Met PGA FORECAST - 2022 First Quarter by Metropolitan PGA

FORECAST

together again!

PGA Professionals & Partners celebrate the start of the 2022 season!

HIGHLIGHTS 59TH EDUCATIONAL SUMMIT SPRING MEETING 2022 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE ASSITANTS CORNER FOUNDATION UPDATES

2022 First Quarter

Chris Chris Kenney, Kenney, PGA PGA The Patterson Club | A Letter From the President

What a great start to the 2022 Season! The first quarter of this year has provided many opportunities for Met PGA Professionals to enhance their skills as we saw the return of in-person meetings and gatherings. A robust Winter Education Series kicked off with a great presentation by Met PGA member and Champions Tour member, Rob Labritz, where Rob pulled back the curtain on his commitment to his game, his club, and being an instructor. This was the first of fifteen presentations that were put together by the Education Committee. The return of the PGA Merchandise Show provided an opportunity for PGA Professionals to reunite with friends and vendors. While attendance by both vendors and attendees was not at 2019 levels, there was a buzz in the air and the feeling that things are moving in a positive direction. Over the past few weeks, it was great to see so many of you at the Spring Education Summit, Assistant’s Meeting and Section Meeting. The energy was great, and I certainly hope an indication of the energy and passion that we all have for the season ahead. The Met PGA Team, Nominating Committee and Board of Directors were also very active during the first quarter planning for the year ahead. Their commitment is to you, the Met PGA Professional, and providing you with an opportunity to expand your knowledge, compete in some of the best tournaments in the country, and providing the programming to grow the game in our local communities. Many of these are not possible without the support of our Partners and Sponsors, so I ask that you please take a moment and thank them for their support, not only of the Section, but for you as a member of the Section. The Foundation Board has been extremely active developing programming and tournament programs for PGA HOPE, Met PGA Junior Tour, PGA Jr League, and Drive, Chip & Putt. The Met PGA Foundation and all these initiatives provides an opportunity for us to give back to our local communities and grow the game of golf. For anyone who has participated in these events, I believe that you share my feeling that the experience is uplifting. For those that have not had an opportunity to participate, I encourage you to consider, you will receive much more than you give. Two great opportunities that you will hear more about moving forward are Patriot Golf Day on Memorial Day weekend and the Met Section’s inaugural Birdie Bash fundraiser which will be held at Silvermine Golf Club in August. While the first quarter provides an opportunity for us to enhance our skills and build new relationships, the next two quarters are about putting those new skills to use in tournament play, enhancing the programming at our clubs and helping our students on the lesson tee. The excitement for the game of golf at our facilities remains at a high level and while our golfers will be heading back to the office a bit more than they have in the last twelve months, golf has become an important part of their lives. Let’s continue to be creative and think outside of the box as we engage the golfers at our facilities and grow their passion for the game we love. For us as Met PGA Professionals, this also is the start to our own tournament season. I encourage you to take advantage of the playing opportunities that have been organized by your Tournament Committee. These are not only great opportunities to test and develop your playing skills, but also to meet and spend time with your fellow Met PGA Professionals. The Lincoln Pro-Am series also provides a chance to spend time with golfers from your facilities and grow your relationship with them. While I know how busy our schedules are, I do hope that you have the opportunity to enjoy some of the events we have scheduled this year. As we look forward to an exciting season ahead, let’s remember that as members of the Met PGA we are a family. We are here to support one another, especially during difficult times, as well as help each other grow. While the growth in the game has created many new opportunities, the challenges in the labor market continue to test us. Together we need to be creative and help those currently in our industry continue to grow and make our profession attractive to those who have a passion for the game of golf. You can have a profound impact on someone’s life, just like someone did for you. I hope that you have a wonderful season and look forward to seeing you soon! If you should have a question or like to share your thoughts and ideas, please reach out to me at ckenney@thepattersonclub.com. Best Regards, Chris

CONTENTS 1 3 4-5 6 7

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT 18 2022 BOARD MSR CYCLE/PGA EDUCATION 19-20 2022 PARTNERS AND SPONSORS NEW HEAD PROFESSIONAL 21-24 APPOINTMENTS 25-26 8 WINTER EDUCATION SUMMARY 27 9-10 59TH EDUCATIONAL SUMMIT 29-34 11-12 MET PGA SPRING MEETING 13 MET JOB FAIR 14 MORELL STUDIOS MEMBER 36 MILESTONES 37 15-16 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE 17 PGA WINTER TOURNAMENT SERIES

LONG ISLAND & WESTCHESTER PRO ASSISTANT CHAMPIONSHIP PGA PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP MET PGA HAPPENINGS ASSISTANTS CORNER ASSISTANTS SCHEDULE FOUNDATION UPDATES FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES PLAYER DEVELOPMENT UPDATES JUNIOR TOUR UPDATES JUNIOR TOUR ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT www.met.pga.com || 1st Quarter 2022 ||

2022 MET PGA BOARD OFFICERS

CHRIS KENNEY

RICH JONES

THERON HARVEY

patterson

pine ridge

hudson national

President

Secretary

Treasurer

SHAUN POWERS CHRIS MARINARO 1st Vice President FAIRVIEW

2nd Vice President TRUMP NATIONAL

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ANDREW GRUSS greenwich

NICK MASSELI old oaks

JOHN GUYTON rockville links

JIM MCCANN SPOOK ROCK

JOHN HOBBINS

GREENSIDE GOLF ACADEMY

CORY MULLER cc of darien

TYLER LOWER

the bridge golf foundation

JAMES ONDO apawamis

Committees

MICHAEL SWEENEY

THE BRIDGE GOLF FOUNDATION

STUART WAACK silvermine

CARL ALEXANDER HONORARY PRESIDENT GC OF PURCHASE

Getting involved in a committee is an excellent way to learn more about the Section’s governance and discover ways to enrich the lives of your fellow PGA Professionals. If you are interested in joining a committee or finding out more information, please contact the appropriate committee chairperson by clicking here!

