PROgram Magazine - 2018 Summer Issue by Southern California PGA

PRO VOLUME 45

ISSUE 2

SUMMER ISSUE

CLUBSFOREYOUTH

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA

GOES HOLLYWOOD! SCPGA JR. TOUR ALUMNI LIZETTE SALAS pg. 18 SUPPORTS CLUBSFOREYOUTH®

PROGRAM MAGAZINE - YEAR IN REVIEW

THERE’S SOFT.

AND THERE’S

TOUR SOFT.

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

CONTENTS

05 PARTNERS

SCPGA PARTNER LISTING

PRESIDENT’S REPORT TODD KEEFER, PGA

LEADERSHIP WHY MANDATORY GOLF FRIDAY IS IMPORTANT

CEO UPDATE: TOM ADDIS III, PGA CHANGE IS GOOD

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT RON O’CONNOR, PGA

MEMBERSHIP SCPGA MEMBER’S NEWS

14 16

COVER STORY CLUBSFOREYOUTH® GOES HOLLYWOOD

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT HELPING YOUTH THROUGH GOLF

SCPGA JUNIOR TOUR 14-YEAR OLD ROSE ZHANG MAKES THE CUT AT AN LPGA MAJOR

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT SCPGA PLAYER DEVELOPMENT STAY IN THE KNOW

CALENDAR MEETINGS AND EVENTS SCPGA FOUNDATION THE SCPGA FOUNDATION PRESENTS BIRDIE BUCKS

TEACHERS FORUM PGA JR. LEAGUE: MORE THAN JUST A FUN PROGRAM

EMPLOYMENT CONNECTION AMERICA’S NEXT GENERATION

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS WAGES & TAXES... WE’RE IN UNCHARTED WATERS

TOURNAMENT RESULTS SECTION, WOMEN’S, APA & SENIOR

10 THINGS TO KNOW WITH SCPGA COO, JEFF JOHNSON, PGA

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT LEO LEE, PGA

SCPGA JUNIOR TOUR ALUMNI ON TOUR WITH THE LPGA

CHAPTER CORNER UPDATES FROM THE FIVE CHAPTERS OF THE SCPGA

SCPGA.COM

PRO THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA VOLUME 45, ISSUE 2 | SUMMER ISSUE THE PROGRAM IS PRODUCED BY THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA PUBLISHER & EDITOR: BRYCE SEIVER PROOF READING: TONY STARKS - PGA MAGAZINE

SCPGA BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS

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

AT-LARGE DIRECTORS

RANDY CHANG, PGA JOURNEY AT PECHANGA & TALEGA GOLF CLUB

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

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS 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 SCOTT ASHWORTH, PGA ALOHA SECTION

OFFICERS & CEO PRESIDENT | PAUL LEVY, PGA INDIAN WELLS, CA VICE PRESIDENT | SUZY WHALEY, PGA SUZY WHALEY GOLF SECRETARY | JIM RICHERSON, PGA TROON

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

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

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

CEO | PETE BEVACQUA PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL

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

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

PROGRAM MAGAZINE - SUMMER ISSUE

SECTION | PRESENTING PARTNERS

SECTION | SUPPORTING PARTNERS

Official Radio of the Southern California PGA

NATIONAL | PARTNERS

JUNIOR GOLF | PRESENTING PARTNERS

JUNIOR GOLF | SUPPORTING PARTNERS

FOUNDATION | PARTNERS

Morrisette:Morrisette

10/5/11

10:46 AM

Page 1

Orange County Seniors Golf Association

SCPGA.COM

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

MESSAGE FROM

THE PRESIDENT One of my greatest honors has been serving you as President of the SCPGA. I’ve built countless relationships throughout the Section and been afforded some amazing experiences. In that same vein, my position as PGA General Manager at Wilshire Country Club has come with many opportunities to be involved in, and learn more about, the game and business of golf. Hosting the LPGA Tour’s HUGEL-JTBC L.A. Open this past April at Wilshire was one of the most impactful experiences of my professional career. I say impactful because working on a day-to-day basis with our club’s membership, the tournament staff and the LPGA Tour players was a learning experience of the highest level for all of us at Wilshire. It was an experience not many have the privilege of enjoying. But I say to you: If you get the opportunity, go for it! What you learn from hosting a tour event is invaluable. Working in unison with community liaisons, the needs of television production,

