PROgram Magazine - 2017 Year in Review

VOLUME 45

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ISSUE 1

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YEAR IN REVIEW

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA

2017 SCPGA GOLF PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR ERIC LOHMAN, PGA MONARCH BEACH GOLF LINKS

HOW MENTORSHIP HAS HELPED GUIDE ME pg. 24 1

PROGRAM MAGAZINE - YEAR IN REVIEW

THERE’S SOFT.

AND THERE’S

TOUR SOFT.

INTRODUCING TITLEIST TOUR SOFT. EXPERIENCE BETTER PERFORMANCE. EXPERIENCE BETTER FEEL. THIS IS YOUR SOFT.

©2018 Acushnet Company.

CONTENTS

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PARTNERS 05

SCPGA PARTNER LISTING

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PRESIDENT’S REPORT TODD KEEFER, PGA

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SCPGA AWARDS 2017 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA AWARD WINNERS

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MEMBERSHIP UPDATES, NEW MEMBERS,

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

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SCPGA FOUNDATION CLUBSFOREYOUTH®

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COVER STORY GOLF PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

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10 THINGS TO KNOW

BY JEFF JOHNSON, PGA

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INDUSTRY ADVANTAGE 5 TRENDS IN SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

LEADERSHIP COLUMN 24

HOW MENTORSHIP HAS

HELPED GUIDE ME

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TEACHERS FORUM 2017 TEACHER OF THE YEAR BOB MADSEN, PGA

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PARTNER HIGHLIGHT Q&A: GOLF PRIDE GRIPS

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GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS NEW YEAR. NEW LAWS.

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TOURNAMENT RESULTS CHAMPIONS ON THE COURSE

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PRO THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA VOLUME 45, ISSUE 1 | YEAR IN REVIEW ISSUE THE PROGRAM IS PRODUCED BY THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA

SCPGA BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS

PRESIDENT | TODD KEEFER, PGA WILSHIRE COUNTRY CLUB VICE PRESIDENT | TONY LETENDRE, PGA PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS CAREER COLLEGE SECRETARY | ROBIN SHELTON, PGA AMERICAN GOLF HONORARY PRESIDENT | JOHN MCNAIR, PGA JC RESORTS

AT-LARGE DIRECTORS

RANDY CHANG, PGA JOURNEY AT PECHANGA & TALEGA GOLF CLUB

JOE GROHMAN, PGA SCOTT HEYN, PGA THE FARMS GOLF CLUB ERIC LOHMAN, PGA MONARCH BEACH GOLF LINKS ROB OOSTERHUIS, PGA SHERWOOD COUNTRY CLUB DEREK HARDY, PGA LIFE MEMBER

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

SCPGA SECTION STAFF

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/CEO | TOM ADDIS III, PGA | TADDIS@PGAHQ.COM COO | JEFF JOHNSON, PGA | JJOHNSON@PGAHQ.COM

MEMBERSHIP

MEMBERSHIP MANAGER | SHARON CURFMAN SCURFMAN@PGAHQ.COM

COMMUNICATIONS

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR | BREANNE MITCHELL BMITCHELL@PGAHQ.COM COMMUNICATIONS ADMINISTRATOR | BRYCE SEIVER BSEIVER@PGAHQ.COM

FOUNDATION

FOUNDATION DIRECTOR | MATT GILSON | MGILSON@PGAHQ.COM PLAYER DEVELOPMENT & GOLF IN SCHOOLS DIRECTOR | ANTHONY LEONE ALEONE@PGAHQ.COM

TOURNAMENTS

DIRECTOR OF COMPETITIONS | MAX DESPAIN MDESPAIN@PGAHQ.COM TOURNAMENT OPERATIONS MANAGER | STEPHEN MONDAY SMONDAY@PGAHQ.COM TOURNAMENT OPERATIONS ADMINISTRATOR | MAX BERMAN MBERMAN@PGAHQ.COM

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

ALISON CURDT, PGA WOOD RANCH GOLF CLUB

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & PARTNER RELATIONS MANAGER | DAVE KUHN DKUHN@PGAHQ.COM

KIM FALCONE, PGA LA JOLLA COUNTRY CLUB

MEETINGS & EVENTS

CHAPTER REPRESENTATIVES

DESERT | MICHAEL HOLYK, PGA MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTRY CLUB

INLAND EMPIRE | STEVE ADAMIAK, PGA THE LEGENDS GOLF CLUB METROPOLITAN | VIC PLACERES, PGA OLD RANCH COUNTRY CLUB NORTHERN | MIKE VALDEZ, PGA SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTRY CLUB SAN DIEGO | DAVID MOWERY, PGA GOLFTEC - ENCINITAS RANCH

PGA OF AMERICA EXECUTIVES DISTRICT 11 DIRECTOR SCOTT ASHWORTH, PGA ALOHA SECTION

OFFICERS & CEO PRESIDENT | PAUL LEVY, PGA INDIAN WELLS, CA VICE PRESIDENT | SUZY WHALEY, PGA SUZY WHALEY GOLF SECRETARY | JIM RICHERSON, PGA TROON CEO | PETE BEVACQUA PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL

MEETINGS & EVENTS MANAGER | ARIANA GOMEZ AGOMEZ@PGAHQ.COM

JUNIOR GOLF

JUNIOR GOLF DIRECTOR | KEVIN SMITH KSMITH@PGAHQ.COM JUNIOR GOLF MANAGER | TRAVIS CUTLER TCUTLER@PGAHQ.COM JUNIOR GOLF MANAGER | EDDIE RODARTE, PGA ERODARTE@PGAHQ.COM JUNIOR GOLF MANAGER | BRENT JOHNSTON BJOHNSTON@PGAHQ.COM JUNIOR GOLF MANAGER | AMBERLYNN DORSEY ADORSEY@PGAHQ.COM JUNIOR GOLF ASSISTANT | TYLER MILLER TAMILLER@PGAHQ.COM

FINANCE & HR

FINANCE MANAGER | KRISTY CUSTER KCUSTER@PGAHQ.COM HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER | TAYLOR VERMILLION TVERMILLION@PGAHQ.COM

PGA OF AMERICA STAFF REGIONAL LEAGUE MANAGER - PGA JUNIOR LEAGUE NIKKI GATCH, PGA | 760.534.1370 | NGATCH@PGAHQ.COM CAREER CONSULTANT KEN FERRELL, PGA | 951.894.5024 | KFERRELL@PGAHQ.COM

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA 3333 CONCOURS | BUILDING 2, SUITE 2100 ONTARIO, CA 91764 PHONE 951.845.4653 | FAX 951.769.6733 SCPGA.COM | SCPGAJRTOUR.COM

THE PROGRAM IS DISTRIBUTED FREE TO MEMBERS AND AFFILIATES OF THE SCPGA FOUR TIMES A YEAR. THE ARTICLES AND OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS PUBLICATION ARE INFORMATIONAL AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE VIEWS OR OPINIONS OF THE SCPGA. THE SCPGA ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR CLAIMS MADE FOR OR BY ANY PRODUCT IN THIS PUBLICATION WHETHER REPORTED OR ADVERTISED. REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE SCPGA IS PROHIBITED.

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PROGRAM MAGAZINE - YEAR IN REVIEW

SECTION | PRESENTING PARTNERS

SECTION | SUPPORTING PARTNERS

Official Radio of the Southern California PGA

NATIONAL | PARTNERS

JUNIOR GOLF | PRESENTING PARTNERS

JUNIOR GOLF | SUPPORTING PARTNERS

Morrisette:Morrisette

10/5/11

10:46 AM

Page 1

FOUNDATION | PARTNERS

Orange County Seniors Golf Association

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PRESIDENT’S REPORT

The Special Awards Committee and the officers and staff will be working to update and enhance our Special Awards program including our SCPGA Hall of Fame and Honorary Life Member criteria to improve and add to the recognition of our PGA professionals and their facilities.

Congratulations to Section Champion Michael Block for qualifying for the following PGA TOUR events - CareerBuilder Challenge and Farmers Insurance Open, and Vinnie Poncino for qualifying for the Genesis Open. In addition, the LPGA Tour announced that Wilshire Country Club will host

MESSAGE FROM

THE PRESIDENT

H

ere’s hoping everyone is starting 2018 great and those New Year’s resolutions are still intact and that the year will be a successful one for you and your facility. We’re looking forward to the Section enjoying success in 2018 as the Board focuses on growing our Foundation, especially for scholarships and our innovative ClubsForeYouth® Program. We will be working to raise enough money to provide at least 600 sets of golf clubs to high school girls and boys this year after providing 200 sets to high school girls in 2017.

