March/April Topics Newsletter

HONDA CLASSIC WALK WITH A PRO

S IC

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NEWSLETTER March/April 2015

Volume 26 Number 2

WOMEN’S GOLF DAY

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NEW APPRENTICES

The South Florida PGA would like to welcome the following new apprentices to the section: SOUTH FLORIDA SECTION Member Classification Facility 186 ATLANTIS BOULEVARD Zachary Bennardo B-8 The Florida Club ATLANTIS, FL / 33462 John Bloomfield B-6 Jim McLean G School - Doral Briana Carlson B-8 Pelican Sound Golf & River Club PHONE / FAX 561-729-0544 / 561-729-0914 Jonas DeWitte B-8 John’s Island Club Anthony Domino B-8 Quail Valley Golf Club EMAIL Tommy Gibson B-8 Ocean Reef Club sflorida@pgahq.com Matthew Markle B-8 TPC @ Treviso Bay Ryan Smith B-8 BallenIsles Country Club WEBSITE www.sfpgagolf.com Michael Stern B-8 Int’l Links of Miami Melreese Kevin Terry B-8 Boca West Club PRESIDENT Carlos Velez B-8 Int’l Links of Miami Melreese Warren Bottke, PGA

NEW MEMBERS

The South Florida PGA would like to welcome the following new members to the section: Member Classification Facility Ryan Adams, PGA A-11 PGA of America Nat’l Office HQ Marcus Aguilar, PGA A-8 Hammock Bay Golf & CC Nicholas Annunziata, PGA A-8 The Polo Club of Boca Raton Jordan Calverley, PGA A-8 Hammock Bay Golf & CC Warren Chappuis, PGA A-20 ISG A/S Trackman Patrick Hagenbucher, PGA A-8 John’s Island Club Justin Harris, PGA A-8 Naples National Golf Club Lauren Himebaugh, PGA A-8 John’s Island Club Andrew Jones, PGA A-8 West Palm Beach Golf Course Steven Lidinsky, PGA A-6 Ibis Golf & Country Club Andrew McGrath, PGA A-8 Kelly Greens Country Club Chelsea Mokary, PGA A-8 Quail Ridge Country Club Connor Murphy, PGA A-8 Shadow Wood Country Club Ian Rodgers, PGA A-8 Admiral’s Cove Tyler Simpson, PGA A-8 Quail Valley Golf Club Curtis Thompson, PGA A-3 The PGA Tour Chase Vande Zande, PGA A-8 Don Law @ Ocean Breeze Gil Velez, PGA IN Richard Wehringer, PGA A-8 Pine Tree Golf Club Brian Williams, PGA A-8 The Club at Mediterra

VICE PRESIDENT Mark VanDyck, PGA SECRETARY Don Meadows, PGA IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Brian Peaper, PGA SOUTHERN CHAPTER PRESIDENT Chris Krause, PGA SOUTHEAST CHAPTER PRESIDENT Jim Leary, PGA SOUTHWEST CHAPTER PRESIDENT Dan Gawronski, PGA ISLAND CHAPTER PRESIDENT Aaron West, PGA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Geoff Lofstead ADVISORY BOARD Paul Anderson Rick Bayliss Steve Sponder Ken Kennerly Matt Lambert Peter Lund Joe Steranka

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chip shots 52 SFPGA MEMBERS WALK WITH THE PROS

On Wednesday, February 25, fifty-two South Florida PGA Professionals volunteered their time to walk in The Honda Classic Gold Pro Am presented by Tire Kingdom serving as pace of play ambassadors, interacting with PGA Tour Professionals and the amateurs in each group. This year was the ninth year the South Florida PGA and The Honda Classic offered this opportunity to PGA Professionals.

The Honda Classic is the presenting partner of the South Florida PGA Junior Championship and Challenge Tours.

