Full Swing May 2023

FULL SWING FULL SWING

SPRINGIN' INTO THE SPRINGIN' INTO THE 2023 SEASON 2023 SEASON

MarkAldrich,PGA DistrictDirectorMass. (Central)

BenEgan,PGA DistrictDirector CapeCod

JeffMartin,PGA DistrictDirector Mass.(Eastern)

DistrictDirector NewHampshire

DanGillis,PGASeniors Director

BrendanWalsh,PGA DistrictDirector Mass.(Southern)

DavidJankowski,PGA DistrictDirector Vermont

LouRivers,PGA DistrictDirector RhodeIsland

DonRoberts,PGA DistrictDirector Maine

Happy Spring Everyone!

As we turn the calendar from April to May, as golf professionals in New England we all know what we are about to encounter Golfers playing their best rounds ever, juniors learning the game of a lifetime, beginners hitting that first “pure” shot… Wow, what else can we ask for as the 2023 season gets into “Full Swing” (pun totally intended!!)??

If you’ve noticed a positive vibe to the start of this article, you are correct--and why not? I’m guessing that most of the members in our section (and association for that matter) pursued the game of golf as an avocation (for pleasure) before it became their vocation (for pay). While the vocation has become more challenging over the past years and decades with recruitment and retention of staff becoming problematic, especially when paired with more golfers than ever, it is vitally important we all showcase that we are part of not only the Business of Golf… but also the GAME of Golf!!

The game is in an amazing place right now. Who would have ever imagined that a global pandemic would end how it did for golf? We have more players, more customers, and (hopefully) more revenue than ever before That’s more smiling faces playing their best, more impressionable beginners to teach, and more opportunity for all golf professionals. We are THE experts in a game that millions love to play how can that not make you smile?

I know some may view the upcoming season as “the hundred-day war” or a “slog to the finish”, but please try to remember that we are stewards of the game. The days, hours and even minutes can be arduous sometimes; but when things are at their bleakest, remember back to when you hit that first “pure” shot, or made your first birdie, and the joy that it brought you. That is what our clients/customers/members do each and every day, each and every swing, as they search for the “Holy Grail” of golfing perfection. The game is fun and their “avocation” helping them enjoy it is truly the most important part of our “vocation” and our association.

The Professional Golfers Association of America is the gold standard of sports associations— and our New England Section continues to be the gold standard of sections. Our professionals are leaders on the national stage, our section staff and committees continue to grow the game and affect lives every day in ways that are too numerous to even begin to mention.

I urge you to take advantage of what you have that everyone outside the association covets the camaraderie of your fellow members Your fellow PGA professionals are a wealth of knowledge and ingenuity, so why not take the time to come to a meeting, educational workshop or tournament and “pick their brains”? We all see different versions of the same scenarios every day and just the shortest of conversations with a fellow professional may be the key to unlocking a difficult situation that you are facing.

We’ve all heard the time-tested saying, “think before you speak”. Well, I’d like to ask everyone to take it one step further When you are at your toughest point of the upcoming season, take a minute and remember the feeling of that “perfect” golf shot, the amazing sound when that “no brainer” rattled into the bottom of the cup, the laughter you and your friends used to share playing in the dark when you were younger….and think about how you can get your players to feel the same way. That is what they are striving for and searching high-and-low for and what makes our business our vocation.

As always, it is an amazing honor and privilege to serve and I hope everyone enjoys a safe, healthy, and prosperous 2023 season!!

Respectfully,

Michael Bradshaw

COO/Director of Golf

Kirkbrae Country Club President, New England PGA

The New England Section is off and running, and 2023 is positioned to be an exciting year. The focus during the off season was all about the member. Every conversation included the questions, “how do we make the association better for our members?” and “What additional value and benefits can we bring to our PGA Professionals?”

What first jumped out to me was that we can provide all the opportunities in the world, but if folks aren’t interested then it won’t matter. It’s like the saying you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink Knowing this we figured that we cannot be everything for everyone, but we certainly can try The one hangover from covid was that it brought us all apart and it continues to make it easy to do things by not getting together. Our effort in 2023 is to try and flip that mindset.

The word of the year is engagement. Engagement is a powerful thing in our industry, and it certainly can be beneficial to a person’s career. We have created engagement at all our Spring Meetings so far this year, which allowed the opportunity to share and discuss topics that are relevant to each of us and learn how others deal with those topics either similarly or differently. Our winter education returned in person, but we also kept the convenient and relevant weekly online program called The Empower Hour.

Our playing schedule at the Section and Chapter level provides the opportunity to meet fellow PGA Professionals or engage with your members away from the club. We offered career “checkups” to engage in the topic of employment, and our focus on social media has been to promote the successes and good being done by our PGA Professionals.

Giving back and helping others is the most rewarding thing I am fortunate to do in my job The NEPGA provides significant engagement opportunities for our PGA Professionals to give back and help others Through our diverse programs that benefit juniors, veterans and those individuals that face challenges in their lives, PGA Professionals impact lives through golf.

I have heard President Bradshaw say many times that he has gotten way more out of serving and giving back than he ever thought possible. If you get engaged in your chapter, section, or foundation (and I mean YOUR, because as a PGA Professional they are yours) you will absolutely get more out of it than you put in. I promise.

I wish all our PGA Professionals a successful 2023 season and I look forward to engaging with each of you throughout the year.

Please be sure to reach out to either myself or any of your talented NEPGA Staff if we can ever be of service.

