I’d like to start by thanking Chris Nowlen for giving me the opportunity to write this month’s article. He only has 13 more before I take over this and many other of his responsibilities. This gives me an opportunity to practice my writing skills and recap the events that we most recently hosted at Suncadia.
What a great week we had, starting with our Fall Section Board Meeting. In addition to all the officers, we had the privilege of special guest Mike Ray from the PGA joining us to give updates from his seat as Regional Director. Monte Koch and Patrick Oropallo also gave very informative updates on growth of the game programs and employment.
I’d like to thank General Manager Jarred Jeffries, Head Professional Adam Alldredge and the members at Tumble Creek for allowing us to take over their course for four days. The PPC was an outstanding event at a course that was not only in fantastic shape, but a true test for the best players in our Section. Congratulations to champion Austin Hurt and the other six qualifiers, Brandon Drake, Derek Berg, Corey Prugh, Scott Erdmann, Liam Kendregan and Jeff Coston for their excellent play. The PNWPGA will be very well represented for the National Championship.
The Pro-Pro/practice round was a fun way to ease into the tournament and the Garmany Majors Shootout afterwards was very exciting. 16 players hit shots from the 10th tee box area down to the 18th green. It looked to be about 120 yards, but as close as the balls finished to the hole, it seemed like a chip shot. Four players made the first cut. The second round narrowed it down to two, and Birk Nelson from Orange Whip took home the title and an ultimate golf getaway experience to Portugal. His combined three shots totaled 6’6”. Truly impressive. I can remember several 30-foot putts during the week that I didn’t get that close.
The fall general meeting and dinner took place at Dru Bru Brewery in Cle Elum. In addition to a great turnout of our membership, we had several special guests. Mark Hoff gave a dynamic recap of Garmany’s opportunities for unique and personal golf experiences around the world. They can customize just about any golf experience you desire. Jared Bouchey from Farmers Insurance spoke about the different offerings his company can provide both personally and for businesses. The highlight was when he handed Chris Koch a huge check for $5,000 for his ace. Rob Clark also received a $5,000 check, but unfortunately couldn’t attend the event.
Frank Talarico gave a very informative recap on Section affairs. The takeaway is that we are in very good shape and recognized nationally as one of the best sections in the country in multiple categories. We offer our membership not only an unbelievable tournament calendar, but many educational offerings and growth of the game programs as well.
One of my favorite parts of the meeting was listening to Patrick Oropallo speak. He is genuine, always has our best interest in mind and is very good at what he does. I’m going to take his words to heart and really evaluate this past year. My offseason is rapidly approaching, which will give me not only the opportunity to reflect on 2023, but plan for 2024 and take stock of changes I’d like to make personally and professionally. I hope to complete the Certified Professional Program for Golf Operations prior to our spring golf season. There is strength in knowledge. The more you have, the better your business will run. You will feel more empowered and as a result be more valuable to your employer. Win, win, win.
What are your plans for this offseason?
Cheers,
Bill Shea, PGA
bshea@suncadia.com
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Austin Hurt Wins PNW PGA Professional Championship
by Tanner Montgomery, PGA - Director of Tournament Operations
In a riveting display of skill and determination, Austin Hurt of Wing Point Golf & Country Club clinched a thrilling victory at the 2023 PNW PGA Professional Championship, presented by Club Car, Corebridge Financial, and Rolex. Held from September 19 to 21 at the picturesque and challenging Tumble Creek Club, the championship witnessed a fierce battle amongst the Section’s top PGA Professionals.
With a three-round score of 212, Austin Hurt emerged as the triumphant champion, narrowly edging out Brandon Drake of CDA National Reserve by a single stroke.
The journey to victory was a rollercoaster ride. Following the opening round, it was PGA Professional Corey Prugh of Community Colleges of Spokane who led the charge. Prugh, a seasoned champion with titles in 2020, 2019, and 2016, displayed his prowess by carding a remarkable four-under-par 68, defying the challenging, gusty winds that swept the course. Hot on his heels, just one stroke behind, were Brandon Drake of CDA National Reserve and Scott Erdmann of Oswego Lake Country Club.
As the competition intensified, the winds persisted at approximately 30 mph, making the course conditions even more daunting. After the second round, Prugh, Drake, and Erdmann found themselves in a three-way tie, each boasting a two-day total score of two-under-par. Meanwhile, lurking just behind, Austin Hurt sat tied for fourth at a commendable one-under-par.
The final day of action saw Austin Hurt summon his inner champion. In a thrilling climax to the championship, Hurt’s precision and composure under pressure allowed him to pull ahead of the competition, securing a nail-biting one-stroke victory over the formidable Brandon Drake.
“Winning my first major felt well deserved but hard earned,” said Hurt of his victory.
