PRO VOLUME 45 ISSUE 4 FALL ISSU E 201 8
THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA
REVIEW THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS CANDIDATES p. 14
SPECIAL AWARDS ISSUE p. 13
BLOCK-TO-BLOCK
#INVITEHER P. 37 THE MOVEMENT INSPIRING WOMEN TO GOLF
CHAMPION JUNIOR TOUR MEMBERS EMERGE VICTORIOUS AT THE JUNIOR RYDER CUP p. 29
For the thrill, the control, & the distance. 2018 RAV4 HYBRID
Check one out at your Southern California Toyota Dealer.
CONTENTS
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PARTNERS 05
SCPGA PARTNER LISTING
06
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
TODD KEEFER, PGA
07
THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AGM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DESANE BLANEY
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BRING WOMEN TO YOUR COURSE HOW MONARCH BEACH DOES IT
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MEMBERSHIP
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SCPGA MEMBER UPDATES THE PROCESS OF BEING GREAT
ROBIN SHELTON, MBA, PGA
SPECIAL AWARD WINNERS 13 2018 SCPGA RECIPIENTS 14
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JUNIOR TOUR SPOTLIGHT 2018 JUNIOR RYDER CUP
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HOME COURSE ADVANTAGE WOMEN’S SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP
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PGA PROFESSIONALS REDEFINED CRAIG KESSLER - SCGA
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SHOPPING FOR CHICKEN AND OTHER OFFERS BOB MADSEN, PGA
BOARD OF DIRECTORS CANDIDATES REVIEW THE AT-LARGE APPLICANTS
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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT AZUCENA MALDONADO LATINA GOLFERS ASSOCIATION
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SUPER SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GARY SOWINSKI CAPTURES BACK-
TO-BACK TITLES
JUNIOR GOLFER ONLINE SCPGA FOUNDATION’S FUNDRAISER THE ROAD TO AUGUSTA 28 DCP REGIONAL QUALIFIER AT TORREY PINES
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PLAY AWAY PLEASE STEVE FRANK, SCPGA RULES COMITTEE
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INAUGURAL PROFESSIONAL DRIVE, CHIP & PUTT FIRST OF ITS KIND
#INVITEHER 37 39
19 22
COVER STORY BLOCK-TO-BLOCK CHAMPION
NIKKI GATCH, PGA 10 THINGS TO KNOW JEFF JOHNSON, PGA
CHAPTER CORNER UPDATES FROM THE SCPGA CHAPTERS
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43
OPTIMISM AND MOTIVATION TOM ADDIS III, PGA
SCPGA.COM
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PRO
THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA VOLUME 45, ISSUE 4 | FALL ISSUE 2018 THE PROGRAM IS PRODUCED BY THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA PUBLISHERS & EDITORS: BRYCE SEIVER & DEMI DAILEY
SCPGA BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS
PRESIDENT | TODD KEEFER, PGA WILSHIRE COUNTRY CLUB VICE PRESIDENT | TONY LETENDRE, PGA DOVE CANYON COUNTRY CLUB SECRETARY | ROBIN SHELTON, PGA SEACLIFF COUNTRY CLUB - AMERICAN GOLF HONORARY PRESIDENT | JOHN MCNAIR, PGA JC RESORTS
AT-LARGE DIRECTORS
RANDY CHANG, PGA JOURNEY AT PECHANGA & TALEGA GOLF CLUB
JOE GROHMAN, PGA EL DORADO PARK GOLF COURSE 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 ALISON CURDT, PGA WOOD RANCH GOLF CLUB
KIM FALCONE, PGA LA JOLLA COUNTRY CLUB
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 BILL TROYANOSKI, PGA
OFFICERS & CEO PRESIDENT | SUZY WHALEY, PGA SUZY WHALEY GOLF CROMWELL, CT VICE PRESIDENT | JIM RICHERSON, PGA TROON SCOTTSDALE, AZ SECRETARY | JOHN LINDERT, PGA COUNTRY CLUB OF LANSING
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 ADMINISTRATOR | BRYCE SEIVER BSEIVER@PGAHQ.COM COMMUNICATIONS ADMINISTRATOR | DEMI DAILEY DDAILEY@PGAHQ.COM
FOUNDATION
FOUNDATION DIRECTOR | MATT GILSON | MGILSON@PGAHQ.COM PLAYER DEVELOPMENT & GOLF IN SCHOOLS DIRECTOR | ANTHONY LEONE ALEONE@PGAHQ.COM PLAYER DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR | MAX BERMAN MBERMAN@PGAHQ.COM
TOURNAMENTS
DIRECTOR OF COMPETITIONS | MAX DESPAIN MDESPAIN@PGAHQ.COM TOURNAMENT OPERATIONS MANAGER | STEPHEN MONDAY SMONDAY@PGAHQ.COM
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & PARTNER RELATIONS MANAGER | DAVE KUHN DKUHN@PGAHQ.COM
MEETINGS & EVENTS
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 WATTIMENA KWATTIMENA@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
CEO | SETH WAUGH PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA 3333 CONCOURS | BUILDING 2, SUITE 2100 ONTARIO, CA 91764 PHONE 951.845.4653 | SOUTHERNCALIFORNIAPGA@PGAHQ.COM 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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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
SCPGA.COM
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PRESIDENT’S REPORT
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HERE’S THAT TIME-HONORED QUESTION: WHAT DO I GET FOR MY DUES DOLLAR? THE ANSWER: IF YOU USE US, THE PGA, YOU CAN TAKE AWAY A GREAT DEAL.
T
he beauty of using us means you may realize benefits you didn’t know existed. For example, the Section schedules our junior golf tour events at PGA facilities and that benefits your golf course or facility directly through incremental revenue and sometimes added exposure through the various media. The Section brings approximately $1.5 million in revenue each year to our courses. That is a pretty good benefit. Another benefit to you or your course is the opportunity to host a Drive, Chip & Putt event which brings anywhere from 80 to 200 participants, and for the most part, their families to your course. Hosting a DCP event brings not only local, but national media attention as well as incremental value from additional sales in your food and beverage operations and possibly the golf shop as well. Indirectly, some of the families may decide they’d like to try your place for a round of golf – meaning even more incremental revenue! PGA Junior League gives the same potential for incremental revenue as well. Our ClubsForeYouth® Program is another. We donate sets of clubs to high school golf team members who need the equipment. At the same time, we work diligently to push the student to you, the PGA Professional, for instruction and hopefully a lifetime opportunity for both you and the student. One of our key programs for the PGA Professional is the monthly golf tip program as we partner with the SCGA to highlight a PGA Professional through videos presented to the SCGA membership. The tips program is one of the SCGA’s most viewed programs – highlighting you! The Section works closely with the SCGA to expose you to the golfing public, not only through the video instruction program, but with FORE Magazine as well with various features in their four issues each year. We work the same with California Golf & Travel Magazine to push you and your facility to the reader. Each of these relationships are beneficial to you as well as your golf course or facility.
Section and National, are priced economically, especially for what you can get out of the sessions to improve yourself individually or your facility. We have innovative educational programs including our bi-weekly Catalyst Webinar Series with outstanding presenters; our LaunchPad on-line program to aid first-year Associates and our One-on-One workshops. Our member tournaments are also a nice benefit as our purses are usually supplemented by partner dollars. And there’s always the pleasant byproduct of the possible media exposure from competing in the events. Speaking of savings, how about the PGA Perk Program where a PGA professional can go to various partners and suppliers and save big dollars on your individual purchase, whether appliances, home loans, security systems, audio and visual gadgets and many more. Taking advantage of national discounts through National Car Rental and purchasing a new automobile or a KitchenAid product are just a few of the many perks available to PGA Professionals. A little known benefit, or one we don’t think of often, is the Section’s involvement with the California Alliance for Golf (CAG), an advocacy group made up of the various golf organizations in California, that monitors and reacts to legislative issues that might affect your business operations and finances now or over time. For example, 10 years ago, CAG battled the taxing of sales of golf fees in California, managing to stay and possibly eliminate that decision altogether. CAG, along with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), has been the state leader in educating the “powers that be” on water conservation and pesticide mitigation through golf course operations. Currently, CAG is monitoring the California Supreme Court ruling regarding the arbitrary re-classifying of Independent Contractors located at golf facilities, an important decision that may impact the golf instruction business dramatically. See Craig Kessler’s article regarding the subject on page 32. Lest we forget one of the pillars of our Association, employment and employment services to our PGA Professionals and our facilities. The PGA of America Employment Department, around the country, provides employment consulting at no charge. The consulting may include resume preparation, interviewing techniques, job description development and job search support, just to name a few of its valuable benefits. The SCPGA, in many cases, provides additional support any time the need arises – an invaluable benefit for us.
