Nebraska PGA March 2014 Newsletter by David Honnens

As the “Experts in the Game and Business of Golf” the power of education is the single most important way to help enhance and transform our industry. Many of today’s thriving industries outside of the golf industry have alluded to the fact that there is a strong correlation between the economic viability of an industry and its education attained by those who work in it. The current MSR cycle is roughly 16 months away from coming to a close and it is a priority of the Section to provide meaningful educational opportunities for you to meet these requirements. To review your current MSR status, please go to www.pgalinks.com and login. Under “your membership data” will be your current credits earned and what is still required. To receive MSR’s for your Player Development Program, please complete the “MSR Report Form” and submit it to Nebraska Section Player Development Coordinator, Joe Canny, PGA at jcanny@pgahq.com or by fax 402-489-1785.

Online Education— What:

2014 Compensation

Golf 2.0

Survey

Information:

Click here for log in Deadline:

March 31, 2014

MSR’s:

3 MSR’s toward

2 MSR’s

What:

MSR’s

PGA Required Information: Click here to take the survey

What is The Groove? The Groove is a nine hole ladies league targeting the working and stay at home moms with little to no playing experience. The whole idea of the league is to get these women who are uncomfortable or inexperienced to feel comfortable on the golf course and enjoy not only the game but the camaraderie golf offers. In the beginning, The Groove consisted of five clinics with five play dates. The clinics were lead by our Director of Teaching and assisted by other staff professionals. Play dates are always a 6:00 pm shotgun with a scramble format. The players go out and play golf for two hours. Some play 9 holes while others only 4-5 holes. While out playing I drive the course offering on course instruction and drinks to ensure they get the golf experience they are looking for. At 8:00 pm we would all come in and enjoy a themed buffet. Today The Groove has evolved into a 60 player league and is continually changing. This year The Groove is split into two divisions. The Hip Huggers and The Bell Bottoms. The Hip Huggers will play a handicapped nine hole event each Tuesday night, while the Bell Bottoms will continue with the same scramble format as years past, competing each week for flag prizes. Regardless of the league our Groovettes are playing in, the focus is Fun. What Can The Groove Do For You? The Groove creates new players and brings back golfers who have left the game. Through league specific shopping nights and new players, shop sales are also increased. The atmosphere of The Groove encourages league members to stick around and utilize our Food and Beverage operation as well as increases lesson and cart revenue. Tad Petersen, PGA Happy Hollow Club Omaha Nebraska

Utilize ACTIVE Works in 2014 ACTIVE Works is The PGA of Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s online event management tool. Based on this definition it seems like it is a simple solution for posting programs online. However, ACTIVE Works is so much more. The tools found on this resource can be utilized by any facility type to enhance your current programming. Below I am going to highlight how different facility types can use the ACTIVE Partnership to generate additional revenue and member benefits for their facility. Private Facilities Many successful private facilities do open some events to the public and use ACTIVE as a way to bring potential members through the door. I applaud those facilities for thinking outside-the-box but also understand that this practice doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work for all facilities. While online registration may not fit your private facility, ACTIVE is still a member benefit you should utilize. Tools on ACTIVE that private facilities may find valuable are the email templates and event registration button. Private facilities can use ACTIVE as a member benefit or added value for outings. Next time someone is considering using your facility for a corporate outing or charity event, use ACTIVE as a value-added benefit. Using the ACTIVE Tools you can expose their events to the over 10 Million unique visitors per month on the various sites associated with ACTIVE. You can create email blasts with registration to any database or create registration buttons on any website to their event using the HTML Code Creator. Adding marketing to your outside tournament business will set your facility above the rest. Both of these tools only take a minute to create and are free of charge for you as a PGA Professional! Also, consider using ACTIVE for your own members. ACTIVE has email tools which allow you to create professional looking emails with custom banners and images of your facility. These email tools are the same ones being used by top golf management companies. Emails can be sent to any database and come from any email address you like. Services such as this usually cost a pretty penny to small businesses and you have access through ACTIVE for free! Public Facilities The benefits of ACTIVE for public facilities are a lot more obvious. With over 8 Million monthly subscribers and reach into 1 of every 3 American households your reach will be better than ever. You too can use the same tools for creating registration buttons on your website, sending customized professional emails and marketing outside events. I would also encourage you to try the Online Registration Tool. If somebody registers for your events online they will pay ACTIVE with a credit card. Then ACTIVE will pass along the payment to you by check or direct deposit. The only fee assessed to the professional is a credit card fee just like you would have in your golf shop. There is honestly no risk for giving it a try! Nebraska Section PGA | 610 J Street, Ste 10 | Lincoln, NE 68508 | Ph: (402) 489-7760 | Fx: (402) 489-1785 | www.nebraskapga.com

