Updates on Governance

Congratulations to Section Award Winners!

As we pass the midway point of the golf season in District 9, I hope this note finds everybody healthy and having a busy golf season. Congratulations to all the Colorado Section award winners that are being celebrated in this magazine!

There have been a couple of governance changes approved by the PGA Board of Directors in the last couple months regarding membership classifications. The Board, at the recommendation of the Education, Employment and Membership committees, voted to approve the addition of an Affiliate status. Affiliate status will allow individuals who do not meet Associate eligibility criteria to complete Level 1 of the PGA Professional Golf Management Program. Affiliates must then meet all Associate eligibility to register as an Associate in Level 2 to progress toward PGA of America Membership. Affiliates are not Associates of Members of the Association, do not enjoy any rights and privileges of membership, do not receive an identification card, and are not covered by the Life, Liability Insurance or Member Assistance Program.

The Board also approved a recommendation from the Membership Committee of the concept to provide a soft landing and continued affiliation with the PGA of America for those Associates who completed all PGA Education requirements and earned the 28 experience credits but have not fully passed the PAT. Individuals meeting those criteria will now have the option to transfer to the newly created B-25 Associate status at the end of their Acceptable Progress time frame. Those who transfer may remain B-25 until fully passing the PAT requirement needed for election to PGA Membership. An Associate classified as B-25 must earn MSR and pay National and Section Associate dues and will have normal Associate rights and privileges.

As of today, we are still planning for a full crowd at the Ryder Cup in September at Whistling Straits. All PGA Members and one (1) guest are invited to attend. With the current uptick in the new COVID variants, we are hopeful that all the great events that are part of the Ryder Cup are still able to happen.

The 105th PGA of America Annual Meeting is scheduled for November 2-5 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We look forward to getting back to meeting in person and conducting the business of the association. This meeting will also be livestreamed, and I encourage all those who are able to either attend the meetings in Milwaukee or watch the events online.

I am looking forward to getting to the Colorado Section in person sometime soon. As always, please reach out to me anytime if I can be of help.

Jared Barnes, PGA

District 9 Director

PGA of America Head Professional Cedar Ridge Golf Course jbarnes@pga.com