Respectfully,

Michael J Higgins Executive Director

Professional Development Award

Steve Sheridan, PGA

Charter Oak CC

Patriot Award

Abby Spector, PGA

Riverside GC

Youth Player Development Award

David Moore, PGA

Squirrel Run

Bill Strausbaugh Award

Barry Westall, PGA

Newport CC

Assistant Professional of the Year

Dustin Ribolini, PGA

The Quechee Club

Player Development Award

Kelli Kostick, PGA

Windham CC

Merchandiser of the Year

(Public)

Nick Tedeschi, PGA Granite Links GC

George S. Wemyss Award

Matt McDonald

Five Star Golf Cars

Teacher of the Year

Sean McTernan, PGA

Brae Burn CC

Merchandiser of the Year

(Resort)

Vince Runyon, PGA

Mount Washington

Merchandiser of the Year

(Private)

Bryan Kienke, PGA (Cohasset GC)

JIM SALINETTI, PGA JIM SALINETTI, PGA

Winchester CC

Dave Hackney, PGA Vesper CC

Frank Dully, PGA Kernwood CC

Susan Bond, PGA PGA Magazine

Jimmy Noris, PGA Dedham Country & Polo Club

The New England PGA Section is excited to announce the 2023 Section Award Winners and the 2023 Hall of Fame Inductees

The 2023 Awards are headlined by Jim Salinetti, PGA (Winchester Country Club) who was named the NEPGA Golf Professional of the Year He was also named the 2023 Massachusetts Chapter Golf professional of the Year earlier this month

Salinetti is the Head Golf Professional at Winchester Country Club, a position that he has held since the 2011 season Jim comes from a playing background where he took his work ethic and love of tournament golf and applied it to become a standout Golf Professional His knowledge of the game, it’s rules and traditions, are noticeable as he conducts his daily activities In addition to overseeing the overall operation at Winchester, Jim is also a talented merchandiser and teacher

“Being named the NEPGA Professional of the Year is the greatest honor of my professional career I consider most Section awards as team victories And I am so lucky to be a part of a tremendous Winchester CC golf staff Together we create an incredible golf experience and I am sure this is the main reason why WE are being recognized with this great honor,” said Salinetti

“I wouldn’t be half the PGA Professional I am today without the invaluable guidance from so many. It all started with the late Tom Sullivan. He taught me how to be a PGA Professional. Now, I do my best to interact with people the way he did. Always with a smile and ending every conversation with a ‘thank you’. So many other NEPGA Professionals have helped me along the way; Steve Napoli, Barry Westall, Chris Carpenter, and Brendan Walsh, just to name a few. And of course, I am so grateful to all those wonderful individuals who have been a part of our WCC team throughout the past 12 years,” he continued.

“I feel that in our business, if you treat others the same way you would like to be treated, you will be successful. Respect your staff. Be appreciative of their hard work. Listen to your membership, customers and students. And maybe most importantly, do whatever you can to help others accomplish their goals. Whether that is helping a student break 90 for the first time or mentoring an assistant to advance his or her career.”

Salinetti has served the Section on several occasions, first on the Membership and Communications committees from 2011-2013. He then served as the Chair of the Junior Golf committee from 2013-2017 and played a large role in the creation of the New England PGA’s Junior Tour Scholarship. He has hosted and led PGA Junior League educational events, NEPGA Junior Tour Banquets, college golf seminars, and Section Junior Golf Summits showing his dedication to growing the game.

Jim has also garnered award recognition at the Chapter and Section level in 2014, 2016, and 2020. He was the recipient of the 2014 Massachusetts Chapter Junior Golf Leader, 2015 New England Section Youth Player Development Award, 2016 Massachusetts Chapter Golf Professional of the Year, and the 2020 New England Section Bill Strausbaugh Award.

Salinetti is one of 12 individuals to earn recognition of their service and dedication to their profession as the NEPGA announced its full slate of 2023 award winners. The 2023 NEPGA award winners will be recognized at the annual Awards Dinner on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Sutton, Mass.

35 New England PGA teams came out of winter hibernation ready to take on the best that Pinehurst had to offer for four rounds of golf from Sunday, March 26 through Wednesday, March 29. The 2023 Pro-Am featured the Donald Ross Masterpiece, and centerpiece of Pinehurst Resort, No. 2 course. The tournament also featured course No. 4, a Gil Hanse's innovative design which offered dramatic vistas and a stunning test to golf. Home to the Cathedral Hole, No. 5 is home to one of the most beautiful holes and was on the list of sites for the weekend. Lastly, No. 8 offered a private club experience which combines a classic Donald Ross concept with the whimsical snarls that have become Fazio's calling card. No. 8 was designed to celebrate Pinehurst's centennial.

LeBaron Hills Country Club Winners:

Led by PGA Professional Ae Cahill, Don Ward, Abizer Rangwala, and Rohan Fernandes fired a 32-under par across four rounds to win by three shots

With lodging at the famous Carolina Hotel and the premier line-up of courses, including an additional round at The Cradle short course, our Professionals and Amateurs were provided the full experience and it did not disappoint.

Congratulations to Ae Cahill, PGA and his team from LeBaron Country Club who took home first place. They took home the title by a 3-stroke margin to Shawn Warren, PGA and his team from Falmouth Country Club.

Thank

David Wilson, PGA Career Consultant

With the Masters behind us another golf season in the Northeast is officially underway. As you look around your operations as trees and allergies begin to bloom, friendly faces show themselves once more. The season is upon us with all the signs of a new beginning and the opportunity to implement new skills and ideas learned over the winter months.

Just like at the beginning of the New Year this is a time of optimism and hope for the season ahead. This past January I, like many of you, set out some New Year’s Resolutions determined to have a different outcome this time rather than the crash and burn of years past. I was introduced to a book by James Clear titled, Atomic Habits

I had seen the cover countless times before but was afraid of picking up this book. Could this really work, and even scarier for me, if it does can I hold myself accountable to continue on this path that I say I want to accomplish.

The book was amazing, the more than 10 million copies sold were apparently another endorsement I had failed to observe. The book introduced me to slow consistent progressions instead of jumping in at full speed, as I would tend to do in the past. While reading this book and seeing the ways in which I was impacted I thought how can I share this message with others.

For those of you who I have seen at Spring Meetings this year you have heard me talk about investing 1% in yourselves each day. Over the course of a day 1% equates to roughly 15 minutes. Find something that inspires you to want to get better and continue to commit 15 minutes to yourself, just 1% of your day. Over the course of a year that 1% better each day will make you 37 times better! Just like the new PGA Deferred Compensation Program, the power of compounding is real!

