PROPEAKS The Official Publication of the Colorado PGA March 2016
What’s Inside?!?
Check Out the Candidates Running for the Board of Directors The Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado is Officially Launched Augusta National Fast Approaching For Three Colorado Juniors and much more!
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine
The Official Magazine of the Colorado PGA Pro Peaks is produced by the Colorado PGA
Colorado PGA Officers
West Chapter Officers
Ty Thompson, PGA Vice-President | 2015-2016 Colorado Springs Country Club
Ed Marzec, PGA Vice-President | 2015-2016 Country Club of the Rockies
Ben Welsh, PGA Secretary | 2015-2016 Eagle-Vail Golf Club
Jeff Boyer, PGA Secretary | 2015-2016 Eagle Ranch Golf Course
Barry Milstead, PGA Honorary President | 2015-2016 Valley Country Club
Darren Szot, PGA Honorary President | 2015-2016 The Club at Cordillera
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Andy Benson, PGA | 2014-2016 Highlands Ranch Golf Club
Eric Bradley, PGA | 2014-2016 Eagle Ranch Golf Club
Jeff Carlson, PGA | 2014-2016 Cherry Creek Country Club
Ian Bruce, PGA | 2014-2016 The Club at Cordillera
Sam Chapman, PGA | 2014-2016 Blackstone Country Club
Jacques Deyoe, PGA | 2013-2015 Aspen Glen Club
Rick Ellefson, PGA | 2015-2017 PGA Member
Eric Feely, PGA | 2014-2016 The Bridges Country Club
Scott Erwin, PGA | 2015-2017 Maroon Creek Club
Brett Gagnon, PGA | 2013-2015 Red Sky Golf Club
Leslie Core-Drevecky, PGA President | 2015-2016 Murphy Creek Golf Course
Colorado PGA REACH Trustees
Mike Mendelson, PGA President | 2015-2016 City of Grand Junction
Spencer Zinn Chairman
Kyle Heyen, PGA | District 9 Dir. Hiwan Golf Club
CJ Rhyne, PGA | 2013-2015 GJ Golf
Jim Hajek, PGA | 2015-2017 Fossil Trace Golf Club
Tim Tafoya, PGA | 2014-2016 Bookcliff Country Club
Charles ‘Vic’ Kline, PGA | Past District 9 Director Indian Tree Golf Club Cathy Matthews-Kane, PGA | 2016-2018 Country Club of Colorado Josh Miller, PGA | 2016-2018 GolfTEC
Anne Broholm CEO AHEAD Tom Bauerle Owner Colorado Golf and Turf Brad Dombaugh CEO PSA Worldwide Corp., INC. Walter Glover Former Chief Financial Officer USOC Theo Gregory Senior Vice President - El Pomar Foundation George Lee Managing Director – Investments Wells Fargo Scott McGraw Cherry Creek Insurance Group Vice President of Employee Benefits Honarable Sue Payton President SCI Aerospace Inc. Lisa Potvin Captain United States Navy LTG Ed Soriano, US Army (Ret) Director, Business Development Global Land Forces - Northrop Grumman Corporation
Staff
Executive Director/CEO Eddie Ainsworth, PGA eainsworth@PGAHQ.com P (303) 996-1593 C (719) 761-6125 Assistant Executive Director Foundation Programs Keith Soriano, PGA ksoriano@pgahq.com P (303) 996-1590 C (720) 841-1006 Assistant Executive Director Section Programs Patrick Salva psalva@PGAHQ.com P (303) 996-1597 C (303) 246-1007 Tournament Director Justin Limon, PGA jlimon@PGAHQ.com P (303) 996-1588 C (720) 390-1160 Junior Golf Director Katie Ann Lehman klehman@PGAHQ.com P (303) 996-1591 C (303) 668-1551 Executive Assistant Annie O’Donnell adonnell@PGAHQ.com P (303) 996-1595 Employment Consultant Bruce Lubach, PGA blubach@pgahq.com P | (623) 243-9199 C | (402) 802-8241
Bill Vogeney Executive VP and Chief Lending Officer Ent Federal Credit Union
Dave Troyer, PGA | 2016-2018 CommonGround Golf Course
Independent Directors Theo Gregory Spencer Zinn
Colorado PGA 6630 Bear Dance Drive | Larkspur, CO 80118 P | (303) 681-0742 www.coloradopga.com
Pro Peaks is distributed free to members and affiliates of the Colorado PGA twelve times per year. The articles and other information contained within this publication are informational and do not necessarily represent the view or opinions of the Colorado PGA. The Colorado PGA assumes no responsibility or liability for claims made for or by any product in this publication whether reported or advertised. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the Colorado PGA is prohibited.
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President’s Report An Exciting Spring Already!
District Director Report 7 Strategic Partnerships Help Us Increase PGA Employment Exec. Director’s Report 8 And So It Begins... 9
Section News Josh Miller, PGA Appointed to Board of Directors
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Junior Golf News It’s Time to Get JGAC’d
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PGA Junior League Golf Success Stories
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Augusta National Fast Approaching for Three Colorado Juniors
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DCP Registration Open
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Member News Route 411
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1. The 2016 Spring Business Meeting is set for Monday, March 28, 2016. Sign up today! 2. The Colorado Open Golf Foundation recently announced that their 2016 CoBank Colorado Open would have a $250,000 purse with $100,000 going to the winner! 3. The Colorado PGA will be featured on the Section Spotlight feature to be aired April 15, 2016 on the Golf Channel! 4. More than 275 juniors attended and went through the Junior Golf Experience at the 2016 Denver Golf Expo.
9 Time Running Out to Complete Compensation Survey
24 Smigelsky Celebrates Quarter Century Membership
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Colorado PGA Spring Business Meeting Set for Monday, March 28
PAT Schedule Announced
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Meet the Candidates Andy Benson, PGA
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5. Colorado had more juniors advance to the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship than any other state.
Tournament News BlueGolf How-To
6. All four presentations from the 2016 G4 Summit are now available to view.
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Meet the Candidates Sam Chapman, PGA
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Section Championship Registration Set for 2016
7. 8,130 people attended the three-day Denver Golf Expo at the Denver Merchandise Mart.
Setup Direct Deposit Today!
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Meet the Candidates Bobby Quaratino, PGA
The Buzz What people are saying on Social Media!
8. The Colorado Women’s Golf Association kicked off their Centennial Celebration at their annual meeting on Saturday, February 27, 2016.
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Meet the Candidates Chris Swinhart, PGA
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Colorado PGA Section Spotlight to Air April 15, 2016
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Industry Issues Highlighted at G4 Summit
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Sponsors 32 Colorado PGA Partners
March Newsletter
What’s Inside
Things to KnowDate
9. The 2016 Season Championship has been set for a 27-hole tournament at The Pinery Country Club. 10. The Colorado PGA Section Office will be closed on Friday, March 25, 2016 in honor of Good Friday.
Save The Date March 5-8, 2016 USGA-PGA Rules Workshop Marriott - South Denver
April 11, 2016 Valley Country Club Pro-Am Valley Country Club
April 27, 2017 Playing Ability Test #1 CommonGround Golf Course
March 28, 2016 Spring Business Meeting Pinehurst Country Club
April 13, 2016 Todd Creek Golf Club Stroke Play Todd Creek Golf Club
April 28, 2016 West Chapter Spring Meeting Bookcliff Country Club
April 4, 2016 Columbine Country Club Stroke Play Columbine Country Club
April 18, 2016 Blackstone Country Club Pro Am Blackstone Country Club
April 29, 2016 Bookcliff Country Club Pro Am Bookcliff Country Club
www.coloradopga.com
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine
An Exciting Spring Already! By Leslie Core-Drevecky, PGA
H
ello Fellow PGA Members and Apprentices,
I’m sure all of us are looking forward to the upcoming season which hopefully is right around the corner.
Leslie Core-Drevecky, PGA President Colorado PGA Head Professional Murphy Creek GC LCore@auroragov.org
Alan Abrams. Alan did a wonderful job of explaining how this new alliance will be a win, win, win situation for the juniors, the parents and for the Associations involved, and encouraged everyone to get JGAC’ed for Junior Golf!
