The Middle Atlantic Professional
Newsletter Date: March 2015
The e-newsletter of the Middle Atlantic PGA Inside this issue: President’s Perspective: Recap from a Great HOF Banquet Section Direction: Getting Juniors Involved in Golf Eyes on Employment: Skills Employers Emphasize
Thank you to everyone who made the 2015 MAPGA Hall of Fame & Awards Banquet such a great event, especially MAPGA Director of Operations Stacey Smith. The weather is warming up and the golf season is upon us so be sure to get active and continue to grow the game
Player Development Discussion: Leveraging PGA Programming Chapter Chat
Important Dates: March 23– Central Chap Spring Meeting & Pro-Pro- Springfield CC March 25– Town Hall Meeting Talbot CC- (10am)
President’s Perspective: Recap from Hall of Fame Banquet
and This night was mostly about our 2015 Hall of Fame inductee Allen Wronowski. There is no one more As a Section deserving to enter the MAPGA March 30– Southern Chap Spring Officer, I have Hall of Fame than Allen. He Meeting & Pro-Pro -Cedar Point GC been able to defines service. His dedication to April 6— APA Kickoff Event attend many the PGA on a local, chapter, Spring Creek CC events that have section and national level is left a lasting second to none. Now he is taking April 13— Two Person Scramble impression on me. Last that same passion to serve the Sparrows Point CC Saturday, March 14th, the 2015 Folds of Honor Foundation. MAPGA Hall of Fame and Awards Congratulations Allen, your April 15– National Golf Day on Banquet will always be one of induction is well deserved. What a Capitol Hill in Washington DC the top ones in my book. We had great night for all. As always, the close to 240 people in staff did a great job putting on April 20– Senior-Pro Junior-Pro attendance, including our PGA of this event and I am so proud to Fawn Lake CC America National Officers, Derek be a MAPGA member. April 27– Northern Chap Meeting Sprague, Paul Levy and Suzy I know April is a busy month for Whaley. It is always an honor to & Pro-Pro– Musket Ridge GC all of us at our facilities. But I be part of this amazing night. As challenge each of you to spend at President, I get to be the Master May 4– Match Play Phase 1 least two hours a week on player of Ceremonies and present the River Bend Club development and growing the awards to the winners. I couldn’t game. This can be done at your have been any prouder of our May 11– Club Car Pro-President facility through simply giving a Section award winners and all Lakewood CC beginner a lesson, providing Get their accomplishments. March 26— Town Hall Meeting Columbia CC—(1pm)
Dear MAPGA Apprentices,
Members
Golf Ready clinics or junior golf programs. On a Section level, you can donate your time to help out at Paul Berry’s Neediest Kids clinics, a military clinic, volunteer at a Boys and Girls Club, be an instructor in golf in the schools program, work with the First Tee in your area or find a local business and start beginner golf classes for them. Please take time to grow this great game of golf! It’s as simple as that. You will make a difference as we continue to grow this great game. I am always available if you need to contact me at jmrbgcc@aol.com or 703-7592640. Sincerely, John Madden, PGA President of the MAPGA
The Middle Atlantic Professional—March Professional—November 2015 2014
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Section Direction: Ways to Get Juniors Involved in Golf As I am writing this, I am still on a high from our wonderful MAPGA Hall of Fame/Awards Banquet on Saturday, March 14. It was so compelling to hear our PGA members and honored amateurs thank their families and mentors for their success. As I have stated many times, PLEASE officially ask someone to be your PGA mentor, whether it’s your supervisor or otherwise. We can all benefit from these relationships, and it will only grow our success as an organization. I hope you will be able to host a Junior League Golf (JLG) team this year. We have seen continuous growth in this outstanding program, doubling our participation each year so far. In fact, the growth was so great that The PGA of America bought the program from our vendor. There is a new website to register as a team captain (CLICK HERE). If you would like a video to share with your email list or social media followers, USE THIS, it’s a wonderful explanation of how it works. The MAPGA will also be leading the way again with Drive, Chip & Putt. You will recall that this was a pilot program two years ago, with the MAPGA being one of the pilot Sections. Please watch GolfChannel on the first Sunday in April, as 80 kids (10 in each age group) will compete at Augusta National for their respective DCP titles. I think the TV coverage will really inspire children across the country to be the next to make it to Augusta. While we have 11 qualifiers in
CENTRAL
our Section for this now nationwide program (CLICK HERE for 2015 schedule), please be prepared to instruct these beginning/new golfers to not only compete in this event, but also convert them (and their parents) to become regular golfers! Your fellow members have had a lot of success with DCP clinics and lessons to prepare these junior golfers for the competition.
