The Middle Atlantic Professional
Newsletter Date: September 2014
The e-newsletter of the Middle Atlantic PGA Inside this Issue: President’s Perspective: Take Time for Player Development Section Direction: Upcoming Educational Opportunities, DCP Recap, and Shout Outs
With the season winding down, we here at the MAPGA Section Office hope everyone has had a successful and active summer season. Be sure to take some time to get out and enjoy the fall weather and play a bit.
Eyes on Employment: PGA Employment Consultants Player Development Discussion: Why Do You Need a Plan to Teach Golf Chapter Chat
Important Dates: September 22 -Club Car Head Professional -GolfMDs Teaching Champ. September 29 National Car Rental Fall Pro-Scratch October 66-7 MAPGA Players Cup October 2727-28 MAPGA Team Championship November 3 Fall Membership Meeting November 1010-11 Chapter Challenge Cup
President’s Perspective: Continue Growing the Game National, Sectional and Chapter summit at Congressional Country level. Club on November 17-18. National: you can get started by going to pgalinks.com. There you will find many opportunities to start your online education. Just go to PGA Member Education and you are on your way. If on line education is not your thing, then you will also have more opportunities for education programs at the PGA Show this Dear Members and Apprentices, January in Orlando. It’s hard to believe another golf season is coming to an end and Section: We have many great it’s time to start to focus on workshops and seminars in our personal growth through Section this fall starting with the education and employment Jim McLean Education Seminar opportunities. Continuing after the fall meeting on Nov 3; education is a great way to stay East Coast Junior Golf Summit at sharp and receive MSR credits. the Country Club of Fairfax on The PGA offers many avenues for November 11-12 and the Nike continuing education on a Golf Teaching and Coaching
This is also the time of the year we look for new jobs, employees or career path changes. Please reach out to Employment Consultant Don Sweeting. He is a great resource for all of us. He is able to help you out on many topics including Job searches, contract negotiation, cover letters and resumes, business plans and annual report writing to cover a few. Don’t forget growing the game is a yearlong mission
Sincerely, John Madden, PGA
September 2014
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Section Direction: Upcoming Educational Opportunities As I write this, our MAPGA staff is recapping our three Chapter meetings and getting prepared for a busy fall season. On the tournament front, we have six events in the next three weeks. On the education side, we are planning for what should prove to be an excellent Teaching Summit, as well as a Jim McLean seminar in conjunction with the Fall Membership Meeting, and three new “MSR Mondays”- full day education events, one in each Chapter, over the winter. There will be no shortage of education opportunities, but plan now, as the MSR deadline is June 15th of next year. Don’t let that deadline creep up on you! On the Foundation front, we are working closely with PDRM Mike Aldrich on a pilot “Golf in Schools” program utilizing Kwik Golf in Loudoun County middle schools, as well as planning a Junior Tour for 6-9 year olds to launch in 2015.
We just finished the 2014 Drive, Chip and Putt qualifying process. We held nine local qualifiers, two sub-regionals, and the Regional Finals just last week. The Regional Final, held at River Bend G&CC, included 80 kids that had made it through two rounds of qualifying at facilities
in NC, SC, VA, MD, PA, and NJ. They were quite an impressive group of 7-14 year olds! In the end, four juniors from the MAPGAEverett Whiten Jr. from Chesapeake, VA (Boys 14-15), George Duangmanee from Fairfax, VA (Boys 12-13), Grayson Wood from Fredericksburg, VA (Boys 7-9) and Victoria Matthews from Great Falls, VA (Girls 7-9), and four juniors from the Carolinas PGA won the ultimate prize, advancing to Augusta National for the National Finals next April. Kudos to our Section Staff for a job well done, led by Bob Heintz on the operations side and Kelly Lawson on the admin side. The DCP events are labor (staff) intensive, but are an absolute joy to run for these great kids.
planning for next year. Please call on Player Development Regional Manager Mike Aldrich (maldrich@pgahq.com) if you need assistance getting started. SHOUT OUTS: OUTS -Congratulations to Ashley Grier, PGA for competing in the inaugural LPGA T&CP Championship that qualifies eight professionals into the new KPMG Women’s PGA Championship next year. Ashley just missed qualifying, losing out in a playoff. -Kudos to Liz Cooper, PGA, from Mount Vernon CC, for being named the LPGA Professional of the Year for the Northeast Section. This award is presented annually to a female golf professional who is involved directly in the entire golf operation. -Congrats also to Meredith Loosse, PGA Head Professional at Glenmore Country Club, who received the LPGA Northeast Junior Golf Leadership Award for her outstanding accomplishments related to junior golf this previous year. Meredith was our 2013 MAPGA Youth Player Development Award winner. She has been actively involved in the promotion of junior golf and is a tremendous leader who inspires her fellow professionals. The LPGA T&CP National Awards Selection Committee will select the overall National award winner in each category from among the Section award winners. Congratulations again to Liz and Meredith on these fantastic accomplishments.