We have had a lot of very exciting things happening within the Colorado Section recently, especially during the week of February 15! The 2016 G4 Summit which was held on Tuesday was a huge success. Millennials continue to be a hot topic of discussion among all the Allied Associations of Golf and it was great to hear the different perspectives on what needs to be done to not only attract Millennials, but all demographics into our game. The G4 Summit was followed by a terrific Teaching and Coaching Summit on Wednesday featuring numerous Colorado PGA Teachers of the Year in a new format presenting topics in a “TED TALKS” format, and culminating with a terrific presentation by former LPGA Tour Star Dottie Pepper, who is currently an Analyst for CBS & ESPN. Dottie not only shared her perspective on Teaching and Coaching, but spent almost an hour answering everyone’s questions. It was great to have someone like her spend this amount of quality time with our PGA Professionals. Be sure to mark Tuesday, February 21, 2017 on your calendars as a major event for what’s happening in Golf here in the Colorado Section.
Finally, closing out an extremely busy week was the Denver Golf Expo that Friday through Sunday. It was not only exciting to see so many people attend this year’s expo, but it was also exciting for those of us to actually have busy tee sheets because of the great weather. During the Denver Golf Expo, the Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado booth had almost 300 juniors go through the Junior Golf Experience, and the Colorado Section’s “Free 10 Minute Lessons” area was at full capacity. My thanks to all of you who gave of your time to help support these efforts. We could not have been successful without your support!
In addition to a wonderful G4 Summit was the official unveiling of the new Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado (JGAC). The new Alliance’s name and logo were introduced for the very first time by Mr. Junior Golf himself, the very first President of the newly created JGAC, PGA Professional
Colorado PGA Section
March Newsletter
President’s Message
In closing I want to remind all of you about our upcoming Spring Business Meeting and Pro-Pro on Monday, March 28, at Pinehurst Country Club. One very important aspect of our Spring Business Meeting will be the election of three of our PGA Members to our Board of Directors. This year we have four very accomplished and qualified PGA Members who are seeking election. I would like to challenge all of you to become familiar with each candidates’ bio and if you have any questions for any of the candidates, don’t hesitate to reach out to them. As always, if you have any questions for any of the Section Officers, Board of Directors or Section Administration Staff, please don’t hesitate to contact any of us. We are here to “Serve the Members and Grow the Game”. Sincerely,
Leslie Core-Drevecky, PGA President
Certified Head Golf Professional Murphy Creek Golf Course lcore@auroragov.org P | (303) 739-1562
www.coloradopga.com
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine To the people who work to grow this great game, we salute you. To learn more about what we do, visit golftec.com
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Proudly Employing
Strategic Partnerships Help Us Increase PGA Employment By Kyle Heyen, PGA
I
hope everyone took advantage of adding a few rounds of golf with the unseasonable weather in February.
During the first week in March, your Board of Directors, which includes your National Officers, 14 District Directors, two Independent Directors and Executive Staff, will meet for an Annual Planning Session. I look forward to my April article which will touch briefly on what occurred during this week. As we look to fulfill the two-fold mission of serving the member and growing the game, we have identified key areas of focus, employment and education being at the top of those priorities. The recent announcement of our new strategic alliance with GolfTEC, a company proud to call our Section their home, focuses in on these key areas and in turn creates more opportunities for PGA of America Professionals. Since the announcement we have received a number of positive comments from members, but also want to acknowledge and address a few important concerns that were passed along. Specifically, we hope to clear up the following areas of misunderstanding about the alliance: Kyle Heyen, PGA District 9 Director PGA of America Head Professional Hiwan Golf Club
• The GolfTEC agreement is not a revenue-producing deal for the PGA. • The instruction license is non-exclusive. This license is open to any entity that employs more than 100 PGA Professionals, has 75% or more of its staff as PGA Professionals, and is willing to commit to spending behind national advertising. We are empowering our largest employers to embrace and nationally promote that they proudly employ PGA Professionals in instruction. • GolfTEC plan to hire 400-500 new PGA
Professionals over the next five years and will also encourage its non-PGA member instructors to pursue membership, but if the threshold of PGA Professionals working at GolfTEC were to drop, we can revoke the license. • GolfTEC’s methodology will not become the PGA’s methodology. • GolfTEC will help educate all PGA Professionals interested in using technology in instruction as a category expert in PGA Verified and through local and regional training sessions.
March Newsletter
District 9 Director Report
Please keep in mind that GolfTEC largely caters to an underserved audience: According to a 2014 survey, the average GolfTEC student is an 8-14 handicap who specifically wants technology as part of their instruction. Helping golfers improve their games is the No.1 way to increase rounds played. The role GolfTEC can play in sending golfers to our PGA green grass facilities is both good for business and the long-term health of the game. There is room in the instruction space for all of us to do well and continue to grow. Forging smart alliances and partnerships with entities that share our mission can accelerate growth and create new opportunities for our members. In time, we are confident you’ll see that is the case not only in our partnership with GolfTEC, but in future partnerships with other entities that help us increase PGA employment. I look forward to seeing you at the Colorado Section Spring Meeting. If you have any questions pleased feel free to give me a call. Sincerely,
Kyle Heyen, PGA PGA Head Professional | Hiwan Golf Club National PGA Director | District 9
www.coloradopga.com
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine
Executive Director’s Message
And So It Begins... By Eddie Ainsworth, PGA
G
olf Season. It is finally upon us. Are you ready? I’d ask all of us to consider this question. Are you ready to make 2016 one of your most successful years ever? Many people may ask themselves, Can I Do This? Successful people will ask themselves, How Can I do This? A simple change in your thinking can change your life. Let me encourage all of us to get out of the box and enjoy life. Thomas Edison once said, “There ain’t no rules around here! We’re trying to accomplish something.” Take some risks this year. Try something new. Sometimes you’ll fail, sometimes you’ll succeed, but one thing for certain is that you’ll always be learning and enjoying life. Don’t be afraid to partake in the fruit of failure; Fail Fast, Learn Fast, Try Again Eddie Ainsworth, PGA Fast, which leads to Growth and Executive Director Success. Colorado PGA eainsworth@pgahq.com P | (303) 996-1593 C | (719) 761-6125
It’s going to be an exciting year for all of us here within the Colorado Section. I’m personally JGAC’ed for Junior Golf as this alliance has been a vision for several years in the making. To partner with the Colorado Golf Association and their staff to make a concentrated effort in bringing more juniors to the game will serve all of us very well. I know that both Ed Mate and I are committed to working together
“There ain’t no rules around here! We’re trying to accomplish something.” -Thomas Edison to move the needle and we also look forward to working with other golf associations and each of you in making a huge impact in the lives of our juniors and their families.
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Partnerships are important and another one that we are excited about is our partnership with the Military Warriors Support Foundation. This partnership gives our Foundation, Colorado PGA Reach, the opportunity to help support the awarding of a home to one of our Military Heroes. Through the Military Warriors partnership with several mortgage lenders, they receive the titles of foreclosed homes to present to these heroes. Our partnership with them helps to raise the additional $20,000 it takes to refurbish the home to meet the needs of the hero the home is going to be awarded to. I hope you’ll consider partnering with us in some way for our Colorado PGA Reach Invitational on June 27, 2016 at the Colorado Golf Club. It makes me very proud to be a part of a PGA Section that thinks outside the box, trying to accomplish great things, never asking can we do this, but asking how we can do this. The leadership of our Section has had great vision and has accomplished quite a lot in the past. I would ask yourself when you place your vote at the upcoming Spring Membership Meeting at Pinehurst, who is going to provide the leadership we need to continue to have a great vision for the future. We have four great candidates and I believe each of them can provide this vision. My thanks goes out to each of these for stepping up and running for the Board. In closing, always know that we are here for each and every one of our Colorado PGA Members, Apprentices, and PGM Students. If there is ever something we can do to assist you please let me or one of our staff know. Sometimes You Win. Sometimes You Learn. All the Best! Very Respectfully,
Eddie Ainsworth, PGA Executive Director/CEO Colorado PGA 6630 Bear Dance Road Larkspur, CO 80118 eainsworth@pgahq.com O – 303-996-1593 M – 719-761-6125
Josh Miller, PGA Appointed to Board of Directors J
osh Miller, PGA Director of Operations at GolfTEC has been appointed to the Colorado PGA Board of Directors. Miller fills a role that was vacated when AC Cox, formerly a GolfTEC employee, left the section when he accepted a position as an Associate Professor of Marketing at Salt Lake Community College. Miller’s term began in December and will run to October of 2018. “Josh has already been a great addition to the Board of Directors,” noted Colorado PGA President Leslie CoreDrevecky, PGA. “His experience at green grass facilities as well as his time as a Center Manager and now Associate Director of Operations at GolfTEC Headquarters has really helped round out our Board of Directors.” Miller is a graduate of the PGA Professional Golf Management program at New Mexico State University. Prior to joining GolfTEC, he was the Head Professional at Deer Creek Golf Course as well as an Assistant Professional at The Ranch Country Club and Red Rocks Country Club. He joined GolfTEC in 2010 as an Instructor and later the Director of Instruction at their Golden
location. Josh currently serves as GolfTEC’s Director of Operations at GolfTEC Headquarters where he supports Improvement Centers across the country. Josh has completed the PGA’s Certified Professional Program in Instruction, Operations, Player Development and General Manager. He has served the Colorado PGA as a member of the Apprentice Relations and Awards Committee.