There are many opportunities where the Section promotes you and your facility, along with what I’ve mentioned earlier in this article. That includes our social media channels, such as our Facebook groups, Instagram, the PROgram Magazine, that goes to more than 4,700 recipients around California, and our monthly newsletters. Recently we started our enhanced video programming through our media to push you and the PGA logo to public viewing and exposure. I hope this writing gives you a little taste of what our dues dollar A great member benefit, and one that saves you cash, provides to all of us when we use is our Section meetings at no charge and we provide the benefits available to us. There some of our programs at no charge when there’s the are many more opportunities, opportunity to bring a non-PGA guest to the program. both nationally and through the If you attend and participate, you do get value – in cash Section, available to you on a – for your dues dollar. All of our education programs, daily basis. Use them! 6
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TODD KEEFER, PGA PRESIDENT, Southern California PGA General Manager / COO, Wilshire Country Club TODD@WILSHIRECOUNTRYCLUB.COM
THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE BY: DESANE BLANEY, AGM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ASSOCIATION OF GOLF MERCHANDISE (AGM) desane@agmgolf.org
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nticipating the customer’s needs and wants is paramount in business today. The shift in consumer behavior has been widely chronicled and, in response, enlightened retailers have been upping their game by integrating their customer service with an enhanced customer experience model. Consumers today have more information about products and services than ever before as evidenced by the increase in online shopping. In an effort to stand out and to help drive in-store traffic, shops should strive to provide a more meaningful customer experience. The need to highlight and execute convenience, selection, and product knowledge is essential to capture customers’ attention and dollars. Differentiation can be achieved by implementing more in-shop and interactive events that fully involve the customer and give them a reason to come back. Think “touchpoints” – the ability to engage with your customers at every opportunity, whether through conversation, personalization, recognition, loyalty programs or any other engaging method. Examples include a wine tasting event with a Demo Day, hosting a vendor showcase, offering gift wrapping and shipping year-round, or designating a senior staff member as your facility Golf Concierge to enhance the experience. It’s been said that “The customer experience goes beyond customer service alone. It is about truly understanding your customer as segments and as individuals and empowering your employees to deliver.” At Disney, they say “while no one owns the guest, someone in every case, owns the moment.” Make it memorable! SCPGA.COM
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How to Create a Welcoming Environment for the All-Important Female Golfer BY: ERIC LOHMAN, PGA, AND JACKIE RIEGLE MONARCH BEACH GOLF LINKS
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e know that all golfers are important. But let’s be honest, attracting and creating a welcoming environment for adult women golfers might be the key to a successful operation no matter what type of inclusive facility you run or work at. Remember this fact, our treasured women raise our juniors and take care of just about everyone in their life. Women these days wear many hats, from homemakers to CEO’s, women are pushing traditional boundaries. Golf should follow suit.
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Realize that Women Want a Friendly, Social Environment. Typically, women enjoy golfing with other women. There are many reasons for that, starting with the fact they get to share a golf cart with someone they know. They also get to play from the same tees and they feel supported by their friends when they hit a bad shot. Training your golf Professional to be proactive about pairing your women golfers with other friendly golfers or making introductions to other women golfers when appropriate go a long way in making your women golfers feel wanted and appreciated.
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Create Designated Time for Your Women Golfers Say there are 120 golfers on your tee sheet. Typically around 10 percent of that may be women. Whether it’s a golf At Monarch Beach Golf Links, we take a proactive approach outing catering to your women players, setting up a ladies to attract women golfers and work hard to make them morning or setting aside tee times, you want to create an lifelong fans. Here are some proven practices to grow this environment where women get to golf primarily with other important demographic. Keep in mind, we are not the first women. That cultivates a true partnership between your ones to come up with these, but we sure don’t overlook facility and the women golfers who will “talk your facility them. up” to their family, friends and on social media. Throw in a specific #LadiesGolf hashtag and now you’re really pushing traditional boundaries! Create an Amazing Rental Set Program for Women It may take a while for women to decide on and then to invest in equipment. Treat women as first-class customers by providing them with quality equipment with name-brand Present a Variety of Healthy Food & Beverage options that are considered more forgiving and easier to Offerings hit. Once these golfers get comfortable with the game, It’s no shock that women tend to be more evolved in the they will quickly convert to a regular customer and will rely F&B department. By having options such as a seasonal salad on their expert Golf Professional to help make them look or an ahi tuna burger, you’re going to be able to host your and play the part. women golfers before, during and after their round of golf. Throw in some craft cocktails and a solid wine list and you’ve now set the stage for non-golf lunch and dinner dates. Develop Clinics and Group Lesson Opportunities for your Women Golfers The more women enjoy the game, the more they play, and in turn, the more they will spend at your facility. From Freshen Up Your Ladies Golf Retail Space Drive + Dines to Nine + Wines, creating an environment for Try placing this section up near the front of your golf women to meet women and get more comfortable with the shop. Switch up the displays on a regular basis, have easygame will open doors to those golfers who may have not to-read signage and train your Golf Professionals to be felt comfortable enough to grip a club. According to the knowledgeable about your specific items for women. Cater U.S. Department of Labor, about 50 percent of U.S. workers to the traditional and modern golfer by carrying a variety are women. We all know business meetings happen on the of brands. With online shopping essentially taking over our golf course, so with half of our labor force being women, world, having real knowledge of your product lines and let’s turn these women into golfers, which in turn, could providing top notch service will separate you from your help their careers. online competition.
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Use Marketing to Help Open the Doors Social media can really help get your message in front of a new audience. According to the Pew Research Center, 79 percent of American Internet users are on Facebook and 83 percent of women Internet users are Facebook adopters. Create specific marketing campaigns that cater to your women golfers. From friendly instruction videos taught by your women Golf Professionals to cool photos displaying what is fresh in your Golf Shop, now is the time to utilize these social platforms to find new fans. In today’s world, women are busier than ever. With the limited free time we all have, it’s our job as Golf Professionals to provide genuine, valuable and memorable experiences for all golfers. We all love this game and it’s our duty to share this love with those individuals who may have never thought they would step foot on a golf course. It is truly time to make the golf course an equal experience to both sexes, which will help us all achieve our PGA of America mission: grow interest and participation in the game of golf. SCPGA.COM
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“THE SOFTER FEEL.” - RICKIE FOWLER
“IT’S THE DISTANCE.” - BROOKE HENDERSON
“IT’S THE CONSISTENCY.” - JORDAN SPIETH
“
“IT’S EVERYTHING.”
WHEN YOU PLAY ONE, YOU KNOW.
- IAN POULTER
”
“IT’S THE CONTROL.” - SO YEON RYU
“I’VE KNOWN SINCE DAY ONE.” - JUSTIN THOMAS
“YOU KNOW UNDER PRESSURE.” - ADAM SCOTT
“HOW IT FLIES THROUGH THE WIND.” - WEBB SIMPSON
“YOU KNOW WHEN IT SAYS THIS.” - HENRIK STENSON
©2018 Acushnet Company.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA
MEMBER UPDATES MOVING UP
Melissa Stephens, PGA | A-1 Navy Golf Course Ed Harris, PGA | A-1 National City Golf Course Michael Bellemeur, PGA | A-1 Calabasas Country Club Brian Calhoun, PGA | A-13 The Palms Golf Club Jeremy Clevenger, PGA | A-4 Pauma Valley Country Club Rick Russell, PGA | A-1 Ranch Course at Alisal Aaron West, PGA | A-13 California Country Club Tony Letendre, PGA | A-13 Dove Canyon Country Club John McCarthy, PGA | A-1 The Lakes Country Club Todd Iacono, PGA| A-13 Eagle Crest Golf Club Cameron Carr, PGA | A-17 City of Anaheim Joseph Reilly, PGA | A-4 Black Gold Golf Club Matthew Balesteri, PGA | A-2 Indian Wells Driving Range Sean Paul, PGA | A-1 Los Robles Greens Golf Course Bandon Fox, PGA | A-4 Brookside Golf Club John Swisher, PGA | A-13 Los Robles Greens Golf Course Blake Drabik, PGA | A-1 Eldorado Country Club
WELCOME BACK Michael Belleur, PGA Jack Makkai, PGA
HALF CENTURY Tom Barber, PGA John E. Joseph, PGA James E. Lee, PGA
IN MEMORIAM
WELCOME WAGON
Aaron R West, PGA - Unaffiliated Section Andrew W. Veysey, PGA -Southwest Brian L. Calhoun, PGA - Southwest Conner G. Wilk - North Florida Evan J. Mitchell, PGA - Pacific Northwest Gregory C. Ehlert, PGA - Unaffiliated Section John R. Reilly, PGA - Middle Atlantic Matthew K Wisely - Georgia Michael S. Pearson, PGA - Southwest Riley J. Michaelis - North Flordia
NEW ASSOCIATES Conor M. Bovee James Cadena Christoper S. Cole Cory L. Hebebrand Justin Holecy Daniel Y. Kim
Brett E. Litke Terry W. Noe Zarchary A. Ortiz Blake R. Schmitt Denny N. Sobczyk
NEW PGA QUARTER CENTURY MEMBERS John Chitwood, PGA Craig Freeman, PGA Duane Gore, PGA Roger Gunn, PGA Jim Harnett, PGA
David K. Lee, PGA David McCaffree, PGA Donald C. Parsons, PGA Alistair S. Philip, PGA Gregory A. Smith, PGA
NEWLY CERTIFIED PROFESSIONALS
Thomas Chae, PGA has successfully completed the requirements for becoming certified in Teaching & Coaching through the PGA Certified Professional Program. Mark Lamb, PGA has successfully completed the requirements for becoming certified in Teaching & Coaching, Golf Operations, Player Development and General Management.