Professional of the Year John Lyberger, this year’s awards class was a tremendous group of accomplished professionals and amateurs. Congrats to all of the award winners!
Lastly, I am very excited about our new Player Development Grants that will now join our Junior Golf Grants as tangible ways our Section can help our members. Applications for the new PD grant are due May 1st (CLICK HERE for the grant information and application). Please click the link, and figure out how we can help WHAT’S NEXT? you grow the game and develop National Golf Day on Capitol Hill more rounds and revenue at your is Wednesday, April 15th (tax facility! day!) President John Madden, Past President Bob Dolan, staffers Bob Heintz, Liz Cooper and I will join the National PGA in presenting our case to Congressional members and staff with regards to the economic, environmental and human impact of golf. This is an annual event, and we hope to continue to make strides with our elected officials in their SHOUT OUTS viewpoint of our industry. -I can’t do this segment without congratulating one of my own Very respectfully, mentors, Allen Wronowski, PGA, a man who has done it all for Jon Guhl The PGA. Your induction is wellExecutive Director deserved. CLICK HERE to watch his HOF video. -We had quite the class of Award Winners this year as well. Led by
NORTHERN
SOUTHERN
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 JUNIOR GOLF DIRECTOR Bob Heintz, ext. 128 PLAYER DEVELOPMENT Liz Cooper, PGA ext. 116 MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR Kelly Lawson, ext. 126 COMMUNICATIONS Eric Southard, ext 101
The Middle Atlantic Professional—March Professional—November 2015 2014
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Wronowski & Award Winners Honored at Banquet The Middle Atlantic PGA’s 2015 Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet was held on Saturday, March 14, at The Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. Close to 240 people, including the PGA of America National Officers, Derek Sprague, Paul Levy, and Suzy Whaley, attended the black-tie event to honor the lifetime achievements of the Hall of Fame Class of 2015 inductee, Allen Wronowski, PGA of the Folds of Honor Foundation. From November 2010-12, Allen Wronowski served as the 37th President of The PGA of America, following two years of service each as PGA Vice President and PGA Secretary. Wronowski is currently serving as the PGA Honorary President. In 1999, the Middle Atlantic PGA named Wronowski its Section PGA Professional of the Year; and in 2002, he earned the MAPGA Bill Strausbaugh Award for his behind-the-scenes work on employment efforts for the members of the Section. Wronowski was also named the 1984 MAPGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year. Also recognized at the banquet were the Middle Atlantic PGA’s Award winners (PGA Professionals and amateurs from Maryland, DC, and Virginia) led by 2015 Professional of the Year John Lyberger, PGA from Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md. The other award honorees included: Teacher of the Year – Pat Coyner, PGA (Baltimore CC); Horton Smith Award – Don Frost, PGA (Clustered Spires GC); Bill Strausbaugh Award – Mark Beran, PGA (Woodholme CC); Youth Player Development – Adam Fishman, PGA (Montgomery County Golf); Player Development – Mike Kenny, PGA (Falls Road GC); Merchandisers of the Year – John Mlynarski, PGA (Resort, Harbourtowne); Billy Fritz, PGA (Public, Renditions GC); Bob Wampler, PGA (Private, Cattail Creek CC); Assistant Professional of the Year – Geoff Montross, PGA (International CC); David Wortman Citizen of the Year – Mike Lauler (Fort Belvoir Wounded Warrior Golf Program); Earle Hellen Sports Media Award – Tim Koelble (The Herald-Mail); and Salesperson of the Year – Jim Percherke (FootJoy). All the winners are recognized by their peers as being exceptional role models. Thank you to everyone who made this such a wonderful night and congratulations again to all the award winners on their outstanding achievements. Though not an official Section award, the Best Dressed honor of the evening went to Tournament Director Jeremy Greiner for his head-to-toe PGA Golf look that earned him the nickname “Oscar” by several attendees. We look forward to his 2016 attire already!
The Middle Atlantic Professional—March Professional—November 2015 2014
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Eyes on Employment: Skills Employers Emphasize Over
Don Sweeting is an Employment Consultant for the PGA of America. 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 at PGALinks. Electronic submission is fast and helps you avoid any applicable fines by reporting changes within ten days of your new status.
the past 15 years PGA of America Employment Services has assisted hundreds of employers. During that time we have compiled data on the skills most often specified by employers. It is instructive and interesting to compare what skills employers emphasize and value from their PGA Professionals over that time as well as how they may have changed in the last few years.