March Newsletter
Section News
Time Running Out to Complete Compensation Survey T
he annual PGA Compensation Survey, known as the industry standard for providing invaluable data on golf professional compensation and benefits levels, launched its new version in January and will close at the end of March. Generally, there are approximately 15,000 PGA Professionals (members and apprentices) completing the survey each year.
Professionals and employers general comparable compensation, both locally and on a broader scale based on a variety of factors.
Why is completing the compensation survey so important? The Survey provides key information to assist with:
Keep in mind that: • Completing the Survey provides up to two MSR credits
• Meaningful comparisons to improve one’s Compensation and Benefits when working with the employer
• Higher wage earners bring up averages which are critical to increase job compensation
• Performance Evaluations
• All information provided is CONFIDENTIAL on the Survey
• Contract Renewals
Click here to access the 2016 Compensation Survey
• Staff Budgeting • Employer/employee interactions providing PGA
www.coloradopga.com
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine
Section News
Colorado PGA Spring Business Meeting March 28 - Click to Register T Agenda he Colorado PGA will host our annual Spring Business Meeting on Monday, March 28, 2016 at Pinehurst Country Club. Attendees will hear from a number of valued partners, learn about a new Colorado PGA committee setup, and will get an update on current activities with the Colorado PGA.
The annual event will feature the election of three (3) members to the Colorado PGA Board of Directors. Each candidate biography and their reasons for running are featured on the coming pages. As a reminder, the election will be held using Text to Vote. Please be sure to bring your smart phone with you to the meeting. For those members in attendance that do not have the capability to do so, paper ballots will be available.
7:00a Continental Breakfast & Registration 8:00a Welcome & Special Presentations 8:30a Colorado Section Business Meeting Called to Order 8:35a Election of New Board Members 9:00a Business Meeting 9:50a Open Forum 10:00a Break 10:15a Education Breakout Sessions 12:00 Membership Meeting Concludes 12:45p Pro-Pro Scramble 5:45p Scoring, Food & Beverages
Education Offering to Include Elective Workshops
Colorado PGA Town Hall Meeting Colorado PGA Officers, Board of Directors and District 9 Director The Colorado PGA Officers, Board of Directors and District 9 Director will conduct a town-hall style meeting that will address the needs of our Colorado PGA Members.
Affordable Care Act and How it Pertains to Golf Facilities Monica Denler, InTANDEM HR The Affordable Care Act (also known as Obama Care) is a set of health insurance reforms that started in 2010 and will continue to roll out in 2014 and beyond. The Affordable Care Act includes a variety of provisions that reform the insurance market and encourage small businesses to offer health insurance. Depending on whether you are self-employed, an employer with fewer than 25 employees, an employer with fewer than 50 employees, or an employer with 50 or more employees, different requirements of the Affordable Care Act may apply to you. Learn about the key requirements of the Affordable Care Act and how they impact you and your facility.
PGA Junior League Golf Keith Soriano, PGA, Colorado PGA PGA Junior League is an exciting opportunity to create engagement between your facility, your juniors, your families, and your communities. This session is for returning coaches who want to find out what’s new for 2016 and for new and interested coaches who want to hear success stories from peers and find out how to get plugged into this opportunity.
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Meet the Candidates
The membership in attendance at the March 28th Spring Membership Meeting will be electing three (3) new Colorado PGA Members to replace our outgoing Board of Directors this coming October.
Andy Benson, PGA
Job Title Director of Golf – Highlands Ranch Golf Club Education University of Colorado at Boulder – BS in Engineering Elected to Membership September, 1994 Work Experience Assistant Golf Professional Castle Pines Golf Club – Castle Pines, CO (1984-1996) Assistant Golf Professional Desert Highlands Golf Club – Scottsdale, AZ (1989-1991) Head Golf Professional The Club at Cordillera – Mountain Course – Edwards, CO (1996-1997) Head Golf Professional Highlands Ranch Golf Club – Highlands Ranch, CO (1998-present) Volunteer Experience Local Youth Sports Coach & Volunteer, High School Activities Volunteer Section Experience Colorado PGA Teach-a-Thon Committee 2004-2005 Colorado PGA Awards Committee 2009-2010 Colorado PGA Apprentice Relations Committee 2014-2015
Colorado PGA Board of Directors 2014-2016 Colorado PGA Junior Golf Committee 2016 Awards/Recognition 2003 Colorado PGA Public Merchandiser of the Year
March Newsletter
Section News
What should members know about you? I enjoy spending time with my family & friends have interests in many Colorado outdoor activities. (fishing, hunting, horses, etc.) Reason for running for the board I would like to continue being involved with the section as a Board Member to bring a unique prospective to the board as a representative from a semi-private ‘University’ owned facility. I have experience at a variety of private, resort and public courses in the state over the years and have developed many good relationships with fellow professionals, corporations, vendors and the allied golf associations in the state. I learned a lot more than I ever thought I would as a section Board Member and embrace the opportunity to grow as a Golf Professional and serve the Colorado PGA Members and the section again as a future Board Member.
Revenue Scorecard Redesigned A
s of January 2016, the Revenue Scorecard has been redesigned into a new, user friendly online survey that should take less than 10 minutes to complete. Log onto PGA.org to complete your Revenue Scorecard today. The PGA Revenue Scorecard is a valuable business tool designed to quantify and report additional revenue derived from your Player Development Programming. The end calculation and output of the Revenue Scorecard is the incremental revenue generated by
your Player Development Programming on an annual basis. This number is a key business measure that can be shared with your facility ownership or supervisor to demonstrate the value you drive to your local facility. It can also be used to benchmark your programming success year-over-year. If you need assistance completing the Revenue Scorecard, please contact Keith Soriano, Colorado PGA Assistant Executive Director of Foundation Programs at ksoriano@pgahq.com
www.coloradopga.com
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine
Sam Chapman, PGA Job Title Director of Golf ClubCorp Colorado for Blackstone Country Club and Black Bear Golf Club Education Associate Degree from San Diego Golf Academy 88 / University of Kansas 84-85 Work Experience Assistant Golf Professional North Shore Country Club - Glenview, IL (1989-1994) Assistant Golf Professional Bermuda Dunes Country Club – Bermuda Dunes, CA (1991-1992) Assistant Golf Professional Maple Bluff Country Club - Madison, WI (1995) Assistant Golf Professional Westmoreland Country Club - Wilmette, IL (1996-2000) Associate Golf Professional The Vintage Club – Indian Wells, CA (1998-2000) GM / Head Golf Professional Blaketree National Golf Club – Montgomery, TX (2000-2007) GM / Head Golf Professional Canongate at Lake Windcrest - The Woodlands, TX (2008-2010) Director Of Golf Blackstone CC and Black Bear Golf Club – Parker, CO (2010-Present) Volunteer Experience Guest speaker at different rotary clubs, senior centers and VA Volunteer work Section Experience Current Board of Director, 2016 Awards Committee Co-Chair Elected to Membership January, 1994 Awards/Recognition 2 Time Nominee Professional of the Year (Southern Texas and Colorado PGA), Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Nominee (Illinois PGA)
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What should members know about me Having dedicated my professional career as a Golf Professional, the fulfillment has been amazing, humbling and rewarding. Being the fifth born in my family I joined a long list in my family who all played the game. I am the only one who has made a career out of the business. I look forward to continuing on in the business to promote this game of a lifetime for many years to come. I will bring my enthusiasm, experience, and knowledge, to be a steward of the game. I invite you all to join me and continue to do what we do as PGA professionals, serve our members and grow the game. Reason for running for the board I look forward to re-running for an at large position, in the Colorado PGA Section, Board of Directors. As a 23 year PGA Member and current Board member, I want to continue serve on the board and serve our members. I have served one year when I was asked to fill a vacant position on the Board of Directors. I was both honored and humbled by the invitation. Looking back to 1989 when I started in the golf business, I like many of us was interested in section operations. It just has taken time to figure out where and how I would be best suited to help our section in growing the game. After this first year I have a better understand what our section does. How the positions of President, Vice President, and the Secretary lead us the additional Board members to make decision that help lead and serve our section. It makes me happy to say what a great section we have, and what a great staff our section has. This year the Board outlined what is needed from the Board to help our section be the best. With that said, my involvement the awards committee as co-chair is just a start for me in putting more time into our section. It would be an honor to still continue to serve on the board. In closing I ask for your vote on Monday March 28th, at the annual spring meeting.