PROGRAM MAGAZINE - SUMMER ISSUE

Keefer (left) during a ClubsForeYouth® ceremony at Wilshire C.C. with Lizette Salas (fourth from right), Nikki Gatch, PGA (far right), and the Azusa High School girls golf team.

concessions, navigating contracts and agreements, golf course conditioning and set up, and collaborating with media to bring the event to life. Being involved at each level of activity helped me in my own job – simply through increased awareness of all the things we do on a daily basis to make Wilshire the best possible club for our members. My own expectations as a manager are now higher viewing all the working facets of the tournament. In addition, I am much more organized now (not to say I wasn’t before), but this is a new level. Managing a tour event calls for advanced attention to detail, and that will certainly carry over to my job and will help make Wilshire prosperous in the long run. Our experience will help us raise the profile of our in-house events at Wilshire to a new championship caliber. Along those lines, I believe our membership will have higher expectations for our events and our staff. I’m confident, because of our level of commitment and preparation, that the entire staff is motivated to provide an even better experience for our members and guests. Our experience this year will make next year’s L.A. Open even better. We know so many things about conducting an event of this magnitude that we didn’t prior to serving as this year’s host. Traffic flow to and from the event; ingress and egress for staff; housing volunteers and spectators on site; flow in and around the clubhouse; and golf course logistics that help protect the turf in critical locations. Services such as F&B, merchandising (both tournament and Wilshire related) and customer convenience locations will all be better. These are all things we will continue to improve upon based on what we’ve learned. The L.A. Open brought out the highest level of spirit within the Wilshire membership and staff that I’ve seen during my tenure. We now have a greater bond and greater pride in the club, the community, the LPGA Tour and the City of Los Angeles. We will always carry that with us.

TODD KEEFER, PGA PRESIDENT, Southern California PGA General Manager / COO, Wilshire Country Club TODD@WILSHIRECOUNTRYCLUB.COM

Wilshire Country Club during the LPGA L.A. Open.

SCPGA.COM

LEADERSHIP

Why Mandatory GOLF FRIDAY Is Important! BY: R O B I N S H E LT O N , P G A S C P G A S E C R E TA R Y R S H E LTO N @ S E AC L I F F C C . N E T

Leaders lead by example... That’s the first lesson, on the first day, of the first class of leadership education.

"Leaders set the example for others to follow." ” Allow that to sink in for a moment… Arnold Palmer once said: “Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated. It satisfies the soul and frustrates the intellect. It is at the same time truly rewarding and maddening – it is without a doubt the greatest game mankind has ever invented.”

has ever invented. It’s a game that our members and guests want to be around. We get to live out our passion through a game that deepens relationships with family and friends, a game that makes people smile, and a game that is played amongst nature with beautiful grass, trees, flowers and water features.

As PGA Professionals and industry leaders, we get to work in, and around, the greatest game mankind

Recently, I was talking with a fellow PGA Member at his club and he asked me how often I play

PROGRAM MAGAZINE - SUMMER ISSUE

golf. “Twice a week – once with members and once with my bride. It’s mandatory for me to play,” I said with a smile. He looked at me like I was an alien. He replied back: “I hardly ever play. I’m so busy. There’s so much going on at work.” This conversation occurred within earshot of many of his members. Let’s jump back to that first lesson, on the first day, of the first class

on leadership. We often think of leading just our colleagues or employees, but really we lead everyone we come in contact with as PGA Professionals – including our members, customers and peers.