Thank you to all the PGA Professionals who volunteered their time for this event: Judy Alvarez, Bill Balash, Kevin Battersby, Mark Beaulieu, Dana Bennett, Mark Cammarene, Jack Carney, Joseph Carlone, Frank Clark, Steve Rickie Fowler and Christian Czaja, PGA Clawson, Bob Coman, David Comstock, Chris Czaja, Chris David, Blake Dickinson, Rafael Floriani, Greg Gardner, Sean Gradomski, Jason Harris, Eric Hegstenberg, Mac Hood, Michelle Hupfer, Steve Jablonowski, Mike Jonges, Dick LaGrasse, Robert Lane, Thomas Lavinio, Don Law, Dick LeConche, Mike Mann, Terry McDowell, Thomas McGuirck, Mike McLellan, Chase Minnick, Bela Nagy, Pat O’Brien, Steve O’Hara, Kevin Perkins, Bobby Petelinkar, Marty Price, Bob Purcell, Trent Reeves, Tom Regan, Rick Saunders, John Skaf, Ron Stepanek, Trent Stewart, Mark Thomas, Duncan Tinling, Duke Trombetti, Susan Vail, Michael Valicenti, John Vicker and Jeff Waber

QUARTER CENTURY CLUB Congratulations to PGA Professional Daniel Bracy, Scott Gardner, Phil Henry, Geoff Hunter and Tom Vuicich who have been elected to the Quarter Century Club of the PGA of America, an elite group of members who have served the PGA with honor and pride for 25 years.

HALF CENTURY CLUB Congratulations to PGA Professional Al Chandler and Bobby Nichols who has been elected to the Half Century Club of the PGA of America, an elite group of members who have served the PGA with honor and pride for 50 years.

PROCEDURES FOR ANNOUNCING INTENT TO RUN FOR SECTION OFFICE

Members interested in running for Section office should make their intentions known by providing a written statement to Executive Director Geoff Lofstead no later than April 27th. Reigning Vice President Mark VanDyck and Secretary Don Meadows will be running for the seats of President and Vice President, respectively. Scott Kirkwood, PGA Director of Golf at Ocean Reef Club and Karl Bublitz, PGA Director of Golf at Grey Oaks Country Club have announced their intent to run for Section Secretary in the upcoming election.

All three offices will be an open election and if there is only one candidate for a respective office then that member will win the election by acclamation. Section Officers serve for 8 consecutive years, with a two-year terms as Secretary, Vice President, President and Immediate Past President. For the full copy of the election policies and procedures please click here.

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chip shots The PGA of America requests your participation in helping to ensure that one of our Association’s most powerful employment tools remains effective for you and your fellow PGA Professionals. PGA members who complete the survey by March 20, 2015, can receive up to two (2) Member Service Requirement (MSR) credits. Your participation is the key to ensuring that your Section’s compensation information is valid and meaningful. Please note that MSR credit is not applied at the time of survey submission, but will be posted periodically throughout the course of the study with all MSR credits applied by the end of March.

Click here to take compensation survey.

DIRECTORY AND CALENDAR HEADED YOUR WAY!

The 2015 Association Directory and Wall Calendar will be mailed to each South Florida PGA Member during the month of March.

The directory is a great tool to connect with other PGA Members and the calendar will help you stay up-to-date with Section and Chapter events throughout the year.

FLORIDA GOLF DAY

On February 5, golf industry leaders met in Tallahassee for Florida Golf Day. Florida Golf Day is a collaboration of leading organizations representing all segments of the golf industry in Florida. Industry reports golf’s direct economic impact in Florida was $8.2 billion in 2013, an increase from $7.5 billion in 2007.

The size of Florida’s direct golf economy is larger than key state industries like amusement and theme parks ($5.4 billion) and medical equipment and supplies manufacturing ($6.5 billion).

When indirect and induced economic activity driven by the golf sector is taken into consideration, total impact increases to $11 billion.

During Florida Golf Day, top representatives of Florida’s golf industry throughout Florida shared information about these findings, the game’s economic impact, as well as its youth development programs, sustainability practices and environmental benefits.

Participating organizations include the PGA of America, PGA TOUR, LPGA, USGA, Club Managers Association of America, National Golf Course Owners Association, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, World Golf Hall of Fame, World Golf Foundation, The First Tee, Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association, Florida Turfgrass Association, Florida Chapter of Club Managers Association of America, North and South Florida Sections of the PGA of America, Florida State University PGA Golf Management Program, Florida State Golf Association and Golf Channel.