At the Annual Meeting at Newport Beach Country Club, Joe Grohman and Scott Heyn were re-elected to the Board and we have two new board members, David Mowery of GolfTEC - Encinitas, the new San Diego Chapter Representative, and Kim Falcone of La Jolla Country Club as the new Independent Director replacing Susan Roll. Thank you Susan for your ongoing service to the SCPGA – so appreciated.

We will also continue to identify the means to provide the Chapters and Chapter boards with ongoing support. As well, we will continue to grow Section education and its impact on member’s employment and careers by our mentoring and leadership initiatives and continuing to build the California Teaching and Coaching Summit. This year’s edition of the CT&C Summit is at The Grand Golf Club in Del Mar with the leadership of Shawn Cox, following the huge success with Jamie Mulligan and Virginia Country Club this past October.

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PROGRAM MAGAZINE - YEAR IN REVIEW

PHOTO SOURCE: PGA OF AMERICA

a new event, the HUGEL-JTBC Championship April 19th through the 22nd, and we’re looking forward to the week and seeing many of you at the Club. Also, Michael Block, Paul Dietche and Brian Smock were recognized on the Global Golf Post All-Pro Team for their performances in 2017. A nice honor for all three.

Don’t forget, if I can be of any help to you, please contact me and I will respond as soon as possible.

2018 TODD KEEFER, PGA PRESIDENT, Southern California PGA COO, Wilshire Country Club TODD@WILSHIRECOUNTRYCLUB.COM

Wilshire Country Club

Michael Block, PGA & Brian Smock, PGA

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ClubsForeYouth® donation to El Camino High School

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Left: Michael Block, PGA Right: Brian Smock, PGA

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SC P GA AWAR DS

GOLF PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR Eric Lohman, PGA Monarch Beach Golf Links

Eric Lohman, PGA with Todd Keefer, PGA at 2017 President’s Dinner

2017 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA

HONORARY LIFE MEMBER Tom Barber, PGA Griffith Park Golf Course

Award Winners The Annual SCPGA President’s Dinner was held at the immaculate Newport Beach Country Club on December 3rd. Hosted by current SCPGA President, Todd Keefer, PGA of Wilshire Country Club, the dinner officially marked his first full year in office. The President’s Dinner is a opportunity to honor those PGA professionals who have made significant contributions to the game within the Southern California Section during the past year.

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PROGRAM MAGAZINE - YEAR IN REVIEW

SCPGA HERITAGE AWARD Shirley Spork LPGA

SCPGA HALL OF FAME Bill Hulbert, PGA | PGA TOUR Superstore - Irvine Hulbert has been an icon in the Southern California PGA for over 25 years. A true golf professional, mentor and leader, he has always put others before himself.

While serving on the SCPGA Board of Directors for 25 years, Bill served as Section President and served on the national Board of Directors as the District 11 representative. His induction to the SCPGA Hall of Fame is not for the positions he has held or the people he has mentored, but rather for his unwavering support of the SCPGA and its members and apprentices.

He always puts the best interest of the Section and the PGA professional before anything else, never is fearful of expressing his opinion, asks the right questions and offers his perspective only to better our profession. Bill carried the same passion and effectiveness to the PGA Board and stood strong for the PGA professional everywhere. Bill has also extended his leadership to chairing the annual Patriot Pro-Am to benefit the Folds of Honor. Hulbert is respected by many and is considered a model PGA member.

SCPGA HALL OF FAME Jeff Johnson, PGA | Southern California PGA Johnson, has been a PGA Member since 1977 and the recipient of Honorary Life Member awards in the Southern California Section and the San Diego and Inland Empire Chapters. He has also been awarded with the PGA of America’s highest honor, Golf Professional of the Year on three occasions, twice in San Diego and also in the Southern California Section. Johnson also served on the SCPGA Board of Directors for 25 years and three years as President. Johnson began his career at the San Diego Country Club and served as the Head Golf Professional in the 1970’s and moved to Singing Hills Country Club in the 1980’s where he remained until opening Steele Canyon Golf Club in 1990. He then moved to Redlands in 1998 when he was asked to lead the development of the PGA of Southern California Golf Club, now known as Morongo Golf Club. For a decade, he served as the General Manager of the Moreno Valley Ranch Golf Club. Johnson currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the SCPGA. He and his wife Karen and two daughters Hanna and Melissa reside in Redlands.

SCPGA HALL OF FAME Frank Beard, PGA | Honorary Life Member Born in Dallas, Texas, and later moving to Louisville, Kentucky, Beard began his illustrious golfing career at the University of Florida and was recognized as an AllAmerican in 1960 and 1961 and was later inducted into the Florida Athletic Hall of Fame and the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame.

Beard turned professional in 1962 and became a PGA member in 1982. He won 11 events on the PGA TOUR and one event on the then Champions Tour and was the leading money winner on the PGA TOUR in 1969. He was also in three playoffs on the PGA TOUR and unfortunately lost all three.

Notably, Frank was a member of two victorious Ryder Cup teams, in 1969 and 1971.

He also authored a best-selling book, PRO, an inside look of his 1969 year on the Tour and following his retirement from the PGA TOUR, he worked as a golf commentator on ESPN. Beard was unable to make it to the President’s Dinner and was presented the award in the Desert Chapter by President Michael Holyk.

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TEACHER OF THE YEAR Bob Madsen, PGA Sycuan Resort

CLUBFITTER OF THE YEAR Chris Lesson, PGA Del Mar Golf Center

MERCHANDISER OF THE YEAR, PUBLIC Alan Scheer, PGA Steele Canyon Golf Club

MERCHANDISER OF THE YEAR, PRIVATE Marianne Huning, PGA Bel-Air County Club

MERCHANDISER OF THE YEAR, RESORT Erik Wilson, PGA The Grand Golf Club

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AWARD Steve Adamiak, PGA The Legends Golf Club

HORTON SMITH AWARD Tony Letendre, PGA Professional Golfers Career College

BILL STRAUSBAUGH AWARD Eric Lohman, PGA Monarch Beach Golf Links

ASSISTANT PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR Eric Mitchell, PGA Anaheim Hills Golf Course

YOUTH PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AWARD Joe Grohman, PGA Navy Golf Course

WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR Alison Curdt, PGA Wood Ranch Golf Club

SENIOR PLAYER OF THE YEAR Jon Fiedler, PGA Las Posas Country Club

AAA PLAYER OF THE YEAR Raj Samra Friendly Hills Country Club

WOMEN’S APPRENTICE PLAYER OF THE YEAR Erika Ilagan SeaCliff Country Club

SUPER SENIOR PLAYER OF THE YEAR Paul Wise, PGA Hillcrest Country Club

PLAYER OF THE YEAR Kenny Pigman, PGA Goose Creek Golf Club

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PROGRAM MAGAZINE - YEAR IN REVIEW

MEMBERSHIP

NEWLY ELECTED PGA MEMBERS Andrew Alderdice Vincent Bertagna Nathan Browning Austin Fields Blake Froling Sawyer Heffner Kevin Hwang Joshua Kendall

NEWLY CERTIFIED PROFESSIONALS

Koen Lee Nathan Overcast Sangmin Park Kenneth Pineo Richard Ruddy Harrison Taylor Peter Wolke

NEWLY REGISTERED APPRENTICES Peter Asapahu Douglas Batty Travis Bergman Patrick Carmichael Michael D’Angelo Phillip D’Andrea Zachary Eddy Kevin Fitzgerald Mark Geddes James Gunther Steve Harmon Ashley Huizing Kyle Jones Ryan Keith Junwoo Kim Matthew LoPresti

Jonathan Lum Gary Matthews Sam Mirreghabi Jason Nunez Steven Olson Bake Parker Trevor Raffauf Mike Rawles Anthony Rosario Kelsey Smith Luka Swisher Lavelle Teague Michael Thomas Joseph Vance Filipe Villagomez Jacob Williams

NEW PGA QUARTER CENTURY MEMBERS Richard Booth Michael Coleman Michael Davis Scott Humphrey Janise Lisle Jim Ragan Anthony Schieffer

Mark Stevens David Wright Craig Robbers David Phillips Jeffrey Jones Debra Franchio Glenn Alexakis