A comment I often hear from public facilities is that they get most of their registrations through members and friends. That is great! Honestly word of mouth is the best way to market your program. I would never encourage anyone to go strictly online as local marketing you can do in your area and in your facility is still going to generate the most return. But think if you are able to register an additional two people in your league or golf instructional programs by taking advantage of free online promotion and sign-up. These are new golfers at your facility you would have never seen and if you can retain them that is extra revenue in your club for years. Look at other recreational programming that is in direct competition with golf. How successful would boot camps and fitness programs be if they didn’t promote online using a variety of avenues such as Groupon, Living Social and more. My wife was looking to take fitness classes back in 2010 and she wasn’t about to walk to every gym in the city to look through their schedule. Same goes for the moms and dads looking for summer programs for their kids. They aren’t going to see your posters at the golf shop. Only those families you already have are seeing those posters. Now using ACTIVE.com your junior golf programs can compete online with football, baseball, volleyball and other sports for that valuable summer junior camp dollar! Non-Green Grass Facilities Here in Nebraska we have a number of non-green grass golf operations using ACTIVE.com to grow their business in unique ways. Golf 2.0 is all about thinking outside the box to generate revenue and Dicks Sporting Goods in Omaha and the University of Nebraska PGA Golf Management Program have been doing just that! Scott Holly, PGA Internship Coordinator for the PGA Golf Management Program has used ACTIVE for Golf Outings, Nike Summer Camps and the PGA Golf Management Program’s Summer Experience. Scott states “ACTIVE is great and I can’t believe more people aren’t taking advantage of it. The tools I use for free on ACTIVE are better than those I used to pay for in years past. It takes minutes to post an event and then I can create custom looking registration and payment buttons to fit on our own website.” Support I encourage each of you to really look over ACTIVE this spring and find a way to test it out at one of your events. Contact me for any support in posting events, answering questions and using any of the tools ACTIVE provides. Joe Canny, PGA Nebraska Section PGA (402) 489-7760 Jcanny@pgahq.com Nebraska Section PGA | 610 J Street, Ste 10 | Lincoln, NE 68508 | Ph: (402) 489-7760 | Fx: (402) 489-1785 | www.nebraskapga.com

FOR YOU- THE PGA EMPLOYER When asked to speak at PGA Section meetings, Employment Consultants continually remind you and remind you of the resources available on?? DING- DING- the answer is: pgalinks.com!! One of the new resources you can find on the PGA Employment page is the “Employer Guide for PGA Members- Being a Successful Manager Can Advance your Career”. This comprehensive guide is an excellent document to enhance your skills as the leader of your staff. I know many of you pride yourself in your leadership capabilities. Your staff looks up to you and responds to you in a favorable manner. Let’s review some ideas that could benefit both you and your staff as 2014 gets under way and review the traits of an outstanding employer. The first area to look at is recruiting and hiring the best employees. Do you develop job descriptions which are clearly defined expectations? Do you incentivize your employees? What do you look for in the cover letter/resume? How do you conduct your interviews? What about background checks? The second area is the development and supervision of employees. How long is your “leash”? Do you train and attempt to motivate your team? Do you do evaluations? Are you up-to-date on the Wage and Hour laws? Is your workplace free of bias and discrimination? The third area deals with mentoring. What is your responsibility? Do you dread or enjoy the risk/ reward in developing this relationship with your assistants? Did you have a mentor whom you consider to be the “reason” you are where you are today? How are you viewed today by your staff? How do you want to be remembered? I know all I did was ask questions in this article- that was intentional! I want you to review the guide and make the effort to find the answers. Start the year in 2014 with commitment to being the best employer possible. Please call me with any questions or share ideas you use in this all-important arena. You do make an impactis it a positive one?

Bruce Lubach, PGA Employment Consultant

Bruce Lubach, PGA, is the PGA of America Employment Consultant for the sections of Iowa, Midwest, Minnesota and Nebraska. He can be reached at 402.261.3604 or blubach@pgahq.com.

Nebraska PGA Tournament Schedule Date

Tournament

Mar 10-12

TaylorMade Vegas Classic Anthem - Henderson, NV Dragon Ridge - Henderson, NV TPC of Las Vegas - Las Vegas, NV

Info

Results

Apr 7

Club Car Pro/Pro/Pro The Players Club at Deer - Omaha, NE

Info

Apr 14

Harris Yamaha Golf Cars 27 Hole Pro - 3 Am Tiburon Golf Club - MGW - Omaha, NE Tiburon GC - GWH - Omaha, NE Tiburon Golf Club -HM - Omaha, NE

Info

Apr 21 Apr 28 May 5 May 12 May 15 - Sep 26 May 15 - Sep 26 May 19 May 27 Jun 2 Jun 9 Jun 16 Jun 23 Jun 30 Jul 7 Jul 14 Jul 21 Jul 26-27