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TOURNAMENT PREVIEW

The tournament season is about to kick off a new year! On March 23rd the South Florida PGA will host the 1st Annual National Car Rental South Florida PGA Foundation Pro-Am. This event will be held at Ft. Lauderdale Country Club and will be a 12:30 PM shotgun start. Teams must be comprised of one PGA member/apprentice and one amateur. All those participating in the event will receive a tee gift, lunch prior to the round, a cocktail reception with awards, and a chance to win purse money.

The next event of the year will be the Pro-Official being held at Old Marsh Golf Club on April 20th. In addition to the new pro-am, the South Florida PGA will host the 5th annual Tire Kingdom Charity Pro-Am on May 12th at The Loxahatchee Club benefitting the SFPGA Foundation.

We are looking forward to a great tournament season in 2015! For the complete tournament calendar, click here.

PROS ON THE GO Member Eddie Cox, PGA Casey Anderson, PGA Scott Gray, PGA Christopher Card, PGA

To Unattached A-1 - Orangebrook Golf Course A-13 - Miccosukee Golf & Country Club A-13 - Ballen Isles Country Club

From A-4 - Carolinas Section A-8 - Orangebrook Golf Course A-13 - North Florida Section A-13 - Unaffiliated Section

PARTNER UPDATE The South Florida PGA is supported by countless organizations each year through section tournaments, junior golf and foundation activities. Without the support of our partners, these programs would not be so successful.

We would like to thank all of our returning partners and welcome our new partners: Presenting Partners: Seminole Casino Coconut Creek and Callaway.

Supporting Partners: Antigua, Chase 54, Club Chef, Cure Putters, Digital Golf Technologies, Pukka, Skimp and Verandah Golf Club We hope that you will look to these partners along with all of our returning partners when making buying decisions at your facility. For a complete list of partners click here.

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Player Development PLAY GOLF AMERICA EVENTS

In the month of February, the South Florida PGA participated in local events to help grow the game of golf.

On Thursday, February 5, the South Florida PGA participated in a Health Fair hosted at Equestrian Trails Elementary School in Wellington. The event encouraged families of all ages to eat healthy and live an active lifestyle. Free health screenings, exercise & fitness demonstrations and several kids’ activities were just part of the fun. The South Florida PGA was on-hand offering free lessons to kids and adults who attended the Fair. Over 50 individuals stopped by the hitting bay and were given lessons during the two hour event. Thank you to PGA Professionals David Eby and Chip Inks and PGA apprentice Keith Weachter for volunteering their time to help.

On February 6-8, the South Florida PGA was onsite at the Allianz Championship in Boca Raton where PGA Section members were on-hand offering free lessons to fans in attendance. Over 150 individuals stopped by the hitting bay and were given instruction during the three day event. Special thanks to PGA Professionals Frank Clark, Jess Frank, Glenn Hall and John Lubin for volunteering their time and expertise.

Leading up to the ACE Group Classic, the SFPGA joined the fun for the Golf-A-Palooza hosted on Tuesday, February 10 at The TwinEagles Club. The day was free and included demos from different club manufacturers, clinics from Champions Tour players and raffle giveaways. SFPGA Section members Rodney Bungartz and Peter LeDonne were on the driving range offering free lessons to fans in attendance. Over 40 individuals stopped by and were given instruction during the day. Special thanks to Rodney and Peter for time.

REVENUE SCORECARD How are you doing with player development programming at your facility? The Revenue Scorecard, a resource available to PGA members, can breakdown the numbers. This business tool is a useful approach to help show the total yearly incremental revenue driven to your facility through your instructional programming. This measure can be shared with your facility ownership or supervisor to demonstrate the value and revenue you’ve driven to the facility.

Additionally, if you would like to be considered for a “Success Story in Growing the Game”, you have the option of sharing your completed Revenue Scorecard with the PGA of America. PGA Professionals that are top performers in driving total yearly incremental revenue to their facility will be featured on PGA.org. Success stories will not only celebrate top performers in player development, but also inspire other PGA Professionals to follow the lead of their peers.

