June 1, 2023

President's Report

Hello!  I hope the start of June finds you well. This is typically when our facilities are super busy, so I wish you the best and remind you to make time for mental health!  My staff and I just completed the 42nd annual Don Barnett Memorial 54-hole Championship.  It was a great event even with a bit of rain.

I would like to thank those that were in attendance for the Special Awards Ceremony and the Spring Meeting at the Home Course last week.  I found the awards ceremony to be amazing. Hearing from the winners and learning about their accomplishments was inspiring. Each of them shared their passion for the game and their unique niche in the business, which has made them special. It was clear that the best professionals are passionate about their role as a PGA professional and that giving back to the PGA has made their careers more rewarding and successful.  Howie Pruitt and Vince Domenzain touched a chord with their connection through their military careers and veteran services.  Steve Prugh discussed his passion for mentorship and reminded us all that our score doesn’t define us, our works in our professions do.  Derek Siesser inspired me with his new approach to teaching, and along with Bruce Christy, he has showed us that thinking outside the box is the key to success.  I had the pleasure of interviewing Jeff Coston and Howie Pruitt.  Both of these gentlemen were multiple award winners.  Jeff left me with a lasting impression for a winning mindset.  We are all winners, but he looks to cross the finish line first in all he does, and he passes it on as a model educator and professional development leader.  Howie demonstrates his commitment to our association in many different areas through voluntary service.  It is inspiring.  To all of the award winners, thank you for your passion!

The spring meeting was well attended.  Our sponsor partners were on hand to give us their continued support.  Please make every effort to support them in return when you are making vendor and purchasing decisions.  Frank and his team continue to grow our partnerships, improve our services to our members, grow our tournament program, plus much more. Our Section is a national leader in every category. We are excelling in all areas, and we are definitely moving in the right direction. As always, I reminded our membership to fill out the PGA compensation profile, complete your PGA Coach profile, and register for PGA deferred compensation.  Your help with these programs helps yourselves and our Section. 

One goal we have as a board and staff is to win the Herb Graffis award as the best Section in the country.  We are looking for your help leading in areas like PGA Junior League, PGA HOPE, and compensation profile completion statistics.  I believe we are less than 65 players away from having the most PGA Junior League participants of any PGA section.  If you can drive a few more players to your program, we will achieve one of these goals.  Let’s work together to cross that finish line in first place.    

Thank you to Tanner and Molly for running a special Northwest Open at the Home Course.  The course was a true test and in excellent condition. Congratulation to Daniel Campbell on his win!

Have a great month!

Chris M. Nowlen, PGA
cnowlen@pga.com

Campbell Clenches Second Major at Pelzer Golf Northwest Open Invitational

by Grant Tribolet, Tournament Intern

The Home Course, as always, was presented to the players in tip-top shape and would have been an excellent test on its own. General Manager Justin Gravatt states that “the course was designed to be played, firm and fast.” Living up to its standards, The Home Course was also combined with gusty winds, making it incredibly difficult, and was an exceptional test of patience and strategy.

Opening in 2007, this Mike Asmundson design has had a short yet storied career. Upon its conception, it was immediately ranked by GolfWeek as the "No.2 ranked 'Best Public Course in Washington'". The 8th United States Women's Four-Ball Championship was hosted a few days before the 2023 Pelzer Golf Northwest Open Invitational.

The scores reflected the challenging play, with only 12 players posting a round of even or better. Amateurs Reid Hatley of Hayden Lake Country Club, Nate Plaster of Manito Golf and Country Club, and Jake Koppenberg of Bellingham Golf and Country Club withstood the challenges that were thrown, or blown, their way and ended atop the leaderboard; all three posting marvelous rounds of -3 69. An additional highlight during round one was a hole-in-one on the par three #14 by Rob Clark, PGA Head Golf Professional of Desert Canyon Golf Resort.

"It was 161 [yards], and I just wanted to hit a shot that wouldn't go into the water short or into the water long…,” said Clark. “I had a club in my hand originally but went back to the bag and grabbed a different one at the last second. Thankfully I did because that other club would have probably ended up in the water, short. I hit this little fade that landed short left and trickled to the flag.” That is the story of Mr. Clark's seventh career hole-in-one.