The Valley of Disappointment is something to be aware of as you start this journey. Compounding interest is not something that is linear and consistency is important to reach your true potential. Many people lose motivation on their journey when they do not feel as though the results are worth the time. Consistency and small wins will repay you many times over down the road.

Taking an additional 1% a day with a staff member to help them better understand the operation may not seem like much in April but come August that individual will be able to run the operation for a day in August so you can spend the time with your family and friends. Making small consistent investments in yourself and those around you will come back to repay you when you least expect it.

Best of luck with the season ahead and please remember to take 1% back for yourself and if you can give 1% each day as well.

CAPE COD CHAPTER

The Cape Cod Chapter is excited to kick off its 2023 tournament season on April 27th at Pocasset Golf Club. In what is annually one of the Chapter’s most popular event, the Pocasset Pro-Am has a sold out field of 25 teams as our Cape Cod PGA Professionals will start competing for the 2023 Dutch Wessner Player of the Year Award.

The Chapter held its Spring Meeting on April 13th at Holly Ridge Golf Club where the Chapter shared exciting updates regarding Senior Professionals. Starting in 2023, PGA Professionals aged 70 or over may play from the Rule of 70 tee markers in Chapter Pro-Ams and Pro-Pros. Additionally, there will be a new 18-hole Senior Division of the Chapter Championship available to anyone aged 50 or over Participants will have the option to compete in the Senior Division only from a forward tee, or they can compete in the Senior Division and Championship Division while playing from the back tees.

After a successful Spring Meeting, 13 Chapter members participated in an 18-hole skins game on what was a beautiful afternoon. Thank you to Jennifer and Joe O’Connor for hosting the Chapter.

Click HERE to see a complete 2023 Cape Cod Chapter Schedule.

MASSACHUSETTS CHAPTER

TPC Boston once again played host as the Massachusetts Chapter’s annual 6,6,6 Tournament kicked off the New England PGA’s 2023 season. 76 Professionals from across the Section teed it up in this fun, early season format. Rich Berberian, PGA & James Scales, PGA both representing Vesper CC, shot a round of 5-under 67 to win the event. The Chapter would like to thank TPC Boston and Don Baldassare, PGA for their continued support. Click HERE for the tournament recap.

The following week, the Chapter held its Spring Meeting at Marshfield Country Club along with a Pro-Pro tournament It was a great meeting as our Chapter members embraced the new interactive format revolving around round table discussions.

On the golf course, Brockton CC’s Rob Bradley, PGA and LeBaron Hills CC’s Tom Rooney, PGA fired a 7-under 63 to secure a 5-shot victory over the remainder of the field. The duo carded nine birdies on the day, an impressive feat for the early season round. Click HERE for the tournament recap.

Click HERE to see a complete 2023 Massachusetts Chapter Schedule.

Rob Bradley, PGA & Tom Rooney, PGA

RHODE ISLAND CHAPTER

The Rhode Island Chapter is thrilled to have a trio of Spring tournament offerings! First up is the Chapter’s most popular event, the Sakonnet GC Pro-Pro, which will be held on May 23rd Callaway Golf and Derek Travers will once again be on-site supporting this great event.

Next on the schedule is a Section Championship preview as Agawam Hunt will host a Chapter ProAm on June 6th. We anticipate a sold-out field for this event so please make sure to register soon And lastly, the Acoaxet Club will host a Pro-Am on June 21st

The Chapter will also host a bracket style Match Play tournament once again. Registration is now live, make sure to sign up now to secure your spot in the field!

VERMONT CHAPTER

The Vermont Chapter 2023 Spring Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 10th at Woodstock Country Club. The day will consist of a 9:00am meeting followed by a partner luncheon, and will conclude with a 1 BB of 4 tournament. Teams will be comprised evenly of Juniors, Seniors, and Chapter Partners. We look forward to a productive meeting and a fun day of golf and celebrating with our partners

The remainder of May will be a busy one for the Chapter. Vermont National CC will be hosting the Hadley Cup which is held annually in memory of longtime Vermont Chapter member Jeff Hadley. Spots are still available for interested PGA Professionals.

The Quechee Club will host the Chapter’ first Pro-Am on May 22nd and, in a new addition to the schedule, Haystack Golf Club will host a Pro-Am on May 30th From then on the Chapters Pro-Am series will be in full swing throughout the summer months.

The Chapter is proud to provide a robust tournament schedule, check it out HERE and plan out your 2023 season!

NEW HAMPSHIRE CHAPTER

The 2023 golf season will be upon us soon. The NH Chapter Tournament schedule is complete and will have 22 events this season The Annual spring meeting was held on Thursday, April 6th, 9am at Intervale CC in Manchester, NH. There were over 50 NHC Professionals that attended the meeting. At the

conclusion of the business meeting there was a short education session that discussed topics of the golf business. There were many great discussion points and ideas passed around the room.

The first Pro-Am is slotted for Monday April 17th at The Oaks GC in Somersworth, NH. That event is followed by a Pro-Am at Campbells Scottish Highlands. Chapter leadership is hoping the weather is warm and the conditions favorable for these first events. After a week off, the circuit travels to Wentworth by the Sea for another Pro-Am.

The Championship events start off with the Pro-Lady on June 26th at Beaver Meadow GC in Concord. The Pro-Senior is next up on Monday July 31st at Pease GC in Greenland. As always, the highlight of the NHC season in the Chapter Championship held at the beautiful North Conway CC. This is a two-day stroke play event on Monday/Tuesday August 7th and 8th. This will be the 43rd year in a row that North Conway CC has hosted the event. The members and staff are great and it is always a fun, relaxing time in the “North Country”. Last year’s champion was Matt Arvanitis, PGA of SNHU It was his 3rd NHC Championship win in a row Bob McGraw was the NHC Senior Champion. The Pro-Pro Championship follows the next week at Portsmouth CC.

The NHC/NEPGA has a great schedule this year with great participation. We all feel lucky to have such dedicated PGA Professionals in our chapter that like to play golf. Looking forward to another wonderful golfing season.