Learn more about the Revenue Scorecard through PGA.org, or please contact SFPGA Player Development Manager, Tyler Wolford, at 561-729-0544 or by email at twolford@pgahq.com. Tyler is happy to assist and can be available to come to your facility to discuss more.

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Player development 3RD ANNUAL WOMEN’S GOLF DAY AT ABACOA GC The South Florida PGA held a free Women’s Golf Day, Saturday, February 21st from 1-4 pm. This event took place at Abacoa Golf Club, and was open to women of all ages and golf abilities.

Over 150 women took advantage of the opportunity to obtain free golf instruction from eighteen PGA Professionals who volunteered their time to teach full swing, chipping, pitching, and putting clinics. The women were also able to try out the latest clubs from Titleist and Cobra.

The event included free wellness screenings from Jupiter Medical Center and booths from SKIMP, the Women’s Foundation of Palm Beach County, Abacoa Golf Academy, Chase54, GolfBuddy, Titleist and Cobra.

From 1:00-2:00, The Women’s Foundation of Palm Beach County held a forum featuring Christine Garrity, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel at The PGA of America and Judy Alvarez, PGA, LPGA. “On Par with Exceptional Business Women” featured a discussion on using golf as a business tool for women.

Following the instruction from the PGA Professionals, Donna White, PGA/LPGA, former LPGA Tour player, hosted a clinic for the women in attendance on the driving range. She spoke with the audience about her routine, life on the LPGA Tour and many misconceptions about the golf swing.

Following the event the women enjoyed appetizers and drinks during the social hour. Women left the day with not only raffle items, but every woman left with a better knowledge of their golf game and tips to try at the range or on the golf course.

This event was also supported by: Abacoa Golf Club, Abacoa Golf Academy, Chase 54, Cobra Puma Golf, GolfBuddy, Jupiter Medical Center, SKIMP, TaylorMade-adidas Ashworth Golf, The Honda Classic, The Women’s Foundation of Palm Beach County and Titleist.

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Player Development DENNIS WALTERS CONVEYS MESSAGE OF PERSEVERANCE TO STUDENTS

ATLANTIS, Fla. – Cloudy skies cleared just in time for Dennis Walters to perform his famous show on Wednesday morning, March 11th at HL Watkins Middle School in Palm Beach Gardens. Over 250 students and faculty were in attendance.

The show began with a question and answer where Dennis got to know the students better and they got to know him. A special performance by Dennis’ super dog and best friend, Bucky, came next with a variety of tricks including his uncanny ability to correctly answer questions by barking out the answers. After Bucky tried to steal the show, Dennis took the stage to show students his amazing ability to strike a golf ball while sitting in his swivel chair. Golf shots included clubs made from a fishing rod, a radiator hose, a cell phone, and Bucky’s favorite club (which is shaped like a dog biscuit). The show concluded with his famous rapid fire machine gun shot where he hits five consecutive shots while they roll down a ramp, the last one being a special exploding ball. Students were enthusiastic and enjoyed many of the great trick shots they observed.

Outside of his amazing talents and performance, it is the motivational message that Dennis conveys that is most important. This message of inspiration and perseverance is woven throughout the show.

Dreams can come true for with hard work, anything is possible!

Immediately following the show Jersey Mike’s was on site providing free lunch to all those in attendance. Special thanks to Dennis Walters and his team, students & faculty at HL Watkins Middle School, and Jersey Mike’s for a wonderful day.

PARKLAND BUDDIES

Beginning February 21st, SFPGA Professional Mike Richards and his staff began teaching 12 individuals the game of golf at Parkland Golf and Country Club through the Parkland Buddy Sports program.

Parkland Buddy Sports, Inc is a not for profit organization that offers well-structured sports programs for special needs children and young adults. Regardless of the mental and/or physical diagnosis, the Buddy program welcomes children ages 4 to young adult. The sports programs consist of once weekly (Saturday or Sunday) activities and games. Each player is paired for the entire season with their own “Buddy” who in most instances is a typical student volunteer for an entire season. Every six week the students have the opportunity to learn a new sport from experts in the industry.

“The kids did great,” said Mike Richards. “By the end of the hour everyone was smiling and giving each other high fives. It was amazing to see the turnaround these kids could make as absolute beginners.”

