July 15, 2023

CEO's Report

They Served Us. Now Let’s Serve Them

We as a section have long talked about serving our nation’s veterans, those brave men and women who have selflessly served our country. As the PNWPGA CEO, I firmly believe that supporting and empowering veterans in our communities not only honors their sacrifices but also brings a multitude of benefits to society.

The examples of our commitment to these heroes are significant and growing. Our PGA Members in Alaska just completed the annual Folds of Honor event at Moose Run, which raised important funds to support our veterans and their families. The Pacific Northwest Section has embraced PGA HOPE, the PGA of America’s national initiative to deliver quality veteran programming at the hands of PGA Members certified in the instruction of veterans. In 2022, in fact, the PNWPGA was the fastest growing section of the forty-one, in both the number of new facilities offering PGA HOPE services, as well as the number of veterans served across our five chapters. These are but two of the many opportunities we, as a section, present to our community of veterans.

With so much new and continuing activity around veteran programming across our section, I think it’s especially important to consider the profound advantages of serving veterans and why it is a responsibility we should wholeheartedly embrace. What is the “why” to these very important—and rapidly growing—PNWPGA programs?

Gratitude and Recognition

Serving veterans is a powerful way to express our gratitude for their service. It is a chance to acknowledge the sacrifices they have made to protect our freedom and ensure our safety. By actively supporting and honoring veterans, we send a message of appreciation that resonates throughout the community. This recognition not only uplifts veterans but also fosters a sense of unity and patriotism within our society.

Skills and Leadership

Veterans bring a unique set of skills and leadership qualities acquired through their military service. These traits, including discipline, adaptability, problem-solving, and teamwork, are invaluable assets that can greatly benefit our communities. By tapping into the expertise of veterans, we can leverage their skills to drive positive change, enhance productivity, and inspire others to reach their full potential. Embracing veterans in our workforce and community programs promotes diversity, fosters collaboration, and cultivates an inclusive environment.

Economic Growth and Entrepreneurship

Supporting veterans is not just an act of goodwill; it also fuels economic growth. Veterans possess an entrepreneurial spirit and a strong work ethic that can lead to the creation of businesses and job opportunities. By providing veterans with resources, training, and mentorship, we enable them to start and grow successful ventures, contributing to local economies and job creation. Additionally, supporting veteran-owned businesses and organizations can enhance the overall economic landscape of our communities.

Mental Health and Well-being

The transition from military service to civilian life can be challenging for veterans, and many face mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. By serving veterans in our communities, we can actively promote their mental health and well-being. Offering accessible mental health services, support networks, and resources helps veterans cope with the unique challenges they may encounter. A strong support system not only improves the lives of veterans but also strengthens the fabric of our communities. Don Rea, PGA of America Vice President, turns a phrase that I think is critically important to remember: “PGA HOPE is the only program that we do as an Association that saves lives.” No truer words have been spoken.

Civic Engagement and Volunteerism

Veterans possess a deep sense of duty and service, making them natural leaders in community engagement and volunteerism. By encouraging and facilitating their involvement in community initiatives, we unlock their potential to make a significant impact. Veterans can serve as mentors, advocates, and role models for younger generations, inspiring a culture of civic responsibility and active citizenship. Their participation in community projects fosters collaboration, empathy, and a shared commitment to making our communities stronger, safer, and more compassionate.

Serving veterans in our communities is a noble endeavor with far-reaching benefits. By recognizing their sacrifices, leveraging their skills and leadership, promoting economic growth, supporting their mental health, and encouraging their civic engagement, we create a society that thrives on inclusivity, compassion, and unity. As the PNWPGA, we have a unique opportunity to make a profound difference by actively supporting and empowering veterans. Let us continue to stand together and honor their service by embracing the incredible value they bring to our communities.

In the words of Abraham Lincoln, “Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country’s cause. Honor, also, to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field and serves, as best he can, the same cause.” Together, let us serve those who have served us and forge a brighter future for all.

IMPORTANT NOTES

Play in YOUR Section Championship! Entries are available now for the Assistant PGA Professional Championship on August 7, as well as the Senior PGA Professional Championship on September 6-7. Entries will be available on July 26 for the PNW PGA Professional Championship, to be held at Suncadia on September 19-20.

Save the date for the PGA HOPE Pacific Northwest Tournament of HOPE, September 9 at The Home Course. If you are interested in sponsoring or participating, please contact one of the PNWPGA PGA HOPE Ambassadors, Jeff Bojanowski, at jjbojo32@gmail.com.

