The Back Nine Winter 2011

UCCS College of Business

T HE B ACK T HE

ALUMNI NE W SLETT ER OF T HE

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PG A G OLF M ANAGEME NT P ROGRA M

L E T T E R F RO M T H E D I R E C T O R

By Ed Kelbel, PGA Director, UCCS PGA Golf Management Program

December 2011

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Director’s Letter

1

Academic News

1

how Me the Money

4

PGMSS News

2

Graduating Senior

5

Hello UCCS PGA Golf Management Alumni, I hope that all of you are having a successful conclusion to the 2011 golf season. It has been exciting to see you all progress through the ranks of the golf industry over the past few years!

We wish you continued success on your career journey and remember to enjoy it all along the way.

We will add (or have recently added since July) 25 more graduates from our program in midDecember.

Since we last contacted you in July, our program has begun a brand new PGA/PGM 2.0 Educational

Jones Cup Team Pictured left to right: Russell Einspahr, Zach Brehm, Earl Gerlach, Eric Emmel, Travis Gruenenwald and Director Ed Kelbel

Curriculum that is web based allowing for instant changes of outdated material which is nearly impossible with the paper based system it replaced.

There is a new Qualifying Level that covers Intro to PGA Golf Management,

Rules of Golf, and the PGA Constitution that is taught to the first year students right away in the fall. I am very happy to announce that 35 out of 36 students (98%) passed this exam the first time!

Cont. on page 3

The score card • 89--alumni

ACADEMIC NEWS

• 86--students • 13--2011 graduates • 36--Fall 2011 freshmen

By Dr. Paul Miller Academic Advisor

What an amazing year we’re having with regard to admissions for both the PGA Golf Management

Program and the university!

With regard to UCCS, we’ve been told that applications are coming in at 400% over the expected rate. That’s not a typo –

four times as many have come in compared to what the admissions office normally has at this time of year.

Cont. on page 2

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P G M SS N E W S

By Michael Bonicelli PGMSS President

“We had a great tournament season this fall with a lot of young talent leaving their mark on the leaderboard.”

It’s that time of year again when the fall semester winds down and students scatter across the country for Winter Break. It has been an exciting semester for the PGA Golf Management Program at UCCS and there are many things to look forward to in the coming future. Most students are working hard to write cover letters and finalize resumes in hopes of obtaining an internship.

Mollie Sutherland’s office always seems to have a line going out the door. When you’re younger, leaving your friends and family for internship never seems that bad as you’ll be back in three to six months but you last internship is

different. As I get ready to head off to Kansas City for my last internship (and hopefully first assistant position) I often think of those that I won’t see on a daily basis, particularly those other PGM students I have spent the last four years with. I encourage you all to reach out to another UCCS PGM alumni this holiday season and get in touch with someone you haven’t seen or talked to in a while. The phrase “it’s all about who you know” is especially relevant in the golf industry and who better to know than your classmates.

We had a great tournament season this fall with a lot of young talent leaving their mark on the leaderboard. With

larger class sizes and good players, the entry level PGM students came on strong. Several of the qualifiers for the Southwest Showdown come from the Intro Class and hope to bring a victory back to UCCS. The Southwest Showdown is a two day tournament held in Las Vegas that brings four PGM schools together for friendly competition.

Last year’s president, Dan Ferg, is owed a lot of credit for establishing the event and we hope it becomes part of PGM tradition.

UNLV is the defending champion but students from UCCS, ASU and NMSU hope to take the title home.

The event takes place March 15-17th; the host course has yet to be determined. Cont. on page 4

of those grueling Checkpoint weekends.

The downside for the community is that some of the watering holes in the area are missing the high sales volume that mysteriously appeared on those weekends. Kudos to Ed and his students for their perfect record on the very first test. The PGA is singing his praises, and so am I! I have some personal news as well, concerning a side of me that not many of you know much about.

In September, I was identified by a national

magazine, Accounting Today, as one of the 100 most influential accountants in the United States. Now, you won’t find Accounting Today at the newsstand in airports or anywhere else, but it is the leading news outlet for the accounting profession, which numbers at least 1 million in the U.S. Not bad.