Round two was an equally challenging test for the players as well. The course slightly softened, but players understood the test and could adapt and shake off the first-round woes. The scoring average improved, and there was a two-way tie for first place. Amateur Nate Plaster continued his strong play by following up his opening round with a -2 70, and PGA Professional Craig Crandall of Rock Creek Country Club followed up an opening round even with a -5 67.

Bellingham Golf and Country Club PGA Professional Daniel Campbell was one shot off the leaders heading into the third round. Campbell is no stranger to entering the final round just shy of the leaders and was in a similar position before winning the 2022 Rosauers Open. Campbell started hot and birdied the par four #2 and the par three #4.

"My game plan was to try to make an early birdie or two and put some pressure on the leaders,” Campbell stated. Entering the back 9, Campbell had a two-shot lead and was able to close it out on #18, becoming the 2023 Pelzer Golf Northwest Open Invitational. This is Daniel's third section win and second major victory.

The Pacific Northwest Section PGA would like to thank The Home Course for their hospitality and support of this year's championship. We want to thank 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 title sponsor, Pelzer Golf, and presenting sponsors, Tagmarshal and Pacific Golf and Turf. We would also like to thank to our supporting sponsors, including the City of Dupont, Sunice, PTE Golf, StrackaLine, Club Car Skins, Garmany Majors Shootout and the PGA Tour. We look forward to returning to The Home Course for the 2024 Northwest Open Invitational.

Holk's Highlights: Dan Porter, PGA

This month we feature Dan Porter, winner of the 2022 PNW PGA Merchandiser of the Year – Public category. Dan owns his own 1,900 sq. ft. shop and has built it into a successful family business. Sales have been very impressive, almost doubling since 2020 and increasing 20% over 2021. With up to 150 kids enrolled in his junior golf programs, he offers kids their own shopping area and carries unique items. From the family approach to running his shop, to the commitment to golf’s youngest generation, Dan has created a shopping experience that truly makes kids and families feel welcome.

Facility: Avondale GC

PGA Member Since: 1990

Awards won:

• 2019, 2020, 2021 IEPGA Merchandiser of the Year – Public
• 1990, 1992, 2016 IEPGA Youth Player Development Award
• 1996 IEPGA Match Play Champion

Player of the Year Points

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Entry Releases

Upcoming "Stay Involved" Education Opportunities

June 8 @ Online, 9:00 am - 10:00 am PDT – Golf Pro’s Guide to Food & Beverage, presented by Patrick Oropallo, PGA

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

• Terrance Q. Parnell (B-8) - from Sun Willows GC to Meadow Springs CC

• Chad J. Wagner, PGA - from A-4 to A-13

New Associates

• Jesse D. Willis (B-8) - Useless Bay G&CC
• Bryan Buck (B-8) - Langdon Farms GC
• Ozzie McKie (B-8) - Camas Meadows GC
• Lucas White (B-8) - Iron Horse GC
• Cody M. Wells (B-8) - Gamble Sands
• Nick Nukala (B-6) - Camas Meadows GC
• Paul T. Akers (B-8) - Stoneridge GC
• Simon A. Serwold (B-8) - Lake Padden GC
• Ben Bergner (B-8) - Twin Lakes G&CC
• Chuck Lee (B-8) - Five Iron Golf - Seattle
• Dan Bright (B-8) - Circling Raven GC
• Jamie Hall (B-6) - PNW Golf Academy

Newly Elected Members

• Cole O. Simpson, PGA (A-8) - Pronghorn

Transfers OUT of the Section

• Bradley C. Johnson, PGA - from Lewis & Clark College to Metropolitan
• Robert A. Newbill, PGA - from Crosswater Club at Sunriver to Southern California 
• Steven Reuhl, PGA - from Bothell, WA to Southwest 

Transfers INTO the Section

• Daniel L. Shepherd, PGA (A-1) to The Club At Snoqualmie Ridge from New England 
• Evan J. Mitchell, PGA (A-1) to Deer Lodge, MT from Southern California 
• Shane A. Morrison, PGA (RSV) to Portland, OR from Northern California 

New Quarter Century Club Members