MAINE CHAPTER

The Maine Chapter kicked off the 2023 season Monday April 24th at the Spring meeting hosted by Tony Decker and Purpoodock Country Club. The meeting featured a round table discussion on how PGA Professionals are using social media to promote themselves and their facilities. There was also a discussion of the challenges of attracting young professionals to the golf profession and the need for an appropriate work-life balance to help make golf a viable career for men and women professionals

Save the dates!

State of Maine Championship

July 18-19

August 22-23

The Pro-Am season begins with a Chapter Scholarship Pro Am at Prouts Neck Country Club on May 16th The Pro-Am schedule is slightly smaller than past years but is site driven with the goal of attracting larger fields. The Chapter needs to find a site for the Pro Lady and a course available to host a Pro Am some day in June. If your course can host a June Pro Am please contact Operations Manager Dave Soucy. Click HERE for the full Pro-Am schedule.

The Junior Tour has a strong schedule with 10 events beginning with the popular Belgrade Lakes tournament on June 21 followed up at Fox Ridge the next day June 22.

Maine Chapter Championship

Name

Aaron J. Perkins

Andrew C. Kemp

Anthony C. Loiselle

Anthony C. Loiselle

Ashley L. Roggero, PGA

Benjamin T Alexander, PGA

Christian A Grace

Christopher A Kasheta, PGA

Christopher M Brown

Colby R Todd, PGA

Connor J Dupont, PGA

Danielle R Buompastore

David G Tiedemann, PGA

David P Lane III, PGA

EJ Baracchini

Eric J Aguiar

Griffin L Andrews, PGA

Jacob A. Hempel

James B. LeClair, PGA

James F. Gunnare, PGA

John D. Welch

Joseph M. Dingledine, PGA

Joseph M. Zielinski, PGA

Joseph V. Finemore, PGA

Kevin C. Walker, PGA

Kevin M. Fay

Leland J. Jatkevicius

Louis A Hart

Matthew D Hughes

Morgan M Lemieux

Nicholas A Lombardi, PGA

Patrick C Myers, PGA

Patrick K Hohman, PGA

Peter F Ruymann, PGA

Peter F Ruymann, PGA

Peter J Hulbert, PGA

Robert E Williams Jr

Shane P Drury, PGA

Shawn D Welock, PGA

Stephen W. Sheridan, PGA

Thomas R. Gillis, PGA

Tyler J. Henning

Tyler J. Piekarski

Tyler M. O'Connor, PGA

William T. Adair

Zachary M. Mahan, PGA

Zane A. Brownrigg, PGA

Current Employer Class

Martindale Country Club

Haverhill Golf & Country Club

Louisquisset Golf Club

Fall River Country Club

Oyster Harbors Club

The Oaks Golf Links

North Hill Country Club

Pleasant Valley Country Club

Robert T Lynch Municipal Golf Course

CityGolf Boston

Hopkinton Country Club

Acushnet Company

Shelter Harbor Golf Club

Hopkinton Country Club

TGC at Sacconnesset

York Golf & Tennis Club

GRIFFIN'S GOLF SCHOOL

Charles River Country Club

The Quechee Club

Crystal Lake Golf Club

Nonesuch River Golf Club Country Club of Barre Baker Hill Golf Club

Country Club

Name

Ashton W. Benn, PGA

Brady C. Nash

Charles J. Mallo, PGA

Christopher M. Doherty

Curtis D. Goldsberry, PGA

Dillon J Malcolmson, PGA

Douglas J Spencer, PGA

Eric J Wilson, PGA

Eric W Soderman, PGA

Gregory A Wright, PGA

Hal L Jacobs, PGA

James T Rapp, PGA

John M Wholley

John T Stoklosa, PGA

Joshua D Green

Kevin M Franey Jr , PGA

Kim R O'Neil, PGA

Michael R. Elliott, PGA

Michael T. Rogers, PGA

Naomi B. Nesenoff, PGA

Nathan A. Durant

Nicholas T. Bates

NoraNoel Nolan

Richard A. Altham, PGA

Robert D. Tramonti, PGA

Ryan Kesten, PGA

Sean P. Barrett, PGA

Steven L Demmer, PGA

Steven Vaughn, PGA

Thomas S Fernandes, PGA

Tyler A Corder, PGA

Tyler J Sprague, PGA

William C Shaw, PGA

Name

Ashton W. Benn, PGA

Benjamin T. Alexander, PGA

Colby R. Todd, PGA

Curtis D. Goldsberry, PGA

Eric W. Soderman, PGA

James T. Rapp, PGA

Joseph M Zielinski, PGA

Patrick C Myers, PGA

Peter F Ruymann, PGA

Tyler J Sprague, PGA

Current Employer Class

Goose River Golf Course

The Club at New Seabury

Hyannisport Club

Brunswick Golf Club

The Quechee Club

Red Tail Golf Club

The Country Club

The Aquidneck Club

Hoodkroft Country Club

Paradise Golf Prac & Teaching

Wellesley Country Club

Acushnet Company

Haverhill Golf & Country Club

The Country Club

Presidents Golf Course

Meadow Brook Golf Club

Hales Location Golf Course

Oak Hill Country Club

Nashua Country Club

SHE'S MY GOLF PRO

Walpole Country Club

Blackstone National Golf Club

Eastward Ho! Country Club

Toddy Brook Golf Course Triggs Memorial Golf Course

N

E W A S S O C I A T E S

Name

Brad A. Leighton

Brady C. Nash

Carter White

Christian A. Grace

Christopher M. Brown

Cooper A. Jones

Danielle R. Buompastore

David T. Hache

EJ Baracchini

Gregory Hay Jr

Jacob A Fisher

Jacob A Hempel

John D Welch

John M Wholley

Jonathan R Clement

Morgan M Lemieux

Nicholas D Stadtherr

Nicholas T Bates

NoraNoel Nolan

Shawn M Sutherland

Tyler B. Smith

Tyler J. Henning

William T. Adair

N E W T R A N S F E R S

Name

Andrew C. Kemp

Anthony C. Loiselle

Ashley L. Roggero, PGA

Charles J. Mallo, PGA

Douglas J Spencer, PGA

Eric J Wilson, PGA

Gregory H Howlett

James M Shaw, PGA

John T Stoklosa, PGA

Joseph V Finemore, PGA

Leland J Jatkevicius

Louis A Hart

Matthew E Kraus, PGA

Nicholas A Lombardi, PGA

Richard F Packish Jr , PGA

Russell S Gamble, PGA

