8) - Quail Valley GC
- Eric J. Martin (B - 8) - Airway Hills Golf Range and Par 3
- Brittany A. Bomar (B - 15) - Bomar Putting Company
- Gavin J. Stutz (B - 8) - Overlake G&CC
- Carmelo H. Danna (B - 8) - Bear Creek CC
- Robert A. Silky (B - 8) - Gold Mountain GC
Newly Elected Members
- Jessica E. McClellan, PGA (A - 8) - Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
Reinstated Members
- Jeffrey T. Gaskill, PGA (A - 19) - Brickley Golf
- Tyler D. Barrong (B - 8) - Downriver GC
Transfers OUT of the Section
- Blake A Greer, PGA - from Rock Creek Cattle Co. to Southern Texas Section
- John S. Kelley, PGA - from Arlington, WA to Southwest Section
Transfers INTO the Section
- Mark J. Davis (B - 8 ) to Gearhart Golf Links from Utah Section
- Alec R. Dahlquist, PGA (A - 1) to Beaverton, OR from Southwest Section
- Kai G. DeSmet, PGA (A - 8) to Rocky Mountain Section from White Horse GC
- Michael W. Elmore, PGA (A - 13) to Southwest Section from Coeur D'Alene GC
Deceased Members
Stan Hyatt, 12/2/1936 – 12/26/2022
Dave Hyatt would like to invite any of Stan's friends and colleagues to attend a celebration of life on Friday, February 3, from 2-4pm at:
Forest Lawn Funeral Home
6701 30th Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98126
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