All along, you just thought I was an old guy who loved golf but couldn’t play it so well. Now you know why…

MILLER, CONT. Cont. from page 1

We’re also way ahead ourselves! As of the second week in December, we have admitted 21 students, a milestone we didn’t reach last year until April! Further, we have another 35 active applications. Within the whole group are students from 16 different states, including California, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wyoming, as well as Colorado.

In addition to higher numbers, we are also seeing higher grades and test scores but lower handicaps. Everything is going in the right direction.

Of course, if you know of any prospects within your circle, we hope you’ll talk us up and encourage them to follow in your footsteps.

Another bright spot has been the PGA’s new curriculum that Ed also talks about. Although each section seems to be, shall we say, more “rigorous,” we really like the idea of testing our students at each step of the process instead

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KELBEL, CONT. Cont. from page 1

What is so significant about these results is that before we took the exam, the entire PGA Golf Management Schools exam average for the Qualifying Level was only 50.4%. The test is difficult but our students really studied and prepared with staggering results. Now, they all move on to Level 1 in the new 2.0 program where from this point on will study and then test on one subject matter at a time. We are finishing the semester with Customer Relations and hope for more excellent exam results again soon.

Our welcome back event in late August at Pine Creek GC consisted of having two fine instructors focusing on the “mental” aspect of golf.

Denise McGuire and Elena King from Denver conducted two morning seminars with our students. We also had

many area golf club sales reps conducting a Demo Day on the range. Ping, Taylor Made, and Callaway reps all were on hand to allow us to demo their equipment and educate us on the new features. Due to having over 50 students in attendance, we split the groups in half so they could experience both events in the same morning.

The program then sponsored a nice lunch for all. Most of our students then played golf at Pine Creek that afternoon on a beautiful day.

Guest speakers for our PGMSS meetings this semester included JoEllen Lampman from the Audubon Society who specializes in their golf division. She gave an informative, interesting presentation about the benefits of being an Audubon recognized golf facility like The Broadmoor already is in our area. Next to speak were previously mentioned Denise and Elena who gave a more in depth presentation on the importance of one’s mental state in a round of golf and

tailored their talk around how to prepare mentally for the Playing Ability Test. Our last guest speaker was Tom Reilly, Head of Recruiting for the fastest growing golf management company in the USA-Billy Casper Golf.

Tom had tremendous research at his disposal about the latest facts and figures in the golf business and shared his vast passion, experience, and knowledge with our students. He also stayed the following day and interviewed at least 8 of our students who really obtained great insight on Billy Casper Golf Company and also how to interview for a golf position as an intern.

Our Jones Cup team consisting of Eric Emmel, Travis Gruenenwald, Earl Gerlach, Zach Brehm and Russell Einspahr competed hard and we finished 13th out of 20 schools.

Cont. on page 5

“It has been exciting to see you all progress through the ranks of the golf industry over the past few years! We wish you continued success on your career journey and remember to enjoy it all along the way.”

Congratulations to 2009 UCCS PGA Golf Management Alumnus Tad Hubble who has recently been named the new Head Golf Professional in his hometown of Landers, Wyoming at the Landers Golf and Country Club. He and his wife had a baby boy “Jackson” in late October of this year as well!”

-Ed Kelbel

U N I V E R IS T Y O F C O L O R A D O B OAR D O F R E G E N TS V I S I T PGA GOLF M ANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Regent Kyle Hybl talking with PGM Alumni Keith Stilwell and Kirk Usui

Alumni Keith Stilwell gives an instructional tip to Regent Joseph Neguse.

THE

Regent James E. Geddes and Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak discuss our internship board.

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SHOW ME THE $$$

By Mollie Sutherland, PGA Assistant Director/Internship Coordinator

A few upcoming dates to put on your calendar: FEBRUARY 10-12, 2012 Denver Golf Expo A networking, marketing and educational experience for PGA Members and their customers.

MARCH 16th UCCS Instruction Workshop A hands-on workshop where you will experience instructional tools and golf programs designed

by Birdie Ball, SNAG, Golfers with Disabilities and the PGA Sports Academy.

Can you make more money teaching golf? Can you increase your role at your facility? Is your resume unique? Can you increase the revenue at your property? Yes, yes, yes and yes can be your answers to the previous questions.

Challenge yourself to gain 100 new golfers in 100 days for the 2012 season!