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DRIVE, CHIP & PUTT WARM-UP SESSION Even if your facility is not hosting a Drive, Chip & Putt Qualifier, you can get involved! You can host a Drive, Chip & Putt warm-up session to bring in extra revenue and prepare your junior golfers for the qualifier. If interested, please contact Tori Stock at the section office for details at tstock@pgahq.com.

Team Golf

TEAM GOLF PREVIEW

Team Golf is gearing up for its third season with the South Florida PGA. The program experienced tremendous growth in 2014 thanks to the involvement of more than 40 PGA members and over 450 junior golfers and 2015 looks to grow even more.

Team Golf is a great way to introduce juniors to the game of golf in a team environment. The basic premise of Team Golf is to create a team atmosphere for young golfers, not much different than what you see in beginner soccer and baseball leagues. The program is designed for junior golfers ages 6-14 with beginning level golf experience. Team Golf offers an introduction to tournament play through 9-hole team stroke play competition, and serves as a fun, social, less stressful approach to tournament golf. The program is designed to be a “stepping stone” into individual stroke play tournaments for those players who are learning the game. New to 2015, Team Golf will include an advanced league designed for kids ages 11-18 with intermediate to advanced level golf experience.

Team Golf tournaments consist of six players from each team that form three (3) two-person teams. Each two-person team will compete from their age/ gender appropriate tee (modified yardages). Teams can be coed, but this is not mandatory. The format will be a 9-hole scramble or four-ball stroke play, dependent upon the level of play.

In addition to impacting countless junior golfers, this program provides PGA members and apprentices with a unique opportunity to grow the game throughout the south Florida community. Each team is coached by a professional and/or apprentice and provides an additional source of income and clientele during the summer and fall months. Additional revenue is generated by engaging junior golfers and their families through team practices, individual lessons, driving range time, food & beverage and more.

The 2015 Team Golf schedule will begin in May and go through November (based upon availability within each region). For each region, there will be 5-10 tournaments held between May and August, and 3-5 tournaments held between September and November. Tournaments during May and September-November will be held on a weekend day (Saturday or Sunday). Tournaments during the summer months June-August will be held during the weekdays and some weekends. Tournaments will be held in the geographic area that your team’s facility is located (no more than 15-20 miles away).

PGA Professionals are encouraged to create teams and participate in this Section wide program. This is a great opportunity to grow your junior program, showcase your facility, and expand overall revenue & clientele.

In addition, PGA Professionals that coach a team will earn three (3) MSR credits in the Required Category. For more information about Team Golf, please contact Tyler Wolford at 561-729-0544 or twolford@ pgahq.com. More information about Team Golf can be found here.

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Junior tour

CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR EVENT #1 - MADISON GREEN ATLANTIS, Fla. – On February 7-8, the SFPGA Junior Championship Tour presented by The Honda Classic held Championship Event #1 at Madison Green Golf Club in West Palm Beach.

With winds gusting up to 30 mph, Madison Green Golf Club provided juniors with a difficult weekend of golf.

Despite the strong winds, Wanjoo Lee of Port St. Lucie, managed to shoot an incredible 4-under par 68 to open up round one. Boca Raton native Zach Bariso shot an opening round 1-under-par to find himself 3 shots off the lead. Despite Bariso’s best effort during round two, Lee’s steady play and final round 2-over par 74 was enough to capture the overall boys title. West Palm Beach native Logan Othmer took home first place in the Valeria Pachecho and Wanjoo Lee boys 13-15 age division while Vero Beach native Trey Meadows took home second place. Sachin Kumar of Port St. Lucie shot a final round 2-under-par 70 to capture the boys 16-18 age division while Bariso would go on to claim second place.

Boynton Beach native Alexa Hammer opened up round one with a 1-over par 73 to take the round one lead in the girls division. Hallandale Beach ‘s Valeria Pacheco entered the second round two strokes behind Hammer. Pacheco was able to put together a great even par round of 72 Sunday to capture the overall girls title.