MSR CYCLE INFORMATION EFFECTIVE FOR CYCLE 16 - JUNE 16, 2018 - JUNE 15, 2022

PGA MEMBER SERVICE REQUIREMENT

EFFECTIVE FOR CYCLE 16 ‐ June 16, 2018 – June 15, 2022

1 2

Our MSR Portal is available on our website where you can review all RULES AND REGULATIONS brush for the Member Service Requirement, (MSR), defined by Board of about Directors: MSR’s, requirements, up on everything youasneed totheknow A Section require that all Section and Chapter activities be approved in advance. and may report MSR activity and player development credits.

Based on previously approved activities, established guidelines and Section recommendations, the National Office will approve the credits to be awarded for a certain activity. The Board of Control will determine the number of credits in all disputes and the Board of Directors reserves the right to make modifications to the requirements. 3 A participant may receive compensation for an activity. 4 Fifty‐four (54) Total credits are required for a three‐year cycle; of which at least 36 must come from Meeting/Education/Player Development/Professional Standards and Data. 5 Members who have attained a combination of years of membership and age which adds up to 90 or more before the start of the Professional Development Program Cycle (June 16, 2018), shall be required to earn 12 MSR credits from the Meeting/Education/Player Development/Professional Standards and Data category only (PGA Required). 6 Members in theREGULATIONS Unaffiliated Section will be FOR required MSR’S, to earn two thirds of the requirement. RULES AND AS (2/3) DEFINED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 7 Effective March 2020, BOD policy extended Cycle 16 to end June 15, 2022.

Click Here to Visit the Portal ACTIVITY

#1 (a): PGA MEETING and PGA APPROVED EDUCATION – applies to the PGA REQUIRED CATEGORY Attending career specific (professional development) education, including serving as a speaker/instructor. Any online education must have an assessment. Attending National/Section/Chapter Meetings, including Committee and Board meetings. Attending an Allied Association National Meeting or Education. Career Specific Education EXAMPLE: Attending any career specific education, whether conducted by the PGA or other entity. PGA must approve all online non‐PGA education in advance. (Personal development education is not considered career specific. Any education not conducted by the PGA should be pre‐qualified through the National Office). #1 (b): PGA PLAYER DEVELOPMENT – applies to the PGA REQUIRED CATEGORY Promoting, conducting and reporting PGA Player Development Programs in order to engage and create golfers. EXAMPLE – Reporting creation and activation of new golfers and completing online tutorials and training via PGA.org #1 (c) Professional Standards and Submitting National Surveys and Data – applies to PGA REQUIRED CATEGORY PGA Compensation Survey, PGA Annual Operations Survey, Career Planning Survey and Session. Education on topics such as youth safety, diversity and inclusion, addiction and health and well‐ being. (May be able to utilize components of the Member Assistance Program) Member conducted Player Development engagement programs which are reported through the Revenue Scorecard. 4 PGA Required MSR credits for the Revenue Scorecard may be submitted once per MSR cycle year by clicking www.pga.org/articles/revenue‐scorecard‐faqs REQUIRED 36 CREDITS IN A 3 YEAR CYCLE **MAY BE EARNED EXCLUSIVELY FROM ANY CATEGORY OR ANY COMBINATION OF 1 (a), 1 (b), or 1 (c)** #2 Service to the PGA/Industry – applies to the TOTAL CATEGORY Serving the Section, Chapter, National PGA or Allied Association. Participating in advancement of the game activities such as radio shows, TV shows, speeches, golf promotional non‐playing events, golf clinics and other volunteer activities, such as non‐playing tournament official. Section Surveys. Entered via Member online input #3: Golf Coach – applies to the TOTAL CATEGORY Serving as a golf coach or assistant golf coach of a high school/college golf team in a capacity not considered the Member’s primary employment. (See Rule #4 above) Entered via Member online input #4: PGA Tournament Participation – applies to the TOTAL CATEGORY Participation in Section sanctioned golf tournaments or tournaments conducted by the PGA of America National Office. #5: Merchandise Show Attendee – applies to the TOTAL CATEGORY Attending a National, Section or Allied Association Merchandise Show. #6: Media Related Articles – applies to the TOTAL CATEGORY PGA approved news, media, and magazine articles or published book. Entered via Member online input

Total MSR requirement per cycle = 54

CREDITS EARNED

1 credit per hour of attendance. (No maximums)

Credits based on the promotion, conducting and reporting of Player Development Programs. (Reference –PROCESS: APPLYING FOR PLAYER DEVELOPMENT CREDITS – below)

Two credits per required survey, per cycle year. Four credits per Revenue Scorecard once per MSR cycle year. Credits for other critical surveys will be determined as needed. Education credited one hour per hour of attendance.

1 credit per hour of participation with a maximum of 8 credits per day

Maximum of 6 credits per MSR cycle year 2 credits per Section event 4 credits per National event Maximum of 8 credits per MSR cycle year 2 credits per show Maximum of 4 credits per MSR cycle year 1 credit per article Maximum of 6 credits per MSR cycle year

www.met.pga.com || 1st Quarter 2022 ||

Meeting/Education/Player Development/Professional Standards = 36

“In completing the ADM learning model curriculum offered though PGA Coach, I gained a greater understanding of how and what to teach my junior golfers at different ages of their development. It reinforced my belief that children must participate in multiple sports and activities to develop the skills needed to advance in golf. It gives you a formula and validates this approach for the students but mostly for the parents so they buy into this learning model. I found the sample letter to parents very helpful. Once becoming certified, PGA Coach supplied many golf drills and activities specific to the age group you were working with to help advance the ADM learning model. As Golf Professionals, we may know many of the golf specific learning tools but the app really gives you a very different set of activities to compliment your golf instruction. As a PGA Junior Camp, site this really gave our camps a different more fun filled learning environment. In addition to offering a great learning environment coupled with specific activities you can implement into your current programs, the PGA Coach Supplies a steady stream of new customers as leads through the website. This summer I received over 45 new leads form PGA Coach, most of which become new customers. Much in the way implementing the ADM model improved our junior programs the materials presented on becoming a modern coach will transform your current adult teaching model. Looking at teaching and how you see yourself as well as your role in this process is addressed in the materials. I feel it will open up a new area of growth as teachers.” - Bob Posillico, PGA | Eisenhower Park Golf