NEW PGA HALF CENTURY CLUB

JUSTIN STELZER Golf Operations

JAKE WIESE Instruction Player Development

LINDSEY WINCH Golf Operations

WELCOME WAGON

Chad Brenengen, PGA Nebraska Mallory Carr Illinois Daniel Colton New England Robert Fopma, PGA Michigan David Grove Pacific Northwest Austin Hall, PGA Pacific Northwest Christopher Holloway Pacific Northwest Trey Johnson, PGA

Colorado Kim Kleinle, PGA Philadelphia John McDole, PGA New Jersey Corey McDonough New England Evan Mitchell, PGA Pacific Northwest Aaron Moe, PGA Pacific Northwest Robert Newbill Pacific Northwest Robert Nunn, PGA Georgia Steve Olson Pacific Northwest Jarrett Retz Pacific Northwest Eric Smith, PGA Illinois Harrison Taylor Pacific Northwest Kyle Winn, PGA Northern California Heidi Wright-Tennyson, PGA Carolinas Nicholas Andreis, PGA Sun Country Philip Conrad Southwest Justin Freudenburg , PGA Colorado Robert Garza, PGA Pacific Northwest Timothy Johnson, PGA Southwest Anthony Murphy, PGA Southwest Thomas Page, PGA Alabama Penn Saad, PGA Colorado Eric Smith, PGA

Aloha Debra Spain, PGA North Texas Koby Stauffer, PGA Pacific Northwest Mathew Urban Northern Ohio Rick Vershure, PGA Metropolitan

IN MEMORIAL

Ron Graffius, Frank Beard

MOVING UP

DEREK KANG Instruction

Jim Finn, Red Hill Country Club Mike Shea, The Blade, Ivey Ranch Country Club Carl Welty, Life Member Retired

Christopher Caballero, PGA PGA West Tournament Course

A-1

Charles DeLorey, PGA Borrego Springs Resort

A-4

Michael Fields, PGA Indian Wells Country Club

A-14

Doug Hoffort, PGA Shadow Hills Golf Club

A-1

Ashley Huizing Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club

B-1

Leonia Kim, PGA El Cariso Golf Course

A-1

SCGA HALL OF FAME

Kim Kleinle, PGA Caliente Springs RV Resort Range

A-2

Congratulations SCPGA CEO/Executive Director, Tom Addis III, PGA! Addis was inducted into the Southern California Golf Association Hall of Fame in November of 2017.

Robert Nunn, PGA Islands Golf Center

A-14

James Sandy Mission Club/La Purisima Golf Club

B-13

ORIENTATIONS APPRENTICE May 31 | Sept. 18 | Dec. 4 MEMBER May 9 | Sept. 5 | Oct. 17

UPCOMING EDUCATION EVENTS MARCH 5 Youth Teaching & Coaching Summit SeaCliff Country Club MARCH 26 NC: Education Seminar Sterling Hills Golf Club APRIL 3 MC: Influencer Series Monarch Beach Golf Links APRIL 16 Golf Industry & Business Summit Sheraton Fairplex MAY 10 Leadership Summit Los Coyotes Country Club MAY 17 Women’s PGA Magazine Summit Industry Hills Golf Club JUNE 4 Summer Meeting Coronado Golf Course OCTOBER 22-23 California Teaching & Coaching Summit The Grand Golf Club DECEMBER 10 SCPGA Annual Meeting & Education Wilshire Country Club

MSR CYCLE ENDS JUNE 15, 2018 We are in the last 6 months of MSR Cycle 15A which ends as of June 15, 2018. Currently there are 596 (42.6%) of the SCPGA Members who have not yet recertified. MSR credits must be met for both categories; PGA Required and Total MSR by June 15, 2018. Failure to meet the complete PGA Required and the Total MSR requirements by June 15, 2018, will result in the member being reclassified to Class F as of July 1, 2018. Members classified F on July 1, 2018 will need to earn the deficit credits plus an amount equal to the deficit prior to the end on MSR Cycle 16A to avoid being dropped from the active membership rolls.

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MEMBERSHIP

NEW MEMBERS WHAT IS YOUR MAIN REASON OR MOTIVATION FOR BECOMING A PGA PROFESSIONAL?

ANDREW ALDERDICE A-8 Newport Beach Country Club Very passionate about the game and very motivated to create lasting memories.

VINCENT BERTAGNA A-8 Los Serranos Country Club To be around the atmosphere of the golf course environment and to grow the game to all of those who are eager to learn and play golf to the best of their abilities.

JOHN FRANCIS A-6 John Francis Golf Studio

LAURA LUETHKE A-8 Indian Springs Golf Club

I love the game of golf and wanted to share my love and passion with everyone.

I love the game of golf and wanted to share my passion with others & grow the game.

KEVIN HWANG A-13 Carmel Mountain Ranch Country Club

JOHN MCDOLE A-6 Henry Brunton Golf Academy at Strawberry Farms

I love finding and developing talent. It is a special privilege to see those you have mentored thriving in the golf industry.

Became a member in New Jersey in 2001. Got reinstated after a two year break from the PGA. Moved to SoCal and am excited to rejoin the PGA.

JOSH KENDALL A-8 Lomas Santa Fe Country Club

NATHAN OVERCAST A-8 Lomas Santa Fe Country Club

Surround myself with golfers, be active & enjoy the game of golf for a sustainable fun life, pays more than hanging out at the beach, and love teaching & coaching.

Being a golf professional is to help people enjoy the game as much as I do.

BLAKE FROLING A-8 Monarch Beach Golf Links

KOEN LEE A-6 Monterey Park Golf Club

RICHARD RUDDY A-8 Sandpiper Golf Club

It’s always been a goal to be a PGA member. I had a few great PGA mentors who showed & taught me a lot about golf but just as much about life. I hope I can have a similar impact.

There are lots of students that play golf in China. They need many certified golf instructors. I want to be a bridge between USA & China.

To share my love for the game with as many people as possible.

It is something I love and thoroughly enjoy. The feeling of helping another golfer improve their game and the joy they experience is awesome.

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SAWYER HEFFNER A-6 Indian Wells Country Club

PROGRAM MAGAZINE - YEAR IN REVIEW

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT MIKE VAN DER GOES, PGA SATICOY COUNTRY CLUB

The Chapter and Section have also recognized Mike in being awarded Metro Chapter PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year, Southern California PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year & Metro Chapter PGA Golf Professional of the Year.

Mike was recognized by the City of Los Angeles and the County of Los Angeles, receiving Commendation Awards for Junior Golf and Growth of the Game initiatives.

PERSONAL PROFILE

Mike is a sports enthusiast; he has competed in marathons, triathlons, loves to try out every sport available. His true love of sports rests with golf. He was introduced to golf by his mom who maintained a six handicap during her active years of playing the game. Mike enjoys the competition golf provides.

It is a competition between mind, course, and individuals. Mike was born in Europe (Netherlands) and moved to Africa, Spain, France, Belgium, and Indonesia before coming to the States in 1979 when his mom married his step-father. Accompanying Mike in his professional and personal journey are Christina and Michelle. Christina and Mike have been married for 28 years and his daughter Michelle will be turning 21 this year.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Mike van der Goes has been a PGA "Class A" Member since 1995, and currently is the General Manager and COO of Saticoy Country Club.

Mike van der Goes family photo

Before Saticoy Country Club, Mike was the General Manager & Director of Golf at The Tournament Players Club Valencia.

Before his position at TPC, he was the Head Professional, Director of Golf and ultimately the General Manager at Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes.

During his tenure and employment in the Metropolitan Chapter, Mike served on the Chapter Board as Employment Chairman, Apprentice Chairman, Vice President and Metro Chapter President for two terms.

Mike also served as the Metropolitan Chapter Representative for the Section Board of Directors.

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SCPGA FOUNDATION

CLUBSFOREYOUTH®

ClubsForeYouth® donation to Valley View High School

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PROGRAM MAGAZINE - YEAR IN REVIEW

BY: M AT T G I L S O N SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA F O U N DAT I O N D I R E C TO R MGILSON@PGAHQ.COM

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PROGRAM MAGAZINE - YEAR IN REVIEW

The SCPGA’s ClubsForeYouth® program is underway in 2018, and this year will see significant growth of the program since its inception a year ago. The most notable changes to the program will be an increase in the number of clubs donated and the expansion to include boys high school golfers. 200 sets of Wilson Staff golf equipment were delivered to the SCPGA Headquarters in early January and have already been donated to studentathletes throughout Southern California. An additional 400 sets will be ordered by the summer of 2018. We invite you to follow along with our progress across social media. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram!