Lastly, it is my privilege to announce a new strategic marketing partnership with the Virginia Mason Foundation/Boeing Classic. Like the PNWPGA, the Virginia Mason Foundation/Franciscan Health is committed to making significant impacts in our shared communities. Whether it is purchasing new equipment or developing a new program, the foundation offers unwavering support across multiple lines of care and research. Our collective partnership as the PNWPGA enables them to offer the highest quality care in their hospitals, clinics, and facilities. Combining compassion and medical excellence, Franciscan Health provides leading edge, comprehensive care. As we move closer to this year’s Boeing Classic, please keep your eyes open to more insight into the foundation and their mission, as well as ways we can support them through this year’s event.

As always, if I or any member of our Section team can serve you, please contact me directly at ftalarico@pgahq.com.

District #14 Director's Report

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

Our Championships

As PGA Members, we can all take great pride in our ownership and long history of executing our own "majors"—the PGA Championship, the KitchenAid Senior PGA, and the KPMG Women's PGA, as well as other national events including the PGA Works Collegiate Championship, the High School Golf National Invitational, and our PGA Professional Championship, among others.

Attending Oak Hill in May of this year was my first time at our PGA Championship, and it lived up to every expectation. Of particular interest to me was the media center. It was packed—I estimate that it was approximately the size of a football field, with broadcast, print, and digital resources from around the world. In that setting, it was stunning to realize just how broad and far-reaching our game has become, and the worldwide interest it commands.

Kerry Haigh, our Chief Championships Officer, and his team are well known and acknowledged within the industry as being among the very best at preparing, presenting, and executing a balanced, fair, but difficult competition. No one does it better, and the players know it and often comment on it.

Of course, the upcoming Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy, from September 25 through October 1, is fast approaching. And given the current turmoil in the ranks of professional golf, it will draw huge, perhaps unprecedented interest. PGA Ryder Cup Captain Zach Johnson, Vice Captains Steve Stricker and Davis Love III, will be tasked with assembling the U.S. Team. It should be one for the books, as they say, and I'm guessing the media tent will be packed again.

I hope that as PGA Members, you are looking forward to it and taking rightful pride in it.

Jeff Lessig, PGA

Moose Run GC Head Professional Josh Cantrell and a group of participants

Alaska Folds of Honor Championship Raises $13,667!

by Molly Cooper, PGA - Senior Director, Tournament & Member Services

The Alaska Folds of Honor Championship sponsored by Budweiser and presented by TaylorMade took place Saturday, July 8 at Moose Run GC – Creek Course. Thirteen teams, for a total of 52 players, participated in a scramble competition and helped raise important funds for Folds of Honor.

Congratulations to the winning team of David Wilke, Shawn Wilke, Sean Totzke and Gerry Shanahan.

The event raised $10,667 – PLUS the incredible team at K&L led by Wes Kelso added $3,000 to bring up the total to $13,667!

Folds of Honor is a 501 (C)(3) charitable foundation supporting scholarships and assistance to the spouses and children of those killed or disabled in military service to America. We can honor those who fought for our freedom by serving the families they leave behind. Additional information for Folds of Honor can be found at www.foldsofhonor.org.

Moose Run Golf Course, located at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in the Anchorage metropolitan area, is a 36-hole military golf facility open to the public. Moose Run Golf Facility consists of two courses, the Creek Course and the Hill Course. This is the only 36-hole facility in Alaska and one of the premier military golf operations in the world.

FINAL RESULTS

FREDDY Intern Spotlight

The FREDDY initiative (Forming Relationships to Expand Diversity and Develop Youth) is now in its third year, with 13 FREDDY interns across the Section. The goal of this internship is to provide opportunities for youths and young adults, offering them a chance to gain experience in the golf industry at green grass facilities. Individuals in the FREDDY Initiative are mentored by PGA Professionals and their staff as they gain first-hand knowledge of the golf industry.

Sasha Clopton is a student at Lake Oswego High School and part of the FREDDY Initiative program at Columbia Edgewater Country Club. She is going into her junior year at high school, where she plays golf and basketball. Her favorite golfer is Scottie Scheffler.

"I became a Freddy Intern because of Sean Fredrickson. He was the first person to teach me how to golf. One of my favorite things to do is to play golf with my grandparents. I am looking forward to this summer season and learning more about the golf industry!"