Shelton (center) inducting new SCPGA Board Members, Scott Heyn (left) & Joe Grohman (right) at the 2017 Annual Meeting. Shelton, (center) 2018 Golf Industry Business Summit (GIBS)

2018at Leadership Robin the Summit, Los Coyotes 2018 Leadership Country Club Summit, Los Cyotes C.C

If we tell our members we do not play golf or we are too busy to golf – they see that example. They may sense that it is difficult to make time, that we have a waning passion for the game or that golf might not be the best way to spend their leisure time. In a sense, the “I’m too busy to play golf” message may subliminally (or even directly) deter our members and customers from the game. As leaders of the game and the industry, we should be mindful of the example we set in terms of playing golf, our attitude towards the game and balancing our schedules. If we are in a season of life or work that places demand on our time, we should talk about the excitement of getting back on the course and show our passion for the game; rather than the busyness that keeps us from playing as much as we’d like. By making golf a mandatory part of our schedule, we position golf as a priority and it goes on our schedule first each week. It also allows us, most importantly, to spend time with our members at the private club level. In addition, it allows us to see and play the course, which is a better inspection of conditions than just driving the course. It is a win-win-win to play golf weekly. Leaders set the example. By leading everyone with our approach to playing and making golf mandatory as a part of our weekly schedule, we can continue to grow and share “the greatest game mankind has ever invented.”

Shelton (far left) presenting at the Monarch Beach Industry Influencer

SCPGA.COM

C E O U P DAT E

CHANGE IS

GOOD BY: TOM ADDIS III, PGA SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/CEO TA D D I S @ P G A H Q . C O M

be lost, two club lengths anywhere behind that spot with a two stroke penalty. A great deal of information will be available via the USGA and our Section’s website. Furthermore, the SCPGA’s and SCGA’s Rules of Golf Committee will be providing seminars later this year and into 2019. You can count on plenty of opportunities to learn and gather knowledge on the changes. Yet another change: The PGA is moving the PGA Championship to May beginning in 2019 and implementing the newly formed Women’s PGA Cup matches alongside the long established PGA Cup next year. And, have you checked out PGA Perks? It’s a personal shopping site for PGA Professionals with highly rated products at very low pricing. A couple things the SCPGA will change over the next year or so:

As of lately, changes have been abundant throughout the PGA of America and the game of golf. Soon available will be a newly minted PGA Education process with focuses on three direct career paths for PGA Professionals: Golf Operations, Teaching & Coaching and Executive Management. The top-line education platform focuses on modernizing and streamlining the ongoing education that continues to help our Professionals improve throughout their careers. PGA Associates, formerly known as PGA Apprentices, will have the opportunity to choose one of the career paths once completing Level 1. Written materials, online simulations, video content and the ever-popular seminars for a complete educational experience will highlight ongoing education opportunities for PGA Professionals. Tying into the new career paths and education will be an updated certification program that will lead to Certified PGA Professional availabilities and, ultimately, PGA Master Professional stature.

Incoming change to the Rules of Golf should be easier to understand and apply, while helping to speed up the game! A golfer will be able to repair spike marks on the putting green and remove rocks from penalty areas (formerly water hazards) and bunkers. There is even a new way to drop the ball covered under the Rules. Instead of shoulder height and arms-length, golfers can drop the ball from knee height. In regards to time-saving measures, the time allotted for searching for a lost ball has been reduced from five minutes to three minutes, and a recommendation that a player take no more than 40 seconds to play a stroke has been added the Rules of Golf Booklet. The new Rules also allow you to play a stroke from the putting green without having the flagstick tended or removed, which can save some time as well. There’s even a provision that will permit an alternative to the strokeand-distance penalty for balls that are out of bounds or lost. By adding a local rule, golfers will be permitted to take a drop, after estimating where the ball is likely to

PROGRAM MAGAZINE - SUMMER ISSUE

• A PGA Professional Drive, Chip & Putt competition is coming this October. • A consolidation of the Professional-Official and the Superintendent-Professional to the ProfessionalSuperintendent-OfficialManager Championship, to be played in November this year at Red Hill Country Club. • Next year, we will change GIBS in April to a brunch meeting with a keynote speaker and golf following, similar to our June and December meetings. • The June Summer Meeting will became more education oriented with featured speakers and timely subject matter, along with the popular golf event. As I said earlier, change is good. We’ll continue to provide the SCPGA Professional with top programming and events.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