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S C P G A F O U N DAT I O N

PROUD PARTNERS OF CLUBSFOREYOUTH®

We were happy to announce the programs continuation in 2018 after receiving tremendous support over the last year. The first donation presentations of 2018 were held in San Bernardino County on January 12th, with clubs going to three high schools; University Prep High School, ACE Charter School, and Highland High School. The SCPGA Foundation aims to steadily grow the program, which has donated 276 sets to-date. The goal of ClubsForeYouth® is to contribute 600 sets of golf equipment to student-athletes in the three CIF Sections - Southern, LA City, and San Diego.

The Southern California PGA Foundation’s ClubsForeYouth® program has brought pure joy and excitement to hundreds male and female student-

ClubsForeYouth® donation to Rancho Mirage High School

DONALD AND CAROLE CHAIKEN FOUNDATION

ClubsForeYouth® donation to University Prep High School

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PROGRAM MAGAZINE - YEAR IN REVIEW

athletes. Many of these student-athletes are brand new to the game of golf and we are thrilled to be able to provide them with the necessary resources to foster and sustain their interest in the game.

A special thanks to the Friends of Golf, DevTo Support Foundation, American Junior Golf Association, Wilshire Country Club, The Donald and Carole Chaiken Foundation, Wadsworth Golf Charities Foundation, the LA84 Foundation, California Canopy, and Wilson Staff, for affording us the opportunity to impact hundreds of youth golfers throughout Southern California. We are looking forward to another great year!

Wilson Staff

The Southern California PGA Foundation truly appreciates the continued generosity and goodwill from the Orange County Seniors Golf Association. A special thanks Gary Fleming, Ron Kiracofe, Steve Rach, Tom Pardue, Dan Lloyd, and Joanna Mergelmeyer for their tremendous support in 2017. The OCSGA and SCPGA Foundation raised $15,000 toward the SCPGA Foundation’s grants and ClubsForeYouth Ž programs.

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COVER STORY

GOLF PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR A PGA Member since 2000, Eric Lohman has served for several years on the Board of the SCPGA Metro Chapter, been an active participant in numerous Section Committees, is a member of the Section Board of Directors and is currently the General Manager of Monarch Beach Golf Links in Dana Point.

S

ome of his accomplishments as a board member include creating the Chapter Challenge, reintroducing the Southern California Golf Open which he hosted three years at Monarch Beach, and most recently he helped develop and host the very first Influencer Speaker Series as an arm of the Mentorship Committee, which he is also the chairperson. For many years, Eric has been a Nike Golf Elite Staff Member, and currently is a member of the Callaway Master Staff program. He has been very fortunate to have strong support from such great companies. Eric, along with his wife Lauren and their two daughters Harper and Sutton, reside in Newport Beach.

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PROGRAM MAGAZINE - YEAR IN REVIEW

Eric Lohman, PGA

“BY GIVING BACK TO YOUR CLUB, STAFF, FAMILY AND SECTION, IT WILL ENSURE THAT THOSE AROUND YOU WILL BENEFIT AND PROSPER AND THAT IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANY AWARD.”

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COVER STORY

As a PGA Professional, how do you feel about receiving the Golf Professional of the Year award?

It has been a very humbling experience to be recognized by our Section and my peers. Since the awards were announced in the fall, many of my PGA friends have reached out and congratulated me and that has been very cool. Also now because I have won, I feel even more motivated to give back to our Section and assist others.

What does the award mean to Monarch Beach Golf Links, your family, and your career?

How will the Golf Professional of the Year award make you and your staff at Monarch Beach Golf Links better?

If anything it’s a reminder that people are noticing what we are doing and that all of us at Monarch need to continue to be best in class. We can’t rest on our laurels, there is no time for it, and now we need to lead by example and create more engaged raving fans.

What advice do you have for those PGA members who now aspire to also be the Golf Professional of the Year?

We have so many great golf professionals that deserve to be recognized and hopefully they will in the years to come. By giving back to your club, staff, family and Section, it will ensure that those around you will benefit and prosper and that is even more important than any award. I was lucky to have some great mentors and role models and can’t thank those people enough, now it is my turn to return the favor!

I think the award is indeed a team award and also recognizes some of the success we have witnessed at Monarch Beach. As represented by

“WE CAN’T REST ON OUR LAURELS, THERE IS NO TIME FOR IT, AND NOW WE NEED TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE” my team in attendance at the awards dinner, we all were able to celebrate it.

To have my family in attendance, my wife Lauren, my daughters, parents and in-laws was also very special. My kids now know daddy doesn’t just play golf everyday. In regards to my career, I’m not sure if there will be an affect and to be honest that doesn’t really matter to me, just being recognized in this fashion has been great.

You will carry the banner of Golf Professional of the Year for the Section and the PGA. What does that mean and what implications does carrying the banner carry with it?

Probably different for everyone and it all depends on the state of your career. I’m in the middle of mine so for me, this is just catalyst to continue on the same path of working hard, smart and giving back to my PGA members. It isn’t time to fade away and relish, but more so to amp up and accomplish more.

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Monarch Beach Golf Links Golf Shop

10 THINGS TO KNOW

“GOLF HAS BEEN SAID TO BE FAR MORE THAN A SPORT, BUT TRULY A WAY OF LIFE. LIVE WELL AND PROSPER.”

BY: JEFF JOHNSON, PGA SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA C H I E F O P E R AT I N G O F F I C E R JJOHNSON@PGAHQ.COM

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The LPGA Tour will be playing Wilshire Country Club in the HUGEL-JTBC Open April 19-22, 2018.

The SCPGA Junior Program and it’s three tours finished the year with 2,617 members.

This year’s section championship will be held at both La Quinta Country Club & Rancho La Quinta Country Club. They will split duties in hosting rounds one & two making for desirable morning tee times for the Championship.

We will conduct 12 Neighborhood Golf events this year at a variety of corporate health fairs. Come teach with us.

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Tiger Woods is still the career money leader on the PGA TOUR.

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Mens & Womens California State Open Championships will be played at Maderas Golf Club in July this year.

Michael Block, PGA and Alison Curdt, PGA grew up playing at the same facility, Whitmoor Country Club in St. Louis.

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We will host 18 Drive, Chip and Putt events this year & the finals will once again be at Torrey Pines Golf Course.

We plan to deliver 600 sets of new Wilson golf clubs to boys and girls high school teams this year.

The Section’s LINK program is an outstanding way to let us help you find students. Check it out and sign up today!

SCPGA.COM

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I N D U S T R Y A DVA N TAG E

5 TRENDS IN SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP 2018 A LOOK AHEAD

is a slow and often painful process.

Social entrepreneurs cannot afford to risk the suffering of others by tolerating mediocrity.

BY: F R A N K TA L A R I CO , J R .

CONTRIBUTOR I N N OVATO R , C H A M P I O N OF SOCIAL ENTERPRISE & CEO OF GOODWILL OF OC

S

ocial enterprises are sometimes billion-dollar operations, and the social entrepreneurs who lead them need to treat them as such.

While our for-profit counterparts have a commitment to their shareholders, the social entrepreneur has an obligation to those we serve.

Failure to do our job, especially from the executive suites, places not only dollars, but lives at risk. Dollars are short-term problems, but regaining the public’s trust and undoing harm

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HOW DO WE DO BETTER BY OUR STAKEHOLDERS IN 2018? Here are the five trends I expect to see in social enterprise leadership in the coming year.

1

Leaders will selflessly infuse passion into mission. In 1999, Goodwill of Orange County CEO George Kessinger challenged his team to develop a platform on which donated goods could be sold on the Internet. George always had a personal penchant for technology, but his idea stemmed from an even stronger passion for the organization’s mission. He had the foresight to see that his organization had the opportunity to leverage new tools, create an online movement and forever impact Goodwill nationally and internationally for years to come.

His decision originated in his heart, but was motivated by priorities

PROGRAM MAGAZINE - YEAR IN REVIEW

outside of himself. Thus, shopgoodwill. com, the largest nonprofit-run online auction website, was born. This past summer, shopgoodwill.com surpassed the $500 million revenue mark, earned, to-date, for all participating Goodwills in the United States. Expect leaders to drive innovation this year.

2

Leaders will be cognizant and self-aware. One or two incidents are data points. Several in a similar theme are a trend. Executives and Board Members, alike, will become more aware of organizational and industry trends. As Chairman of the Southern California PGA Foundation Board of Directors, my peers and I recognized a sizeable absence of programs that encourage girls to play the game of golf. In 2017, we launched ClubsForeYouth®.