-The Business: While business skills down fees, they have learned it have always been important to may not be effective and can not employers, the current situation be relied upon for long term has necessitated a reordering financial health. Facilities have and a reemphasis of those skills learned to better manage when across all facility types. By and to whom they offer price definition, for profit facilities concessions. a l w a ys c l o s e l y m o ni t o re d revenues and expenses. Their existence depended on it. Now, - B u d g e t d e v e l o p m e n t a n d many not for profit private clubs management. have had to adopt a more bottom Formerly, at a minimum, it was line oriented attitude as well. important to be able to manage a budget. Now it is critical not only to develop and manage budgets, The data suggests that the top but to also be prepared to make competencies requested by creative corrective adjustments employers are: on a weekly and even daily basis. A term that is heard frequently is “managing to the bottom line’ which requires being personally accountable for the department’s performance.
While there can be many variables among employers and facilities – for profit and not for profit are the broadest categories - the differences have shrunk somewhat since the economic changes. One thing that is clear, regardless of the industry, managers are expected to do more with less. Employers are reviewing at their organizational chart with an eye towards -Staff management. consolidation of duties. PGA While the term staff management managers are being asked to step is general enough to encompass up. Customer service. a great many functions, it is Happy, satisfied customers have important to inventory some of There are three broad skill sets always been important, now them. Successful staff common to all facility types: The however, they are a financial and management begins with Game, the People and the Business: strategic necessity. Surveys show recruitment. Select the type who that the cost of retaining -The Game: PGA Professionals reflects positively on you and your customers is much less than continue to be the gold standard facility. From recruitment, the r e p l a c i n g t h e m . A n a l y s i s for teaching and playing the logical next step is training. We indicates that increasing the game. Employers at all facility have all heard about the frequency of play among existing types appreciate the credibility differences in working with the golfers is the most cost effective teaching and playing brings to Millenials and Generation X and Y marketing available. their facility and the added value and they are unique. Training is it provides their golfers. This the key and setting clear influence provides the basis for Marketing and promotion. expectations regarding service With the number of golfers merchandising, Rules of Golf and policies is essential. After remaining static, finding new, and all golf related issues. training, encourage your staff to creative ways to attract new make the right call in terms of -The People: PGA Professionals players and stimulate additional customer service for positive have traditionally prided activity among current members experiences. Increasingly, the themselves on their ability to is a characteristic that is of performance of PGA managers is relate to their golfers. This paramount importance. This being judged in large measure on relationship is more critical and mirrors what other hospitality their success in this area. more valuable than ever and businesses refer to as “yield perhaps is more prized now than management” or “tee sheet in the past by employers supervision.” In the past, for (Continued on page 5…..) some, marketing began and whether private of for profit. ended with discounting. While many still feel obligated to mark
The Middle Atlantic Professional—March Professional—November 2015 2014
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
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Eyes on Employment cont. Business management. A proclivity for thinking and operating in an organized manner. This includes such things as time management, organization, communication and prioritization. More than ever, it is indispensable to utilize technology from point of sale to the Web to social networks, electronic tee sheets and other emerging and productivity technologies. Finally, our experience point towards certain traits that successful managers possess: Personal responsibility and accountability Energy & Personality Creativity Passion Commitment Optimism And most important - Leadership
Don Sweeting is an Employment Consultant for the PGA of America. He can be contacted at (704) 440-8025 or by e-mail at dsweeting@pgahq.com
DIRECTORS Mark Beran, PGA Butch Butler, PGA Brian Dix, PGA Peter Gardner, PGA Lynne Hunter, PGA John Lyberger, PGA Jeff Maynor, PGA Josh Tremblay, PGA Andy Weissinger, PGA
Virginia 529 College Savings Plan Available Through the MAGPA The MAPGA is pleased to offer a special member benefit for you and your family. We have partnered with Allan Strange and the StrangeBaber Group at Janney Montgomery Scott LLC to give MAPGA Professionals a lower expense version of the Virginia 529 College Savings Plan with no sales charges. All MAPGA Professionals can take advantage of this tax-free growth of investments, regardless of residence (tax benefits will vary by state). The money you save in the plan can then be withdrawn tax-free to pay for your child's education expenses (tuition, room & board, and supplies like books and computers) at any school in the country where you could also apply for a student loan. The American Funds Virginia College Savings Plan is already the largest state college savings plan in the country and consistently ranks in the top 5 of state college savings plans by Morningstar. Through the MAPGA, you can take advantage of this plan with lower investment expenses. Prepare for your child's future today, and contact the Strange-Baber group at (804) 595-9360 to find out more.