NEWLY ELECTED PGA MEMBERS Alexander Cox, PGA John M. Gray, PGA David Kulla-Mader, PGA Calvin A. Maranville, PGA Michael S. Mendoza, PGA John M. Swisher, PGA Hideya Terashima, PGA Scott Tilley, PGA
UPCOMING ORIENTATIONS
Associate Orientations: December 4, 2018 @ SCPGA Section Office
Sonny I. Yada - Passed away; June 24th, 2018 Ronnie D. Reif - Passed away September 24th, 2018 Scott Humphrey - Passed away August, 10th, 2018 Dante A. Ciolfi Jr. - Passed away September 16th, 2018 Horace B. Evans - Passed away September 13th, 2018
P L AY E R O F T H E Y E A R R E C I P I E N T S
SECTION
Michael Block – Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club
WOMEN’S
Dr. Alison Curdt – Wood Ranch Golf Club
WOMEN’S ASSOCIATE
Sara Ovadia – River Course- Alisal
WOMEN’S SENIOR
Mardell Wilkins – Tijeras Creek Golf Club
ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION
Mark Geddes – Coronado Golf Course
Editor's Note: Senior Player of the Year is Gary Sowinski, PGA & The Super Senior Player of the Year is Paul Wise, PGA SCPGA.COM
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The Process of Being
GREAT
BY: ROBIN SHELTON, MBA, PGA MASTER PROFESSIONAL | GENERAL MANAGER/AG REGIONAL MANAGER | SEACLIFF COUNTRY CLUB
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n this edition of the PROgram, we celebrate our award winners and the best-of-the-best of our PGA Professionals. Each and every one of these Professionals have achieved a remarkable accomplishment being awarded by their peers. All the awards are different – but there is one similarity in each of the award winners. • • •
Each of them are great at what they do. Each of them work hard. Each of them put in additional time and effort to become great in their chosen field.
Being great is not easy. If it were easy, everyone would be great. I had a friend in high school who had all of the natural talent to be a great baseball player. The coaches told him the path to professional baseball and that he could make it to the big leagues. He didn’t want to practice. He didn’t want to be the first one to the field. He didn’t want to stay late to work on his hitting. He didn’t want to review the playbook and study other pitchers. He didn’t want to spend extra time in the gym. In college, I had a colleague who wanted to be a Supreme Court Justice because of his passion for civil liberties and fundamental rights. But that dream quickly passed because he didn’t want to go to law school. He didn’t want to take the LSAT. He didn’t want to study real estate law. He didn’t want to get up extra early to study contracts. To be great at anything requires more than just natural talent. It requires more than a dream to be a professional baseball player or passion to be a Supreme Court Justice. It requires more than a goal or a result in mind.
“To be great, one has
To be great requires you to love to fall in love with the the process of being great more than the result. A love of the process of being great.” process will keep you committed to the result. A love for the process that could vary by the goal – if it were to improve as a teacher – the process could include a love for reading books at night, attending conferences, meeting with colleagues over lunch, studying new techniques on weekends and arriving early for lessons. As we celebrate our award winners – we can learn from them about trying to be great. To be great, one has to fall in love with the process of being great. 12
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SPECIAL AWARD
WINNERS
BILL STRAUSBAUGH
VALENCIA COUNTRY CLUB
HORTON SMITH
DR. ALISON CURDT, PGA
THOMAS CHU, PGA
ASSISTANT PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR SCPGA RULES OFFICIAL
CLUBFITTER OF THE YEAR
OJAI VALLEY INN
WOOD RANCH COUNTRY CLUB
MARK GREENSLIT, PGA
MERCHANDISER OF THE YEAR, RESORT
STEVE FRANK
CHRIS THOMAS, PGA
HEIDI RICHARDSON, PGA
HONORARY LIFE MEMBER POSTHUMOUSLY THE LAKES AT EL SEGUNDO
ROB OOSTERHUIS, PGA
BILLY MCKINNEY, PGA
TEACHER OF THE YEAR
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
DUNCAN SIMMS, PGA
STOCKDALE COUNTRY CLUB
SHERWOOD COUNTRY CLUB
MONTEREY COUNTRY CLUB
JOHN KULOW, PGA
HALL OF FAME
MARBELLA COUNTRY CLUB
SUSAN ROLL, PGA
ENCINITAS RANCH
SHAWN COX, PGA
GOLF PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Awards to be presented at the Annual SCPGA President’s Dinner hosted at the Jonathan Club , December 9, 2018
OAK CREEK GOLF CLUB
THE GRAND GOLF CLUB
CARLSBAD GOLF CENTER
2018 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA RECIPIENTS
MERCHANDISER OF THE YEAR, PUBLIC
JOSH ALPERT, PGA YOUTH PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
GARRETT GOODRICH, PGA
MERCHANDISER OF THE YEAR, PRIVATE
CONGRATULATIONS TO CALIFORNIA TEACHING HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES, BOB MADSEN, PGA, OF SYCUAN GOLF RESORT & KEVIN HANSSEN, PGA, OF PEBBLE BEACH GOLF ACADEMY
PRESIDENT’S AWARD Photo: Bob Madsen, PGA (left) and Kevin Hassen, PGA at the California Teaching and Coaching Summit where they received their awards.
SCPGA.COM
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CANDIDATES
RANDY CHANG, PGA The Journey at Pechanga
DR. ALISON CURDT, PGA Wood Ranch Golf Club
KIM FALCONE, PGA
I have been a PGA golf professional for more than 20 years and in the golf business for more than 30 years. I’ve served on the Board of Directors at the Chapter level, both in the Metro Chapter and I currently serve on the Inland Empire Chapter board as Apprentice Chairman. I have served the last two years on the section board as a director at large and feel like I’m just getting started in making some significant contributions to our Section Members and apprentices. What I have learned from getting involved and working with the Professionals that have influenced and built what we have today, has led to a successful career as a PGA Professional. I am in the position now and have the time to give back to the industry that has given me so much. I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, graduating from the University of Portland with a bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Management & Philosophy. I played for my college golf team on a scholarship for three years. After college I turned professional and played on various mini tours in Southern California and Canada. I have worked within the golfing industry as a Head Professional, Director of Golf, General Manager, and Teaching Professional/ Custom Club Fitter for the first 15 years or my career. Currently, I own and manage golf schools throughout Southern California and Hawaii.
After serving as an independent director the past two years, I cultivated a passion for making our organization the best it can be. I am a supporter of growing the women’s events and membership and assisting the teaching committee with producing topnotch education events, I aspire to continue serving the section as an At-Large Director. I have a rich history of serving in both the PGA and the LPGA and find great joy in sharing ideas and working hard to give back to this organization, which I’m so proud to be a member of. I hope through my leadership, I can encourage other women professionals to participate more in the Section. Its been a pleasure serving under President Keefer’s leadership and wish to continue serving and advancing present projects under the incoming president, Tony Letendre. Some present projects include, outreach to high school female golfers, exposing them to the benefits of PGA membership, creating new, and exciting seminar opportunities, and growing and evolving the women’s division of tournament play. Having the opportunity to continue my work on the board would be a great pleasure in representing my fellow PGA Professionals.
I am the Assistant Head Golf Professional at La Jolla Country Club and have been a PGA Member for 23 years. I am currently on the SCPGA Board of Directors and for the past eight years, I have been a member of the Section Tournament Committee and the Chair of the Women’s Committee. Additionally, I have served on various Section and Chapter committees as well as the San Diego Chapter Board. My desire to serve our association stems from witnessing my father’s involvement in the PGA. I have always aspired to give back to the game and our association through service to our Membership. I find myself at a place in my career and personal life where I can dedicate my time to that passion. My goal as a Board Member is to help our association grow and diversify. Only 4 percent of PGA Members are women and in order to welcome more female professionals into our ranks, we must actively educate young players about the various career paths available in the golf industry. I believe I can help develop and implement programs intended to help diversify our profession, strengthen our Section and serve as a blueprint for others to follow.