Job Title PGA Head Golf Professional, West Woods Golf Course Education BS-Business Administration Regis University Work Experience Head Golf Professional West Woods Golf Club – Arvada, CO (2011-Present) Assistant Golf Professional Lake Arbor Golf Club – Arvada, CO (1997-2011) Assistant Golf Professional West Woods Golf Club – Arvada, CO (1996-1997) Volunteer Experience Volunteer Tudor-Skinner Middle School Parent Volunteer Turnberry, Weber and Van Arsdale Elementary schools Section Experience Junior Golf Committee 2013-2014 Apprentice Relations Committee Elected to Membership January, 2007
Awards/Recognition 2011 Junior Golf Leader Award Colorado Section PGA What should members know about me I have been a part of the Colorado Section PGA since 1997 and a member for the last 10 years. I enjoy playing in section events and still attempt to play at a high level. My wife children and I like to camp and enjoy doing things as a family.
March Newsletter
Bobby Quaratino, PGA
Reason for running for the board I am running for the Board of Directors because I see some changes that I am interested in and that I can see having a huge impact on how the section continues to grow the game. Having been on committees in the past I bring to the table experience, ideas and integrity. I am looking forward to the opportunity to share my knowledge and to work for my fellow members.
www.coloradopga.com
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine
Chris Swinhart, PGA
Section News
Job Title Head Golf Professional Education Bachelor Degree University of Northern Colorado Major Gerontology, Minor Recreation Work Experience Golf Shop Assistant Highland Hills Golf Course - Greeley, CO (1990-1996) Assistant Golf Professional Woodlake Resort & Golf Club – Vass, NC (1996-1999) Head Golf Professional Legacy Ridge Golf Course – Westminster, CO (1999-2014) Head Golf Professional Thorncreek Golf Course - Thornton, CO (2014 – present) Volunteer Experience Ducks Unlimited State Golf Chairman (2001-2004) George Ralston Memorial Golf Tournament (ALS) Volunteer Soccer Coach WAFC Soccer Club (Golf Event and FOOTGOLF Event) Elected to Membership July, 2002
What should members know about you? I am a family man, we have 4 great kids that are all soccer players. My oldest is attending The University of Northern Colorado. My wife Inessa has been a real trooper during the transition from Legacy Ridge Golf Course to Thorncreek Golf Course. Golf is the only thing that I have done. I started working at Indian tree at age 11, and never looked back. Golf has been my life from a young age. I have been blessed to have learned from some great professionals in our section. I would not be where I am today without all the guidance those professionals have given me over the years. Reason for running for the board I have watched all my mentors serve on the board, become secretaries, junior golf leaders, presidents, golf professionals of the year and even golf professional of the century. I am at a time in my life where I will have the time to serve and make a difference in our section.
Colorado PGA Section Spotlight to Air April 15, 2016 T
he PGA Section Spotlight Series, highlighting a different PGA Section for 41 days on Golf Channel’s “Morning Drive” program, kicked off during the PGA Merchandise Show. Each profile features a “Get to Know the PGA Section” fact box and the Section’s signature program, which focuses on charitable, social and educational endeavors enrich the lives of others. The North Florida PGA’s inspiring “Putting on Smiles” program, where PGA members give instruction to patients in a network of children’s hospitals, launched the Centennial campaign. The series concludes May 4 with the Metropolitan PGA Section’s Met PGA HOPE program, which is conducted at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
The Colorado PGA Spotlight focuses on the six year old Golf in Schools program. Be sure to check out Golf Channel on April 15, 2016!
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Industry Issues Highlighted at G4 Summit A
lmost 225 people showed up for the third annual G4 Summit on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. The event aligns the allied golf associations of Colorado -- representatives of the Colorado PGA, Colorado Golf Association, Colorado Women’s Golf Association, the Rocky Mountain Golf Course Superintendents and the Mile High Chapter of the Club Managers Association, among others -- in an effort to unify our industry and address ssues facing the game of golf.
The Summit featured a number of industry experts who hit on a number of topics such as “Golf and the Millenial Generation” presented by David Lorentz to “Building a Sustainable Game: USGA Science, Research and Innovation,” presented by Rand Jerris. Plans for the 2017 G4 Summit are already under way. The tentative date is set for February 21, 2016 with the Teaching and Coaching Summit to follow the next day.
G4 Summit Presentations Available
Rhett Evans - CEO, The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (53:21) Rhett Evans focused on the industry and how each part of our business can and should work together. Using his background as the son of biology teacher, Evans described the relationships in the industry much like those seen in Mother Natue.
Rand Jerris - Senior Managing Director, Public Relations - United State Golf Association (44:35) Rand Jerris presented on what the United States Golf Association is doing to continue building the game of golf through science, research and innovation.
www.coloradopga.com
March Newsletter
Section News
Dottie Pepper - TV Analyst, ESPN and CBS Golf (23:02) Dottie Pepper presented her take on the game of golf in the context of a former Major Champion turned Golf Analyst. She focused on her upbrining in the game and how it correlates to what is going on today at her home club in Saratoga Springs, NY.
David Lorentz - Senior Research Manager, National Golf Foundation (45:15) David Lorentz presented on the facts and findings the NGF has collected regarding the participation of Millenials. He touched on nine key points that set millenials apart and are key to getting them involved in the game of golf.
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine
Junior News
It’s Time To Get JGAC’ed! Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado Launched at G4 Summit D
etails of the new Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado (JGAC) were announced on Tuesday to more than 200 industry leaders at The Broadmoor for the annual G4 Summit, taking another huge step forward in Colorado junior golf. The Colorado PGA and the Colorado Golf Association, whom announced their plans to join forces and strengthen the state of junior golf in Colorado last November, unveiled their new name – Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado – logo and tagline (#jackedforjrgolf) as well as their new social media sites (@JGAColorado). The JGAC also opened tournament registration for the 2016 season. For the first time, the tournament schedule features four major championships, spring and fall series events and more than 75 tournaments overall. Full schedules can be found at www. juniorgolfcolorado.org.