RON O’CONNOR, PGA

BY: S T E V E M O N DAY SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA TOURNAMENT MANAGER S M O N DAY@ P G A H Q . C O M

The Southern California PGA is grateful for the time, dedication and expertise that each of its volunteer Rules Officials puts into both our Section and junior golf events. The countless hours (before and after each event) that these men and women commit to the SCPGA are immeasurable, and without them our tournaments would not be the same. With that being said, it is with great pride that we acknowledge and thank the man that is at the helm: Rules Chairman and PGA Life Member, Ron O’Connor, PGA. A staple of the SCPGA for more than 50 years, Mr. O’Connor was elected to PGA Membership in 1969 and was promptly employed at various golf courses throughout Southern California as an assistant professional and golf shop manager. However, his love for tournament operations and his unbridled passion to help his fellow PGA Professionals led him to the Section Office in 1979. While employed at the SCPGA, he undertook the position of Executive Director for nine years and then transitioned to Tournament Director until his retirement in 2001.

Very few are aware of the personal sacrifices that Mr. O’Connor endured while working for the Section. The long hours and extended stretches of days in the office are just a few examples of his tireless dedication to the job. The extraordinary service that Mr. O’Connor provided to his fellow PGA Professionals while working for the Section led to his nomination and reception of many prestigious SCPGA Section awards. After his long and successful tenure in the Section office, Mr. O’Connor still wanted to be involved. His love for the game, the Rules of Golf, and, most importantly, the Members of the Section still burned deep in him. He knew there was no better way than to stay connected to it all than

continuing to serve as a volunteer on the SCPGA Rules Committee (which he founded in 1977). To this day, Mr. O’Connor spends numerous hours at events mentoring the officials on this committee with his knowledge and experience of the rules. Under his leadership, this committee has evolved into one of the most successful ones in the nation. Mr. O’Connor, on behalf of the Section and all its Members, thank you for everything you’ve done and continue to do for golf in Southern California. We are privileged to be able to learn from you and proud to have you as part of the SCPGA family.

RON O’CONNOR, PGA - SPECIAL AWARDS Presidents Award (1981)

Honorary Life Member (1991)

Bill Strausbaugh Award (1984 & 87’)

Golf Professional of the Year (2007)

SCPGA Hall of Fame (1993)

SCPGA Junior Golf Hall of Fame (2015)

Horton Smith Award (1991)

SCPGA.COM

MEMBERSHIP

NEW MEMBERS

“WHAT IS YOUR MAIN REASON OR MOTIVATION FOR BECOMING A PGA PROFESSIONAL?” KYLE LEWIS A-1 Canyon Crest Country Club

JENNIFER PARKER A-8 Aliso Viejo Country Club

“I started with the first tee of Riverside (Before the I.E. Chapter was created.) To be able to give everyone the same opportunities to play, enjoy, and love the game of golf that I had.”

“I grew up playing golf with my dad and brother, and had golf lessons from some wonderful PGA Members. I wanted to become a PGA Member so I could help grow the game and help youngsters create wonderful memories of their own!”

SANGMIN PARK A-8 Montery Park Golf Club

JAMES KOBRICK A-8 Rancho La Quinta Country Club

“It’s always been a goal to be a PGA Member. Being a golf professional is to help people enjoy the game as much as I do.”.

“I’ve had a love and passion for the game of golf. I was introduced at a young age and have loved it ever since. I was also privileged enough to have my older brother go though the PGM program before me and was able to see all of his benefits and his love for growing the game even more. I then knew that this was what would make me happy and what I wanted to do with my life.”

KENNITH WARREN PINEO A-8 Toscana Country Club “To help others enjoy the game that I have enjoyed for many years.”