All Star Pro Golf / E-Z-GO Pro - 3 Am Iron Horse GC - Ashland, NE Club Car/ Mizuno Pro - 3 Am Hillcrest - Lincoln, NE National Car Rental Pro-3 AM Champions Run - Omaha, NE Laser Link Golf Pro - 3 Am Fremont GC - Fremont, NE Harris Yamaha Golf Cars Asst. Match Play Champ Tiburon GC - GWH - Omaha, NE Harris Yamaha Golf Cars Match Play Championship Tiburon GC - GWH - Omaha, NE Jani-King Pro - 3 Am Quail Run - Columbus, NE Mizuno Pro/Assistant Championship Oak Hills - Omaha, NE All Star Pro Golf / E-Z-GO Pro - Scratch Platteview Country Club - Bellevue, NE Nebraska PGA Pro-Am at Kearney CC Kearney CC - Kearney, NE National Car Rental Foundation Pro-Am Happy Hollow - Omaha, NE Pro/Junior Championship Field Club of Omaha - Omaha, NE HCIS Pro - 3 AM ArborLinks - Nebraska City, NE Siouxland Golf Charities Pro - 3 Am Whispering Creek - Sioux City, IA Golf Fore The Troops Firethorn GC - Lincoln, NE Club Car Pro-Pro York CC - York, NE TaylorMade 36 Hole Pro - 3 Am Green Valley GC - Sioux City , IA

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Nebraska PGA Professional Championship ArborLinks - Nebraska City, NE

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Aug 11

Nebraska Assistants Championship Wilderness Ridge - Lincoln, NE

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Aug 11-12

NE PGA Senior Professional Championship Wilderness Ridge - Lincoln, NE

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Aug 25

TaylorMade/adidas Pro-3 Am Oak Hills - Omaha, NE E-Z-GO Facility Championship Shadow Ridge CC - Omaha, NE

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Aug 4-5

Aug 18

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Sep 2

All Star Pro Golf Team Championship Beatrice Country Club - Beatrice, NE

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Sep 12-14

Wells Fargo Nebraska Open Elks Country Club - Columbus, NE

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Opens 05/01/2014

Sep 22

Nebraska PGA Cup Series Championship Quarry Oaks - Ashland, NE

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Opens 10/02/2014

Sep 29

Nebraska PGA Rookie/Veteran Challenge Wild Horse Golf Club - Gothenburg, NE

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Oct 13

Club Car / Cutter & Buck Pro-3 Am The Country Club of Linco - Lincoln, NE

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28th PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship Presented by Brown Capital Management May 9 - 11, 2014 at The PGA Golf Club (Ryder & Wanamaker Courses), Port St. Lucie, FL. 200+ Contestants from 50 Colleges & Universities will compete in the 54-hole stroke-play Championship consists of four divisions: NCAA Men's Division I, Men's Division II, Men's NAIA and Women's division teams. In addition, there is an Individual Invitational competition for minority Men & Women contestants. The Individual Invitational is open to students who are listed on the roster of their college golf team or part of The PGA of America's PGA Golf Management programs and in one of the ethnic origins listed: African-American, Hispanic-American, Native or Alaskan American, Asian or Pacific Island America.

Masters Complimentary Access The Masters will be held on April 10-13, 2014 at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga. For ticket information please call 706.667.6700 or visit masters.com. As a courtesy extended by Augusta National, complimentary access is offered to Class A PGA members, Life members and Master Professional members (PGA members only; this offer is not extended to apprentices). No

spouse or families (including practice rounds). Must show membership card and photo I.D. each day. Go to Gate 6A off of Berckmans Road then report to Gate C to receive daily ticket. NOTE: Daily tickets are not available to purchase for spouse. 2014 SENIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP presented by KitchenAid: Ticket Information (800) 742-4653 PGA members, apprentices, PGA Golf Management students and accompanying immediate family (spouse, children and his and her parents -- does not include member's grandparents, brothers/sisters, spouse of children, etc.). Must show membership card and photo ID each day. PGA members (only) may bring a guest instead of their spouse. Section employees and their spouse may receive a complimentary daily ticket. Section employees must show current Section Employee card and photo identification. Spouse must accompany the Section employee to receive ticket. Go to the Will Call trailer located near admission gate to pick up daily ticket. 76th Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid, May 21-24, 2015, French Lick (Ind.) Resort. For additional information or to purchase tickets click here.

April Birthdays Terrance P. Riordan, PGA Robert A. Walker, PGA Nick P. Wanderscheid, PGA Mike R. Schuchart, PGA Todd C Boeve, PGA Scott M. Allacher, PGA Robert G. Thomason, PGA Joshua R Kohn-Lindquist Hank A. McFarland, PGA Bill Scarborough, PGA Brett D. Evans, PGA Scott E. Martin Gregory K Gilg Cody Peters, PGA Ky M. Molholm, PGA

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Tom Nelson, PGA Gerald Fitzpatrick, PGA Sean M. O'Neill, PGA Jim B. White, PGA Don Kruse, PGA Adam J Harter Britton R. Ward, PGA Jeffrey L Kuhn Jon D. Petersen, PGA David M. James, PGA Mitch Merrill, PGA Robert W. Cooke, PGA Mike Cornell, PGA Jennifer A. Smith, PGA

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STAFF David Honnens, PGA Executive Director dhonnens@pgahq.com

Thomas Harmon, PGA Tournament Director tharmon@pgahq.com

Joe Canny, PGA Junior Golf Director/ Player Development Coordinator jcanny@pgahq.com

Renee Tyson Administrative Assistant rtyson@pgahq.com