Katie Ann Lehman Junior Golf Director Colorado PGA klehman@pgahq.com P | (303) 996-1591
“This is going to be huge,” said Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Alan Abrams, the first president of the alliance. “This is going to be great for our juniors, parents and grandparents. It’s going to be great for the game. And it’s going to be a win-win for all those in golf. “This is very historic for the state of Colorado. ... I’m jacked for junior golf.” Junior golfers must be a member of the JGAC to sign up for events. Players from the ages of 6 to 18 can register today and enjoy a number of membership benefits including a GHIN Handicap number, college preparation counseling, volunteer opportunities, and more than 30 rounds of free golf (age dependent). They will also be able to play events in partnership with AJGA and the PGA Junior Series, as well as compete in national qualifying events like the US
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Junior Boys’ and Girls’ Amateur Championship, IMG Junior World Championship, Optimist International Junior Championship and Big I Junior Classic. A JGAC membership costs $100. The JGAC offers junior development series and competitive tour events for kids of all ages and playing abilities. The tournament schedule includes multi-day events on the Junior Tour for kids with a maximum handicap index of 8.1 for boys and 14.1 for girls, and single-day events on the Junior Series for kids in three different age divisions – 14-18, 11-13, and 10 & Under. Members of the JGAC will be able to compete in four Major Championships at some of the most famed courses in the state. Exemptions into these events will be based on the player’s previous year’s finish at the event or their final position in the 2015 CJGA official points list. Those not automatically exempt will have the opportunity to earn a berth in qualifying events. More information for these events can be found in their respective Tournament Information Pages found on the official tournament schedule. 2016 Major Championships Schedule Colorado Junior Amateur Championship – Eisenhower Golf Club | June 13-15, 2016 Colorado Junior PGA Championship – Indian Tree Golf Course | July 13-15, 2016 Colorado Junior Match Play Championship – Ridge at Castle Pines North | August 1-3, 2016 Junior Tour Championship – Cherry Hills Country Club | October 8-9, 2016 The JGAC will also offer a Player Development Pathway which helps each junior identify opportunities to find where they fit into the golf world. It is comprised of nationally and locally recognized junior golf programs including Golf in Schools, PGA Junior League, Drive Chip and Putt, instructional camps, clinics and more. An official website is scheduled to launch in March 2016, but more information can be found on the placeholder site at www.juniorgolfcolorado.org.
March Newsletter
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine
Junior News
PGA Junior League Golf Success Stories
Combine Multiple Partner Facilities and Create a “House” Developmental League as well as a traditional “Traveling Team”
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he PGA Professionals at the City of Westminster were early adopters of the PGA Junior League Golf (PGAJLG) program and have seen a direct impact on their facility’s mission thanks to PGA JLG. Heritage at Westmoor and Legacy Ridge Golf Course have leveraged the City of Westminster’s recreation programs to create two outstanding opportunities for Westminster residents around PGA JLG. Their programing will be open to 48 participants this year and the participants will be divided into 4 teams. Three of the teams (B, C, & D) will be a developmental “house” league and will compete against each other in matches held at The Heritage and at Legacy Ridge. Team A will be comprised of the top 12 golfers identified following team tryouts and player evaluations and will represent Golf Keith Soriano, PGA Westminster in the Denver West Assistant Executive PGA Junior League and play Director - Foundation Programs
Colorado PGA ksoriano@pgahq.com P | (303) 996-1590 C | (720) 841-1006
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against other courses in the area. Legacy Ridge PGA Head Golf Professional Joe Carlton encouraged his assistants to find a way for PGA JLG to be more inclusive and to fit into the City of Westminster’s existing Junior Golf Development Pathway. PGA Junior League fits into the “Tier 3” programming offered at both facilities that is designed for junior golfers who are ready to take their skill sets to the golf course. In addition, the creation of the developmental versus traveling team dynamic will help encourage junior golfers who aspire to move from one level to the next to seek out the coaching of the PGA Professional staff. Creating partnerships within your organization or even within your region to provide engagement and advancement opportunities through PGA Junior League is certainly a best practice we can all learn from. To share YOUR best practices, or to schedule a time to discuss opportunities for growth at your facility, contact Keith Soriano, PGA at ksoriano@pgahq.com 720.841.1006.
March Newsletter
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine
Junior News
Augusta National Fast Approaching For Three Colorado Juniors E
ighty junior golfers representing 30 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces have earned an invitation to Augusta National Golf Club to compete in the third annual Drive, Chip and Putt Championship National Finals. The event will be held April 3, 2016, prior to the start of the 80th Masters Tournament. Check out the three kids representing the state of Colorado!
An Opportunity of a Lifetime for Keating
The Colorado Springs native won her division by 17 points, posting a total score of 118 – 33 in driving, 40 in chipping and 45 in putting. With a victory at Torrey Pines, Keating, her dad and sister, Stacy, will head to the national finals and compete the Sunday before Masters tournament week. “My dad has been my number one fan,” said Keating. “The Masters is the one big golf event that my dad and I watch every year so being able to actually go there in person is unbelievable.”
The countdown has For the 15-year-old officially begun for sophomore, the Drive three Colorado natives Chip and Putt journey who scored a trip to the has helped to take famed Augusta National her game to a whole for the Drive Chip and new level. She now Putt Championship. dreams of becoming a Arielle Keating (Girls professional golfer. 14-15), Luke Trujillo (Boys 14-15) and Caitlyn “Competing in Drive Chin (Girls 7-9) took Chip and Putt has first in their respective helped me to see age divisions at the that there are a lot of regional qualifier at opportunities in golf,” Torrey Pines Golf said Keating. “It wasn’t Course in California last PGA Professional Brad Keating and his daughter Arielle Keating until I qualified at the September and they all pose after Arielle punched her ticket to Augusta National Golf Club sub-regional that I really agree that it simply can’t come soon enough. started to enjoy practicing and taking golf a lot more seriously.” “With a month to go, I wish I could put school on hold to just go golfing all day,” said Keating, who is the daughter of Brad Keating, a PGA Professional at Springs Ranch Golf Club. Keating punched her ticket to Torrey Pines after taking second in the girls’ 14-15 division in the sub-regional qualifier at CommonGround Golf Course with a total score of 130 points – 49 in driving, 50 in chipping and 35 in putting. Stakes were high at the regional qualifier as nine fellow competitors in the girls’ 14-15 division took to the course. Keating was one of the first to hand in her scorecard, feeling extra confident after holing her second chip shot from 15-feet. But knowing eight other scores had to be posted, Keating was feeling anxious. “It was very difficult being one of the first ones who
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had their scores posted,” said Keating. “I felt so helpless at that point.”
No Time to Waste for Chin Family
The Chin family does not waste a single minute of the day playing with electronics or watching television. With a packed schedule of extracurricular activities, 12-year-old Alyssa, 10-year-old Ben and 8-year-old Caitlyn spends much of their time practicing piano, studying for school and playing nearly every sport possible. But when it comes to golf, the Chins make it a family affair.
Junior News
Starting at age five, the Chins began taking lessons and practicing at Meridian Golf Club and the Family Sports Center. Over the years, they’ve proven to be tough competitors in almost every junior golf event they participate in, including the Drive Chip and Putt Championship.
“I think I am going to be more encouraged to be a professional golfer because I would think back to this time when I went to the Masters,” said Chin. “If I could do this, I can do anything.”