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Holk's Highlights: Senior PGA Professional Championship Qualifiers
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The Senior PGA Professional Championship takes place October 26-29 at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, FL. Representing the Pacific Northwest PGA are: Billy Bomar of Bomar Putting Company, Jeff Coston of Semiahmoo G&CC, Jeff Gove of the Idaho Club, Mitch Lowe of Glendoveer GC, Ryan Malby of Kalipell, MT, Chuck Milne of Vanco Driving Range, and Birk Nelson of Orange Whip Trainer. Good luck, gentlemen!
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The Importance of Tracking Interactions Has Never Mattered More
Monte Koch, PGA Certified Professional, CEIP - PGA Career Consultant
mkoch@pgahq.com
As a Career Consultant, I don’t have to do inventory or budget reporting like other PGA professionals do at golf facilities. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have anything on my “end of month” to do list. I do, and my main “to do” item is ensuring that all of my interactions are entered into our CRM tool.
The Sr. Director of PGA Career Services, Scott Kmiec, believes that our team of Career Consultants and Recruiting Specialists for the PGA of America play crucial roles in our efforts with the PGA members, associates, employers, and other industry stakeholders we serve. The nature of the interactions can span a range of categories:
- Job search discussions
- Document reviews (resumes, cover letters, business plans, marketing plans, etc.)
- Coaching sessions (negotiations, interview prep and coaching, career planning, etc.)
- Tools/Resources development (comp reports, job descriptions, team education, presentations, articles, etc.)
- Search consultations for employers
- Fee-based Executive Search leadership for management level positionsComplimentary search leadership for management level positions
- Search assistance for employers to fill non-management level positions
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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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Upcoming Education Opportunities
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October 22-23 @ Pearl Street Warehouse in Washington, DC. – Symposium on Municipal Golf, presented by National Links Trust
October 16 @ Virginia Country Club – California Teaching & Coaching Summit, presented by the SCPGA and TravisMathew
October 19 @ Online, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm PDT – PNW PGA “Stay Involved” Education – Maximizing Your Teaching Business Before, During and After a Lesson, presented by Derek Siesser, PGA
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Congratulations to the 2023 $10K Hole-in One Challenge Winners, Chris Koch and Rob Clark!
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$ = eligible for the 2024 $10k Hole-In-One Challenge! Learn More
$ 9/21/23 - Darren Black - Suncadia - Tumble Creek #13
$ 9/14/23 - Josh Scothorne - The Cedars at Dungeness #8
9/19/23 - Aaron Benedetti - Suncadia - Tumble Creek #7
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Birk Nelson Wins Garmany Majors Shootout Finale
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Congratulations to Birk Nelson for winning the Garmany Majors Shootout finale! He won a Garmany Bucket List Experience for two! Learn more.
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DCP Regional Qualifier at Chambers Bay Sends Eight Junior Golfers to Augusta National
Willamette Valley CC Member Connor Holden won the Drive Chip & Putt regional qualifier in the Boys 14-15 division at Chambers Bay and is headed to Augusta National in April!
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In Memory of Fred William Pelzer: 4/17/1937 to 9/14/2023
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It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Mr. Fred Pelzer passed away on Thursday, September 14. Fred Pelzer spent his life committed to the game of golf and, especially, to the PGA Member. Devoted to the mission of the PGA, to “serve the Member and grow the game,” Mr. Pelzer’s impact on our Section is a part of his legacy we shall never forget. From ensuring our professionals play for record-breaking purses to establishing competitive opportunities for our Assistants and Associates to play for the trophy that still bears his name, Fred was a deeply invested member of our Section. His generosity and care paved the way for rewarding careers in this profession we all loved so very much, and Fred loved with us.
Fred was married to his wife Kay for 61 years and had three children: Craig, 61 (Wilsonville, OR); Kym, 59 (Bainbridge Island, WA); and Debi, 57 (Newberg, OR). Following is Craig Pelzer’s tribute to his dad. On behalf of the PNWPGA, we wish the Pelzer family our gratitude and our heartfelt condolences. The following is written by Fred’s son, Craig, who continues his father’s extraordinary support of our Section. -Frank Talarico, PNWPGA CEO.
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Dad started in the golf industry, working for MacGregor Golf in the Spring of 1961. He took over for Jim Shriver, who was the rep and, as you know, went on to become the HP at Manito CC. One of his first accounts was Tacoma G&CC when Charlie Condon was the HP and his assistants were Joe Golia, Roger Williams and Tom Parkhurst. (I was just talking to Tom, and he still remembers that day when he walked in the shop that day 62 years ago.)
He was with MacGregor for a couple of years and left to rep for other various companies until he found out about an opening with Curley Bates from Don Taylor, who was the rep at the time. Curley Bates had a distribution center (DC) in downtown Seattle and all the pros loved it when they could go downtown and pick up products in will call. They were headquartered in the Bay Area but had several DC’s in the US. Dad started working for Curley Bates in 1969 (I believe), selling Titleist balls, and was transferred down to the Los Angeles territory in Feb of 1972. In 1978, the territory was beginning to shrink and commissions went down. Dad was getting tired of the LA traffic and began looking into starting his own business.
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