PROGRAM MAGAZINE - SUMMER ISSUE

SPECIAL AWARDS

SCPGA MEMBER UPDATES

NOMINATIONS

MOVING UP

WELCOME WAGON

Jason Beatty | B-1 Olivas Links Golf Course

Craig S. Cliver, PGA - North Florida Dennis Foster, PGA - Pacific Northwest Jason Hong, PGA - Southwest Sean t. King, PGA - Colorado Jaehwan Lee, PGA - Georgia Robert Mathieu, PGA - Carolinas Andrew Silvestri, PGA - Pacifc Northwest Roger Tennyson, PGA - Carolinas Phillip M. Woods, PGA - Pacific Northwest

David Beyer, PGA | A-13 Arcadia Golf Course Steven Butler, PGA | A-1 Sinaloa Golf Course Craig Cliver, PGA | A-13 Oakmont Country Club Glenn Deck, PGA | A-14 Pelican Hill Golf Club

NEWLY REGISTERED ASSOCIATES

Jason Hong, PGA | A-14 Arrowood Golf Course

Brian Agoncillo Anthony Bosken Cory Chavez Jay Choe Jim Coldren Taylor Crandall Robert Del Bianco Cody Delgado Sean Duckering Anthony Estes James Hochsprung Abbas Husain David Hiltabidel Kyle R. Jones Andrew Karlson

Kevin Hwang, PGA | A-13 Carmel Mountain Ranch

IN MEMORIAL

Robert Garza, PGA | A-1 Soule Park Golf Course Colby Hartje, PGA | A-13 Chester Washington Golf Scott Heyn, PGA | A-13 The Farms Golf Club David J. Hiltabidel | B-1 Rivers Edge Golf Course

Donghwan Kim Okky Masgono Matthew Lollis Kento Mizumaki Ryan Nomura Jason Puterbaugh Michael Reese Steven Saunders Brian Schaefer Trevor Stewart Paul Sumagaysay Joseph Tamarkin Hyo Joon Yoo Yi Zhou

Paul Frazier, PGA 58 year memebr passed away on May 21, 2018. Long time friend of the SCPGA, Bob Thomas passed away May 3, 2018. Bob served as the Director of Communications for the SCGA for over 25 years.

NEW PGA QUARTER CENTURY MEMBERS Craig Clark, PGA Ross Fisher, PGA Lawrence Jost, PGA John McFarland, PGA Michael Mitchell, PGA

Jay Prestella, PGA Michael Roberts, PGA Donald Sandberg, PGA David Wurzer, PGA

NEWLY CERTIFIED PROFESSIONALS Adrian Curz, PGA - Instruction

NEWLY ELECTED PGA MEMBERS Timothy Boomer, PGA Daniel Colton, PGA Michael Meisenzahl, PGA James Kobrick, PGA Jennifer Parker, PGA Monte Scheinblum, PGA

Kevin Mathis, PGA Shon Shafer, PGA Kyle Lewis, PGA James Stout, PGA Alexander Witt, PGA Luis Kim, PGA

BILL STRAUSBAUGH TEACHER OF Cameron Carr THE YEAR Spencer Cody Dale Abraham Paul Dietsche Brian Borowski Bill Goree Don Brown Colby Hartje Randy Chang Derek Lane Tanya Dergal Tony Letendre Dave Goldstein Eric Mitchell Ryan Kennedy Rob Oosterhuis John Klein Dave Podas Henry Liaw Tom Sargent Scott Mahlberg Robin Shelton Billy McKinney Ryan Szydlowski Tim Mitchell Mark Wilson John Ortega PLAYER Heidi Richardson DEVELOPMENT Eric Solander Randy Chang Gary Sowinski Tanya Dergal Jake Toliver Chris Lempa HORTON SMITH Derek Uyeda Marc Marini Randy Chang Eric Mitchell Rich Iorio Heidi Richardson John Kulow Eric Solander Michael Major ASSISTANT GOLF Eric Mitchell PROFESSIONAL Jeff Munak YOUTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR Rob Oosterhuis DEVELOPMENT Matt Balesteri Colin Tucker Josh Alpert Thomas Chu Brandon Delgado Mike Fergin KiKi Garcia Blake Froling CLUBFITTER Billy Gibbs Tyler Heffner Robert Bunn Chris Lempa Justin Hight Tom Burley Chris Miller Todd Iacono Alison Curdt Lloyd Porter Steve Lyons Kurt Donahoo Brian Schippel Kevin Mathis Scott Engelland Scott Shiroma Marissa PattersonJosh Garber Lou Skovron Egner Ryan Kennedy Dustin Smith Stephen Plummer Eric Solander Jerome Thormann Michael Marcum Josiah Solberg Eric Temena Frank Yellam

Congratulations to the following PGA members in good standing who have been nominated for special awards by their peers. The winners will be honored at the annual Presidents dinner on December 10th at Wilshire Country Club.