The Lowest of Lows to the Highest of Highs for Trujillo
For the 2016 qualifying year, the Chins competed against a stacked field of 240 Drive Chip and Putt Championship In the matter of minutes, hopefuls at the Country Club Luke Trujillo went from at Castle Pines, the final local feeling ultimate defeat to qualifier. Ben and Caitlyn took utmost victory at the Torrey top honors in their age divisions Pines regional qualifier last and advanced onto the subSeptember. Caitlyn Chin of Aurora talks with a reporter after regional at CommonGround she qualified for the National Championship of the Golf Course. The final competitor in the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship. Boys’ 14-15 age division, Luke With a score of 84 points and a started off strong as he nearly holed two of his three second place finish, Caitlyn was the only Chin to earn a putts, carding 55 total points in the first leg of the bid to the Torrey Pines regional qualifier. competition. He went on to score 35 points in chipping. “I was really excited to go to California,” said Caitlyn. The 15-year-old was feeling confident as he stepped “I was definitely more nervous at Torrey Pines so I onto the tee box for the final event, but a missed practiced like three hours before. At CommonGround I fairway on his second drive deflated his dreams of only practiced like an hour before.” going to Augusta National for the Drive Chip and Putt National Finals. Caitlyn was one of the final competitors in her age division. As the final score was posted, she was “He thought it was over after he missed that fairway,” preparing for defeat but to her surprise, her final score said Luke’s father, John, a PGA Professional who of 78 was enough to take first in the Girls’ 7-9 age teaches at Eisenhower Golf Club. division. Posting 39 points in the drive category gave Luke “When I saw the last score I was thinking that she a total score of 129, a 35-point difference from his would beat me,” said Caitlyn. “But then she didn’t beat qualifying score of 164 at the CommonGround subme and I was like ‘yay’ and my dad was so happy that regional in Aurora, Colo. he picked me up.” “It was a long walk down to the scoring tent,” said With a month left to go before the national finals, the John. “We had started to hug everyone goodbye Chin clan has played a huge role as Caitlyn prepares to thinking that it was over but then Luke came running compete on one of the biggest stages in golf history. up to us and said, ‘Dad, I’m tied for first!’” “I’m trying to put myself under pressure so that I can Luke was tied with Caden Christopherson, a participant hit better when I’m under pressure at Augusta,” said in the 2014 Drive Chip and Putt National Finals. Chin. “I have my sister and brother play against me, and my mom and dad are like ‘come on, you can do it!’” The tiebreaker fared in Luke’s favor as the winner was decided on the highest points in the putting category – For Caitlyn, a trip to the Masters will be an Luke carded 55 points while Caden carded 40 points. unforgettable experience. “Winning in a playoff made it that much more
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March Newsletter
“I put them into golf because I wanted them to have the skill that I wish I had,” said their father, Benjamin. “I started playing way too late in life.”
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine
Junior News
surprising and unbelievable,” said Luke. “I can’t believe that I get to drive, chip, and putt where the greatest golfers in history have played.”
“It was so much fun to sink a putt for my team like that,” said Luke.
But the week wasn’t quite over for the high school sophomore. Upon his return to Colorado, Luke joined his high schools boys’ golf team at Shining Mountain Golf Club to compete in the 4A Southern Regional tournament. Luke Trujillo of Colorado Springs poses with his family
after qualifying for the 2016 Drive, Chip & Putt National
Luke found himself in Championship. a familiar position as Discovery Canyon tied with Pueblo West for first place with a score of 238.
In a 4 vs. 4 sudden death playoff, Luke sunk a 25-foot, downhill putt for birdie on the first hole to secure the
The Colorado Springs native has been able to carry this momentum through the snowy months of winter as he travels around the country to compete in various junior golf events. In his final year of eligibility for the Drive Chip and Putt Championship, Luke hopes to make the most of the opportunity.
“I’m so blessed to have the opportunity to be at Augusta National,” said Luke. “I know I’m going to have to bring my ‘A-game.’”
DC&P Registration Open R
egistration for the 2017 Drive Chip and Putt is now OPEN! Boys and girls ages 7-15 are now able to sign up for one of our six local qualifiers at drivechipandputt.com. This FREE youth golf initiative aims to help younger generations begin their lifelong connection with golf by providing a fun, interactive platform for participants of all ages and skill levels. The top-3 performers in each age division and gender (boys and girls 7-9, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15) at these local qualifiers will advance on to the Sub-Regional staged at CommonGround Golf Course on Saturday, August 13. From there, the top-2 in each age division and gender will move on the Regional Qualifier in Pacific Palisades, Calif. at the Riviera Country Club. The top 80 performers - 40 boys and 40 girls - across the country will earn an invitation to the National Finals at Augusta National on Sunday April 2, the eve of the 2017 Masters. This is an event you don’t want to miss! There is a limited number of spots available at each of these qualifiers, so get registered TODAY at www.drivechipandputt. com. Local Qualifiers Colorado National Golf Club | Erie, CO Monday, June 6, 2016 Entry Deadline - June 1, 2016 at 3:00pm MST Fort Collins Country Club | Fort Collins, CO Wednesday, June 15, 2016 Entry Deadline - June 10, 2016 at 3:00pm MST The Club at Flying Horse | Colorado Springs, CO Tuesday, June 21, 2016 Entry Deadline - June 16, 2016 at 3:00pm MST Murphy Creek Golf Course | Aurora, CO Thursday, July 7, 2016 Entry Deadline - July 2, 2016 at 3:00pm MST
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victory for the Discovery Canyon Thunder.
Heritage at Westmoor | Westminster, CO Monday, July 11, 2016 Entry Deadline - July 6, 2016 at 3:00pm MST Lincoln Park Golf Course | Grand Junction, CO Thursday, July 21, 2016 Entry Deadline - July 16, 2016 at 3:00pm MST Sub Regional Qualifier CommonGround Golf Course Aurora, CO Saturday, August 13, 2016
Drive, Chip & Putt is a free, nationwide junior golf program for boys and girls ages 7-15 that focuses on the three fundamental skills of the game — DRIVING, CHIPPING and PUTTING.
How does it work?
March Newsletter
DRIVE CHIP PUTT What is it?
Drive, Chip & Putt is conducted in four stages:
LOCAL QUALIFYING — 256 sites in 50 states and Puerto Rico • SUBREGIONAL QUALIFYING — 50 sites in 31 states REGIONAL QUALIFYING — 10 sites, featuring many PGA and USGA championship venues
NATIONAL FINALS — 80 junior golfers competing at Augusta National Golf Club the Sunday before the Masters Tournament and broadcast live on Golf Channel
How do we get started?
A parent or guardian should register each child for one local competition at DriveChipandPutt.com. Have fun learning and practicing golf skills. Tell your friends to join.
WHEN YOU TEACH YOUR KIDS TO LOVE GOLF, THEY WIN FOR A LIFETIME. LEARN MORE AT DRIVECHIPANDPUTT.COM
@DriveChipPutt
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DriveChipandPutt
DriveChipandPutt
IT’S PLAYTIME
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine
Section News
Route 411
An update on our Colorado PGA Members
Smigelsky Celebrates Quarter Century Membership D
ale Smigelsky is very blunt when it comes to his career. “I’ve been doing this a long time” he noted when asked to comment on his election to the Quarter Century Club of the PGA of America. Smigeslky, the PGA Director of Golf at Collindale Golf Course in Ft. Collins, Colorado and the 2012 PGA of America Public Merchandiser of the Year, grew up in Central Florida after his father retired from the Air Force and became an air traffic controller. It was there that he took up the game of golf. “I started playing because I had buddies that played at the little executive public course at the end of my street,” Dale noted. “We could entertain ourselves all day in the summer.” His passion for the industry grew after he enrolled at the University of Central Florida. He spent two years there before the game pulled him away and he turned professional. “At that time, school was not as important in the golf business,” he re- calls. “I fell in love with the business and knew that’s what I wanted to do.” “I started in the golf business at the Country Club of Sapphire Valley in Cashiers, North Carolina. After two years there, I took the first assistants job at Happy Hollow Club in Omaha, Nebraska in 1981. There he worked under John Frillman, a 25-year industry veteran who taught him many important lessons about what it means to be a golf professional. “I learned about over-the-top customer service, club repair, tournament operations, club operations, employee management,
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merchandising – every aspect of the business,” Smigelsky says. “I also learned what it was to work 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. six days a week. I’ll never forget the long hours. It’s what instilled a good work ethic in me.” “I moved to Boulder Country Club in 1985 for one year and then got out of the business for 9 years to get myself in a better financial position. Then in 1994, I got back into the business at Collindale Golf Course as the Golf Shop Manager and regained my Class A status late that year. Since that time, I’ve been in the City of Fort Collins system as a contracted golf professional, having been the Head Professional at all three courses in town; Collindale Golf Course, Southridge Golf Course and City Park 9 Golf Course. I’m the only one who has done that!” Dale is no slouch when it comes to the game of golf either. Locally, Dale won the 2003 Colorado PGA Section Championship and just recently won the 2015 Colorado Senior PGA Professional Championship. Prior to that Dale notched wins in the 1982 Nebraska Assistants Championship, 1985 Nebraska Open and several Florida Mini Tour events. When reflecting on his career, Smigelsky notes that it isn’t the tournament wins or accolades that he is most proud of. “I’m extremely proud of former staff that has gone on, in many different venues, to be successful people.” Like many in the golf industry, simply being outside is where you can find Dale when he isn’t running the operation at Collindale. “I love anything outdoors. I bow hunt elk, shoot pheasants and don’t get out and fish as much as I’d like,” Dale noted. “When it’s cold in Colorado, I love to head for warmer climates. My wife, Anne, and I love the Caribbean but we’re not able to get there enough.” Congratulations to Dale Smigelsky for his 25 years of membership and his dedication to the game of golf.