La Jolla Country Club 14
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The Following PGA Members are candidates for the three At-Large 2018-2020 Southern California PGA Board of Directors positions. Voting will take place December 10th at the Annual Meeting or through the absentee ballot on scpga.com *Must be an active PGA Member in good standing, meeting the requirements of eligibility to vote in an election.
MARK HAYDEN, PGA Miramar Memorial G.C.
ROB OOSTERHUIS, PGA
A Member of the PGA since 2004, I have been honored to serve the San Diego Chapter and Southern California Section as Chapter Education Chairman, and eventually as Secretary, Vice President and President, along with serving on the Section Board of Directors as Chapter Representative. Currently, I am the General Manager at Miramar Memorial GC and I hold six PGA certifications. I feel that education, experience, and the right tools can help all members achieve personal and professional goals and objectives, and in turn, help all of us become the best PGA Members we can. As a SCPGA Board Member, I would support our members and promote our values as PGA Professionals and leaders of golf in Southern California. I would continue helping the Board of Directors develop actions plans and strategies for our success, enhancing our worth to the business and membership to succeed in the Industry. I truly enjoy working with the Section Staff and Officers who commit themselves daily to the PGA, our Section, and Membership. I am passionate about serving to improve the lives of Professional and Amateur golfers in Southern California and would be honored and appreciative for your consideration as an At-Large Director on the SCPGA Board of Directors.
As a current Director on the Board of the SCPGA having served for the 2016-18 term, it is my hope that you will reelect me for 2019-2021. I am proud to be a 15-year PGA Member and these past three years, serving you has been exceptionally rewarding. In my role as General Manager of Sherwood Country Club, I am lucky enough to work with three PGA Members, two Associates and an intern expected to earn his membership early next year. In my role as a support system and mentor for these professionals and others in our section, I was honored to receive the Bill Strausbaugh Award this year. I plan to continue this path of positively impacting the careers for those in our Section. The PGA has helped me in progressing through my career and I hope to be able to do the same for others, as I have strived to do in chairing the Employment Committee and in my work on the Education Committee. If reelected, my goals would be to add overall value for the membership, develop employment opportunities for all and support the PGA’s fostering of diversity and inclusion in the game.
Sherwood Country Club
MIKE VAN DER GOES, PGA
First and foremost, thank you for taking the time to review the candidate nominations for the upcoming Board of Directors election. I have been a PGA member in good standing since 1995. Before moving to the Northern Chapter, it was an honor and privilege to serve on the Metropolitan Chapter Board. During my tenure as a Metro Chapter Board Member, I represented the Metro Chapter as the Chapter Representative for the Southern California Board of Directors. If provided with an opportunity to serve the membership as a member of the Board of Directors, my goals would be to serve as an active mentor in the PGA Apprentice Program along with a voice for continuing education. PGA Apprentices are the future of our industry, I had the lucky draw to have a great ambassador and would like to provide the upcoming PGA Members the same opportunity offered to me. Education is paramount in our business, not only for PGA Members but for those that are looking to improve their skill-set and knowledge. With the assistance of the existing Board and Section Staff, it would be a pleasure to develop additional and ongoing education opportunities for all to experience and participate. Thank you in advance for all that you do in making our association the best it can be.
The Saticoy Club SCPGA.COM
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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEWLY ELECTED PGA OF AMERICA OFFICERS!
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Left to right: Jim Richerson, PGA, Suzy Whaley, PGA, & John Lindert, PGA
PGA Master Professional Suzy Whaley was elected the 41st President and becomes the first ever woman President of the PGA of America. The 102nd Annual Meeting was hosted in our Section at the Renaissance Indian Wells Resort. Succeeding Whaley as Vice President is Jim Richerson, PGA, of Scottsdale, Arizona, who served the past two years as Secretary. John Lindert, PGA, of Grand Ledge, Michigan, is the newly-elected PGA Secretary. Paul Levy, PGA, of Indian Wells, California, who served as the 40th PGA President, assumes the role of PGA Honorary President.
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Paul Levy, PGA 16
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8-GOLF-1659 SCPGA PROgram Mag- W18.indd 1
10/18/18 7:47 AM
PHOTOS: Courtesy of the PGA of America
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COMMUNIT Y SPOTLIGHT
LATINA GOLFERS ASSOCIATION
By: Azucena Maldonado - Founder of the Latina Golfers Association
The Latina Golfers Association (LGA) introduces girls and women to golf to enhance their personal and professional lives and to promote a healthy lifestyle. The LGA empowers women by teaching them how to utilize golf as a business tool and break the glass ceiling with a golf ball. It started out as a labor of love and 10 years later, the Latina Golfers Association (LGA) has blossomed into a movement that is inspiring women of all ages and walks of life to learn how to play golf. With more than 1,500 members in Los Angeles County and many more throughout Southern California, Texas and around the nation, the LGA has designed an effective formula that has proven to be quite successful in attracting women to the game.
the gospel of golf at women’s conferences, networking events and business events. Give women a reason to come to the golf course The LGA creates events that are in part familiar to most professional women. We invite them to visit the golf course with an activity or an event that is non-intimidating for them. Our golf clinics are networking events that incorporate golf.
Keep it fun and casual First thing is first We get them to the golf course with a Meet Azucena Maldonado, the founder of the Latina fun event. At this point, most of the women at our clinics Golfers Association. She shares the story of how she was have no expectations of becoming avid golfers. One of introduced to golf and more insights of how to attract the challenges I’ve had with golf instructors is that they women to play golf. can’t fathom that most of the golf clinic participants have no interest in becoming “serious golfers” and that the golf I get asked quite often by people in the golf industry, clinics have to be fun first and then instructional. The first“What’s the secret to the LGA’s success?” While I feel we’ve time golf clinic participants don’t know or care about what come up with a great blueprint of how to introduce women an open face is or open stance is. They just want to hit the to golf, it’s really no big conundrum. One of the reasons for golf ball and feel a sense of accomplishment. More often our great success is that I’ve been able to package, if you than not, they come back for a series of golf clinics or golf will, the experience of what it lessons and that’s where the serious golf instruction begins. took for me, a complete novice to the world of golf, to become The golf lessons must include on-the-course experiences a golfer. I think it’s difficult for I now know that unless we introduce the women in our golf people in the golf industry, many lessons to tee-to-green experiences, they are not likely to of whom, have been raised become bona-fide golfers. This is a crucial component of around golf, to conceive of the our formula. Most of the members of the LGA do not come barriers that keep non-golfers -- from golf families and have no one to take them to play golf. especially women -- from stepping foot onto a golf course. Golf lessons in and of themselves do not prepare people to play a round of golf. This is often the missing link and one of First of all, there is no reason for most people to ever visit the biggest barriers to becoming a golfer. Non-competitive a golf course. I don’t think I’d be playing golf today if I had golf outings are a great follow-up, but our on-the-golfnot been invited on a date by an avid golfer to the putting course lessons are where the women learn how to manage green. He basically held my hand and eliminated the the golf course. Additionally, we provide golf etiquette intimidation factor of visiting the “unknown.” I would not lessons which complete the formula. have done it on my own. He spent endless hours teaching me the golf swing at the driving range and then teaching What motivates me to do what I do? me how to play golf on the course. Most people are not The LGA members and the girls we introduce to the game as fortunate as I was to have someone welcome them to of golf are what keeps me motivated to come back day the world of golf. This is why it’s important for me to have after day. What we do is impact the lives of women and girls the principal role of the Latina Golfers Association to be a and I am moved and inspired by our members’ stories. A welcoming committee for women to the game of golf. week does not go by without me hearing from a member sharing how golf has enhanced her career, given her selfHow are we a welcoming committee? confidence or provided a bonding experience with her While the LGA is a “welcome committee” to the world of daughter, son or spouse. At the end of the day, it’s the golf, we don’t wait for the women to come to us. We have Latina Golfers Association’s to give women a reason to come to the golf course. They comprehensive approach to CONTACT: are not just going to magically appear, so I go to them. introducing women to the Azucena Maldonado latinagolfers@gmail.com. The most labor-intensive piece of the LGA formula is to game of golf that makes a Latina Golfers Association conduct outreach in the places where women congregate. difference and sets us apart www.latinagolfers.com That means on any given day, you can find me preaching from most golf initiatives.
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SUPER SENIOR Champion Gary Sowinski, PGA, of the Hodges Golf and Learning Center captured back-to-back SCPGA Super Senior Championships at South Hills Country Club.
Driving Range Accuracy
Sowinski started the late August tournament off by firing a course-tying record of 62 (-10), which included 11-birdies to a lone bogey. Using the momentum from the round that put him in the South Hills record books, Sowinski was able to post a 70 in round two, good enough for an eight-shot victory. Congratulations and well played, Gary! Congratulations also to Bob Silver, PGA, of Old Ranch Country Club, who aced the par 3, 17th hole during the first round. This was Bob’s second hole in one, and his first in competition.