PGA.Coach is the ultimate coaching resource that teaches PGA Professionals about ADM, and how to apply the concepts to coaching golf. ADM is essential for growing the sport and vital to you and your employer’s success. The PGA.Coach Certificate and PGA Coach app will allow PGA Professionals to evolve and adapt to the changes in the game and a new generation of players. Plus, PGA Members will be eligible to earn 3 MSR credits.

PGA.COACH

Lifelong Learning

ADM Model

Met Section Education

START TODAY AT PGA.COACH/START

2022 MET PGA PARTNERS & SPONSORS CORPORATE SPONSORS

AWARDS

ESSENTIALS

HARD GOODS

SOFT GOODS

TECHNOLOGY

GOLF CARTS

TRAVEL

Newly Appointed

We would like to announce and congratulate the following Met PGA members who have received new Head Professional and Director of Golf positions in our section:

Bill Bresnan

Birdies

Joe Condomitti

Bonnie Briar CC

John DiPilato

Connecticut GC

Reid Howey

Piping Rock Club

Paul Kenney

Rockrimmon CC

Louis de Kerillis

Southampton GC

Kevin Loftus

Indian Hills CC

Pat Massi

Griffith Harris GC

John Morrison

Lawrence Y&CC

Aaron Mueller

Nassau CC

Ryan Muzzonigro

Manhattan Woods GC

Jay Orsino

GC at Mansion Ridge

Jason Peterson

The Paramount Club

Sean Quinlivan

Shinnecock Hills

Dan Sposato

Colonial Springs CC

Eric Steindel

CC of Fairfield

E d u c at i o n Our Committee did an excellent job this winter providing a diverse and engaging line up of Winter Education offerings. With a focus on Zoom presentations, record attendance was captured. We were also able to conduct an in-person seminar at The Golf Performance Center showcasing Toptracer technology with Heath Wassem.

CORY MULLER

EDUCATION COMMITTEE CHAIR

The culmination of our efforts were on display at the Spring Education Summit presented by Foresight Sports including a full day of education and comradery with key note speakers James Lietz and Rick Sessinghaus. Continue reading to hear more on the day.

Our committee looks to the summer to focus on monthly teacher forums and a fall series dedicated to the hiring process and advancing our Professionals career paths. Toptracer Outing

Educational Series Recordings Met PGA Education Website www.met.pga.com || 1st Quarter 2022 ||

Educational Summi

Presented by

The 59th Spring Educational Summit, previously named the Educational Forum, was back in person this year at Westchester Country Club. The event was sponsored by Foresight Sports, a global leader in the development of golf performance, entertainment, and game enhancement solutions. The team at Foresight set up one of their popular Sim-In-A-Box launch monitors for our professionals to use and try out throughout the day. Tim Briand, Director of Business Development at Foresight, was on site showcasing Foresight technology and answering any questions from our Professionals. Tim was joined by Met Section PGA Professional, Kirk Oguri, on the Educational Summit stage to explain the benefits that Foresight technology can provide to clubs, members, and professionals through teaching, practicing and learning. The Summit featured well renowned PGA Professionals, James Leitz and Rick Sessinghaus, who allowed our section professionals the opportunity to expand their knowledge in the golf industry. Leitz has held the title of PGA Professional at Tchefuncta Country Club in Covington, LA since 2015 and he is the only honoree selected to both Golf Magazine’s Top 50 Teachers in America and Golf Digest’s Top 100 Club Fitters in America. Leitz has been the featured speaker at over 100 PGA Educational Conferences for Golf Professionals all over the world. www.met.pga.com || 1st Quarter 2022 ||

it Sessinghaus, a former professional golfer and current coach of two-time Major Champion victor, Colin Morikawa, joined us straight from his coaching responsibilites at the Masters. He is expert on the mindset principles that make-or-break performance on and off the course. His coaching has helped top junior, collegiate and professional golfers reach new levels of performance. Sessinghaus is an Instructional Editor for Golf Tips magazine and can be seen on Fox Sports Network as a mental game contributor. As a sought-after speaker and trainer to those companies looking to improve the key skills of motivation, focus, confidence and execution, Rick’s PERFORM system for mastering the mental game skills has been used in his unique business training format. Met PGA Education Committee Co-Chair, John Hobbins, was a big part in executing the success of the day. “It was an honor for me to be involved with the recent 59th Spring Educational Summit. We had a fantastic day of sharing and learning with James Leitz and Rick Sessinghaus. The opportunity to improve upon what we do for our members and clients is created as we educate ourselves. To see the faces of our professionals once again in person, interacting and learning was the goal of the Educational Committee. This day was a perfect way to begin our 2022 season as we look forward to a successful year for all of our professionals.” www.met.pga.com Year End 2021 || 8 From left to right: Rick Sessinghaus, James Leitz, Chris|| Kenney, Tim Briand