New Members
James A. Edfors, PGA | A-8 | Inverness Golf Club and Hotel Marcus A. Gillmor, PGA | A-8 | Eaton Country Club Eric D. Schmedeman, PGA | A-23 | TopGolf - Centennial
Welcome Wagon
Tyler L. Ferratti, PGA | A-8 | Columbine Country Club | previously in the Philadelphia Section Phillip J. McCarthy, PGA | A-9 GolfTEC Headquarters | previously in the South Florida Section Jason L. Witczak, PGA | A-14 | Green Valley Ranch Golf Club | previously in the Southwest Section
New Apprentices
Alexander C Gough | B-8 | Red Rocks Country Club Shane S Sutherland | B-8 | Cheyenne Shadows GC at Ft. Carson
Happy Birthday! 3/1 3/2 3/3 3/4 3/5 3/6 3/7 3/8 3/9 3/10 3/11
Stuart G. Bruening, PGA JP Hachey Mark Kizzire, PGA Michael W. Allen James M. Dargis, PGA Val R. Heim III, PGA Eric M Schaupeter, PGA Thomas Carricato, PGA Dale Douglass, PGA Bill Poirot, PGA Kevin D. Sauer, PGA Chance R. Semones, PGA Matt D Hardy Gerard C Lanser Jeffrey R. Wilcinski, PGA Alan R. Abrams, PGA Craig C. Palmer, PGA Charles V. Kline, PGA Ryan D Treptow Zane T. Zwemke, PGA Thomas A. Krause, PGA Randall L. Meyers, PGA Michael F. Fengler, PGA Cathy Matthews-Kane, PGA Anthony P Barbo Prim Ivan, PGA Thomas C. Wight, PGA
3/12 3/13 3/14 3/15 3/16 3/17 3/19 3/20 3/21 3/22 3/23
Charles E. Curtis, PGA Matthew B. Henderson, PGA Reggie J. Sanchez, PGA Dick A. Dierker, PGA Larry Murphy, PGA Dan O’Shaughnessy, PGA Clayton Cole, PGA John P. Gazaway, PGA John Merrihew, PGA Jim Fiala, PGA Ian J. Parham, PGA Bob J. Persichetti, PGA William T. Lollar, PGA Stacy A. Kleve, PGA Phillip J. McCarthy, PGA Amy R. Nordeen, PGA Jordan F. O’Keefe Bob J. Stallman, PGA Kenneth J. Thayer III, PGA Nicholas S. Warner Jeff L. Meeker, PGA Michael W. Kramer, PGA Mark R. Pfingston, PGA Jack Sommers, PGA Ted Apostolos, PGA Donald Allen, PGA
3/24 3/25 3/26 3/27 3/28 3/29 3/30 3/31
March Newsletter
Section News
Mark E. Bazley David R. Hagan, PGA Shawn Wilcox, PGA Stephen P. Bauerle, PGA Kendall T. Carson, PGA Justin A. Cirbo, PGA Adam M. Finch, PGA Thomas L. Nosewicz, PGA Charlie Cobb, PGA Gary W. Hoffman, PGA Christopher J Hyten Cobie J. Lunsford, PGA Patrick M. Reidy, PGA David Troyer, PGA Paul D Schmeling Kenneth R. Anderson, PGA Timothy J Ausec, PGA Ann Finke, PGA David A Gapp Shane T. Bertsch, PGA James D. Hayden, PGA Justin W. Limon, PGA Cyrus C. Twete, PGA Dick Dorn, PGA Kirby E. Lee, PGA
2016 PAT Schedule Announced Wednesday, April 27 | PAT # 1 | CommonGround GC
Friday, October 7 | PAT # 7 | Valley Hi GC
Thursday, May 19 | PAT # 2 | Indian Tree GC
Wednesday, October 26 | PAT # 8 | Collindale GC
Wednesday, June 8 | PAT # 3| Riverdale GC - Knolls
Click here to access the online PAT Schedule and to register for events. To register by phone, please contact the Member Service Center at 1 (800) 4742776.
Tuesday, July 12 | PAT # 4 | Fitzsimons GC Wednesday, August 10 | PAT # 5 | Plum Creek GC Wednesday, September 7 | PAT # 6 | Cheyenne Shadows Golf Course
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine
BlueGolf How-To
A Refresher on All Things Tournament Software By Justin Limon, PGA
T
he Colorado PGA Tournament Department utilizes BlueGolf Tournament Software to provide all of our tournament services including registration. With that in mind, I’d like to help you navigate your way through the BlueGolf registration process.
Frequently Asked Questions
To begin, login on the Colorado PGA website (www.coloradopga.com) with your BlueGolf login. This can be done on the homepage or by selecting ‘Tournaments’ on the left side of the website.
• PLEASE DISREGARD THE AMATEUR OPTION. You will add Amateurs to your team using one of the other two options in the registration process.
Once you have successfully logged in, select the white button labeled ‘Tournaments’ across the top of the Players Club Page. Check the box of the event (s) that you would like to register for. If you could like to register for more than one event at this time, simply check all of those events and select the ‘Register’ button. Please read over and confirm that you agree to the Tournament Waiver. You will now be required to enter your name, member id number, email address, and indicate if you are 60 or over. Select ‘next’. If the event you are registering for is a team event, select the ‘select’ button to the right of each partner and enter their information. Though it is not required that each partners GHIN number is entered at this time, entering it now will save it for future use. For team events, you have until the Friday before the event at 10 AM to update your team and enter the GHIN numbers for each member. If an amateur uses a different Handicap Service that is verified by the USGA, please contact the Justin Limon at the Section Office. Once all of your partners’ information has been entered you will be asked to provide payment. Select ‘next’. After completing the payment information and selecting ‘next’, you will now be entered into the event. Along with registration, BlueGolf will also provide you a way to view upcoming events that you have signed up for as well as viewing the results of events that have been completed.
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I see three different options, what is the entry fee for a Pro-Am? All Pro-Ams are $380 for the team, however this can be confusing as it looks on the TIP: You will see 3 options; Pro, Pro+ 50 for 50 contest and Amateur.
• The Pro+50 for 50 option is an optional Bonus Purse for those Professionals age 50 and over. This option adds the $50 entry fee for 50 for 50 contest to the entry fee for the Pro-Am. Total cost of entry is $430. • Otherwise, please use the Pro option to register for a Pro-Am. Upon completing registration, you will be charged a deposit of$65 ($105 for Pro+50 for 50) to secure your team in the event. The remainder of the entry fee will be charged to the designated credit card no more than 96 hours and no less than 72 hours prior to the first scheduled starting time for the event. How do I change the players on my team? This is the most frequently asked question. To change the players on your team: Login to BlueGolf with your BlueGolf login information. Once you have successfully logged in, select the white tab labeled ‘Tournaments’ across the top of the Players Club Page. Under the ‘Tournaments’’ tab that you just selected, select ‘Upcoming.’ This will generate the list of events that you have signed up for but have not been played. Under the event that you wish to change your partners, select ‘My Partners.’ It is noted that this option will be available to you up until 72 hours prior to the first tee time of the event. If you have a team change after this point, please contact Justin Limon at the Section Office with your player change.
the event and scrolling down to the printable receipt.
The registration deadline for each Colorado PGA event will be 11:59 pm of the day 5 days prior to the start of the event. If this deadline has passed, please contact Justin Limon at the Section Office to inquire about the availability of entry into the event.
How do I pay my West Chapter Tournament fee?