In the first year, 300 sets of clubs were distributed to low-income high schools that otherwise wouldn’t have been able to field a girls’ team. We were on to something. In 2018, we will double this number—and still not meet the demand.

SOURCE: HUFFINGTON POST

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Leaders will be held accountable. When the leader fails, understand why. The Board should never “be in the proverbial weeds,” but they have a fiduciary responsibility to “be in the know.” Additionally, the Board must engage in critical practice of succession planning. In the event of an abrupt or even planned transition, how will the incumbent leave and how might a replacement be found are the first two questions that must be considered. As social enterprises engage in a paradigm shift toward sustainability, consistent leadership will become a significant tenet of that shift.

4

Leaders will remain relevant.

Leaders set organizational vision and tone. The leader establishes the enterprise’s personality and his or her team’s culture. And sometimes leaders run their course. Those entrusted with a social enterprises’ future will be more aggressive in 2018 about assessing tenure and deciding if

the organization demands a fresh perspective.

CMY

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5

Leaders will inspire others.

Leaders ought to be bold, but not reckless. Leaders need to be focused, but not immovable. Goodwill of Orange County’s relationship with the NFL Retired Players Congress in support of our Veterans is a fine example. The work we have done, thus far, for Veterans inspired the NFL Retired Players Congress to join forces with us and, together, make an even larger difference in the service of those who have so selflessly served our nation. To even begin the work we now do at our Tierney Center for Veteran Services, we had to collaborate with others. Today, the Tierney Center is a national model for the delivery of Veteran Services in America. In 2018, you will hear more extraordinary stories of partnerships and pairings across the nation that inspire all of us to do well by doing good.

SCPGA.COM

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LEADERSHIP COLUMN

HOW MENTORSHIP HAS HELPED GUIDE ME BY: ERIC LOHMAN, PGA 2017 GOLF PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR & BILL STR AUS BAU G H AWAR D RECIPIENT

I

would not have been recognized this year for my dedication to my staff and the SCPGA if it were not for the people that I worked for and learned from throughout my career.

Not to say that each and every person that I encountered was a positive influence, because certainly that has not been the case, albeit I have learned from each of them. From those that I truly admired, I have learned that they did not do everything perfectly and from those that were somewhat of a train wreck, I learned that there might have been a better way to go about things. You are constantly learning.

Probably the most important thing I have taken from my managers, peers, and mentors was that as I progressed through my career, I needed to rely on others more and to continue to learn from them.

More so than my staff could benefit from growing their business acumen by learning from my past experiences, successful or not. I would like to acknowledge a few of those that stood out, whom I admire and refer to daily.

First off, the late great Mr. Jim Flick was a great influence on my life as he taught me the value of appreciation. The man absolutely appreciated his students, staff, and all those that he surrounded himself with. He treated everyone as an equal and demanded that they do the same to others. Mr. Flick had two spoken and one unspoken rule which were you never sat down in front of a guest (so as to demonstrate to them you were bored, tired or disinterested), you never wore a hat indoors (Midwestern values and politeness), and the guest needed to receive value for their time and money.

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PROGRAM MAGAZINE - YEAR IN REVIEW

Influencer Series at Monarch Beach Golf Links

Orrin Vincent, the O in OB Sports, the company I work for now, taught me to think outside the box, get out of your comfort zone, be engaging, dynamic, cross-train and to be a promoter of your course, the game, and yourself. By doing such, it would lead to success and career advancement.

Vincent created a management company with this philosophy, and has touched thousands with his personality and desire to be the best that he can be in a team first environment.

Tom Addis, Jeff Johnson, and John McNair have taught me the “PGA way” as they have truly led our Section to be the most successful and dynamic Section in the country. The amount of time, energy and effort that goes into what they do is outstanding and we are all simply trying to duplicate their success and achievements because exceeding them is not possible. They have set the bar high, and our goal is to keep it there.

From others, I have learned that you need to be a great listener, a better communicator, fair, consistent, and not be shortsighted but to make wise long-term business decisions. Stay humble, be compassionate, be willing to do anything you ask others to do, and take responsibility for everything as success is truly driven by a team’s overall effort.

Finally we must learn from others of what they do well and try to duplicate it and learn from them what they do poorly and never repeat it. We are not perfect people or error free operators, but the best approach is to strive for improvement. I am grateful for these awards and look forward to assisting others as many have done for me.

ENGAGE YOUR COMMUNITY WITH PGA JR. LEAGUE YOUR GAME-CHANGING WAY TO CREATE: 

ROUNDS

Build loyalty and increase family activity at your facility 2017: 73% of eligible players returned to the program!



REVENUE

Generate significant personal and facility revenue 2017: $5.6 million in registration income to Captains!



GOLFERS

Engage new and existing customers 2017: 80% of players identified as beginner or recreational golfers!

Supported through PGA REACH, impacting lives through golf.

The PGA Jr. League name and logo are a trademark of the PGA of America.

JOIN THE TEAM AT PGA.org/PGAJrLeague

SUPPORTED BY ®

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PROGRAM MAGAZINE - YEAR IN REVIEW TM

WE ASKED OUR 2017 TEACHER OF THE YEAR, WHAT THAT REALLY MEANS TO HIM:

TEACHERS FORUM

You’ve worked long and hard, and honored numerous times, what does the SCPGA Teacher of the Year award mean to you?

2017 TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Honestly, I am thrilled and on top of the world. It’s been quite a year for the Madsen family. Our son captained his high school Robotics team to the world championships, then graduated. He’s started as a freshman at Cal Poly SLO and is thriving. Numerous first time big wins for my students, everyone’s handicaps are coming down, players are enjoying the game more than ever, starting novices left and right, San Diego Chapter Golf Professional of the Year, and now this. Wow. Life is good.

BOB MADSEN, PGA BMADSEN@ S YC UA N R E S O R T. C O M

Bob Madsen, PGA has practiced his fine trade since 1983 at Sycuan Resort - previously Singing Hills C.C. & Resort, hired by Tom Addis III and Gary Glaser. Now a Quarter Century PGA member, Bob attained his membership in 1991, and Director of Instruction the same year. He’s an accomplished player including wins in all SD Chapter PGA major individual and team events.

Bob competed in a number of PGA Professional Championship regionals, two national PPC’s, and four Open Championship qualifiers in Scotland & England.

B

ob is very passionate about PGA Education and growing instruction programs. He is heavily involved as an attendee and presenter at seminars, is a member of the SCPGA Teaching Committee and a contributor to SCPGA Teacher’s Huddle. Bob is also a three-time SD Chapter PGA Teacher of the Year, is the current SD Chapter Golf Professional of the Year and recognized as a 2017 GRAA Top 50 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional.

Madsen and the staff at Sycuan specialize in introducing absolute novices to the game

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with the help of their 18 hole par 3 course. He believes golf needs to be affordable and more courses walkable. At Sycuan, they teach golf to athletes including the following: The School of Golf Exclusively for Women, Get Golf Ready, special needs such as autism, junior golfers, high schools and host women’s and junior golf events.

Madsen, who uses very little video analysis, spends almost all of his teaching time on the golf course, believing that’s where golf lessons are best done and loves having students play with fewer clubs at a fast pace.

He has pioneered classes such as Swift Walk and Golf, Golf Breakthroughs Golf Schools, Mastering the Skill Sets and customized golf schools for hotel guests. An avid golf book reader, Bob became a published author in 2015 when he released his own book, Easy Bogey How To Break 90 which emphasizes course management and “caddying for yourself” better. Madsen has instructed numerous exceptional golfers including former US Public Links Champion, Byron Meth; local amateur champion Howie Knodt; San Diego City Amateur champion, Don Eklund and the current Golf Channel Am Tour Sr. champion, Dan Sivadge.

PROGRAM MAGAZINE - YEAR IN REVIEW

I think the award means more to my clients than it does to me actually. They are the ones who are involved in my work and know first-hand the value. They are thankful that I have been recognized.

How will the award help your golf coaching and your coaching business and how does Sycuan Resort feel about your award?

It’s about the team of PGA and LPGA professionals: Director of Golf Clint Higgins, Kim, Julie, Ricky, Scotty, Jason, and Joey.