SPRING MEETING After two straight years of conducting the Met PGA Spring Meeting virtually due to the ever-changing nature of the pandemic, we were excited to be able to get our PGA Professionals and Partners and Sponsors together again in-person for the start of the season. Brae Burn Country Club graciously hosted this year’s Met PGA Spring Meeting. Brae Burn has historically been an incredible supporter of the local golf community, and the Met PGA is no exception. From championship tournaments to association meetings, Brae Burn has consistently opened its doors. Most recently the club helped Met PGA members get Back2Golf in 2020 and 2021, when there were few other opportunities to compete. The management team of PGA Head Professional Nick Yaun, General Manager Danielle Humphreys, and Golf Course Superintendent Blake Halderman are industry leaders and gracious hosts of our association. In addition to conducting association business, including plans and goals for the upcoming season, the Spring Meeting is an opportunity for members of the Metropolitan Section to interact with representatives from our Partner companies, whose support fuels our activities and operations. At the conclusion of the membership meeting, our Partner companies were introduced, and those representatives enjoyed a luncheon among Section members where partner engagement continued. Met PGA Executive Director, Jeff Voorheis said, “The Spring Meeting is an annual kickoff to the golf season. Having been unable to gather for the past two years, this year’s meeting had extra special meaning with an overwhelming response from members who www.met.pga.com || 1st Quarter 2022 ||

G have been deprived of the opportunity to discuss business and enjoy time on the golf course with our Partners.” The meeting was conducted throughout the morning and afternoon, directly followed by lunch where over 40 of our Partners & Sponsors were introduced and welcomed including: Adidas Golf, AHEAD, ARGOLF, Beam Suntory, Bushnell, Callaway Golf, Cleveland/Srixon/XXIO, Cobra/Puma Golf, Connecticut Business Systems, Cutter & Buck, Doc Murphy, Donald Ross, Evolve Golf, Fireside Outdoor, Footjoy, Foresight Sports, Golf Max, GOLFFOREVER, Heritage Creations, Imperial, Jack Jolly & Son, JBA Awards, Kirk&Matz, Maui Jim, Middleton Golf Group, Mizuno Golf, Next Round, Paul McManus, PING, Precise Yardage Books, Prize Possessions, Signature Golf, Signs By the Sea, Straight Down, Summit Golf Brands, Tag Marshal, TaylorMade, Therabody, Titleist, Tom Viola, Toptracer, Traveling the Fairways, Turtleson, and Winston Collection An afternoon cocktail party wrapped up the highly anticipated day and kicked off the beginning of the 2022 season.

MET JOB FAIR Golf is a $90 billion industry offering a plethora of opportunities that reach everyone’s skill sets. To showcase these opportunities and to assist with the difficulty in recruiting employees, the Metropolitan PGA, the Metropolitan Superintendents Association and the Metropolitan Club Managers Association welcomed job seekers to the inaugural Met Job Fair at Brae Burn Country Club on April 13th. Club Managers, Superintendents and Head Professionals from around the Met Area set up booths to discuss their needs and available opportunities at their facilities.

MEMBER MILESTONES Morell Studios is committed to creating the highest quality award and recognition products for the golf industry and corporations. The company has enjoyed over 40 years of experience providing best-in-class custom awards, shadow boxes, recognition panels, and Hole-In-One awards. Their creations are museum quality and feature rich textures to compliment both traditional and contemporary decor.

Quarter Century Milestone Steve Haggerty, PGA Forrest Hamlin, PGA Steven Lee, PGA Shelby Lowman, PGA Gene Mulak, PGA

Joseph Munzer, PGA Nathan Oberhofer, PGA Victor Romano, PGA Kent Thomas, PGA Joann Walker, PGA

Half Century Milestone Thomas Nigro, PGA

New Members Kevin Boldrighini, PGA Cian Curley, PGA Austin DelBaggio, PGA Rich Dorso, PGA Kulen Flanigan, PGA Patrick Gilbride, PGA

Trevor King, PGA Matthew Kraus, PGA Joseph Salowitz, PGA Patrick Schwarze, PGA Dan Szabo, PGA James Tovar, PGA

NEW MEMBER

Q UA RT E R C E N T U RY

H A L F C E N T U RY

www.met.pga.com || 1st Quarter 2022 ||

2022 Tournament Sche Long Island PGA ChampionshiP

Westchester PGA Championship

may 9 -12

Mill River Club

Summit Club at Armonk

INFO PAGE

Met PGA Pro President Metropolis CC

may 19

SENIOR JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP Centennial GC

May 24

edule Met PGA Women’s Championship

POLO Head Pro Championship

May 31 - June 1

Greenwich CC

Met Professional Championship huntington Cresent Club Bethpage Red

June 20 - 22 REGISTER Lenox Advisors/NFP

New York State Open Bethpage Black

Lincoln Women’s Met Open Championship Country Club of Darien

July 12 - 14

July 18 - 19

Newman Wins PGA Stroke Play Championship By Craig Dolch Dylan Newman of Brae Burn Country Club parred the first playoff hole Tuesday to win the PGA Stroke Play Championship at PGA Golf Club. Newman parred the 18th hole on the Wanamaker Course to beat Tyler Collet of Vero Beach, Florida. Both players had finished at 18-under 197 and spent the final round dueling each other. Newman, who won three PGA Tournament Event Series events in the last three years, captured his first PGA Winter Championship title in the final event for the men. “It was a stressful day, I’m not going to lie,” said Newman, a PGA Assistant Professional at Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase, New York. “Once I saw I was going against Tyler, I knew it was going to be a tough day. It was basically match play, but I tried not to look at it that way because I wanted to focus on my game.” Newman and Collet separated themselves from the field by shooting 63 and 62, respectively in the second round. Newman held a one-shot lead over Collet entering Tuesday, with only one other player (Justin Smith) within six shots of them. Collet birdied three of his first five holes to take a one-shot lead over Newman at the turn. It could have been more. Newman got a bad break when his drive at the par-4 ninth hole hit a cart path and went into the water. His third shot landed in the rough, but he holed a 20-yard chip to somehow save par. “I was really mad after the drive, and was just hoping to save bogey,” Newman said. “Then I made the chip and birdied the next two holes to take the lead. That chip was definitely the key moment in the round.” Both players birdied the 13th and Collet birdied the 15th to share the lead. They each parred the last three holes to force the playoff. Ben Kern of Georgetown, Texas, who teamed with Bob Sowards of Dublin, Ohio, to win the last two PGA Winter Championship events, was third at 12-under 203 after a 67. Steven Delmar (70-206) of Gaithersburg, Maryland, and Brett Walker of Jupiter tied for fourth place. Sowards, who had won three consecutive PGA Winter Championship events, was 17th after a closing 75. The PGA Winter Championships, run by the PGA of America, are Presented by GolfPass and On Location. 13 || Year End 2021 || www.met.pga.com www.met.pga.com || 1st Quarter 2022 || 17