Miami native Tanya Eathakotti would go on to capture the girls 13-15 age division title while Boca Raton native Dana Williams would claim second place. Wellington native Mary Janiga fired a low round of 2-under par 70 on Sunday to take home the girls 16-18 division while Hammer would claim second place.

CHALLENGE TOUR EVENT #1 - SANDPIPER GOLF CLUB ATLANTIS, Fla. – On February 21-22, the SFPGA Junior Challenge Tour presented by The Honda Classic held event #1 at Sandpiper Golf Club in Port St. Lucie. Saturday was a tough day for the juniors and mother nature provided low temperatures and high winds, although the final round featured picture perfect weather.

Trey Meadows of Vero Beach opened up round one with a 6-over par 76 to find himself behind round one leader Anthony Weigand of Pompano Beach. Meadows managed to put together a solid second round 1-over par 71 to capture his first Overall Boys title.

Youngster Brett Roberts of Coral Springs, who is currently 12 Jaci Cruz, Don Law, PGA and Trey Meadows years old but playing up a division, took home first place in the boys 13-15 age division. Weigand would go on to capture the boys 16-18 age division.

Jaci Cruz of Pompano Beach opened up round one with an 84 to find herself one stroke off the lead. Cruz would go on to fire a final round 78 to capture the Girls Overall Title. Boca Raton native Taylor Roberts would go on to capture the girls 13-15 age division while Weston native Andrea Presilla would take home the girls 16-18 age division. (continued on next page)

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Junior tour

(continued)

The 11-12 age division once again featured some outstanding play. Boynton Beach native Nicklas Staub opened up round one with a 1-over-par 71 to take a one stroke lead into Sunday. Doral native Leo Herrera made a strong push during the final round that featured an 8-under-par 27 on the front 9 to finish with a final round 65. Despite Herrera’s amazing round, Staub was able to steady the ship and shoot a 2-over-par 72 and take home the boys 11-12 age division. Hobe Sound native Andie Smith had a great tournament to capture the girls 11-12 age division. Thank you to Don Law and the staff and Sandpiper for their help with the event!

CHALLENGE TOUR EVENT #2 COUNTRY CLUB OF CORAL SPRINGS

ATLANTIS, Fla. – On March 7-8, the SFPGA Junior Challenge Tour presented by The Honda Classic held event #2 at The Country Club of Coral Springs. With a field packed with many new names on the Challenge Tour, two new stars emerged victorious. Round one featured a steady rain for most of the round giving many golfers a tough day for scoring.

Palmetto Bay native David Burnham opened up round one with a 4-over-par 75 to enter round two tied for the lead with Boca Raton native Christian Hance. Despite round one’s tough conditions, round two was a clear Florida day perfect for scoring. Burnham was able to capitalize on the day and fire a 2-under-par 69 to win the overall boys title by four strokes. Hance would go on to claim the boys 16-18 age division while Naples native Harrison Ornstein would take home the boys 13-15 title.

Eleven year old, Boca Raton native Elle Nachman opened up round one with a 2-over-par 73 which gave her a ten stroke lead heading Elle Nachman and David Burnham into round two. Nachman never looked back on Sunday and fired a final round 1-over-par 72 on her way to a sixteen stroke victory in the overall girls division. Parkland native Briel Hay went on to claim the girls 16-18 age division while Boca Raton native Taylor Roberts claimed the 13-15 age division.

The boys 11-12 age division did not disappoint once again. Boca Raton native Alec Nachman opened up round one with an even-par 71 to take a one stroke lead into the final round over Palm Beach native Allan Kournikova.

Jude Kim of Plantation, found himself two stroke behind Nachman heading into Sunday’s final round. Despite Nachman’s great effort of a final round 2-over-par 73, Kim was able to fire a final round 1-under-par 70 and take the boys 11-12 age division. Palm Beach native Sarah Beqaj opened up round one with a 7-over-par 78 to take a two stroke lead into the final round. Beqaj kept her confidence going on Sunday and was able to take the girls 11-12 age division title for her first South Florida PGA Junior Tour win. Thank you to Bill Freising and his staff for their support.

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Rules with chris WHY NOT?