Running these events for talented junior golfers can’t help but get you excited for player development programs, for both youths and adults. Are you running fall programs? How about a fall series of PGA Junior League Golf? You can take advantage of the momentum of this growing program, similar to “Fall Ball” of little league baseball. This could be another great way to get kids (and parents) out to your facilities to spend time and money! Lastly, it is never too early to start (Cont. on page 4…)
MAPGA Staff (540) 720-7420 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jon Guhl, ext. 125 DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Stacey Smith, ext. 121 TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR Jeremy Greiner, PGA, ext. 124 PLAYER DEVELOPMENT Stephanie Jennings, PGA ext 116 JUNIOR GOLF DIRECTOR Bob Heintz, ext. 128 MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR Kelly Lawson, ext. 126 COMMUNICATIONS Eric Southard, ext 115
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The Middle Atlantic Professional
Section Direction cont.
GRIER
MAPGA Board of Directors OFFICERS President John Madden, PGA River Bend Golf & CC Vice President Matthew Schulze, PGA LPGA Kingsmill Championship Secretary J.P. Lunn, PGA Sabre Golf Honorary President John Malinowski, PGA Ocean Pines Golf & CC DIRECTORS Mark Beran, PGA Brice Busse, PGA Butch Butler, PGA Peter Gardner, PGA Lynne Hunter, PGA John Lyberger, PGA Jeff Maynor, PGA Sean Taylor, PGA Mike Thomas, PGA Josh Tremblay, PGA Andy Weissinger, PGA
COOPER
LOOSSE
WHAT’S NEXT? -As I indicated above, don’t let your MSR completion get away from you! Plan NOW to attend some of the great education offered this fall (CLICK HERE for the schedule). Section and Chapter meetings are also great opportunities for earning those PGA required hours. -Our second Section National Car Rental (NCR) Pro-Am Series event, a Pro-Scratch format, with $7500 added from NCR, and $5000 added from new local sponsor, McCrea Heating and Air Conditioning, is coming up on September 29 at Dominion Valley CC in Haymarket. Oakley will also be a supporting sponsor for $1500. Please make plans now to attend! To take advantage of the many benefits offered as well as helping our overall sponsorship efforts, please register for the Emerald Club now, even if you aren’t playing in the event. -We are pleased to have PGA of America Secretary Paul Levy joining us at our November 3rd Section Membership Meeting and Sponsor Fair. Paul will lead a “Town Hall Meeting” format where you will be able to hear comments and ask questions. Prior to the meeting, please come to personally thank our many sponsors at the Sponsor Fair. There will be door prizes! This is important time to make our sponsors feel welcome and that their investment is worth it. Following the meeting, please plan to stay for the Jim McLean teaching seminar. Clear your schedule now so you can join us on that day! Very respectfully, Jon Guhl Executive Director
Thank You to Our FRIENDS For the 2014 season, 37 facilities have joined as participants in the MAPGA’s FRIENDS program. Formerly the Partners program, FRIENDS stands for Facilities Recognizing the Importance of Education, Networking, and Development in the Section. Facilities may become participants in the FRIENDS Program by either hosting an official tournament or submitting a fee of $150. Each facility is listed on our dedicated FRIENDS webpage where we will also populate the courses’ club champions and presidents once they are known. CLICK HERE to view a list of our current FRIENDS. If you would like to become a member of FRIENDS, please contact Stephanie Jennings, PGA at the Section office – sjennings@pgahq.com; 540-720-7420 ext. 116
September 2014
The Middle Atlantic Professional
Eyes on Employment: PGA Employment Consultants
Don Sweeting is an Employment Consultant for the PGA of America.
The recent situation involving Dick’s Sporting Goods and job losses for a large number of PGA Professionals brought awareness 3. to the ongoing work done by our team of PGA Employment Consultants, who reach out to all PGA Professionals who become unemployed, regardless of the circumstances. While there are often no quick and easy solutions, part of our role is to provide assistance and counseling to PGA Professionals in need and to help 4. them develop an action plan to move forward with their careers.