2022 Season Tees Off! Long Island and Westchester Pro Assistant The 2022 tournament season kicked off with the playing of the Long Island and Westchester Pro Assistant Championship! Tournament sponsor TaylorMade conducted a giveaway of their new Stealth driver, allowing our professionals to test it out at each location! Evolve Golf joined the day, showcasing their newest products on the course. Connecticut Golf Club Head Professional, John DiPilato, and his Assistant, James McIntosh, finished -6 on the day to top the Westchester leaderboard at Knollwood CC. Rockaway Hunting Club Head Professional, Ryan George, and his Assistant, Tristin Goodwin, went -8 on the day to finish first on Long Island at Nissequogue CC.

Westchester Winners : James McIntosh and John DiPilato

Long Island Winners : Ryan George and Tristin Goodwin

4 Met Section Professionals To Compete in 2022 PGA Championship! 312 of the PGA’s best players came to Austin, Texas to compete for not only the Walter Hagen Trophy, but for a coveted spot in the #Teamof20 in the 2022 PGA Championship. 17 Met Section Professionals were among the field that included: Kyle Baehler of Rye GC, Peter Ballo of Connecticut GC, Alex Beach of Westchester CC, Paul Dickinson of Atlantic GC, Matt Dobyns of Meadow Brook Club, Jesse Fitzgerald of Garden City GC, Scott Ford of Glen Oaks Club, Dave Fusco of Patriot Hills GC, Mike Gilmore of Winged Foot GC, Eric Hartstein of CC of Darien, Peter Kampmann of Manhattan Woods GC, Darrell Kestner of Deepdale GC, Dylan Newman of Brae Burn CC, Casey Pyne of The Stanwich Club, Sean Quinlivan of Shinnecock Hills GC, Adam Rainaud of CC of New Canaan and Mike Sweeney of The Bridge Golf Foundation.

The PGA Professional Championship was conducted over four days at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa’s Foothills and Coore Crenshaw Courses. Casey Pyne and Dylan Newman, vying for their first PGA Championship appearance, remained consistent throughout the tournament with Pyne carding a bogey free opening round 65. With no signs of letting up, Newman and Pyne managed to hold on to their top fifteen status, both finishing T11 to seal their spot in the #Teamof20.

Alex Beach and Paul Dickinson entered the final round with work to do, both needing to go low to earn a spot into the PGA Championship. The remaining spots could not be determined in 144 holes. With three spots remaining, Beach and Dickinson met in a 4-man playoff. Beach, a past winner of the PGA Professional Championship, holed a birdie chip on the first playoff hole, qualifying for his fifth PGA Championship. Dickinson made a clutch par to join Beach, Newman and Pyne on golf’s biggest stage for the first time in his career. Beach, Dickinson, Newman, and Pyne will join 16 other PGA Professionals in Tulsa, Oklahoma in May for the playing of the 2022 PGA Championship.

Casey Pyne hits his shot from the 2nd Tee during the third round

Dylan Newman reads his putt on during the third round

Paul Dickinson hits his shot from the 4th Tee during the Final Round

www.met.pga.com || 1st Quarter 2022 ||

HAPPENINGS IN THE SECTION

Individuals in the Section making an impact on local and national levels.

Around the champions Tour

Rob Labritz has been making his name known on the PGA Tour Champions. Labritz competed in his first Tour event back in February at the Chubb Classic at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, FL where he finished T26. The feat continued the following week at the Cologuard Classic where the GlenArbor Director of Golf finished T33. Each week has found the GlenArbor Director of Golf earning higher and higher spots on the leaderboard, going 2-under par at the Hoag Classic in Newport Beach, CA to finish T21 and then getting his first top five finish with a final round 10-under par at the Rapiscan Systems Classic in Biloxi, MS. Labritz was joined by fellow Met PGA member, Jim Farrell, at the most recent Tour event, the ClubCorp Classic in Irving Texas. Farrell, a ClubCorp Head Professional at Hamlet Golf and Country Club in Commack, NY earned a sponsors exemption into the event. Labritz will continue to compete throughout the year in hopes of keeping his status on Tour. Click Here to view his upcoming schedule.

Hamlet G&CC Head Pro, Jim Farrell

Golf’s Biggest Stage with Cameron Young From the Met PGA Junior Tour to the PGA Tour, Cameron Young’s journey to golf’s biggest stage is a fun one to follow. Young grew up playing golf on the Met PGA Junior Tour from age 10 to age 15. The Scarborough, NY native quickly made his name known on the local level, winning several Met PGA events as well as MGA events before going off to play Division I golf at Wake Forest University. His many accolades continued through his college career, both during the school season, as well as the summer tournament season. Some of his most famous amateur Young named to America’s Junior Ryder Cup Team

highlights include: becoming the first Demon Deacon to win multiple tournaments as a freshman during the fall season since Gary Hallberg in 1977, finishing his college career with five total wins tying him for fourth most in program history, an All-Atlantic Coast conference selection three times and a Ping All-East Region selection those same Cameron Young with Father and Sleepy Hollow Head Professional, David Young and years, the 2013 AJGA POLO Mother and LPGA Professional, Barbara Jones at the 2017 New York State Open Golf Junior Classic champion at PGA National, a member of the U.S. Junior Ryder Cup and Junior World teams in 2014, made it to the second round of the 2015 U.S. Amateur, losing to Spain’s Jon Rahm, and became the first amateur to win the New York State Open in 2017 at Bethpage Black. The 2020 - 2021 season proved to be a breakout year for Young. He began that season without Korn Ferry Tour status but earned a Special Temporary Membership with an incredible run of four consecutive top 15 finishes in August of 2020. He Monday qualified for the 2020 Pinnacle Bank Championship where he finished T11, earning enough points for a spot in the WinCo Foods Portland Open where he finished T14. He secured Special Temporary Membership with a T6 finish at the Albertsons Boise Open, followed by a T2 finish at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship. It was his back-toback victories at the AdventHealth Championship and the Evans Scholar Invitational that earned him his first PGA TOUR card. Young competes at Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club