Know Your MSR’s The current MSR cycle will come to a close on June 15, 2015. All PGA Members (except A-3, A-5, Retired, and Life Member) are required to satisfy the following MSR’s in order to remain in good standing with The PGA of America: 54 Total MSR’s 36 of 54 must be PGA Required MSR’s You may check your MSR status through the home page of PGALinks.com.
The Middle Atlantic Professional—March Professional—November 2015 2014
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Player Development Discussion: Leveraging PGA Programming At a recent presentation to the Carolinas Section, I showed the below picture of a very traditional golf club breaking with tradition. On the Sunday before the Masters, Augusta National opens its hallowed grounds to eighty junior golfers and allowed them to compete in the Finals of the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship. In fact, they putted on the eighteenth green to the traditional Sunday pin placement and bold white lines were prominently painted down the main fairway of the main practice range. How many of us think that this is one of the coolest things to happen in golf in a long time? I do.
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.
When I asked the Carolinas PGA Professionals if any of them had made any money, produced new golfers or collected another green fee because of the program, not one professional could identify any gains in these three key areas. The PGA of America has a very simple mission – “To serve the Member and to Grow the Game.” Does this apparently amazing initiative compatible with the mission statement? The answer is “It has potential.” Many of the initiatives at the PGA have the potential to increase your personal income, the health of your facility and your value to the community. With Drive, Chip & Putt, a series of clinics focused on preparing your kids for the local qualifier is not only low-hanging fruit, but virtually unharvested. Another possibility is to run a family version of Drive, Chip & Putt. Of course your winner may not end up at Augusta National Golf Club, but their main reward may be spending a fun half-hour with their family. During Master’s Week, there is going to be a lot of excitement surrounding both the tournament and Drive, Chip & Putt. And the possibility is there for you to tap into that excitement
PGA of America Acquires PGA Junior League Golf The PGA of America is excited about the acquisition of PGA Junior League Golf and the future it holds for PGA Members, Sections and the game of golf. Over the coming months, a new PGA Junior League Golf website will be unveiled that enhances existing functionality and adds new tools to empower Captains. Team registration for the 2015 Season is open now. All Captains need to register for the 2015 season starting on Tuesday, March 10th at PGAJrLeagueGolf.com. Background checks, paid for by the PGA of America in 2015, are seamlessly integrated into the registration process as a part of the PGA Youth Safety Program.
Your Captain's Clubhouse (facility page) and player registration will be live just two days after you register as a Captain for 2015. Detailed directions, next steps and FAQs will be distributed along with next week's announcement.
This updated registration process is just the first phase of these planned improvements. Thank you for your continued support of PGA Junior League Golf and hope that you join us for an exciting 2015 season!
The Middle Middle Atlantic Atlantic Professional—March Professional—November 2014 The 2015
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Central Chapter Update by President Josh Tremblay, PGA The Central Chapter Spring Meeting & Pro-Pro will be held on Monday, March 23rd at Springfield Golf & Country Club. I look forward to hosting all of our professionals that day to kick off the 2015 season. Make sure to be there to hear all about the rest of our tournament schedule and also we will have a great panel discussion to finish out the meeting. Our sponsors: Callaway Golf, Signature Golf and Golf Genius will also be speaking and you’ll get an opportunity to try the live scoring app through Golf Genius during the tournament! The Central Chapter Pro-Junior will be held at Brambleton Golf Course on June 22nd. First, for safety reasons we will not allow teams to pile an entire team into one cart. Teams must either walk, or they can take two carts with the professional driving one and either a parent or a junior (with a driver’s license) driving the other. Also, all participating professionals will be asked to bring in three items for the prize table and that way all of the juniors will walk away with a prize! The first Central Chapter Social event of the year will be Thursday, April 2nd at Caddies in Bethesda. This is a casual get together that will start at 6:30pm with no specific ending time. The Caps are taking on the Canadiens at 7:30pm so come enjoy some good conversation, as well as the food and drink specials. Contact Pete Labourdette at petelabourdette@yahoo.com with any questions.
Northern Chapter Update by President Mark Beran, PGA MSGA Handicap Service: Now that the season is starting don’t forget to promote to your members or frequent golfers to establish a handicap at your facility. Handicap fees are a large revenue generator for the MAPGA and the MSGA. Site Review Program: Erick Brock, PGA will be heading our Northern Chapter Program and will be promoting our new service available to our fellow professionals where pros can have their operation reviewed and evaluated by 3 or 4 individuals. The one-day process will enable the rater to review a golf operations checklist that will give you a “fresh-set of eyes” report of your facility. This type of tool is used at a variety of facilities to insure a great experience at their operation. Growing the Game Equipment If you are looking for props to help you in your clinics the MAPGA office has the following pieces of equipment that can be used for free. You are responsible for pick-up and return. Call to reserve the Golfzillza, Quikgolf, (other items…fill in with) APA – Assistant Professional Association All Head Professionals are asked to encourage your Assistant’s to get involved in their Association. There are plenty of tournaments and educational opportunities that will enhance their careers. Contact our Section Representative, Brian Dix, PGA bdix1008@gmail.com if you would like more information.