He can be contacted at dsweeting@pgahq.com (704) 440-8025
EMPLOYMENT CHANGES
Simplify your life and submit your employment changes electronically through the PGA's ONLINE CHANGE FORM in PGALinks. Electronic submission is fast and helps you avoid any applicable fines by reporting changes within ten days of your new status.
This action plan can take many forms depending on the i n d i v i dua l ’s s i tua t i on an d objectives and typically may include some or all of the following items. Additionally, many of these same action steps can apply to any PGA Professional who is seeking a new employment opportunity or considering a new direction in their career.
1.
2.
Check PGA Jobfinder for available non-management job opportunities such as Assistant Professional, Teaching Professional, and other golf facility and golf industry positions. You can also upload your resume and 7. set up alerts for new jobs posted.
Utilize other employment resources and services such as management company websites, online golf industry job boards, general employment websites, etc. 8. 5. Update your resume. For tips and samples, go to the Job Hunter’s Tool Kit on the PGALinks Employment Center. Make sure to include all of 9. your recent business accomplishments for inclusion in your resume. As your PGA Employment Consultant, I am available to review your resume and provide 10. suggestions.
Review all the available employment resources and tools available to PGA Professionals on the PGALinks Employment Center. This can include CareerLinks and PGA Jobfinder, Job Hunter’s Tool 6. Kit, PGA Career Fitness Manual, resume and cover letter samples, and more. Update your CareerLinks Prof ile t o make sure CareerLinks is working for you and to maximize the number of job notifications you receive. CareerLinks is the PGA’s employment notification service for management level positions such as Head Professional, Director of Golf, Director of
Instruction, General Manager, etc.
Use this time to bolster your education by completing the PGA Certification Professional Program or look for other educational opportunities outside of the PGA, such as local college classes, online education, etc. Stay active in the PGA and the community – play golf, teach, work with junior golfers, serve on a committee, volunteer your time, etc. Review and consider pertinent factors such as your current financial situation, ability to relocate, short and long term objectives, likes and dislikes, etc. Finally, contact your PGA Employment Consultant for assistance with the items above and to help you get started on planning for the future.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can provide assistance with any PGA employment programs or services. Network with your references and golf industry contacts so they know your situation and what your plans and objectives are.
Don Sweeting is an Employment Consultant for the PGA of America. He can be contacted at (704) 440-8025 or by e-mail at
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The Middle Atlantic Professional
Player Development Discussion: Why do you need a plan to teach golf? You may have a general vision of your instruction business; key activities, revenue goals, a marketing strategy, and a mental picture of your business for the next 5, 10 or even 20 years. One of the benefits of planning is the likelihood for success, as many hurdles may be removed, or at least anticipated.
Mike Aldrich, PGA is the Player Development Regional Manager for D.C., MD, & VA. He can be contacted at (703) 728-9033 maldrich@pgahq.com.
“One of the benefits of planning is the likelihood for success, as many hurdles may be removed, or at least anticipated�
values and activities. Putting your plan in writing helps you focus your efforts. It will give you insight into activities that are integral put them ahead of those that are less important. A good business plan will also include methods to gauge your current status and provide benchmarks for measuring performance. While you develop your plan, use SWOT (Strength/Weakness/ Opportunity/T Threat) analysis to uncover previously unconsidered aspects of your business. You might uncover new potential students, teaching formats, or ways communicate your students impact on the health of the facility.
about your plans as your performance directly affects them. Secondly, share it with anyone who will support your efforts, especially peers and subordinates. Customers and prospects should also be privy to certain areas, for example your mission statement and the core activities which may interest them. Each of your customers should be aware of your passion for instruction and all of the instructional services that you offer.
Who else knows about your goals? What is a business plan? A business plan can be a vehicle to clearly communicate your plans to your employees, your management and your partners. Conversations with these parties are vital, but it may be difficult for them to recall details without a written version. A good business plan not only reveals the essential activities for your business’s success, but will also share your passion and values. How clear is your plan and the steps that it will take for success? Most business owners have a good idea of what their core
A business plan is a written overview of your entire enterprise. It should include in-depth analysis of your current business practices and provide insight to refocus future efforts. It concentrates on high-level planning for the key activities that have a major influence on the success of your business. There are many ways to build your business plan but it should become the roadmap for your business.
You use the snowy winter days to plan for your tournaments and merchandise; to have a financially successful and impactful instructional programming, start planning for the year today.