Young’s playing accomplishments showed no signs of slowing down on the PGA TOUR. Playing in just his fifth PGA TOUR event at the Sanderson Farms Championship, Young made it to the weekend for the first time, earning his first runner-up finish with four round of 60s, making 27 birdies, the most in the field. His second runner-up finish came recently at the Genesis Invitational, finishing 17-under par for the tournament. With his incredible play, Young earned a playing spot at the 2022 Masters and is currently ranked 43rd in the world and 18th on the FedEx cup leaderboard. What else can Cameron Young accomplish this season? His grit and determination to succeed at the highest level has us believing that he is just getting started. www.met.pga.com || 1st Quarter 2022 ||

Game Changers

PGA Professional Scott Ford’s Family Tree Was Planted on a Golf Course By Keith Stewart, PGA

PGA Professional Scott Ford’s Great Grandfather was a PGA Professional. When you start to think about that from a time perspective, you wonder if he was there in New York City at the Taplow Club having lunch with Rodman Wanamaker. Scott’s grandfather was Doug Ford, the winner of the 1955 PGA Championship. Doug was one of 9 PGA Championship winners who was the son of a PGA Professional. Doug Ford’s legacy in golf has placed him in the World Golf Hall of Fame. The PGA Champion and 1957 Masters Champion played on 4 winning US Ryder Cup teams as an ambassador for the PGA of America in the biannual matches. Doug Ford competed in 27 PGA Championships from 1955 to 1981. Yes, he won his first start in the PGA. Not only did he win it, but he’s one of only four players to be the qualifying medalist and eventual winner. The other names on that short list include Walter Hagan and Byron Nelson! Of course, the PGA Championship in those days consisted of stroke play qualifying followed by match play to determine a winner. The 2022 PGA Championship hosted by Southern Hills Country Club employs a 72-hole stroke play format. We know Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa and many of the www.met.pga.com || 1st Quarter 2022 || 23

names who will compete there, but there’s always those special 20 whose names we don’t know quite yet. The PGA of America Professional Championship (PPC) takes place this upcoming week in Austin, Texas at the Omni Barton Creek resort. The 72-hole high stakes PGA Professional Championship not only awards the 1st Place finisher, but almost equally important are the other 19 players who will join the champion at Southern Hills for the PGA Championship as part of the #Teamof20. One PGA Professional who has the genealogy to grab a spot on that Team of 20 is Scott Ford. Scott is a PGA Assistant Professional at the Glen Oaks Club in Old Westbury, New York. The 2021 Metropolitan Senior Match Play winner has been to the PPC before in 2011. This is his first trip back and he’s poised to make a run. The varied landscape of Barton Creek can be easily noticed in the namesake of the two courses the 312 PGA Professionals will play: Tom Fazio’s Foothills and the Coore Crenshaw Cliffside. Reminiscent of the texture many courses have in the northeast, Ford was the Met PGA Section Champion in 2010 prior to his last appearance in our national championship. Since his days in Rollins College and his time on the PGA Tour Scott has used his special family mentor to assist him in achieving so many wonderful playing accolades. Growing up with grandfather who won 2 major championships and 17 PGA Tour titles is very helpful. Win the annual family tournament and you’re bound to be brimming with some serious confidence. Ford did play well in his first PPC back in 2011. He made the cut, and his second round 68 gave him a 36-hole total of 141 and in contention for the coveted top 20 finish. Although he didn’t earn that ticket, he remembers the moment and will be better prepared for this year’s attempt to qualify. Ford looks back with no regrets. Golf’s been good to him since and has been for a long time. Which reminds him of a story his grandfather once told him. Doug Ford received a contract offer from the New York Yankees. As his grandfather was trying to decide which path to take, his dad asked him a question. Scott’s PGA Great Grandfather said, “How long will that baseball career last?” Doug said maybe 10 years. His father replied, “Stick to golf, you’ll last forever.” Well forever is a long time, but there’s little doubt in the Ford family that success in golf can last more than one lifetime.

Assistants corn

2022 Golf Season is Underway!

Firstly, I would like to give thanks to John Schmoll for his service to this association and the countless things he has helped me with along the way. He served as President flawlessly and has set the bar high for all of us that come after him. It’s early in the season but so much has already happened. At the Assistant’s Spring Meeting we elected two new board members to join Mike Ballo, Carly Peters and myself. Six Tyler Lower candidates ran for two spots: 1st and 2nd Vice President. After President the smoke cleared, Dan Hemme from The Patterson Club was elected 1st Vice President and Chris Gabriele of Sleepy Hollow Country Club was elected 2nd Vice President. I am excited to collaborate with this group of qualified professionals. Chris Marinaro was in attendance to help us facilitate the election and will continue to serve as our Assistant’s Liaison in 2022. Chris is a great resource for all assistants and I encourage you to always utilize the endless resources the Met PGA has to offer. Over the slow season, Secretary Mike Ballo was hard at work locking down sites for the Assistant’s Tour. We have a great schedule with Saint Andrew’s as a mainstay including some new sites like North Shore CC and Timber Point GC. As I’m sure you all know from the action at your own facility, most clubs are at full capacity. We did a great job with the current landscape and I am excited to say that we are continuing to fill spots on the schedule. Stay tuned and be patient as we work diligently to create great playing opportunities. We are happy to announce Chris Chao will be taking over the duties that Kevin Rodine executed. Chris is also going through his PGA Certification and could be helpful to those assistants that are going through it as well. Chris will be present at all of our events and is always willing to lend a hand. We are rolling out a new initiative: “TOWN HALL” Meetings. These are going to be held monthly over Zoom to allow us as a group of Assistant Professionals a chance to share ideas and figure out the best way to do things. I encourage everyone to attend these meetings, they will be short (40 - 55min) and we will make sure the topics are relevant and concise. The idea here is for all of our section Assistants to bring ideas to the table in a comfortable engaging setting. Please reach out to me and give me topics you would like to discuss at our next meeting! www.met.pga.com || 1st Quarter 2022 ||