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Joseph Tamarkin tees off during a sudden death playoff
PLAY-OFF FOR THE WIN Joseph Tamarkin of Oakmont Country Club won the 2018 A.P.A. Championship, with a strong, 6-under-par 66. The A.P.A. season finale was hosted at Mountain View Country Club and the 29 player field battled in La Quinta to not only claim the Championship title but to also finalize the OMEGA A.P.A Player of the Year standings, and earn a spot onto the North/South Cup team. Heading into a playoff after each carding a 6-under 66’s in regulation was Tamarkin and Scott Cherry of Mission Hills Country Club. Tamarkin played steady on the front with four birdies though nine holes, but stumbled early on the back nine, taking a double on the par-five 11th. Unfettered, it was a birdie on 13, and four more in a row on 14 through 18 to put Tamarkin in contention for the title. Likewise, Cherry had a blemish-free round which included six birdies in regulation to force the playoff. Lasting four holes in the playoff, Tamarkin was able to defeat Cherry on the par-3 12th, after pushing holes 18, 10 and 11. With a clutch up-and-down on the 11th to continue the playoff, Tamarkin said, “That shot on eleven was probably the best shot I’ve ever hit in my life. A severe downhill lie and I had to carry a bunker over my head…. and I birdied the next hole to win it.”
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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SOUTH TEAM FOR THEIR VICTORY AT THE 2018 NORTH/SOUTH CUP MATCHES HOSTED AT THE ALISAL RANCH COURSE! Co-captains: Randy Chang, PGA Stephen Monday Mark Geddes Michael D’Angelo Raj Samra Patrick Strandemo James Hochsprung Steve Tanis Scott Cherry Alex Hird Kody Carrillo Zach Eddy Kyle Mendoza Joshua Rider
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2018 Southern California PGA Professional Champion, Michael Block, PGA
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Block-to-Block Champion His stellar performance at the 2017 Southern California PGA Professional Championship and participation at the PGA Championship made for a successful year, but the big question surrounding this year’s SCPGA Professional Championship was whether Michael Block could be the first person in nine years to win back-to-back section titles.
The answer was yes. Block overcame a bevy of players at the top of the leaderboard to win by a single stroke at La Quinta Country Club. “I was struggling with this tournament for the last couple years,” Block said, “I broke second a lot and to finally break through, I find it a little easier now.” Block’s one-shot advantage in the final round was maintained by snagging back-to-back birdies on holes seven and eight. Making the turn, Block notched three more birdies on 11, 13, and 16 coming down the stretch. Wedging into the 18th green for par, Block officially claimed his second
SCPGA Professional Championship title. Finishing in a two-way tie for second place, one shot behind Block, were Rick Garboski of Golf Development Complex and Kenneth Pineo of Toscana Country Club both finished with three-day totals of 207. With his victory, Block earns an exemption into the PGA Tour’s Desert Classic, takes home the SCPGA Player of the Year Honors and also claims the TrueTemper Player Series award. Block becomes the ninth player to win back-to-back SCPGA Professional Championship titles in the tournament’s 93year history.
SCPGA.COM
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Chi Choi. PGA
Mike Fergin, PGA
Block was calm cool and collected through the three rounds in the desert, proving his performance only gets hotter the higher the temperatures go. Honorary Starter, Nikki Gatch, PGA
Robin Shelton, PGA & Dr. Alison Curdt, PGA Paul Dietsche, PGA
Geoffrey Dean, PGA
Geoffrey Dean, instructor at PGA West and Paul Dietsche of Redlands Country Club (both past champions) had strong rounds one and two but came up short in round three with Michael Block putting away two birdies on the front nine. 24
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“PLAY AWAY PLEASE” By Steve Frank, SCPGA Rules Committee
I was the 1st tee starter at La Quinta Country Club for the 2018 Section Championship. My preparation for the tournament began three weeks prior to the event. At that point, I had most of the entrants’ names and I began researching their tournament histories. I checked the SCPGA website for individual players and reviewed their records in Section events over the past few years. I also used Google and made telephone calls to some of the contestants. Thereafter, I decided which accomplishments lent themselves to an announcement before each player’s opening tee shot. On the bio cards, I prefer to have tournament wins to announce, but if only top 10 finishes are available, I will mention those. My goal is to make the announcement dignified and professional, and I do not want to disturb the player’s concentration in any way. I want the players to feel recognized when they walk off the tee. I also want their fellow competitors to know that they are playing with someone who has some game.
the announcement as described, Spencer Knightstep teed off first, and the Championship was under way. A player I started in the 7:59 a.m. group, Bobby Nickell, was playing in his first Section Championship, after having just been elected in August to membership in the PGA of America. He went on to make the 36-hole cut, a fact I will announce about him at next year’s Championship. A regular contestant not competing this year was Ross Marcano. Ross won the Section Championship in 2006 and recently has been dealing with some health concerns. He was missed by me and others and we look forward to seeing him at next September’s Championship. A wide variety of clubs were used off the 1st tee each day. The most interesting club selection in a threesome was by the senior player in the group who hit a driver, a younger Professional playing with him hit a fairway metal, and the youngest man in the group hit a 3 iron. That happened in two different groups.
The morning of the first round, For the third year, in the evening following September 10, began as all first rounds the first round, a reception was do. I arrived at the 1st tee 25 minutes held honoring previous Section early and organized the starter table. “I want the players to feel Champions. The defending On the official scorecards, I wrote recognized when they walk off champion, Michael Block, was in pencil the first name of the first the tee. I also want their fellow in charge of selecting the menu. player at the bottom of the second competitors to know that they Attendees thought it would only be player’s scorecard and the second are playing with someone who hors d’oeuvres. Instead it was a very player’s name at the bottom of has some game.” nice sit down dinner enjoyed by all. the third player’s scorecard and so Jimmy Powell was among the past forth. Thereafter, as the contestants champions present. He won this championship three converge on to the tee, I am able to distribute the times, the first one 50 years ago. cards efficiently with each player having someone else’s card. I use colored clips on the scorecards Prior to the second round, an event commemorating for each starting time and have the stack of them 9/11 was held. A color guard was present, the National ready for the first players’ arrival. Anthem was played and everyone honored the flag before the round. That tradition began in 2011. At 7:15 a.m., I announced that the official time Traditions are such an important part of golf, and the was 7:15. I did this for two reasons. First to make SCPGA embraces them. sure my portable PA system was functioning and at the right volume. Second, to remind the first By way of background, my interest in being a starter group that they should soon head towards their and a Rules Official began in 2000, when I became tee. a member of the USGA Mid-Amateur Championship Committee and served on that committee for 12 years. At 7:28:40 I began my opening announcement. I I have been on the Rules Committees for the SCGA and had previously timed it and knew that it required SCPGA for the past 10 years and I have attended nine 1 minute, 5 seconds so it would conclude at USGA/PGA Rules Workshops. In my other life in Santa 7:29:45, allowing the first player 15 seconds to hit Barbara, I am a lawyer and for many years did mostly his tee shot. My informal goal is to have the first trial work, although now I specialize in wills, trusts and player in each group hit his tee shot at precisely probate matters. the time assigned for the group to start. I made SCPGA.COM
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Junior Golf Spotlight GRAYHAWK BOUND
John Mason, PGA & San Diego County Team The 2015 PGA Jr. League Champions are headed to Scottsdale for another shot at the title! The Southern California PGA Section Champions, San Diego County All-Stars, captured the Regional Title with a 3-0 winning record. To start the weekend, the San Diego County All-Stars faced the Southwest PGA Section Grayhawk All-Stars, edging the team 6 ½ to 5 ½. The Northern California PGA Section Champion Crow Canyon All-Stars defeated the Aloha PGA Section Champion Island Pacific All-Stars, 11 to 1. The Crow Canyon All-Stars had the lead after the first session, but the San Diego County All-Stars pulled ahead with a win in the afternoon against their Northern
WHAT IS THE JUNIOR GOLFER ONLINE PROGRAM?
California counterparts. The San Diego County All-Stars sealed the deal Sunday with a final win against the Island Pacific All-Stars, while the Crow Canyon and Grayhawk All-Stars finished tied 6-6 in their final match-up. The Grayhawk All-Stars captured the runner-up spot by two points. With PGA Professional John Mason and Jackie DewaldMason at the helm, the team competed in the 2015 PGA Jr. League Championship presented by National Car Rental at Disney’s Palm Course in Lake Buena Vista, Fl, where they won in a play-off thanks to a 35-foot birdie putt by Krando Nishiba. One team member from the 2015 Championship team, 12-year-old Jay Leng, Jr., currently competes on the All-Star team and will be making his second trip to the Championship.