Our work isn’t about awards. We are about teaching people how to play better, and to enjoy the game more. In the process, we end up with incredible relationships and bring in business to the Resort. We are thankful to those who reach out and ask for our help. We believe how we care for people is extraordinary and worth advocating. We are always looking for ways to set ourselves apart at Sycuan. If the awards help, then all the better.

What will you do now that you are carrying the banner of the Sections Teacher of the Year?

Unfortunately, the public simply and sadly does not know who we are. “You’re the Teacher of the Year of the Southern Cal what again?” Since I can remember, I have been taking every opportunity to help everyone distinguish between us and the tour players. I believe everyone should know what a PGA Professional is. You may never need a lawyer, but you know what one is, right? We need to do better at this at the grass roots level.

I continue to work to move the needle and aid golf instruction’s culture: our focus, shared beliefs, abilities, and reputation.

POWERFUL PERFORMANCE CONNECTING PEOPLE AND INFORMATION MANAGED NETWORK SERVICES

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CONTACT US TODAY FOR A HASSLE FREE ASSESSMENT! ORANGE COUNTY SAN DIEGO LOS ANGELES INLAND EMPIRE PHOENIX TUCSON 800.996.9591 kdswest.marketing@da.kyocera.com www.kdswest.com n

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PROGRAM MAGAZINE - YEAR IN REVIEW

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BETTER, FRESHER & A WHOLE LOT FASTER.

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P R O G R A M M A G A Z I N E - Y E A R I N ©2017 REVIE W JIMMY

JOHN’S FRANCHISE, LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Q&A The Southern California PGA sat down with Deedee Lasker of Golf Pride Grips and wanted to know how to enhance your members experience on the grip front!

How frequently should our members regrip their clubs?

A lot depends on the individual, but we recommend once a year. If the individual practices a lot it might be sooner. From a timing perspective you can encourage your members to do a pre-season regrip.

If you are at a desert club and your members are in town for the winter months, this is a perfect time to suggest regripping their clubs for the winter season.

What type of grips should I recommend for my members?

Grip type is a personal choice and that is why we have a large selection of sku’s to choose from. If they are looking for comfort, we recommend the CP2 Family.

If they want something tacky, the TW2G Family. If they want a medium/standard type of feel, the Tour Velvet or VDR Family. A hybrid type of grip would be the Multi-Compound grip. And a firm grip which provides a lot of shot feedback would be the Z-Cord grip or the Tour Velvet Full Cord.

PARTN ER H IG H LIG HT

www.golfpride.com we have a Media Center location, which has a variety of resources available. You can also go to www.golfpride.com/POP and have access to a variety of tools to help promote regripping at your facility.

(Displays, signage, aprons, fitting cards, etc.) Also our website is very interactive if you have grip questions or concerns.

Does Golf Pride sell direct?

No we don’t. But you can purchase grips from one of our authorized distributors listed on our website. Our distributors are located in such a way that you can receive product in one shipping day.

What is the typical installation fee charged when installing grips?

Sometimes these fees vary, but in the Southern California area a typical installation fee is $3/grip. So for the bag room or golf cart attendant it’s a great way for someone to make some extra money. Just in labor for 13 clubs, someone can make $39 by regripping a set of clubs. Done correctly it can take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour.

Plus you are providing your members with exceptional service.

What percentage of PGA TOUR Professionals play Golf Pride products?

Week in and week out approximately 80% of tour professionals worldwide play Golf Pride products. In 2017, Golf Pride has had 139 Worldwide wins and our nearest competitor has had 11 wins.

We don’t pay the professionals to play our product. We have a quality product, a great brand, and we have the resources to provide excellent customer service.

Once we determine the style of grip, what’s next?

You need to determine the correct size (Undersize, Standard, Midsize or Jumbo) and then color.

How can I promote regripping at my facility?

E-blasts are popular today with membership newsletters. If you visit

DEEDEE LASKER DeedeeLasker@Eaton.com Key Accounts Representative - Retail 760.685.2791

SCPGA.COM

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NEW YEAR, NEW LAWS W H AT P G A P R O F E S S I O N A L S A N D G M ’ S OUGHT TO KNOW AS 2017 TURNS TO 2018

BY: CRAIG KESSLER SCGA DIRECTOR, GOVER N M ENT AFFAI RS CKESSLER@SCGA.ORG

I

t’s a new year. Individuals make resolutions. Organizations make plans. Governments make laws. Here are a few of particular consequence for the golf industry.

On January 1, the state minimum wage increased to $10.50 per hour for businesses with 25 or fewer employees and to $11.00 per hour for businesses with 26 or more employees. Of course, myriad cities in the state’s urban cores have wages in excess of that, as they all race to converge on a $15 per hour minimum wage at various different future points – more so in Los Angeles County than other Southern California counties, but those higher wages are an integral part of the San Diego County tapestry as well.

Locally, Los Angeles, Pasadena, and Santa Monica already have $12 minimum wages in place for large companies and $10.50 for small ones. Those rates will climb to $13.25 and $12 respectively on July 1 and reach the magic $15 rate in 2020 for large companies and 2021 for small ones. To the extent to which some golf courses are part of resort or hotel complexes, minimum wages for hotel or resort specific employees (not sure about hybrids) are even higher in Los Angeles, Santa Monica and Long Beach.

Those who opined that the minimum wage movement was an out of control freight train running down the State of California threatening to kill or maim anyone with the temerity to get in its way

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– well, let’s just say that they got it right. And we have to learn to live with it as a cost of doing business.

The same goes for water, energy and regulatory compliance. On so many fronts, the golf industry faces costs rising faster than our capacity to raise prices to accommodate them, whether in the form of greens fees or club dues. It’s why efforts to “grow” the game are so important.

It’s why efforts to “save” the game in certain communities are even more important. Without the small developmental facilities to ply our “growth” programs, it’s hard to see how we can succeed.

For those of you inclined to add the minimum wage freight train to the woes of an “out of control” deep blue state, please be aware that while the train may be under somewhat better control, it is running down the middle of a number of red states at the moment. The following states under dual branch Republican control are also raising their minimum wages right now, albeit by an average of only 25 cents per hour as opposed to California’s 50 cents and on a base that begins lower: Ohio, Florida, Montana, South Dakota, Arizona and Michigan. And keep in mind that in 2014 and 2016 a number of deep red states like Oklahoma and Arkansas passed by overwhelming margins voter initiatives that raised their minimum wages after their state legislatures failed to take action.

On January 1, small California businesses with 20 to 49 employees

PROGRAM MAGAZINE - YEAR IN REVIEW

will be joining those businesses with 50 or more employees in offering a full 12 weeks of unpaid maternity and paternity leave.

Larger businesses began offering it last year.

California employers are now forbidden from making inquiries of job applicants about past salaries – an effort to mitigate gender pay inequity. Those who start behind are never going to catch up if salaries are predicated upon past history.

California has now extended to all employers of five or more persons a requirement to delay background checks about conviction records until after a conditional job offer is made. In a similar vein, the state now permits those arrested for or charged with a crime to have that expunged from the public record absent a conviction.

A handful of days before Christmas, the United States Congress passed and the President signed the most comprehensive piece of tax legislation in 31 years.

Because there were no hearings and zero public deliberation, it will take months if not years before its full impact will be understood.

But we do know that taxpayers will no longer be able to deduct 50% of the costs associated with certain client related business expenses, among them sporting events, concerts and rounds of golf. This can only exacerbate the cost squeeze the game already faces with labor, water, energy, and regulatory compliance costs – to what degree, again, we won’t fully understand until we have lived with the new protocol for a while.

I have barely scratched the surface, having covered just those new laws and regulations I thought were of visceral interest to PGA Golf Professionals and General Managers. There is oh so much more! Governments make far more laws than I make resolutions, and they are much better than I at sticking to them.

SOPHISTICATED. SOCIAL. CONTEMPORARY. CASUAL. For more than 60 years, perched above

of members in search of a private home-

with classes • Six-lane competition

the famed Pacific Coast Highway and

away-from-home experience in the heart

pool with a sundeck and cabanas and a

spanning nearly 56,000 square feet,

of Newport Beach.

separate kids’ pool (Construction to be

Key attributes of the Clubhouse include:

complete this fall)

Newport Beach Country Club has been a celebrated social haven capturing the spirit of one of Southern California’s most sought-after destinations through exceptional golf, a warm atmosphere and a spectacular location that boasts panoramic views of emerald fairways and sapphire seas.

And that’s just the beginning.