Thomas S. Fernandes, PGA

Tyler J. Ferraro

William C. Shaw, PGA

William S. Jones

Zane A. Brownrigg, PGA

Current Employer Class

Val Halla GC

The Club at New Seabury

Laconia CC

North Hill CC

Robert T Lynch Municipal

PATIMES GOLF

Acushnet Company

Ferncroft CC

TGC at Sacconnesset

Hatherly CC

The Aquidneck Club

Charles River CC

Nonesuch River GC

Haverhill Golf & CC

Blue Hill Country Club

Blackstone National GC

Belmont CC

Blackstone National GC

Eastward Ho! CC

Bangor Municipal GC

Newport CC Worcester CC

Abenaqui CC

Current Employer

Haverhill Golf & CC

Fall River CC

Oyster Harbors Club

Hyannisport Club

The Country Club

The Aquidneck Club

Pine Tree GC

The Country Club

Portsmouth CC

Tedesco CC

Blue Hill CC

Essex County Club

Salem CC

Country Club of New Bedford

GOLFTEC - Naperville

CC

CC

NEW ENGLAND LOCAL QUALIFIERS

Sat, June 10th | Button Hole (Providence, RI)

Sat, June 17th | Biddeford Saco CC (Saco, ME)

Sat, June 24th | Cranberry Valley (Harwich, MA)

Tues, June 29th | Green Hill (Worcester, MA)

Wed, July 5th | Granite Links GC (Quincy, MA)

Tues, July 11th | Windham CC (Windham, NH)

Thurs, July 20th | The Bay Club at Mattapoisett (Mattapoisett, MA)

Thurs, July 27th | The Kwini Club (Shelburne, VT)

The Green Team Takes Home Trophies!

Northeast Region representatives, Maya Palanza Gaudin (Girls 12-13) and Aarav Lavu (Boys 12-13) took home hardware at the 2023 Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday, April 2nd.

Maya claimed the first place trophy with an overall score of 26 (8 + 9 + 9). Aarav earned the runner-up trophy is his age division with an overall score of 21 (2+9+10).

Hazel Hegstrom (Girls 7-9) tied for fifth place overall with a final score of 17 (7 + 1 + 9). Adam Silverman (Boys 10-11) placed 10th with an overall score of 9 (3 + 1 + 5).

The weekend was one the DCP team will never forget. The competitors showcased their incredible talent and met so t golfers! Click here for the fina

Aarav Lavu (Boys 12-13) & Scottie Scheffler

Maya Palanza Gaudin (Girls 12-13) & Jordan Spieth

Hazel Hegstrom (Girls 7-9)

Adam Silverman (Boys 10-11)

NEPGA Staff Volunteer, Lauren Neilan (Marketing & Comms Manager) & Maya Palanza Gaudin (Girls 12-13) 19

NEPGA Professionals Attending:

Joanne Flynn, PGA

Kelli Kostick, PGA

Jo-Anna Krupa, PGA

Jennifer O'Connor, PGA

Shawn Durocher, PGA

Maddy Belden, PGA & many more!

As host to one of the longest running professional senior golf events on the PGA Champions Tour, Nashawtuc has been played by many of the game ' s great legends!

Keynote Speaker

JESSICA GELMAN, CEO

KRAFT ANALYTICS GROUP

Headlining the second annual Summit is Keynote Speaker, Jessica Gelman, Chief Executive Officer, Kraft Analytics Group (KAGR). Gelman is a prominent business executive and innovator in the sports industry recognized for her role as a major driver of the sports analytics movement LEARN

$192,812 RAISED IN

$192,812 RAISED IN

2022

2022

The second annual Birdies 2 Benefit fundraiser to benefit PGA REACH New England, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Special Olympics Massachusetts raised $192,812 at Andover Country Club Monday, August 15th, 2022.

Thirty-six players, in combinations of twosomes, threesomes, or single players, set out to play 54 holes of golf at Andover Country Club with the mission to make as many birdies as possible. In total, the Birdies 2 Benefit squad racked up 483 birdies in the scramble or individual stroke play format event

RETURNING AUGUST 14, 2023! RETURNING AUGUST 14, 2023!

Interested in PLAYING or SUPPORTING B2B in 2023? Contact PGA REACH New England Director, Michael Packard, PGA MPACKARD@PGAHQ.COM

WorcesterCountryClub

RaisingfundsforPGAREACHNewEngland!

The third annual REACH Classic is set for Monday, June 19th at Worcester Country Club. The 2023 Classic is open to all players (professionals and amateurs).

There will be a silent auction running throughout the day of the event plus gifts, favors, gross & net prizes, lunch, dinner and much more!

What is the REACH Classic?

The REACH Classic is our sole golf tournament fundraiser. This tournament pulls together golfers who believe in our mission of positively impacting lives through the game of golf. Support our programs and the REACH Classic by signing up as a single player, a twosome, threesome or a foursome!

The REACH for More Classic supports PGA REACH New England and its three philanthropic pillars: Diversity & Inclusion, Military, and Youth Development

Help us impact lives through golf!

MAY 8, 2023

WOMEN'S NETWORKING SUMMIT

Nashawtuc Country Club

JUNE 19, 2023

REACH FOR MORE CLASSIC

Worcester Country Club

AUGUST 14, 2023

BIRDIES 2 BENEFIT

Andover Country Club

The New England PGA Section puts on hundreds of events and programs for PGA Professionals, Amateur Golfers, Junior Golfers and more. Basically, if you are picking up a club in New England from the months of April through November, there’s a good chance you have come across a NEPGA event or program Without the help of our partners from around the golf landscape and beyond, we would not be able to successfully execute these events for our golfing constituents.