MERCHANDISERS RESORTS Mark Greenslit – Ojai Valley Inn Resort Scott Mallory – Journey at Pechanga Bryon Penfield – Rancho Bernardo Inn Joe Williams – Indian Well Golf Resort Jim Saenz – SilverRock Resort PRIVATE Patrick Casey - Brentwood CC Garrett Goodrich - Stockdale CC Jim Gormley - Palos Verdes GC Doug Hoffort - MontereyCC John McMullen - Hillcrest CC Mike Oberlander - Ironwood CC Mark Taylor - El Caballero Michael Wagner - Yorba Linda CC PUBLIC Chris Caballero - PGA West Stadium Garrett Dagg - Encinitas Ranch GC Joe Lewis - Trump National GC Rodney Scott - Rustic Canyon Duncan Simms -Oak Creek GC Stan Gonzales - Golf Club of California

GOLF PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR Larry Atlas Shawn Cox Alison Curdt Ben Dobbs Jonathan Goglia Darrin Harn Scott Heyn Doug Hoffort Derek Lane Bob Madsen Bill McKinney John McMullen Rob Oosterhuis Rich Ortega Kendall Palu Colin Radchenko Lou Skovron Russell Sylte Mike van der Goes Peter White Mark Williams Joe Williams Hide Yoshinaga

SCPGA.COM

UPCOMING

CALENDAR OF

MEETINGS & EVENTS FROM SEPT. 24 TO DEC. 10 #themoreyouknow #knowledgeispower #scpgameetingsandevents #savethedate #markyourcalendar

AUGUST

OCTOBER

22-23

mon./tues. - MSR: Up to 16 PGA Education Credits

CALIFORNIA TEACHING & COACHING SUMMIT

The Southern California PGA and TravisMathew are proud to present the 2nd Annual California Teaching & Coaching Summit. This year’s event will be hosted at The Grand Golf Club in San Diego on October 22-23, 2018. We will be presenting the most current teaching and coaching techniques, plus motion and swing strategies from some of the best in the industry. Hosted by The Grand Golf Club’s Director of Golf, Shawn Cox, PGA, and presented by TravisMathew. An outstanding cast of presenters, like Mike Adams, Hank Haney, & Scott Hamilton, all designed to increase the teaching expertise of attendees, will speak on a wide range of topics. Those attending will get insight from some of the industry’s foremost subject experts to generate new ideas or polish trusted practices. Visit scpga.com/casummit for the most up-to-date info.

OCTOBER

DECEMBER

mon.

tues.

13-15

PGA FASHION & DEMO EXPERIENCE

PGA/SCPGA SEMINAR & DRIVE, CHIP & PUTT

mon. - weds.

24 mon.

RULES SEMINAR Do you know about the new rules change coming in 2019? Come out to Mountain Meadows to hear all about it - then participate in a 9-hole scramble to put it in play!

NEW ASSOCIATE ORIENTATION @ SCPGA Headquarters

Preview the latest apparel, accessories, equipment, training aids & technology, & participate in a comprehensive education program taught by world-class industry experts. Visit www.pgalasvegas.com to register today!

SEPTEMBER

DECEMBER

We are excited to announce a NEW kind of seminar this fall! PGA Members and Associates are invited to learn more about the PGA and the Southern California Section and what they can do for you. After lunch, everyone will get the chance to test their skills at the first Section Professional “Drive, Chip & Putt” exhibition. Awards reception will follow. Please note: This seminar will also serve as an orientation for new Members and new Associates. Location is TBD, please visit scpga.com for the most up-to date info.

PROGRAM MAGAZINE - SUMMER ISSUE

10 mon.

SCPGA ANNUAL MEETING This year’s Annual Meeting will be held at outgoing President Todd Keefer’s facility; Wilshire Country Club. You’ll want to keep an eye out for the PineHurst Tournament registration date as we can guarantee this will fill fast!