BLOOM CONTACT: Jessie Stewart, PGA 844.534.3168 JessieS@bloomforgood.com SCPGA CONTACT: Matt Gilson, SCPGA Foundation Director 951.845.4653 mgilson@pgahq.com
It’s a simple and user-friendly online fundraiser that generates proceeds for your PGA Section’s foundation. It offers juniors the opportunity to earn a free, limited-edition personalized Sun Mountain golf bag (the junior’s name will be embroidered on the ball pocket along with the section logo). The program typically lasts 18 days. Participants receive every element necessary to succeed including their custom-built fundraising page and series of communication about the section foundation. Once the Junior reaches the $300 goal, he/she will earn his/her free, personalized golf bag. Net proceeds will support the SCPGA Foundation LEARN MORE: scpga.com/foundation-fundraiser SCPGA.COM
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September 22, 2018 | Torrey Pines Golf Course
THE ROAD TO AUGUSTA
The Southern California Section was proud to host the Drive Chip & Putt Regional Qualifier at Torrey Pines for a fun and emotional day of competition. In total, there were 80 players who survived local and subregional qualifiers over the summer competing at Torrey Pines for eight spots at Augusta National Golf Club the Sunday before the 2019 Masters Tournament begins. Tears of joy and laughter filled the day as families celebrated winners in all categories and of course, the joy of seeing their name atop the leaderboard. In the end it was Emiko Sverduk*, Tyler Kowack*, Mia Cepeda*, Jay Leng Jr., Alexis Vakasiuola, Ryder Rasmussen*, Milan Norton and Benny Nelson who will be fortunate enough to take the plane ride to Augusta National. *Junior Tour Member 28
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SCPGA JUNIOR TOUR MEMBERS EMERGE VICTORIOUS AT THE 2018 JUNIOR RYDER CUP
PHOTOS: Courtesy of the PGA of America
S
CPGA Junior Tour veterans Rose Zhang from Irvine, CA and Ricky Castillo from Yorba Linda, CA, helped propel team America to victory at the 2018 Junior Ryder Cup. The Junior Ryder Cup, a biennial event, pits Team America against Team Europe with both sides comprised of six boys and six girls. The two-day tournament features three different formats consisting of foursomes, fourball, and singles matches. The 2018 edition of the prestigious event took place at Golf Disneyland in Marne-laVallee, Paris, France on September 24th-25th.
Rose Zhang
Rose Zhang secured her spot on the American team with her runner-up finish to Yealimi Noh at the 2018 U.S. Girls Junior PGA Championship earlier this year. On the other hand, Castillo earned his spot by being the No. 3-ranked boy on the Junior Ryder Cup point standings. Speaking about his excitement of playing for Team America, Castillo said, “It’s different when you’re playing for yourself and when you’re playing for your country. You don’t want to let your country down. It’s kind of like a taste of what the real Ryder Cup is.” Castillo was able to contribute to his team’s victory with a point in the Monday morning foursomes alongside Canon Claycomb. They won 4-&-3. He earned another point in a clutch singles match on Tuesday, winning 3-&-1. Castillo, who was paired with Zhang, also added a half-point in the fourball format, bringing his point total to 2 1/2. Zhang was able to add an additional half-point in the singles format by halving her match against Ingrid Lindblad. With Castillo and Zhang’s contributions, America was able to win the tournament 12 ½ to 11 ½ on foreign soil to extend their recent dominance in the event to six consecutive wins Other notable golfers who have participated in this prestigious event include Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Lexi Thompson plus SCPGA Junior Tour Alumni Allison Lee, Norman Xiong and Alyaa Abdulghany.
Ricky Castillo SCPGA.COM
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HOME COURSE ADVANTAGE
E
rika Ilagan of SeaCliff Country Club defended her home turf to claim her first SCPGA Women’s Section Championship title. Her rounds of 76-72 gave her a two-day total of 148 and a one-shot victory over Lehua Wise of Hideaway Golf Club. The two were tied after both carding first-round 76’s. But after a double-bogey on the fourth hole, Ilagan reeled off three birdies in a row to seal the victory. Wendy Wisbon of Annandale GC posted 79-78 to win the Teal Division by five strokes.
Erika Llagan
Dr. Alison Curdt, PGA & Petra Cole, PGA
Heather King, PGA
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Wendy Wisbon, PGA
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CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT’S REDEFINITION OF “INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS” POSES CHALLENGES FOR PGA PROFESSIONALS BY: CRAIG KESSLER SOUTHERN CAIFORNIA GOLF ASSOCIATION
A
few months ago, the California Supreme Court issued a ruling (Dynamex Operations West, Inc. v. Superior Court of Los Angeles County) that significantly strengthened the state’s longstanding presumption in favor of categorizing as many workers as possible as employees as opposed to “independent contractors.” The ruling so rocked the state’s business community that the California Chamber of Commerce and scores of affected businesses, including some of the state’s largest tech
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companies, made a concerted effort to seek legislative redress during the final two weeks of the 2018 legislative session. That effort was blunted by organized labor’s firm opposition; however, it all but guaranteed that a bevy of bills seeking legislative contraction of the Dynamex decision will be filed in January, when the legislature convenes for the new two-year session. The case didn’t “rock” the golf community, but it did pose serious challenges to some of the game’s normative practices, particularly with respect to
PGA Golf Professionals. Taken verbatim from the ruling, here is the new test the Court created for determining whether one is an employee or an independent contractor -- the “ABC test” as the Court termed it: “The ABC test presumptively considers all workers to be employees, and permits workers to be classified as independent contractors only if the hiring business demonstrates that the worker in question satisfies each of three conditions: (a) that the worker is free from the control and direction of the hirer in connection with the performance of the work, both under the contract for the performance of the work and in fact; and (b) that the worker performs work that is outside the usual course of the hiring entity’s business; and (c) that the worker is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, or business of the same nature as that involved in the work performed.” [Dynamex Operations West, Inc., v. Superior Court of Los Angeles County] The burden of rebutting the firmly stated presumption of “employee” status falls to the employer, and the burden can only be sustained if ALL three of the “satisfying” questions can be answered in the affirmative. It’s not hard to see that the second of the questions – does the worker perform work that is outside the usual course of the hiring entity’s business – poses a big problem for the many PGA Teaching Professionals that really are and really prefer working as independent agents. It also poses a problem for General Managers of private clubs/daily fee facilities and managers of municipal facilities that have created two classes of PGA Professional at their properties – one for those whose duties are mixed (employees) and another (independent contractor) whose duties are exclusive to teaching.
What’s less clear are the odds of securing some small measure of legislative relief for one or both come 2019. With respect to caddies, it’s hard to envisage any. With respect to PGA Golf Professionals, I wouldn’t jump to the same conclusion. That troublesome second question may be amenable to a narrow carve out based upon a contractual or landlord/tenant relationship between teaching professional and golf course management/ ownership. Yes, it’s impossible to classify the teaching of golf at a golf course as anything other than work that is within the usual course of the hiring entity’s business; however, to the extent to which the teaching of golf is a function of the teacher’s very specific professional expertise and the landlord golf course nothing more than a generic site for the exercise of that professional expertise, there would seem to be room for giving precedence to the expertise over the site, or the contents over the container as it were. It would also seem that the teaching of golf is not the only circumstance where it is the individual that is the market attractor, not the site, and that should offer the opportunity to create legislative relief applicable to a wide range of similarly situated circumstances in addition to golf professionals.
“...there would seem to be room for giving precedence to the expertise over the site, or the contents over the container as it were. “
It’s clear that the problematic second question pretty much mandates that all PGA Professionals be classified as employees lest the employing golf course open itself to a possible legal cause of action. It’s even clearer that clubs that provide caddies are going to have to reclassify them as employees for the same reason.