April is NEPGA Partner Appreciation Month, and we want to take the opportunity to acknowledge all of the brands that have committed to supporting the NEPGA, its Professionals and programs during the 2023 season! The companies supporting the Section this season span across many industries and areas of the golf business, but all have the same objective – to help support and grow the game of golf and those that make this happen at the grassroots level.

Our NEPGA Presenting Partners are some of the most recognizable names in their respective industries, and many have local ties, making their support of the NEPGA all the more appreciated.

Hudson, Mass based, Avidia Bank returns for their seventh season as the premiere partner of the NEPGA and its programs, as they will support the Stroke Play Series, Las Vegas Pro-Am, NEPGA Junior Tour, PGA REACH New England, and the six NEPGA Chapters, providing significant resources that allow every area of the NEPGA to flourish

Titleist & Footjoy, the Fairhaven, Mass based titan of the golf manufacturing industry, also join the Section’s Presenting Partners, as they will host the Acushnet Golf Pro-Assistant Championship at the Bay Club on May 23rd.

New England based Five Star Golf Cars/EZ-GO/Cushman continues its longtime support towards each corner of the Section, with a multi-event Section partnership featuring the ProOfficer Pro-Superintendent and Las Vegas Pro-Am, as well as nts.

Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino returns for another season with the New England PGA, supporting PGA REACH New England initiatives and the New England PGA Section as a whole

The one of a kind apparel brand, Johnnie-O, based in Los Angeles, the Midwest, and the East Coast, joins the NEPGA presenting partners this year They will be the presenting partner of the the Pro-Pro Match Play Championship, which has been rebranded as the Johnnie-O Pro-Pro in 2023.

Seekonk, Mass. based New England Golf Cars/Yamaha will headline the Drive 2 the Finals points race for the NEPGA season long Stroke Play Series as well as the Maine and New Hampshire Chapters.

Dormie Workshop, based in Halifax, Nova Scotial, joins the NEPGA as the presenting partner of the Head Pro/Teaching Pro Championship which will be held at The Cape club of Sharon on August 22nd Dormie Golf Workshop was born, with the aim of offering unique and personalized golf covers. The company focuses on quality, individuality, and attention to detail, and takes pride in offering handmade leather products of high quality.

Tournament Solutions will embark on another season of “'Fore the Foundation”, their PGA REACH New England specific fundraising program which directs 10% of all purchases in New England back to our Foundation.

Additionally they will be supporting our PGA REACH New England marquee event, the REACH Classic on June 19th at Worcester Country Club, the Pro-Officer, Chapter Championships, and PGA REACH New England as a whole

SUPPORTING SPONSORS

NATIONAL PARTNERS

MAX MAX

As we have arrived in the new year, we have crossed another milestone on New Year’s Day 2023: the quadrennial revision of the Rules of Golf book has gone into effect. While this revision is nowhere near as drastic as the one in 2019, there are some significant changes that will certainly affect your play in the upcoming seasons. The new Rules of Golf books have recently become available for purchase at usga.org, and I’d recommend that anyone playing competitive golf or responsible for officiating at their Club pick one up prior to the start of the next golf season (or download the USGA Rules app for free!).

Please keep reading for a summary of the most dramatic changes, but be aware that this is not a complete list - a more comprehensive study of the new Rules will be necessary for a fuller understanding of the more nuanced changes. Please feel free to check in on NEPGA U for a couple seminars on the changes that I’ve conducted so far this spring.

Back-on-the-Line Dropping Procedure

In my experience over the last few years, one of the Rules that players struggled to understand the most was how to correctly drop a ball back-on-the-line when taking relief from penalty areas or unplayable balls, among a few other things. This was understandable, since the procedure was so complicated, it required the use of a Local Rule to avoid trapping players into a wrong place penalty during a procedure that should be so simple To the USGA’s credit, they have simplified the back-on-the-line procedure wonderfully, allowing for a much more user-friendly application of the Rules. Starting in 2023, the procedure will be just this simple: drop your ball on the line, and if it comes to rest within one club-length of where it first touches the ground, it’s a good drop! There are a few more nit-picky conditions that have to be met so be sure to read the full text of the applicable Rules, but this relief option has become so much easier for the average golfer to understand.

Max Doctoroff, PGA NEPGA Director of Rules & Competitions

Replacing a Broken Club

Under the 2019 Rules, if a player broke a club during the normal course of play, they were generally not allowed to replace it. Their only options were to continue playing with the damaged club for the rest of the round, to repair the club in limited ways, or to take it out of play. Beginning this year, any club that is broken (except in cases of abuse) during a round can be replaced. This seems fair enough to me, since the accidental breaking of a club doesn’t have any relationship to a player’s talent, so it probably shouldn’t affect the outcome of a competition. The caveat is that a player who breaks a club over their knee, for example, will be punished for that behavior by losing the right to replace the club.

Ball Played from Putting Green Hits Insect on Putting Green

Under the 2019 Rules, if a ball played from the putting green hit an insect, the stroke wouldn’t count and the player must re-play from the previous spot. Given how common it is for an insect to be on the putting green, and how many golfers were unaware of this Rule, we can only imagine how many players were playing from the wrong place after hitting an insect on the green every day. With this in mind, the 2023 Rules have changed the outcome here: if a ball played from the putting green hits an insect on the green, the stroke counts and the ball will just be played as it lies. This makes great sense to me, for the reasons listed above, and due to the fact that insects are loose impediments and can be removed prior to the stroke if the player is concerned that they could affect the motion of the ball. Please note that insects are not the only things affected by this change, they’re just the most common. I’d recommend a thorough reading of Rule 11.1 to learn about the other changes, since it contains the most dramatic overhaul of any Rule in the book

Player Not Responsible for Showing Handicap on Scorecard

This is the change that could affect tournament administration at your club the most: beginning in 2023, players will no longer be responsible for ensuring that their scorecards show their handicaps. Under the new rules, the responsibility of calculating the correct playing handicap and the player’s net score will land solely on the Committee (and when you’re running a tournament at your club, that means you!). The good news is that you won’t have to issue as many penalties for bad scorecards as you used to. The bad news is that the pressure is on you to get the handicaps right, since the responsibility is yours now. The only responsibility that’s left on the player is if they are aware that you’ve given them the wrong handicap, they have to tell you about it.