Join the momentum of PGA 2.0 and be prepared to support your Head Golf Professional or owner when the opportunity arises. The future successful golf professional will: Retain their

current golfers, Engage their “lapsed” golfers and Drive new players to your facility.

The PGA of America provides instructional tools and program guides that you can tailor to suit your customers, members or guests. Please

read, research and start planning how you can introduce a Family Golf Day or Get Golf Ready program at your facility. The rising golf professionals are involved through Golf In Schools, PGA Sports Academies, Women & Golf Days and Family Golf Days.

Denise McGuire & Elena King from Denver focus on the “metal” aspect of golf.

PGMSS CONT. Cont. from page 2

The Family and Friends event has been moved to a fall event due to consistently poor weather we have experienced trying to host it in the spring.

However, moving it to the fall almost guarantees better weather and provides the opportunity to still participate in the tournament we all love. We partner with the Boys and Girls Club of the Pikes Peak region to provide an important fundraiser for our program and the needs of the Colorado Springs Community. This past October, alumni, students, family, and area golfers all played in the event that was hosted by the Broadmoor and played on the Mountain Course. It was an excellent event and all those who

participated enjoyed the day and had nothing but positive remarks. It would be great to get all of our alumni involved in this event so please keep that time of year in mind to support the program!

The UCCS PGA Golf Management Program is continually growing and improving, quickly becoming

one of the best in the country.

I am proud to be a part of it and am excited to be a part of its growing success. I wish you all the best and happy holidays with friends and family.

Mike Bonicelli UCCS PGA Golf Management Student Society President The PGM Intro Class enjoying their first Boys and Girls/ PGM Charity Event on the Broadmoor Mountain Course.

Pictured left to right: Keith Bennett, Mike Gardner, Chris Boehm and Connor Reddick.

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U CCS P G A G o lf Ma n a gem en t P r o gr a m

1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway Colorado Springs, CO 80918 719-255-3032

FOUR-YEAR RMAC FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICAN ACADEMIC SCHOLAR championship sports; carry at least a 3.30(GPA); be a starter or reserve on their respective team and be of good character.

Morfeld was also awarded the 2007-2008 RMAC Freshman of the Year award.

Brian’s list goes on, he was the Ping All-Region

Check us out on the web: http://www.uccs.edu/~pgm

We are in the business of building successful futures. ™

Stay in touch!

Do we have your up-to-date information?

   

Current Mailing address Current Email address Current Phone Number Current Job / Company Name  Recent accomplishments/ certifications  Tell us how your experience at UCCS played a part in your career.

Our very own Brian Morfeld is graduating this December, cum laude with a long list of achievement both on the course and in the classroom.

He has been named The First Team Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Scholar-Athlete award in 07-08, 08-09, 0910 and 10-11. To receive this award, individuals must compete in one of the conference sponsored

 Call us at 719-255-4157 or email at rreidlsm@uccs.edu with your updated info!

Stay connected!

PGM Alumni Page

College of Business Page

College of Business Alumni Group Check out the PGM subgroup!

Brian Morfeld competing in a UCCS Golf Tournament.

Performer in 2009-2010 and 2010-2011.

He won the Peaks Classic in Fall 2010 (-7), and the UCCS Spring Invitational in 2009 (-1). He helped lead the UCCS Golf Team to three Conference Championships along with numerous top ten finishes during his four years on the team.

He also represented the PGA Golf Management Program in the same fashion. Winning multiple PGM tournaments, Player of the year, and two hole-in-ones.

After graduation, he plans on working at Columbine Country Club in Littleton, Colorado, as a PGA Assistant Golf Professional.

KELBEL CONT. Cont. from page 3 Getting used to the difference in altitude along with the Bermuda grass is hard to do in only a couple of days but we did our best. Players of the semester were Eric Emmel of the PGA tour division and Chris Boehm of the Nationwide division. We were fortunate enough to have our major

championship the day after Labor Day at Bear Dance which was in great shape. In the spring, we will have our event at the Pinery Country Club in late April which has the 27 holes we require for our majors.

I hope each of you is enjoying your Holiday Season and I wish all of you a very happy and

prosperous New Year ahead!

Please feel free to contact me at any time about anything. I look forward to staying in touch with you!

Sincerely,

Ed Kelbel, Director

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