The California Alliance for Golf (CAG) has appointed a task force to develop a California golf industry white paper on the subject of precisely how the new ABC test, particularly the “B” part of it, has affected the industry in a way unintended by the California Supreme Court and then share that information with similarly situated industries in search of some small measure of focused legislative relief. SCPGA CEO Tom Addis III, PGA, is a member of the task force. The Court intended to add heft to the presumption of employment to counter the private sector’s recent clear obviations thereof. It did not intend to hamstring those components of normative industry practice where it is actually the workers that much prefer the independent contractor designation. The distinction is key. When the subject is joined in January, organized labor will stand in firm opposition to any and all attempts to circumvent the class of persons the Dynamex test was calculated to protect. It may stand down if the attempt is understood as I have described it here. Contact Craig Kessler: CKessler@scga.org SCPGA.COM
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SHOPPING FOR CHICKEN AND OTHER OFFERS
BY: BOB MADSEN, PGA OF SYCUAN GOLF RESORT 2017 SCPGA TEACHER OF THE YEAR
“Perhaps you will find some usefulness in the offers below. I hope they assist in your instruction efforts.” On Starting Out • For me, beginners have begun. Novices have not. • Start with SAFETY first, then teach novices how to golf right away. • For example, start novices using tee markers placed 10 feet from the edge of a green, 30 feet from the hole. o Give them a chipping club and putter and have them play “small” golf. o Tell them about the “starting line” and ask them to golf their ball until it goes into the hole, giving them zero technical instruction if possible. o Show them how to have fun, and how to play at the proper pace. Give some etiquette and care of the course advice and leave ‘em alone to just play. Often they see how simple and fun the game is right from the start. • Recently, I started eight new people in one week. None of these adults had ever been to a golf course or ever touched a club. o Blank slates don’t know anyone who plays golf. They have no clubs and no one to chaperone them. In this case, we have to teach them everything --while hopefully with golfing buddies. This is player development, from the ground up. • We are lucky. Sycuan has an 18-hole, par 3 course -- excellent for starting out. Two Basics • Emphasize the student’s reasons for playing: exercise, fresh air, companionship, etc. Whatever they told you THEIR reasons are for playing, hold them to it when they hit a bad shot and complain. • Teach your juniors to kick in their divots and do NOT tolerate them forgetting. On Learning • Misunderstood words boggle students and kill the learning process. Do not use words that the 34
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•
• • •
student may not understand. Use video to show the learner what they are doing right, not just what they are doing wrong. o Would you chuck someone in the deep end who can’t swim, video them, and tell them what they were doing wrong? o Give them something they can do. Get them succeeding and have them do that repeatedly. Then, video “that.” Information does not necessarily equal learning. Give just the right amount of information. Get the drill or game or task going and keep the drill or task going no matter how bad either of you wants to change it. Ensure that the student understands that the drill or task should be repeated without changes -- possibly hundreds or thousands of times -before the next lesson. That gives them the most bang for their golf instruction buck.
World According to Madsen • The golf swing it not parts and pieces. If you want to talk about parts and pieces, we can go shopping for chicken. • Give golf lessons, not just “golf swing” lessons. • Seek to get people’s attention off of “how to” and off of their body. • Instead, push their attention onto the bigger picture including the course, the target and playing shots. • Emphasize playing lessons with self-sufficient decision making and creative shot making, scoring, etc. • I want players, not remembers or thinkers running swing-thought checklists. PGA Awareness • Not everyone is going to need an attorney in their lifetime, but everyone knows what one is. Right? • Let’s shoot for having everyone—not just golfers—know what a PGA Professional. Shall we?
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THE INAUGURAL
PROFESSIONAL DRIVE CHIP & PUTT Presented by Garmany Golf & Travel
Designed to model the Drive Chip & Putt, participants had the opportunuty to compete in a completly different style that proved to be challenging and fun!
Above photo from left to right: Professional Division Champion, Troy Arfsten, PGA; Women’s Division Champion, Ronnie Valerio and Senior Division Champion, Bruce Nakamura, PGA.
After finishing 3rd overall in the Women’s Division, Heather King bested eight other competitors from the Men’s, Women’s and Senior’s Divisions to win an Ireland ‘Bucket List Experience’ from Garmany Golf & Travel.
Thank you to Scott Mallory, PGA, and his staff with the Journey at Pechanga. This beautiful facility provided the perfect setting to both compete and socialize.
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BY: NIKKI GATCH, PGA | ngatch@pgahq.com
#
inviteHER is a campaign that is dedicated to reaching out to the hesitant women and girls around the game who aren’t quite in the game just yet. All golfers are encouraged to reach out personally and INVITE someone new to the game, and there’s no doubt golf will be better for it. You can invite someone to join you for the first time, invite someone to take some lessons, or invite a young golfer to consider the opportunities our industry has to offer. Golf is an $84 billion industry, employing nearly two million people in this country. I think too often our young golfers, especially girls, think that if they don’t move on to the professional level on the Tour, there’s not much more for them. They couldn’t be more wrong.
Careers in golf are abundant. From working for a golf manufacturer as a digital content coordinator at Callaway, to becoming a golf fitness guru, a buyer and merchandiser for your local golf club, or working as a teaching pro, the list goes on. I believe it is our responsibility as PGA Members to educate our young juniors on the vast array of career opportunities within our industry. Whether it’s your daughter, granddaughter, or simply a friend looking to kick-start her career, encourage a young golfer in your life to follow her love of the game and consider a career in the golf industry. We have many former SCPGA Junior Tour players that are now PGA Associates or Members. Let’s see that number grow!
“I INVITED HER” One SCPGA Junior Tour Alumni turned PGA Member, is Ronnie Valerio from Tustin Ranch Golf Club. Ronnie played her junior golf here with us on the SCPGA Junior Tour, and then when it was time to figure out what she wanted to do “when she grew up,” she ultimately found her way back to the game she loves, and chose to become a PGA Member. After recently playing in our Women’s Section events with Ronnie, I #invitedHER to join us at the Professional Drive Chip and Putt. As you can see, that may have been a mistake on my part, as she pulled off a clean sweep! It’s so rewarding for me to see young people like Ronnie follow their passions and now give back to the game that has given them so much. Keep up the great work, Ronnie.
Photo: Ronnie Valerio (left) and Nikki Gatch, PGA, celebrate their first- and second-place performances at the first Professional Drive Chip & Putt.
SCPGA.COM
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2018 ANNUAL MEETING & PINEHURST CHAMPIONSHIP
WILSHIRE COUNTRY CLUB
“
On behalf of Wilshire Country Club, we welcome you to join us at the 2018 Southern California PGA Annual Meeting and Pinehurst Championship. The Wilshire Board of Directors and Staff hope you enjoy the meeting and the golf. I have enjoyed the past two years in service to you and to the game and business of golf and thank you for the opportunity. See you there! - Todd Keefer, PGA SCPGA President
WHEN
MONDAY, DECEMBER 10 8:00AM - 11:00AM
WHERE
WILSHIRE COUNTRY CLUB
”
301 N. Rossmore Ave., Los Angeles, 90004
GOLF
SHOTGUN START - 11:30AM Lunch will be provided
FEE
MEETING ONLY - NO FEE GOLF (PER TEAM) - $160 presented by
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER TODAY
WWW.SCPGA.COM/ANNUALMEETING
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301 N. Rossmore Ave., 90004 PROG R AM MAGA ZIN E - FALL ISSU E
agomez@pgahq.com
951-845-4653
10THINGS TO KNOW
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SCPGA STAFF HIGHLIGHT
In 1962, Jack Nicklaus collected his first paycheck on the PGA Tour: $33.33 at the L.A. Open.
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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A mere four years ago, there were fewer than 8,000 children participating in the Junior League Golf Program. This year, the PGA Junior League welcomed more than 40,000 children and we see nothing but blue sky ahead. Thanks to all of the PGA and LPGA Members for their valuable efforts growing this remarkable program.
Our very own Ron O’Connor led San Diego State in scoring for three years, 1957 to 1959. He won the Gene Littler Award and went on to defeat the great Dick Lytle and Phil Rodgers to win the San Diego County Amateur in 1959 and 1960.
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The first San Diego Open was played at the San Diego Country Club in 1952. Ted Kroll defeated Jimmy Demaret by three shots.
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The PGA of America conducted our Annual Meeting in Indian Wells. The event concluded with the election of the Association’s new Secretary and the induction of Suzy Whaley, PGA, as our first female President. Most people generally credit Annika Sorenstam as being golf’s female trailblazer, but consider this. Shirley Spork, Michelle Wie, and Suzy Whaley have played in PGA Tour events, but Babe Zaharias is the first and only female golfer to make the 36-hole cut in a PGA TOUR event. Back in 1945, she actually made the cut in two: the Phoenix Open and Tucson Open.
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The PGA Championship used a match play format through 1957, so the PGA cut rule did not come into effect until the 1958 tournament. At that time, the organization introduced a double cut, meaning one cut after 36 holes and a second cut following 54 holes.
The Mary Cave Cup is contested annually by our best junior girls. Mary will always be remembered as a 40year volunteer in Junior Golf and as San Diego State’s PE professor and coach of the Aztecs’ women’s golf team. Our Section will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2024. Of the 25 clubs represented in the original charter, 20 of them are still in existence.
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Led by Kevin Smith, and supported by Amberlynn Dorsey, Eddie Rodarte, PGA, Travis Cutler, Brent Johnston and Tyler Miller, our Junior Golf team will conduct 277 golf events this year.