• 4,000-square-foot ballroom, featuring lofty 17-foot ceilings, room for up to 300 guests and the city’s only front-row, panoramic views of sparkling Newport Harbor and rolling fairway • Seahorse— the Club’s new signature eatery featuring classic Californian cuisine prepared with fresh regionally-sourced

• 6,600-yard, 18-hole, 71-par golf course • Originally created by world-renowned designer William “Billy” Bell • Popular stop on the PGA Champions Tour for more than 20 years— home of the Toshiba Classic each year Create new memories in a California coastal gathering place. Share the

Welcome in to the new Newport

ingredients

Beach Country Club. Their brand

• Dining room accommodates up to 150

new $40 million Clubhouse, an iconic

people with indoor/outdoor seating

architectural statement on coastal

• Indoor/outdoor bar & lounge with fire

California’s Craftsman design, invites

pits and ocean views

you to experience a fresh take on

• Private dining room for up to 120 people

Newport Beach belonging where

• 2,500-square-foot fitness center with

To inquire about membership

resort-style amenities and welcoming

state-of-the-art cardio and strength-

opportunities, visit NewportBeachCC.

atmosphere cater to a new generation

training equipment, and a breakout studio

com or call 949.644.9550

legacy of a family-oriented Orange County destination. Join the movement to a modern take on private country club living that embraces the best of its Newport Beach address.

SCPGA.COM

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TO U R N A M E N T R E S U LT S

Champions ON THE COURSE

E-Z-GO SUPERINTENDENT-PROFESSIONAL-MANAGER CHAMPIONSHIP November 6 at Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club 1 La Quinta Country Club, -15, 129, $2,200 T2 Navy Golf Course, -14, 130, $1,166.67 T2 Carmel Mountain Ranch Country Club, -14, 130, $1,166.67 T2 Marbella Country Club, -14, 130, $1,166.67

CLUB CAR ANNUAL MEETING/PINEHURST CHAMPIONSHIP December 4 at Newport Beach Country Club T1 Jerry Wisz/Mickey Yokoi, Alhambra G.C., -6, 65, $2000 T1 Brett Mormann/Roger Gunn, Tierra Rejada G.C., -6, 65, $2000 3 Andrew Larkin, UCLA/Steve Holmes, Westlake G.C., -5, 66, $1,500

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PROGRAM MAGAZINE - YEAR IN REVIEW

PROFESSIONAL-LADY CHAMPIONSHIP November 20 at Palos Verdes Golf Club 1 Michael Block/Jillian Braverman, Arroyo Trabuco G.C., - 6, 65, $1,200 2 Jim Ditrixhe/Akemi Khaiat, Riviera C.C., -3, 68, $1,000 3 James Prestella/Kathy Kurata, Friendly Hills C.C., -2, 69, $875

CLUB CAR AGGREGATE - FARMERS INSURANCE OPEN January 8 at Fairbanks Ranch Country Club 1 Michael Block, Arroyo Trabuco G.C., -7, 65, $850 T2 Cory Scoggin, The Farms G.C., - 3, 69, $540 T2 Ryan Kennedy, Rustic Canyon G.C., - 3, 69, $540 T2 Ron Skayhan, Hillcrest C.C., - 3, 69, $540 CLUB CAR AGGREGATE - GENESIS OPEN February 5 at Hacienda Golf Club 1 Vinnie Poncino, San Clemente G.C., -3, 68, $1,250 2 Michael Block, Arroyo Trabuco G.C., -2, 69, $950 3 Kenny Pigman, Goose Creek G.C., -1, 70, $710

UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS MARCH 12 Pro-Scratch Championship Valencia Country Club MARCH 15 APA Stroke Play Goose Creek Golf Club MARCH 20-22 Southern California Open Industry Hills Golf Club

WOMEN'S SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP November 15-16 at Avondale Golf Club 1 Alison Curdt, Wood Ranch G.C., -6, 138, $1,150 2 Erika Ilagan, SeaCliff C.C., -3, 141, $850 3 Sara Ovadia, The Alisal, -2, 142, $680 Alison Curdt, PGA of Wood Ranch Golf Club claims the 2017 Women’s Section Championship with rounds of 69-69 to finish with a 36-hole total of 138, six-under par and three strokes clear of the field. Curdt, who won this Championship in 2015, caps off a memorable season now earning Women’s Player of the Year honors for the second consecutive year. Alison also had a strong showing back in September at the Section Championship finishing T4 and qualifying for the PGA Professional Championship - the first female to do so in our section.

Special thanks to the host facility, Avondale Golf Club, Head Professional Peter White, PGA, and their members. Thank you to our tournament partners; PGA TOUR, Tracy Lane Foundation, Pepsi, & Sterling Cut Glass.

MARCH 28-29 Senior Metro 2-Day Industry Hills Golf Club APRIL 9 Yamaha Senior-Junior Championship Marine Memorial Golf Course APRIL 17 Senior Individual Stroke Play TBD APRIL 19 APA Stroke Play Oak Valley Golf Club APRIL 23 Four-Ball Championship La Costa Golf Resort APRIL 25 Women’s Team Championship Aviara Golf Club MAY 7 Club Car Professional-Official La Quinta Country Club MAY 9-10 Senior Northern 2-Day Ojai Valley Inn, Soule Park MAY 14 The Stroke Play Classic Andalusia Country Club

AAA NORTH/SOUTH CUP MATCHES November 13-14 at Saddle Creek Golf Resort The 2017 SCPGA AAA Division season came to a close with the annual AAA North/ South Cup against the Northern California PGA. For the third straight year, the cup changed hands, as the NCPGA battled to a 13.5-10.5 victory at beautiful Saddle Creek Golf Resort in Copperopolis, CA. The NCPGA took control of the matches after winning the four-ball session 5-1. Special thanks to Under Armour & Golf Pride Grips for outfitting the team!

SCPGA AAA Team: Raj Samra, Bobby Nickell, Chris Lungo, Kyle Mendoza, Kenny Pigman, Matthew Rassier, Alex Hird, Michael Mendoza, Lyon Lazare, Steve Tanis, James Moreno, Jayme Backos SCPGA Captain: Robin Shelton, PGA

MAY 17 APA Stroke Play The Golf Club of California MAY 30-31 Senior Desert 2-Day Indian Springs Golf Club JUNE 4 Summer Meeting & Pro-Pro Scramble Coronado Golf Course

SCPGA.COM

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TO U R N A M E N T R E S U LT S

ANNOUNCING THE...

A PA TO U R N A M E N T DIVISION The SCPGA has renamed the AAA divsion to the Apprentice Professional Association (APA).

WOMEN’S MATCHES December 15-16 at Mission Hills Country Club The annual Women’s Cup Matches were held at the iconic Mission Hills Country Club. The best eight SCPGA Women’s Members/Apprentices played against the best eight Southern California Women’s Amateurs in a Ryder Cup style format.

With a strong eight player team, the professionals led by Women’s Player of the Year Alison Curdt, PGA, went on to win five of the eight single matches to retain the title and bring home the cup, finishing 9-3 over the SoCal Women’s Amateurs.

SCPGA Women’s Team: Ronnie Valerio, Yumi Chung, Jacqueline Rigle, Heather King, Sara Ovadia, Erika Ilagan, Bari Brandwynne, Alison Curdt SCPGA Captain: Kim Falcone, PGA

SENIOR DIVISION PLAYERS DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP November 8-9 at Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon YOUNG SENIORS Alan Sorensen, Buena Vista G.C., -3, 141, $760 MID SENIORS Jerry Wisz, Alhambra G.C., -5, 139, $1000 SUPER SENIOR Paul Wise, Hillcrest C.C., -3, 141, $760

JOE ROBINSON MEMORIAL November 27 at Jurupa Hills Country Club 1 Brett Massingham, Strawberry Farms G.C., E, 70, $215 2 Paul Holtby, Golf Development Complex, +1, 71, $190 3 Scott Mallory, Journey at Pechanga, +2, 72, $165

CHAPTER CHALLENGE January 29 at Oakmont Country Club 1 San Diego Chapter, 340 2 Northern Chapter, 349 3 Inland Empire Chapter, 350 4 Desert Chapter, 353 5 Metro Chapter, 356 San Diego Chapter Matt Gibbens Josh Haynes Heather King Chris Lempa Barry Mahlberg Jeff Munak

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Team Members: Bruce Nakamura Tim Parun Alan Scheer Brian Smock Gary Sowinski Grant Strobel

The SCPGA Chapter Challenge is held each year in January where the top chapter points leaders from each of the five Chapters compete in a team format with the other Chapters. The San Diego Chapter took home the Challenge Cup for the eighth time in the 11 years of the matches with a team total of 340. Thank you to the wonderful hosts at Oakmont Country Club PGA host professionals General Manager Scott Heyn and Director of Golf Mark Wilson.