When will my payment be processed? Payment for Colorado PGA events will be handled differently based on the type of event, Pro-Am or Professional Only, that you are registered for. Pro-Am events are setup with Deposit and Balance transactions. You will be charged an entry fee deposit of $65, at the time of registration with the remainder of the entry fee charged to the designated credit card no more than 96 hours and no less than 72 hours prior to the first scheduled starting time for the event. How do I cancel out of an event and what is the cancellation policy? To cancel out of an event, login to BlueGolf with your BlueGolf login information. Once you have successfully logged in, select the white button labeled ‘Tournaments’ across the top of the Players Club Page. Under the ‘Tournaments’’ button that you just selected, select ‘Upcoming.’ This will generate the list of events that you have signed up for but have not been played. Under the event that you wish to cancel out of, select ‘Cancel.’ You will then have to confirm your cancellation.
The one time, $50 West Chapter Tournament fee, will be added as a line item to the first registration fee that you will pay when you register for a West Chapter event. How to Login/Re-set Password? Log on to ColoradoPGA.com and select the tab Login, then select BlueGolf Login To Login you can use either your PGA member ID # or use the e-mail address you have associated with your BlueGolf account and then enter password If you cannot remember your password and need to recover or reset, enter your PGA member ID # or e-mail address associated with your BlueGolf account and your password will be sent to your email address. Also by logging in a player can view their transactions, see and compare tournament stats, and much more. If you have any questions about logging into BlueGolf and Tournament Registration in general, please contact Justin Limon, Tournament Director, at the Colorado PGA Section Office. Is there a BlueGolf App?
How do I get a receipt for my registration for an event?
If you have not downloaded the Colorado PGA BlueGolf App, give it a try. It has been updated in recent months to greatly enhance appearance and navigation. Key tournament information is displayed on one page. You also have 1-tap access to Registration, Results, Sponsors and more. It is available for Apple, Android and Google Play Devices.
To view and print a receipt, login to BlueGolf with your BlueGolf login information. Once you have successfully logged in, select the white button labeled ‘Tournaments’ across the top of the Players Club Page. Under the ‘Tournaments’’ button that you just selected, select ‘Transactions.’ This will generate the list of events that you have signed up for and either competed in or cancelled out of. You may now view each transaction separately by selecting the date of
I hope that this has answered any questions that you may have regarding navigating BlueGolf. If you do come upon a problem please feel free to contact Justin Limon at jlimon@pgahq.com or at (303) 996-1588.
If you do cancel out of an event, per the Tournament Rules and Regulations, refunds will be granted in the full amount of the entry fee for any cancellation made prior to the stated entry deadline. Refunds will be granted in the amount of the entry fee, less a $25 administration fee for any cancellation made following the stated entry deadline and prior to the seventy-two (72) hours to the start of the event. No Refund will be granted for any cancellation made within seventy-two (72) hours prior to the start of the event. The start of the event is defined as the time of the event’s first scheduled starting time.
March Newsletter
When is the deadline for an event?
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine
Tournament News
Section Championship Registration Set for 2016 More Timely Deadlines Coming This Year By Justin Limon, PGA
T
he PGA of America Board of Directorshas approved a new policy allowing Sections the opportunity to establish their own registration deadline for all Section National Championships (Section PGA Professional Championship, Senior PGA Professional Championship & Assistant Championship.) Also, the time of the deadline will be local time of each section at 11:59 PM. As Sections will have the opportunity to select their own deadline, a five-year averaging system will be implemented to determine “entries” utilizing the most recent 5 years of participation. Registration will continue to be processed through the National office. The Colorado PGA Section has set a deadline two and a half weeks prior to the start of each Championship. This change is intended to allow less fluctuation between eligible entries and actual number of players with the deadline closer to the actual Championship dates. The following registration dates have been set for each Championship.
National Car Rental Colorado PGA Assistant Championship Event Date | Monday & Tuesday, August 1-2, 2016 Registration Opens | Tuesday, April 19, 2016 Registration Deadline | Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at 11:59 PM (MST) Colorado Senior PGA Championship Event Date | Monday & Tuesday, August 15-16, 2016 Registration Opens | Tuesday, May 17, 2016 | Registration Deadline | Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at 11:59 PM (MST) Colorado PGA Professional Championship Event Date | Monday - Wednesday, September 12-14, 2016 Registration Opens | Tuesday, May 31, 2016 Registration Deadline | Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at 11:59 PM (MST)
Time to Setup Direct Deposit For Tournament Winnings Easiest, Fastest Way to Get Paid is Just a Few Click Away By Justin Limon, PGA
A
s the tournament season approaches, for those of you that don’t have Direct Deposit setup for your tournament winnings, you are missing out! Direct Deposit direct deposit is not only beneficial to you, the member, but also to the PGA of America because it saves them time and resources printing and distributing paper checks. Here are a few reasons to setup Direct Deposit before the season begins: It Saves You Time - With direct deposit, your money is automatically deposited into your checking account. You don’t have to find time to drive to the bank and
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stand in line waiting to cash your check. The days of hurrying to the bank before it closes are over. Your money will already be in your account, available to you, three days after the event has finished. Helps Save You Money - With direct deposit, you can have some money go to your checking account and you can have some funneled directly to your savings account and/or a retirement account. To access the Direct Deposit form and get this setup prior to the beginning of the tournament season, please click here. If you already have this setup, you are good to go!
March Newsletter
www.coloradopga.com
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine
@The Buzz
A monthly recap of the Colorado PGA
Introducing the @jgacolorado! #jackedforjrgolf Did @Love3d just say he was #jackedforjrgolf?! Tell us how your PGA Pro has impacted your life with #ThxPGAPro Who’s joining us for the first event of the year?! Junior Tour plays @ CountryClubofCO April 16-17
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@ColoGolf CGA, Colo. PGA Take Next Step With Newly-Named ‘Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado’. #jackedforjrgolf
Thanks @ HomelessHubbs @ KJacquesgolf and @ beccahuffergolf for supporting junior golf in Colorado!
Colorado PGA Have you missed all that we’ve been up to at the Denver Golf Expo this weekend? Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @jgacolorado! And, of course, go like Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado before this page disappears! Colorado PGA
Check out PGA Professional Kelly Plaiser from the Trent Wearner Golf Academy wrapping up our Swing Seminars at the 2016 Denver Golf Expo! By The Numbers Colorado PGA Facebook Fans | 734 Twitter Followers | 659 Colorado PGA Junior Golf Facebook Fans | 375 Twitter Followers | 273
March Newsletter
A Twitter and Facebook World
Colorado PGA Junior Golf
Tournament registration is now open! Go to the tournaments page at www.juniorgolfcolorado.org, click on your age division’s schedule and get to registering!
Colorado PGA Junior Golf
Nothing says #jackedforjrgolf quite like practicing in 2-feet of snow! Way to go Camden!
Colorado PGA Junior Golf
Our page will be deactivated soon, so please head on over to Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado and “Like” us there!
www.coloradopga.com
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine
Presidents Club | $20,000 and above C&M Golf and Grounds Equipment Jeff Mathis Brett Walton
Colorado Chevy Dealers
National Car Rental
PGA Tour
Platinum | $10,000 2UNDR Mary Mahoney
OMEGA
Platinum | $7,500 Colorado AvidGolfer Allen Walters
Gold | $5,000
Denver Golf Expo Mark Cramer
KBS Shafts
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Colorado Golf and Turf Tom Bauerle
Imperial Headwear Jamie Zabolio
Fairway Promotions James Schlatter, Nick Porter
Infinium Spirits Mike Horan
Greg Norman - Dunning Mike Giarratano
Masek Golf Cars Jason Masek
Adidas/Ashworth Mike Bryant
GolfTEC Joe Assell, PGA
PTE Golf Matt Pollitt
AHEAD Zach Ledvina
Golf MD’s Alex Weber
Sun Mountain Kevin Neff
Club Prophet Systems Tom Robshaw
GPS Industries Kevin Carpenter
March Newsletter
Silver | $2,500
TaylorMade Golf Mike Mendoza
Bronze | $1,000
www.coloradopga.com
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine
INNER BEAUTY HAS FOUND ITS OUTER MATCH.
As shown $36,5501
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1 MSRP. Tax, title, license, dealer fees and other optional equipment extra. 2 The system wirelessly charges one PMA- or Qi-compatible mobile device. Some devices require an adaptor or back cover. To check for phone or other device compatibility, visit my.chevrolet.com/learn for details.