“HAPPINESS IS A LONG WALK WITH A PUTTER.” -GREG NORMAN
Born and raised in Mission Viejo, Bryce Seiver graduated in 2015 from California State University, Fullerton with a BA in Communications. Throughout his college years, Bryce was employed at Pelican Hill Golf Club and played as much golf as possible on his off days. As his passion for the game grew, a chance posting on the CSUF website led him to a successful internship in the SCPGA Communications department alongside Breanne Mitchell in the Spring of 2015. In March of 2016, Bryce married his high school sweetheart Brooke and the pair now regularly enjoy travel, concerts and Angels/ Ducks games together. In his time off, Bryce is an avid fisherman, spending countless hours chasing anything from Bluefin Tuna off the Southern California Coast to Rainbow Trout in the Sierras. Working for the Section has provided Bryce with numerous fulfilling opportunities including co-captaining a junior travel team, supporting the SCPGA Foundation’s ClubsForeYouth® initiative, providing media coverage for several LPGA TOUR events and even traveling to the Monterey Peninsula for the 2018 PPC. Bryce’s most cherished golf experience was having the privilege to attend all four rounds of the 2018 Masters.
SCPGA.COM
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Metropolitan Chapter
S O U T H E R N Inland Empire Chapter
C A L I F O R N I A
P G A
CHAPTER CORNER San Diego Chapter
Desert Chapter
Northern Chapter
Dr. Alison Curdt is our Chapter Champion. She posted an impressive five-stroke victory on August 13th at Wood Ranch Golf Club. There was a four way tie for the runner-up position: Jon Fiedler, Paul Holtby, Rick Garboski and Alan Sorenson. Our Annual Meeting /Pro-Assistant was Monday, November 12 at River Ridge. At this meeting, awarded the Tournament and Special Award Winners for the year. Congratulations to the award winners for their dedication to growing the game of golf. It should not be overlooked. Golf Professional of the Year Garrett Goodrich - Head Golf Professional, Stockdale CC Teacher of the Year Preston Combs - Twin Lakes Golf Course Horton Smith Award Dr. Alison Curdt - Director of Instruction, Wood Ranch GC San Diego Chapter Youth Player Development Leader Terri Benson - Laguna Lake Golf Course Club Fitter of the Year Paul Holtby - Golf Development Complex Metropolitan Chapter
Inland Empire Chapter
On behalf of the Officers and Board of Directors from the Inland Empire, we are proud to announce our 2018 Award winners. They are: Horton Smith Award, Mr. Lou Skovron; Bill Strausbaugh Desert Chapter Award, Henry Liaw; Merchandiser of the Year, Tim Gardner; Player Development, Brandon Oh; Teacher of the Year, Michael Marcum; Junior Golf Leader, Randy Chang; Assistant Golf Northern Chapter Professional of the year, Mark Lamb, and the Golf Professional of the Year for 2018 is Jeff Cross. We have one final award. The Board of Directors and Officers would like to award the Honorary Life Member Award to Tom Addis III, who has been a huge part of the success of the Inland Empire Chapter as well as the SCPGA. We appreciate your leadership and friendship. One final note from the IE. We are losing our President Mark
Williams, but as old leadership moves on, it is important to recognize new leadershipMetropolitan coming Chapter in and we want to wish President-elect Kenny Pigman good wishes and continued good luck to him and the chapter in the future. Inland Empire Chapter
Desert Chapter
We would like to take the opportunity to thank all of our Brothers & Sisters of the PGA of America for coming to the Coahcella Northern Chapter Valley as we played host to the 2018 National PGA meetings. We have finished off a great summer season with our Chapter Championship held on September 6-7 at Mountain View Country Club at La Quinta. It was a warm couple of days with an excellent course set up for all competitors. Round one saw 3 players under par with Brent Smith from Ivey Ranch Country Club leading the way with three under 69. Day two saw dramatically more rounds under par as holes 4 and 15 became drivable par 4’s. Low round for day two was held by Richard Valenzuela from the Blythe Golf Course at 66. Gordon Leith from Heritage Palms Golf Club was able to shoot both rounds under par 70-67 in order to hold off Brian Hughes from PGA West to take the title! This years Desert Chapter Annual Meeting will be held on November 27th at The S Club at Rancho Mirage and will be preceded by the Pro-Pro Fourball. We will be celebrating all our Special Awards winners that night so make sure you come out and support your fellow PGA Professionals. San Diego Chapter
Metropolitan Chapter
Happy fall from everyone in the Metropolitan Chapter. Summer brought a lot of activity to the Metro and its players that was very Inland Empire Chapter noteworthy. The Navy Golf Couse was our gracious host for the 2018 Metro Chapter Summer Meeting that went perfectly. We give thanks for all
the amazing support to the staff and our partners who came out. Our very own Michael Block, PGA, earned a spot in the 2018 PGA Championship and followed that up by repeating as our SCPGA Section Champion. Congratulations to Mr. Block. As we moved forward into fall, our Annual Meeting was held at beautiful Seacliff Country Club in Huntington Beach November 12. During our meeting, a general board election for two vacant spots was held. Lastly, it’s almost time for our special awards announcements to be sent out for next year’s winter meeting. Please begin thinking about those hard-working golf professionals in our chapter who are deserving of recognition for their efforts
San Diego Chapter
Kudos to our San Diego Chapter Tournament Co-chairs, Ross Marcano and Jeff Munak for the outstanding schedule and venues. Metropolitan Chapter Thanks to all of the golf course Head Professionals, General Managers, Superintendents, Golf Staff, and Food and Beverage departments for making each tournament special. We’d like to recognize the following Inland Empire Chapter PGA Professionals for their playing achievements: * Chris Starkjohann - Super Senior Champion at Pauma Valley CC * Bruce Nakamura - Senior Stroke Play Champion at Aviara GC Chapter * Michael Desert Griffin - Match Play Champion at Del Mar CC * Mark Geddes - Chapter Champion at Fairbanks Ranch CC Congratulations to John Mason, Encinitas Northern RanchChapter GC, and his PGA Junior League team for qualifying for the National Finals of the Junior League Championship, which will be held later this year. John’s Junior League Team won the Championship in 2015. The San Diego Chapter Annual Meeting will be held at Barona Creek Golf Club on December 3, 2018. Thanks in advance for hosting us this year. Our Special Awards Committee is working diligently on the difficult task of selecting winners of this year’s Special Awards to our deserving Professionals, Associates, and Sales Reps.
Desert Chapter
SCPGA.COM
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C E O U P DAT E
OPTIMISM AND MOTIVATION
“ALL YOU NEED TO SAY IS THANK YOU. I’LL NEVER FORGET THAT. JUST SAY THANK YOU.” While I was growing up, my father had quite an impact on me. He was a PGA Member and a wonderful human being who was honest and caring. I learned a lot from him, including the little things like greeting people and saying “thank you” at every opportunity. My father, Tom, said hello to everyone, and I mean everyone he came across. We’d be walking down the street and my dad says “Hello” to a total stranger. There was no one else on the street and when I asked him why, he said “How can we walk by a person, especially if they’re the only other person passing, and not say hello to them?” At that moment, I learned something very important. My dad always thanked everyone. He was a Club Professional and customers were his livelihood. He appreciated his members and players beyond words, and always thanked them every day and anytime he saw them for their support. He was always optimistic, always positive and I will always thank him for handing that outlook to me. I’ve tried to maintain my dad’s attitude throughout my life and my PGA Professional career. My dad was a true and solid mentor to me and one of the most optimistic people I knew at the time. Through my dad’s outlook, my interest and my motivation grew daily.
and my family. One time many years ago, the two of them provided us with an incredible gift that we knew we never would be able to repay. I said, “I don’t know what to say.” Jerry looked at me with Steve at his side and said, “Tom, all you need to say is ‘thank you.’” I’ll never, ever, forget that. Just say “thank you.” Jerry and Steve were always filled with optimism. In 1980, Singing Hills was almost destroyed when the Sweetwater River that runs through the golf courses to this day, flooded and washed away 40 of the 54 holes and the golf shop. I’ll never forget standing on the edge of the newly created river bank in the middle of our practice range at 6 o’clock in the morning. Jerry and Steve looked at me and said questioning, “You’re ready to get this place back open, aren’t you?” They had just seen their beloved golf course disappear in front of them and they’re ready to go to work and rebuild and re-open. We had nine holes of makeshift golf, using most of our short course, Pine Glen, open as soon as it was safe in a matter of days to provide golf to those who wanted to play.
JERRY AND STEVE
This is optimism and leadership, as well as another lesson learned from mentors.
Another “thank you” story. Jerry Hollingsworth and Steve Horrell were co-owners of the 54-hole Singing Hills Resort (now Sycuan Resort), where I worked for 31 years as Head Professional and Director of Golf. Jerry and Steve were fantastic leaders in the golf business and Singing Hills was one of the most successful business operations anywhere. I was proud to be there for so long. Jerry and Steve were huge mentors of mine and always supportive of me
Leadership and success are, in a big part, developing your interest, followed by your motivation to do a good job and TOM ADDIS III, PGA doing what’s best EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / CEO, for everyone you Southern California PGA work with and TADDIS@PGAHQ.COM serve. SCPGA.COM
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PROGRAM MAGAZINE - YEAR IN REVIEW
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