Please visit www.scpga.com for the most up to date information or call 951-845-4653

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SCPGA.COM

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

THE SCPGA FOUNDATION PRESENTS...

BIRDIE BUCKS can recall our first birdie, our first holein-one, our first junior golf tournament, our first time beating mom or dad, or our first set of golf clubs.

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

The game of golf holds a special place in each of our hearts. Many of us learned to play the game from our father, mother or a close friend. Our great game has provided some of the most memorable moments in our lives. At the drop of a hat, we

My first birdie came when I was 10 at Armitage Golf Club in Pennsylvania. My first hole-in-one was at the Country Club of Harrisburg (Pennsylvania) in 2009. The first time I beat my dad was in eighth grade, and my first set of junior golf clubs were Michael Jordan branded Wilson Staffs. Those are just a few of the unforgettable experiences that this wonderful game has brought me over the years. Now, we are calling on each of you to help us provide more juniors with the

PROGRAM MAGAZINE - SUMMER ISSUE

opportunity to experience moments, like these, that will last for a lifetime. The Southern California PGA Foundation has established the new “Birdie Bucks” program to encourage our PGA Members to donate $2.50 for each birdie and $5.00 for each eagle they record during select member tournaments throughout the year. By joining our new “Birdie Bucks” program, you’ll play an active role in positively impacting the lives of those in need. All proceeds from “Birdie Bucks” will directly benefit our ClubsForeYouth® program, which provides future and current junior golfers throughout our Section with the thrill of receiving their very first full set of golf clubs.

BIRDIE BUCKS: HOW TO KEEP SCORE: Ex.

Matt Gilson Stroke Play Classic: SCPGA Match-Play: Assistant Championship: SCPGA Professional Championship

3 birdies x $2.50 & 1 eagle ($5.00) = $12.50 7 birdies x $2.50 = $17.50 4 birdies x $2.50 & 1 eagle ($5.00) = $15.00 2 birdies x $2.50 = $5.00 TOTAL Contribution to Birdie Bucks = $50.00

Over the past year, the Southern California PGA Foundation has traveled over 3,600 miles to deliver 327 student-athletes with their very first set of golf clubs. We are working each and every day to provide juniors with the chance to experience many of the same thrills we’ve had after picking up a club for the very first time. We are asking you to go the extra mile with us by joining Birdie Bucks. Birdie a hole and help us reach our goal of 600 donated sets by the end of 2018. Get started today by going to www.scpga.com/foundationbirdiebucks or by contacting me at MGilson@pgahq.com or at the SCPGA Headquarters, (951) 331-4738.

Joe Grohman, PGA celebrating a birdie.

CLUBSFOREYOUTH® BY THE NUMBERS #thefuturestartswithYOUth

3,612

MILES DRIVEN

TANKS OF GAS

50 L

SCHOOLS IMPACTED

310

SETS DONATED

73 HOURS DRIVEN

$150 avg.

COST OF 1 SET

68 259

MEN’S SETS WOMEN’S SETS

As of June 1, 2018

SCPGA.COM

COVER STORY

CLUBSFOREYOUTH® GOES

The SCPGA Foundation’s ClubsForeYouth® initiative is all about going the extra mile. Since its inception in late 2017, it has seen 327 of sets of Wilson Golf clubs donated to youth in need, and the program will impact 600 total golfers by the end of the year. Having made 50 visits to high schools all across the Southern California CIF section, the SCPGA Foundation has traveled 3,612 miles to personally deliver each set to schools in need throughout the section. Recently, the program held two special donation ceremonies in Hollywood during the LPGA HUGELJTBC L.A. Open. Nine students from Azusa and Downey High Schools received new clubs and a behind the scenes look at Wilshire Country Club during the LPGA Tour event. SCPGA Junior Tour Alumni and Azusa high graduate, Lizette Salas, participated in the donation to her Alma Mater.