If you would like more information and guidance about developing a plan, contact Mike Aldrich, PGA Player Development Manager. Mike consults with With whom should you share your professionals to develop business plan? strategies that can increase the Most importantly, share your plan income and value of PGA with anyone to whom you report. Professionals. Your management and investors You can reach Mike at 703-728will be very interested to read 9033 or maldrich@pgahq.com
September 2014
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Sign up for the Hole-in-One Pool Player Development Cont. Player Development: The Planning Season is Approaching In the September issue of PGA Magazine, PGA Player Development National Manager Rich Richeson discusses a timeline for planning your player development programs. The timeline begins six months prior to the start of your next season and provides steps in one month increments. CLICK HERE to read the full article.
Register your facility today in PGALinks: Tee It Forward, Get Golf Ready, PGA Sports Academy Applications and Nominations Open for the 2014 Top 50 Kids Teacher Award. U.S. Kids Golf has opened applications and nominations for the 2014 Top 50 Kids Teacher Award. The U.S. Kids Golf Top 50 Kids Teacher Award has honored elite teaching professionals who have dedicated their careers to developing youth golf in their communities. The recipients are chosen based on their contributions to youth golf, such as: time devoted to teaching young golfers; innovation, creativity and fun in their programs; communication; parental involvement; and overall effort to grow the game. Award recipients include teachers who work at public, private, resort and municipal courses. PGA professionals may apply for the award by clicking HERE. The deadline to apply is October 17, 2014. Additionally, parents may submit a nomination for a golf instructor by clicking HERE. The nomination deadline is October 10, 2014. The Top 50 Kids Teachers of 2014 will be announced by Dec. 9 and award recipients will be recognized on the main stage during the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla. If you have any questions regarding the Top 50 Kids Teacher Awards, please contact Chris Richards of U.S. Kids Golf at crichards@uskidsgolf.com, 770-441-3077, ext. 642
PGA’s Program Manager supported by Active Networks is your one-stop marketing source for successful player development programs. SIGN UP TODAY!!
September 2014
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Central Chapter : Report from Central Chapter President Josh Tremblay, PGA Halfway through the term of our current Central Chapter Board, I feel we have had a successful year. The Social Committee has been a great addition to the Central Chapter to help promote camaraderie amongst our professionals. The Central Chapter Newsletter has also been a great medium from which to gain the perspective of our many talented teachers, players and administrators. The tournament committee continues to find new ways to bring new formats into the fold with our traditional events. We also have strived to make the Chapter meetings more efficient and more beneficial to those in attendance and I feel we have accomplished that thus far. In our coming year of activity, we will look to build on these successful endeavors and also cultivate new leaders from within our ranks that will become our future board members and committee chairs. If you are interested in getting involved, please reach out to me or my fellow officers, Mike Thomas and Lynne Hunter and we will be happy to discuss the time commitment and the benefits of being involved with a Chapter leadership position. All that, and we plan on winning our third straight Chapter Challenge at Kingsmill Resort on November 10th and 11th. Sincerely, Josh Tremblay, PGA (Central Chapter President)
Northern Chapter: Caves Valley Hosts Inaugural International Crown Event The Spanish team earned the title of best golfing nation in the world as they won the inaugural International Crown at Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Maryland on July 24-27. The global team match-play event is the first of its kind in women’s professional golf. The final field of eight countries was determined by the combined Rolex World Rankings of the top four players from each country. Spain finished with 15 total points as Sweden finished in second with 11 total points, followed by The Republic of Korea and Japan who tied for third with 10 points each. Spain will look to defend their title in the 2nd International Crown that is scheduled for July 2016.
Southern Chapter : Weissinger Gives H.O.P.E. to Wounded Soliders Andy Weissinger, PGA, Head Golf Professional at Fort Eustis, has introduced the game of golf to veterans through the Fort Eustis Warrior Transition Unit. The Fort Eustis Warrior Transition Unit is a special unit for wounded soldiers that either helps personnel adjust back into their unit or adjust back into civilian life. The idea is to help soldiers adjust by keeping them mentally and physically fit, despite their injuries. Weissinger, who has been holding programs to aid wounded warriors from the Hampton Roads area since 2004, has been able to help over 200 soldiers by using the PGA H.O.P.E (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) initiative at the golf course. To check out this tremendous story, please click HERE
CENTRAL NORTHERN SOUTHERN
MISSION: The mission of the Middle Atlantic PGA is to promote growth in the game of golf, to provide ongoing education and professional development for our members, and to actively improve employment opportunities for PGA Professionals across the region.
VISION:
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