The Met PGA has a lot of Assistant Professionals (for those that don’t know, Ben Hogan was an Assistant Golf Professional here in the Metropolitan Section). We are the future of the section, the industry, and this great game of golf. Together we can do what some of the all time greats in the game did before us: lead by example, and continue to learn from another to become great stewards of the game. See you all soon. Tyler J Lower, PGA

Carly Peters

Mike Ballo

Treasurer

Secretary

WELCOME TO THE BOARD

Dan Hemme

1st Vice President

Chris Gabriele

2nd Vice President

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‘22 S C H E D U L E

May 2nd | Timber Point GC Winner:

Phil Cardwell

Rockville Links Club Score: 67

LEADERBOARD

May 16th | Saint Andrew’s GC

FOUNDATION We look forward to having our Professionals engage in Foundation initiatives throughout the 2022 season and encourage all of you to become the ultimate source of information for your students and members about the programs that your Foundation offers. The Met PGA Foundation is your Foundation and it serves as a mouthpiece to indirectly educate others about the impact you are having in your community as a PGA Professional. To utilize this invaluable marketing asset, you need to make an important decision this year – get involved.

Junior Golf Roadmap The Met PGA Foundation provides programming for junior golfers ages 10-18 and our programs should be used as an extension of your youth programs at your facility. We have developed our Junior Golf Roadmap to help you further educate your students about our various pathways and it is shown below. No matter where your student is in their player development we have on ramps to the level of program you feel they are ready for. These programs start with Drive, Chip, and Putt and advance all the way to assisting juniors with college aspirations. We have these roadmaps pamphlets available to you so that you can keep them on your desk. If you are interested in the pamphlets please email Shannon Gilbert at sgilbert@pgahq.com.

www.met.pga.com || 1st Quarter 2022 ||

The PGA of America acquired Nextgengolf, to enhance player development programming that is designed to grow the game across emerging generations. Nextgengolf provides educational tools and tournament opportunities for all levels of golfers as they look towards playing in college. These programs include opportunities for high school golfers, club golf options for college students, and options for continuing to play beyond college. PGA Professionals should utilize their website at www.nextgengolf.org when helping students decide on a path towards college.

Met PGA Rules Videos Last season, our Assistants Association created a library of rules videos for our junior members and for use by other PGA Professionals in the education of their junior players. These videos are available for your use on the Met PGA YouTube channel.

Click Here for Rules Videos

Foundation Fundraising Met PGA Birdie Bash Met PGA Birdie Bash is a one-day fundraising event on August 1st at Silvermine GC where Metropolitan Section PGA Professionals will play 72 holes of golf in one day with the goal of making as many birdies as possible. Through each professional’s network, solicited donors make a financial pledge per birdie to help raise funds to benefit the Metropolitan Section PGA Foundation, and PlayYellow for Children’s Hospitals including Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in Westchester and Cohens Children’s Hospital on Long Island. Professionals can play as a single or register as team of two who would play in a scramble. Our goal in year one is to raise $250,000 and funds will be split 50/50 between the Metropolitan Section PGA Foundation, and PlayYellow for Children’s Hospitals but we can’t do it without your participation!

Website Coming Soon!

www.met.pga.com || 1st Quarter 2022 ||

GOLF’S MOST HEROIC ROUND

ANSWER YOUR CALL OF DUTY Folds of Honor and PGA HOPE are coming together this Memorial Day Weekend creating the most unified way for PGA Sections and Professionals across the country to honor Veterans and Military families, AND WE NEED YOU! Our ask is simple. Register your facility at PATRIOTGOLFDAYS.COM, and we will arm you with the tools to execute the mission with very little friction. Through the print and digital tools that we will provide, your members/customers can engage over the 4 days in multiple ways. From rounding up at the register, or making a direct donation, everyone can make an impact: even those in your community who cannot play that weekend can donate online to further the cause. There is no need to host a tournament or close your course to members or the public. Just send a simple email to your membership/customer base letting them know that you are celebrating Patriot Golf Days this Memorial Day Weekend and raising money that will empower the lives of Veterans and military families. Register now and answer your call of duty.

MAKE AN IMPACT IN YOUR COMMUNITY All money raised will be split 50/50 between PGA HOPE and Folds of Honor and will stay in the community and PGA Section where it was donated. This ensures that your efforts will have a direct impact in your community.

www.met.pga.com || 1st Quarter 2022 ||

Welcoming PGA WORKS Fellow, Shannon Gilbert Who is Shannon Gilbert? I grew up in Easton, Ct. I went to Endicott College in Beverly, MA where majored in sport management with a minor in business and a coaching concentration. When I was in high school, I played field hockey, basketball, and golf then continued my basketball career in college.

What got you interested in the PGA Works Fellowship Program? I have always been passionate about sports and then eventually, was introduced to the game of golf by my parents and it has been a major part of my life ever since. I got interested in the PGA Works Fellowship Program because pursuing a career in golf is something I’ve wanted to explore more. Golf is a sport that brings people together and love being able to share it with friends and family. The PGA Works Fellowship program gives me the experience of bringing the game of golf to others as well.