We also appreciate the support of John Ashworth and LINKSOUL for outfitting each team member for the Challenge.

PROGRAM MAGAZINE - YEAR IN REVIEW

KICK-OFF CLASSIC January 22 at Bear Creek Golf Club T1 Glenn Alexakis, Riviera C.C., Joe Haggerty, Seven Oaks C.C., Bruce Nakamura, Aviara Golf Academy, Tom Sargent, Mesa Verde C.C., 130, $1,140 T1 Charles Craven, California Oaks G.C., Paul Dietsche, Redlands C.C., John McFarland, The Palms Golf Club, Fred Wood, Oceanside Golf Course, 130, $1,140 3 Jeff Cross, Victoria Club, Matthew Holm, PGA Tour Superstore - Palm Desert, David Shackelford, Life Member, Alexander Valentine, Travel Leaders La Costa, 132, $760

CHAPTER CORNER

DESERT CHAPTER

METROPOLITAN CHAPTER

We would like to fondly remember one of our special PGA Members, Mike Shea, The Blade.

Mike was born and raised in Massachusetts. He loved all sports and his favorite teams were, of course, from New England. He was a coach, a golfer and a gentleman. He loved his family and he was a true friend. He is survived by three brothers and two sisters... and so many friends from all over the country. He will truly be missed.

2017 brought about many things worthy of highlighting inside the Metro Chapter. We were very proud to see our incoming SCPGA Board of Directors led with two of the three positions held by PGA Professionals within our chapter. Our current SCPGA President is Todd Keefer, PGA of Wilshire Country Club.

We are also excited to have our SCPGA Secretary position held by Robin Shelton, PGA of SeaCliff Country Club.

DESERT CHAPTER AWARD WINNERS: Kendall Palu - Golf Professional of the year David Curtis - Assist. Golf Professional of the Year Dave Goldstein - Teacher of The Year Dustin Smith - Youth Player Development Award Mike Oberlander - Merchandiser of the Year, Private James Mitchell Saenz - Merchandiser of the Year, Public Mike Shea - Tracy Lane Award Jeff Hughes (Foot-Joy) - Sales Person of the Year Francoise Rhodes (Team 1010am, KXPS 102.7fm) - Media Leader of The Year Josh Garber - Clubfitter of The Year Mike Shea - Horton Smith Mike Mitchell - Player & Sr. Player of the Year

In 2017, we were thrilled to host the SCPGA Annual Meeting at Newport Beach Country Club. The host club was unbelievably welcoming and gracious to have us inside their newly renovated clubhouse off Pacific Coast Highway.

INLAND EMPIRE CHAPTER On behalf of our Board of Directors we congratulate all of the 2017 Award winners and hope for more leadership and continued participation from our Members and Apprentices.

Our Annual meeting was held at beautiful Lake Arrowhead C.C. and special thanks to Tim Miskell, PGA and his staff.

INLAND EMPIRE CHAPTER AWARD WINNERS: Scott Mallory - Merchandiser of the Year Michael Marcum - Clubfitter of the Year Tony Letendre – Horton Smith Award Paul Dietsche – Bill Strausbaugh Award Randy Chang – Player Development Award Kiki Garcia – Youth Development Award Frank Yellam – Assist. Professional of the Year Henry Liaw – Teacher of the Year Mark Williams – Golf Professional of the Year SCPGA AWARD WINNERS FROM IE: Kenny Pigman - Player of the Year Steve Adamiak - Player Development Award Tony Letendre - Horton Smith Award Jeff Johnson - Hall of Fame We recognized Matthew Huo as our 2017 scholarship award winner. He was awarded a $250 scholarship for college endeavors.

Our Annual IE Cup Tournament was completed in October and for the first time in nine years, the Professionals were able to tie the event. It was a 9 to 9 tie with the Amateurs retaining the cup till next year. In December, Michael Marcum, PGA hosted an education seminar at SCPGA HQ, with a great turnout and rave reviews!

Congratulations to Metro’s own Michael Block, PGA at the 2017 SCPGA Professional Championship held at Bermuda Dunes Country Club. The chapter as well as staff at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club are so proud!

SCPGA AWARD WINNERS FROM METRO: Eric Lohman - Golf Professional of the Year, Bill Strausbaugh Award Tom Barber - Honorary Life Member Bill Hulbert - Hall of Fame Marianne Huning - Merchandiser of the Year, Private Joe Grohman - Youth Player Development Award Raj Samra - AAA Player of the Year Erika Ilagan - Women’s Apprentice Player of the Year Paul Wise - Super Senior of the Year Eric Mitchell - Assist. Golf Professional of the Year 2017, as a whole, wrapped up with the Metropolitan Chapter having a large presence in competitive victories on the course as well as positions of section service being held. These core values are something the chapter strives to maintain each year.

We send our deepest thanks to all of our dedicated sponsors for their support in each of our meetings and to the host facilities and professionals.

NORTHERN CHAPTER The Northern Chapter Board of Directors is heavily focused on communicating better and more frequently. Our goal is to increase participation and provide the tools needed to make this a successful year for tournaments and events. The annual tournament calendar has already been finalized!

The 2017 Annual Meeting and Pro-Assistant Championship was held at Rancho Maria Golf Course. With one of the largest fields of the year, we recognized Jon Fiedler and Josh Young as Tournament Champions, posting 65.

NORTHERN CHAPTER AWARD WINNERS: Alison Curdt - Golf Professional of the Year Justin Hight - Assist. Golf Professional of the Year Rodney Scott - Merchandiser of the Year, Public

Garrett Goodrich - Merchandiser of the Year, Private Colby Hartje - Bill Strausbaugh Award Brian Borowski - Teacher of Year Billy Gibbs - Youth Player Development Award Brian Kresge - Salesperson of the Year These awards will be presented at the Spring Meeting at Stockdale Country Club on April 2.

SAN DIEGO CHAPTER The San Diego Chapter had a tremendous 2017, attendance was up in all events and meetings.

We closed out the year with our Annual Meeting at Vista Valley Country Club. We recognized our 2017 Chapter award winners, Quarter Century Members, Half Century Members and Certified Professionals. We also awarded $500 scholarships to two exceptional high school senior golfers, Stephanie Fernandez and Kyle Maspat. Special thanks to PGA Head Professional Ryan Dohrmann and General Manager Philip Rodriguez for hosting the meeting and golf.

SAN DIEGO CHAPTER AWARD WINNERS: Bob Madsen – Golf Professional of the Year Steve Lyons – Assist. Golf Professional of the Year Derek Uyeda – Teacher of the Year Robert Bellesi – Honorary Life Member Bill Goree – Bill Strasbaugh Award Michael Major – Horton Smith Award Lloyd Porter – Junior Golf Leader Heidi Richardson – Player Development Award Scott Engelland – Clubfitter of the Year Garrett Dagg – Merchandiser of the Year, Public Bryon Penfield – Merchandiser of the Year, Resort Scottie Birk – Salesperson of the Year In November, we held the Annual San Diego Cup Match at Rancho Bernardo Inn. The SD Cup is a two-day Ryder Cup format played between 12 best Professionals and 12 best amateur golfers in SD. Captained by Bill Goree and Ross Marcano, the PGA Professional team was victorious over a feisty Amateur Team in a closely contested match, 13-11.

Thanks Michael Major, PGA for scheduling several outstanding education seminars. The highlight of our education calendar was the Summer Teaching Summit at The Grand Golf Club. Special thanks to Billy Harmon and Dave Stockton, Jr. for sharing their priceless anecdotes, experiences, and coaching tips.

Blast Motion also provided us with a seminar on their breakthrough technology.

PLAYING PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS IN 2017: Brian Smock - Qualified to play at the PGA Professional National Championship at Sunriver Resort and competed in the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow G.C., SD Chapter Player of the Year Bruce Nakamura & Alan Scheer – Qualified for PGA Professional National Championship Sunriver Resort Gary Sowinski – Qualified and competed in the Senior PGA Championship at Trump National, SD Chapter Senior Player of the Year Chris Starkjohann – SD Chapter Super Senior Player of the Year

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PROGRAM MAGAZINE - YEAR IN REVIEW