2015 Tournament Information 2015 MAPGA Tournament Schedule: The most recent MAPGA Section and Chapter schedules are available through the Tournament tab on MAPGA.com. We are excited for the season and the great venues we have the opportunity to play. If you have any questions, please contact Tournament Director Jeremy Greiner, PGA at 540-720-7420 ext 124 or jgreiner@pgahq.com or Tournament Intern Cassie Lowell at 540-720-7420 ext 115 or clowell@pgahq.com 2015 Official Tournament Request Form: If you are planning on holding an event at your facility that includes 10 or more MAPGA Professionals and any number of amateurs, or 17 or more MAPGA Professionals only (an Official Tournament), then you MUST complete the 2015 Official Tournament Request form. This also includes any event at your club that you are not "running," but involves MAPGA Professionals and amateur players (MISGA, a Charity event, etc.). For complete information and to view the 2015 Official Tournament Request Form, please CLICK HERE. You can also access this form on the MAPGA website in the "Tournament Forms" tab under the Tournaments section. If you have any questions, please contact Tournament Director Jeremy Greiner at 540-720-7420 ext 117 or at jgreiner@pgahq.com
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Southern Chapter Update by President Andy Weissinger, PGA Everywhere we look things are changing, nothing seems to be the way it was and it does not appear that too many things are going to continue as they are now. Change is here! If change is here and more is coming, then get involved and help steer the change in a direction that will be to your benefit. Just because things are and are going to be different does not mean they have to be bad. It will most likely be difficult and require a little creativity and hard work, but in the end you can come out ahead. As a leader who gets involved you can help positively influence change when it applies to your operation, your facility, your job, your community, your chapter, your section, your association and most of all your personal satisfaction and self worth. Your Southern Chapter Board of Directors is currently recruiting southern chapter members to get involved by serving on a committee. These committees help to steer change by carrying out objectives to reach the goals set before them in the areas of Club Relations, Communications, Education, Employment, Handicapping, Junior Golf, Player Development, Rules and Tournaments. Any member in good standing can help direct change in ways to benefit themselves, their jobs and their fellow southern chapter professionals. If you have a desire to get involved and help steer change in a positive directions please contact myself or one of our Southern Chapter Committee Chairpersons; after all change is coming and we all will be seen as either an asset or a liability. Please get involved and be a leader with a positive influence. CLUB RELATIONS COMMUNICATIONS EDUCATION EMPLOYMENT HANDICAP JUNIOR GOLF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT RULES STATE OPEN & SENIOR STATE OPEN
Peter Gardner, PGA Mike Gooden, PGA & Ryan Robertson, PGA Jeremy Franks, PGA & Dan Capozzi, PGA Peter Gardner, PGA Matthew Schulze, PGA & Paul Michaelian, PGA Meredith Loosse, PGA JT Symons, PGA & Eric Layton, PGA Tom Barry, PGA Matthew Schulze, PGA & Kenny Clark, PGA
TOURNAMENTS
Kelly Crovo, PGA
2015 APA Membership Registration Please CLICK HERE to register for 2015 APA Membership. The membership fee is $70.
APA membership is limited to A-6 or A-8 MAPGA members and all MAPGA apprentices in good standing. APA membership is required to play in any APA tournaments (except the Open events). Please contact the MAPGA Section Office (540-720-7420 x121) if you encounter any difficulties registering for membership or tournaments. The goals of the APA Association are to provide education opportunities (specific to assistants' career development), to build community involvement, and to create an environment that allows assistants to establish new relationships and enhance their professional development. The APA also organizes a tournament program for its members. The tournament schedule consists of approximately 10 events throughout the Section. Please contact Stacey Smith at the MAPGA Section Office (540-720-7420 x121) if you encounter any difficulties registering for membership or tournaments.
The Middle Atlantic Professional—March 2015
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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:
1 PGA Dr. Stafford, VA 22554 Phone: (540) 720-7420 Fax: (540) 720-7076 E-mail: midatl@pgahq.com
The Middle Atlantic PGA… a member-driven association providing leadership across the golf industry.
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