But everybody makes mistakes – what happens if you calculate or apply a handicap incorrectly? That’s what’s known as an “administrative mistake” in the Rules, which is different than a wrong ruling. The main difference here is that an administrative mistake must always be corrected, and there is NO time limit for making that correction, even if the results of the competition are already final. So long story short, if you do make this type of mistake, you just apologize and make sure you get it right at the end of the day. You can check out Rule 20 2 for more information on this.

To Wrap Up

Like I mentioned before, this is just a cherrypicked sample of some of the changes that have taken place A full reading of the new Rules book will be necessary to fully protect your interests on the course, and to effectively officiate the tournaments at your facility. As always, I’m available to help by phone or email if you don’t know what to do – let’s enjoy this new journey with the new Rules, and let’s get all the rulings right in 2023!

Spring 2023 Membership News

PGA ANNUAL DUES

The 2023 -2024 Annual Dues Invoices will be available on May 1st. Please review your PGA.org dashboard profile and submit any employment, class, Section or personal contact information changes here

of America Member App & Deferred Compensation

The new PGA Member app is live in the Apple and Google Play stores Members can now track PDRs, pay dues and submit and track Deferred Compensation points all through an app. Learn more and download it today!

The PGA of America officially moved financial transactions into a new system called Workday back in 2021. For Members and associates this means there may be a few steps you need to take to set up your account to receive

payment on goods and services or purse money. All purses are paid through direct deposit. If you have not created an account in Workday, please follow the below instructions to ensure your account is ready for payment.

Contestant/Supplier FAQ

I have never been paid by the PGA of America or Section for any PGA tournament, goods, or service:

You must submit an application to the PGA Finance team for approval Follow the below steps to complete your application If you have already completed this application you can view your application status in the registration portal that applies to you below.

If you are a PGA Member (contestant or supplier) who is playing in a PGA tournament or needs to receive payment on goods and services (including golf courses, utilities, or other vendors):

OpenRounds Joins PGA GRP

Start your application process in the Contestant

Registration Portal

You can also watch this step-by-step video on how to Create a New Contestant Account

OpenRounds, a platform that provides verified private club members access to play at private golf clubs with their guests, has joined the PGA of America as a Golf Retirement Plus Partner. If your private golf facility enrolls with OpenRounds to manage outside guest play, GRP account holders can receive 10% on bookings hosted Learn more by contacting OpenRounds, and register a free account today! GRP enrollment is required if your facility participates.information changes here.

PGA

Happy Birthday

APRIL BIRTHDAYS APRIL BIRTHDAYS

Ryan J. Stasiowski

John M. Wholley

Michael R. Bandoni, PGA

Brian P Doyle, PGA

Gregory A Beans, PGA

Peter C Scrimgeour

Donald L Barrington

Michael Andrew Vidal, PGA

Francis L Kolarik III, PGA

William J. Galvin Jr., PGA

Ryne W. Varney, PGA

Thomas J. Anthoine IV, PGA

John D. Oteri, PGA

Ashton W Benn, PGA

Jeremiah T Dowd

Bill Ross, PGA

Paul E Griffin Jr , PGA

Chris Costa

Jonathan R. Clement

Michael R. Elliott, PGA

Peter F Ruymann, PGA

Stephen H Colt Jr., PGA

Daniel W. Van Heest, PGA

Sean Duong, PGA

Tom Hanifan, PGA

Richard W Karbowski, PGA

Matthew S Foley

Roman S Greer, PGA

Timothy C Roggero, PGA

Luke T. Claflin, PGA

Thomas Giffin, PGA

Keenan L. Flanagan, PGA

Eric Stevenson, PGA

Craig G Gardner, PGA

Peter E Hatfield, PGA

Eric J McInerney, PGA

Richard A Durocher, PGA

Philip M Psaros, PGA

Stephen D Gonsalves, PGA

Kristy M. Gleason, PGA

Thomas D. Borden, PGA

Gregory M. Sandell, PGA

Xuesong Jin

Bruce A. MacDonald, PGA

Dave J. Pollini, PGA

Sean P Halloran

Terry P Felty, PGA

Bethanne O'Kelly, PGA

Peter T Weatherby, PGA

Ryan D Train, PGA

Daniel J. Berry

John Pawlak, PGA

James P. Landers, PGA

Matthew R. Gerlach, PGA

Zachary J. Grenon

Paul J Politano, PGA

Lee Danielian, PGA

Fergus J Keane III

Vincent S Forte, PGA

Christopher J Talbert, PGA

Gregory Hay Jr.

Brian Enman, PGA

Eri Seguin, PGA

Eric M. Colchamiro, PGA

Mackenzie P. Ryan, PGA

John A Lano, PGA

William T Adair

David M Poplyk, PGA

Taylor D Stout

Robert Day, PGA

Matthew E Kraus, PGA

Paul J. Parajeckas, PGA

Michael A Gilbert

Eric J. Wilson, PGA

Sean E. Bergeron, PGA

Thomas Froude, PGA

Zachary A Girouard, PGA

John Frizzell, PGA

Paul Celano, PGA

Matthew L Blasik, PGA

David F Moynihan, PGA

Robert P. Bruso, PGA

Kenneth E. Bielski, PGA

Jay Morelli, PGA

James T. Scales, PGA

MAY BIRTHDAYS MAY BIRTHDAYS

Robert J. Beach, PGA

Nicholas A. Lombardi, PGA

William D. Ferren Jr.