Cal Simoneau is a student at Sam Barlow High School and part of the FREDDY Initiative program at Persimmon Country Club. After high school, Cal is considering attending a pilot school in Arizona and also playing collegiate baseball. Cal has taken an interest in golf but has a passion for cars. His dream includes owning a car shop, “Super Car Garage”, and a race car team. His hobbies include building engines, watching street races, and teaching others about fitness and nutrition. Cal is looking forward to meeting people, expanding his golf knowledge, and learning business skills with this internship.

Player Engagement

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

Next on the Tee, Fall PGA Jr. League

Is hosting a Fall Season of PGA Jr. League a good fit for you, your families, and your facility? While there are inherent challenges such as dwindling daylight, competition from other sports, and weather, with careful planning and effective communication, you can take advantage of this turnkey opportunity!

Remember, most of your families have already paid a #GameChanger fee of $99, which covers them for any and all PGA Jr. League activities throughout the calendar year. This means that your Fall Program is more affordable for those who have already participated in PGA Jr. League in 2023. As a parent myself, I understand the importance of keeping kids involved in something they love while saving a few bucks, so it’s a win-win situation.

Dealing with shorter days can be challenging, especially with school commitments like homework, pickups, and dinner plans. The American Development Model (ADM) for Golf has taught us that shorter, more frequent practices are more valuable than long, exclusively skill-focused ones. Consider shortening your practices to 30 minutes and follow them up with a 15-minute ADM motor learning activity that emphasizes fundamental movement skills and fun! Adjust the pricing of the Fall Program accordingly to support shorter practices, and consider partnering with your Food & Beverage team to offer a dinner meal option after practice. Think creatively and achieve exceptional results!

You may be concerned about other Fall sports competing for your PGA Jr. League kids and its impact on turnout. However, I want to assure you that this is actually a good thing. The ADM has taught us that kids who engage in a variety of sports and activities tend to stick with golf for a lifetime and play the game at a higher level. Consider that you may be attracting individuals to the game of golf who do not participate in other sports, which is a wonderful opportunity. Additionally, some athletes may be involved in Spring sports, making a Fall offering ideal for them. You never know until you try, and these extra efforts will establish you as the go-to coach in your market!

Throughout my career, I’ve realized that waiting for the perfect time or circumstances rarely leads to much accomplishment. While I understand that there are challenges associated with Fall programming, I believe that these challenges can be overcome through innovative thinking, advanced planning, and effective communication. Hosting a Fall PGA Jr. League program will not only bring in additional coaching income, but also enhance member/guest satisfaction and retention at your facility. The players and families will benefit from your expert coaching, mentorship, and leadership. To those of you who already participate in fall PGA Jr. League programming, kudos to you! For those who haven’t experienced it yet, I strongly encourage you to give it a try!

If you would like another perspective on creating a budget and plan for your Fall PGA Jr. League program, please consider including me in this process. Together, I am confident that we can create something truly special.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Patrick Oropallo, Certified PGA

Leveraging a PGA Professional’s “Three Pillars” for Success (Part 1: Retention)

Monte Koch, PGA Certified Professional, CEIP - PGA Career Consultant | mkoch@pgahq.com

Can you believe it? It’s been three years since the COVID-19 shutdowns helped instigate the “Boom” (or at least “The Bump”) in the golf industry. During that time, all golf facilities saw significant growth in utilization, and many also saw revenue increases.

Private clubs that had been seeking new members filled up and suddenly had waiting lists. This was driven by significant demographic trends, such as the remote work-from-home boom. As a result, we saw the following industry trends:

Public facility tee sheets filled up to capacity.
Public facility home clubs saw an increase in participation and registrations for events.
Golfers in metro areas started to consider joining a local private club to find better access to the tee sheet and a “safer” environment.

Of course, there were many factors that contributed to this “bump” in the industry. However, now that it has subsided, it’s time to start thinking about how we can keep these new players in the game.

Thankfully, the “bump” has been sustained over several years, which has helped fuel the increase in popularity of golf. It has also helped more young professionals start their careers and led to increased compensation for many.

However, there are other factors outside of our industry that are “pulling down” the “boom.” This is a natural ebb and flow of business, as megatrends, demographics, and social factors drive consumers to us or from us.

Given this, PGA professionals are uniquely positioned to make the most of the “bump” that these megatrends gave our industry. As my mentor, Gus Jones, PGA, often said, “People join a club first because of the access, the course conditioning, and possibly because of the recognition. But they stay because of us.”

They Stay Because of Us

There’s so much to unpack in that phrase, so let’s dive in.