Most of us view the Rules of Golf and their Decisions as an all-encompassing mass of pages and penalties of fine print infractions. The most common misconception I have come across in my time around the game is that the Rules of Golf are in existence to penalize the player, while in reality they exist to promote fairness. We live in a world of professional sports where the culture of each individual sport influences the rules from an officiating standpoint, as well as each outcome in the case of a breach. For instance, you wouldn’t see an offensive lineman in football penalize himself for holding if the referee didn’t call it.

Similarly, you would not catch a point guard in basketball ask the official to change possession if he were in breach of traveling. It is not a matter of the morality of the individual player but the culture of the sport and the context of the rule.

Golf is different for the simple governing ideology, the player is responsible for holding himself or herself accountable for any breach to the Rules. In almost every other sport, officials are primarily employed to catch infractions or breaches and to enforce penalties. In golf, penalties are enforced by the integrity of the player and Rules Committee is there to aid in the understanding of the Rules and applicable penalties.

Last June in the 114th U.S. Open, Ryan Fitzpatrick called a penalty on himself for moving his ball under Rule 18-2b which states, if a player’s ball in play moves after he has addressed it (other than as a result of a stroke), the player is deemed to have moved the ball and incurs a penalty of one stroke. The ball must be replaced, unless the movement of the ball occurs after the player has begun the stroke or the backward movement of the club for the stroke and the stroke is made. There are instances where Rules Officials, in stroke play, have administered penalties to ensure the fairness of the competition but their primary role is to serve as a reference to the Decisions on the Rules of Golf, and advise the player of their options in the case of doubt. The vast majority of all penalties administered by the Committee at any tournament involve doubt as to procedure or a lack of complete understanding and not a devious scheme to cheat or gain an advantage by knowingly breaking a Rule.

Therefore, if you take one rule, one piece of information out of this article, let it be Rule 3-3. It states that in stroke play, if a competitor is doubtful of his rights or the correct procedure during the play of a hole, he may, without penalty, complete the hole with two balls. After the doubtful situation has arisen and before taking further action, the competitor must announce to his marker or fellow-competitor that he intends to play two balls and which ball he wishes to count if the Rules permit. The competitor must report the facts of the situation to the committee before returning his score card.

In golf, as in almost any facet of life, the most frustrating errors are preventable ones which is why Rule 3-3 is so important when you come into a situation where there aren’t Rules Officials present. Isn’t the underlying philosophy of accountability what makes golf unique? It is one of the only games where integrity and honesty are perquisites to arriving at the first tee and isn’t that what makes it great? While in the course of our daily lives, it is difficult to devote time and energy on top of our responsibilities at home and at work to study the Rules of Golf.

However, instead of looking at the Decisions book as an all-encompassing mass of pages and penalties of fine print infractions, what if we saw them as tools to help us on the golf course, much like lessons or new equipment.

What if the Rules of Golf weren’t in existence to penalize but instead present to help? After-all, the most powerful and important tool we can use on the course is our mind, so it begs the question; why not be informed?

Email me your rules situations at cgilkey@pgahq.com.

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new & Upcoming SECTION EVENTS National Car Rental Foundation Pro-Am Fort Lauderdale Country Club March 23 Pro-Official Old Marsh Golf Club April 20 Women’s Pro-Pro The Loxahatchee Club April 27 Nelson Cup Matches Gleneagles Country Club April 27

Junior-Senior Lago Mar Country Club April 30

SFPGA JUNIOR TOUR EVENTS

Fort Lauderdale Open Parkland Golf & CC May 4-5

Championship Tour Event #2 Sandridge Golf Club March 21-22

SFPGA Foundation Tire Kingdom Charity Pro-Am The Loxahatchee Club May 12

Championship Tour Event #3 Indian Spring Country Club April 11-12

South Florida Senior Open Jonathan’s Landing GC @ Old Trail May 14-15

Challenge Tour Event #3 Fountains Country Club April 25-26

CHAPTER EVENTS

Pro-Sponsor, Education & Spring Meeting Fort Lauderdale Country Club April 6

Pro-Pro The Little Club April 17

Pro Only Event #1 TBD April 20

Spring Meeting Heritage Palms Golf & CC May 11

Pro-Pro Trump International March 23

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