Al Vallante, PGA

James B Fairbanks, PGA

Mike Demakos, PGA

Timothy P Loch, PGA

Daniel B Dempsey, PGA

Bill F. Cassell, PGA

Connor J. Dupont, PGA

William B. Curtin, PGA

Stephen Clayton, PGA

Brent J. Amaral, PGA

Kevan M Evangelista, PGA

Andrew B Stolze, PGA

Michael C Sullivan Jr , PGA

Kevin C Jean, PGA

William A Thibeault, PGA

James G. DeMallie, PGA

Thomas R. Beauvais

Bill Andrews, PGA

David S. Baluik, PGA

Stephen P. Caruso, PGA

Bridget M Connolly

Cameron D Fossa, PGA

Sean R Chipman, PGA

John M Kan, PGA

Ryan T Taraskiewicz, PGA

Thomas J Rourke, PGA

Tanyon M. Ventres

Jeffrey D. Halunen, PGA

Bryan C. Kienke, PGA

Jennifer Webster O'Connor, PGA

Robert P Jarvis, PGA

Todd C Rollins, PGA

Joseph E McNulty, PGA

Steven C Hancock, PGA

Jason P Malcolm, PGA

Joel St Laurent, PGA

Mark A. Heartfield, PGA

Peiter K. DeVos, PGA

Al Lupis, PGA

Shawn P. Hester, PGA

Brian M Johnson

Kyle D Puzzo

John M Tosone, PGA

Larry Gallagher, PGA

Sean J Soares, PGA

Kevin C Bennison, PGA

Arthur J. Wilson, PGA

Eric M. Higgins, PGA

Michael P. Roan, PGA

Molly M. Sheekey, PGA

Mike Robichaud, PGA

Todd C Anzlovar, PGA

Timothy E Merrill

Michael D Albrecht, PGA

Philip A Leiss, PGA

David J Soucy, PGA

James D. Pollini, PGA

Paul G. Tessier, PGA

David M. Perroni, PGA

Robert J. Bradley, PGA

Zach E Pipa

Robert D Mantz, PGA

John G Boswell Jr

Sean S Toof, PGA

Herbert T Madden, PGA

Richard V. Molesky, PGA

Nicholas D. Stadtherr

Andrew P. Ingham, PGA

Tracy A. Djerf

Frank J. LaVacca III, PGA

Jay Wick, PGA

Anthony C Loiselle

Robert J Iannarone, PGA

Toby Ahern, PGA

Kirk C Hanefeld, PGA

Zachary M Sweet, PGA

Mark D. Senecal, PGA

Daniel R Britt

James E. Swarthout, PGA

Jim Dayton, PGA

Albert J Charest, PGA

John R Hickson, PGA

Scott E Mann, PGA

Webb R Heintzelman, PGA

Ian P Kelley, PGA

Matt D Barrett, PGA

Samuel E. Rhodes, PGA

Gary P. Dorsi, PGA

Scott D. DeVito, PGA

Bob Miller, PGA

Robert C Briggs, Jr

John A Munroe, PGA

Jake LaMore, PGA

Peter D Chwaliszewski, PGA

John R Simmons, PGA

Samuel E Cody

Peter K. Doherty, PGA

New England PGA Member Exclusive Swing Into Spring With BlueGolf Tournament Management!

With spring right around the corner, we’ve got an exclusive message just for New England PGA members!

Let’s get spring cleaning. Remove stress and expenses from the season with advanced BlueGolf features such as:

Online registration with built-in payment processing

Expanded support for golf leagues

Enhanced text message and email services for rapid communication with players

The industry-best live scoring app, featuring aerial maps, GPS yardages, and hole locations

·Advanced formats including match play, round robin and parimutuels (coming soon)

New England PGA Members can save up to $2,000 while simultaneously crafting a premier member experience with BlueGolf Tournament Management!

Please contact your local New England PGA BlueGolf reps for more info:

Date Event Site

Mar 26-29

Apr 10 Apr 18

Apr 19

Apr 25

May 1

May 8-9

May 11

May 15

May 22

May 30

Jun 4

Jun 12

Jun 19

Pinehurst Pro-Am

Thorny Lea Pro-Am

SPS #1

Assistants Skins Series

Granite Links Pro-Am

Portsmouth Pro-Am

Johnnie-O Pro-Pro Match Play Champ

Hudson Cup

SPS #2

Acushnet Golf Pro-Asst. Champ

Pro-Am Champ - Blackstone/Cyprian

Haverhill Pro-Member

Whitinsville Pro-Am

REACH Classic

Pro-Officer

Needham Pro-Member

Pro-Pro Stroke Play

SPS #3

Pro-Lady

NEPGA Senior Championship

Pro-Senior

7

Parent/Child Scramble

Pinehurst

Thorny Lea GC

Newport National CC

Cohasset GC

Granite Links Pro-Am

Portsmouth Pro-Am

LeBaron Hills CC

Marshfield CC

Walpole CC

Bay Club at Mattapoisett

Blackstone National/Cyprian Keyes

Haverhill CC

Whitinsville GC

Worcester CC

Oak Hill

Needham GC

The Haven CC

Marlborough CC

Kernwood CC

George Wright

Wedgewood Pines

Widow's Walk GC

15

22

28

SPS #4

Dormie Head Pro Champ

Teaching Pro Champ

SPS #5

NEPGA Women's Championship

NEPGA Section Championship

Concord CC

Cape Club of Sharon

Cape Club of Sharon

Triggs Memorial GC

Kirkbrae CC/Agawam Hunt

Kirkbrae CC/Agawam Hunt

11

Senior/Junior

Marshfield Pro-Member

National Car Rental Asst. champ

Avidia Cup Finals

Cape Week

Cape Week

Cape Week

Cape Week

Pro-Superintendent

Las Vegas Pro-Am

Las Vegas Pro-Am

Wollaston GC

Marshfield CC

Alpine CC

Indian Ridge CC

Oyster Harbors Club

Cape Cod National GC

Pocasset GC

TBD

Tedesco CC

South Shore/Rio Secco/Cascata

Rio Secco/TPC Las Vegas/Cascata