What are you most looking forward to working in the Met Section as a fellow? I am looking forward to learning more about the golf industry and building more connections. I am excited for the opportunity to learn more about the business side of golf and seeing the inner workings of bringing golf to the community. One of the things I am really looking forward to is helping to bring the game of golf to juniors, veterans, and trying to include the community. What are some things you would like to learn during your time here? I’m excited to learn more about the behind the scenes that goes into the golf industry. More specifically, I’m excited to learn about tournament management and set up as well as community outreach. The Metropolitan section does so much great work and I’m excited to learn what goes into the different programs that are offered. I’m also excited to gain more experience with on-site event work. Who would be your dream foursome? Jordan Spieth, Breanna Stewart, Julian Edelman What is your favorite hobby? One of my favorite hobbies is playing basketball especially now that I am not longer playing competitively. A close second would be enjoying a good book.

PGA Jr. League Player Registration is open! 2022 offers some exciting new experiences for both our PGA Jr. League Coaches and PGA Jr. League players. Now is the time to start planning and registering your team! Check out the brand-new, custombuilt website platform by clicking here and register today!

www.met.pga.com || 1st Quarter 2022 ||

PGA HOPE classes are back this spring and we need your help! Please sign up to teach below at one of our three sites this spring. Professionals can sign up for one or more of the dates at any of the sites. Thank you in advance for your support of our veterans!

Bronx PGA HOPE - Mosholu GC

Tuesdays: May 17th, May 24th, May 31st, June 7th, June 14th 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Hudson Valley PGA HOPE - Spook Rock GC

Wednesdays: May 18th, May 25th, June 8th, June 15th June 29th 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Long Island PGA HOPE - Sunken Meadow GC

Tuesdays: May 17th, May 24th, June 7th, June 14th, June 28th 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Registration is now OPEN for 2023 DCP Local Qualifiers! There will be six local qualifiers in total, culminating in a Sub-Regional qualifier in August. Check out the schedule below and sign up for a local qualifier today.

It is our honor and pleasure to welcome you to the 2022 Met PGA Junior Tour season. We will do our very best to go above and beyond to make sure we give each and every one of our juniors the best experience possible. Growing the game is at the forefront of our mission at the Metropolitan Section PGA Foundation. Whether you are just getting your feet wet with competitive golf, or are competing at the highest levels nationally with aspirations of playing in college or maybe even one day on the PGA or LPGA Tour, we pride ourselves in having all levels of competition for players of all abilities. No matter where you are in your junior golf journey, the Met PGA Junior Tour is there to support and springboard you to the next level. Please be sure to take a few minutes to look through our website www.metpgajuniorgolf.com to review our policies and procedures as well as many exciting opportunities. We would like to thank you for your support of our program and promise our commitment to offer you the opportunities you need to support your golf journey. We look forward to witnessing your success throughout the season!

Membership Membership for the 2022 Junior Tour season is now open! The cost of membership for anyone who registers is $150 If you have not done so already, Click Here to Register or Renew your Membership! For more information about the different membership levels and tournament options offered by the Junior Tour Click Here!

Tournaments The fields for our spring Future Series events are now full! Waiting list spots are available. Click Here to view the spring schedule and to register for the waiting list (if you have not done so already), or you may register through your Players Club Account. Click Here to view tentative 2022 Junior Tour Schedule. Please note, we will be adding more sites to the schedule and dates and sites are subject to change. Also note, Future Series members will be eligible for select Players Tour events to be announced at a later date. Registration for summer and fall tournaments will open Monday, May 16th with more information to follow. *Reminder: to register for tournaments you must first register for membership and pass the 2022 Rules Quiz. For more information on where to find the Rules Quiz Click Here.

www.met.pga.com || 1st Quarter 2022 ||

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Mike Sweeney

Director of Athletics | The Bridge Golf Foundation As I reflect back to my days as a junior golfer and my time competing on the Met PGA Junior Tour, one of my fondest memories is of the late Tommy Kuhn. Tommy was a long time Head Golf Professional in the Metropolitan Section before joining the Met PGA staff where he was instrumental in the operations of the Met PGA Junior Tour. I recall being immediately drawn to Tommy and always looked forward to seeing Tommy before, during, and after my rounds. Tommy was one of the first PGA Golf Professional’s I knew, and I loved Tommy; he was caring, always positive, and no-nonsense!

Advice to Juniors

Be patient with your practice! Don’t rush on the practice tee. Practice shots you hit during a round; ¾ shots, in-between yardage shots, low shots, high shots. Make a fairway out of objects and see if you can hit 10 fairways in a row! Have fun with your practice! And of course, to quote Jacke Burke Jr.; “putt until the cows come home”.

I was very fortunate to have been introduced to golf at a very young age by my family. I always enjoyed playing, however it was baseball and hockey that received my competitive attention. That was the case until I found the Met PGA Junior Tour and began to play tournaments and get to know folks like Tommy Kuhn. The Junior Tour absolutely sharpened my focus as to the possibilities of golf and allowed me to hone in on the competitive nature of the sport.

Around this time in High School I began to caddie at Cherry Valley in Garden City, NY, where PGA Professional Ed Kelly fostered a caddie program that was most welcoming to High School students. I was also able to get to know Robert Deruntz who was Ed’s teaching professional at Cherry Valley. Robert was most passionate and enthusiastic about his teaching and playing. Great PGA Professionals, the Met PGA Junior Tour, and my family, all encouraged me to continue my interest in golf, which led me to my next opportunity: Methodist University in Fayetteville, NC where PGA Professional, Jerry Hogge, led the golf program. I was so very fortunate to land in Fayetteville and receive the guidance of yet another great PGA Professional. Today I am the Director of Athletics of The Bridge Golf Foundation, in Harlem, NY; a non-profit sports youth development program for public high school students in New York City. I now have the great privilege to lead a program for young golfers and create an environment that allows young folks to see the vast possibilities in golf! www.met.pga.com || 1st Quarter 2022 || 37