PROGRAM MAGAZINE - SUMMER ISSUE

in the donation to her Alma Mater. Salas, who has made a name for herself competing on the professional circuit, played on the SCPGA’s Toyota Tour Cup during her junior career and is now an advocate for growing the involvement of girls in golf. “Any player that gets a hold of a golf club can change their life and change their community,” Salas said. “It did it for me, and the fact that these girls are getting this opportunity is extraordinary!”

PROUD PARTNERS OF CLUBSFOREYOUTH®

Following the donation, Salas took the girls onto the putting green and gave them a personal clinic using their new Wilson clubs. “It’s a huge honor to see how players have benefited from our foundation,” said SCPGA President and Wilshire Country Club PGA General Manager, Todd Keefer, who participated in both donation ceremonies. “It means a lot that we can play some small part in these girls journey in golf.” The sustained development of junior girls in the game is the ultimate goal of this program. That is why each girl personally owns the set provided to them, so they can get out and play whenever they want and prepare for their tournaments on the weekends. In addition, each ClubsForeYouth® recipient receives a discounted membership into the SCPGA Junior Tour, in further hopes of fostering their development in tournament golf. With this initiative showing no signs of slowing, the SCPGA Foundation will continue to strive towards bettering the community, and growing the game through the gift of golf.

DONALD AND CAROLE CHAIKEN FOUNDATION

SCPGA.COM

COVER STORY

feels extremely smooth and sta ble. When you com bine these exceptional feelings w ith the resulting d istance from the shaft, it does nothi ng but inspire confidence when you address the ball.

- Br y a n D e M a r c o , P G A True Temper Shaft Advisory Council & Head Pro at Pine Barrens Golf Club

Like a crashing wav e in t he Pacif ic, EvenFlow ’s r evolut ionar y “ even ” bend pr ofile t r ansf er s shaf t load m ore efficient ly th roughout t he swing to cr eat e m ax im um ener gy release at im pact . The r esult is a powerful flow of ener gy that f eels sm oot h while delive r ing gnar ly dist ance, m aking E v enF l ow t he ult im ate com plem ent t o t he Pr oject X HZRDUS line.

Call 800-355-8783 to learn more about our special PGA Professional PUD and how you can earn MSR credits through our online training.

PROGRAM MAGAZINE - SUMMER ISSUE

pxshaft.com

COMMUNIT Y SPOTLIGHT

HELPING YOUTH THROUGH GOLF wants to help kids, keep them off the streets and introduce them to the game he loves that, otherwise, they would probably never thought to try. Luis Batson is one of eight children and was born in Panama in 1954. His family immigrated to Bellflower, California in the late 60s, where he still lives. He later joined the Army, earning his U.S. Citizenship in 1978. During his military career he served as a Staff Sargent, a Quarter Master and finally as a Drill Sergeant before retiring in 1995. He and his wife, Isabel, have been married for 43 years and have two children and two grandchildren ages 11 and one. It was Batson’s mother who originally got him started in golf after he left the army, and he fell in love with game.

BY: EDDIE RODARTE, PGA SCPGA JUNIOR GOLF MANAGER ERODARTE@PGAHQ.COM

If it’s Tuesday, it must be The Don Knabe Learning Center in Norwalk; if it’s Wednesday, it’s probably the par 3 Maggie Hathaway G.C. in L.A.; and if it’s Thursday, it’s always Compton Par 3 G.C. And these are just a few of the cities in Los Angeles where you will find a gentleman named Luis Batson, usually waiting for the kids to come and start their chipping and putting practice, with shag bags of old golf balls and cut down clubs – which are always in short supply among his eager young students. The kids arrive to find cones set in a circle along with 10 balls piled beside them and clubs Batson has customized (as best as he can). He spends more than two hours at each clinic, directing all of them at the same time with little or no help. All the kids pay attention. They

hit their balls and then run to pick them all up and try again, all the while Batson is circling everywhere to give advice and praise for their efforts. He makes no income for what he does. He just

He always wanted to help kids, and in 2008, with only six kids, he started what would become the Help Youth Through Golf program at the old Norwalk Golf Center. Since then he has worked with kids at schools and golf courses in Compton, Norwalk, Southgate, Lynwood and Watts. Since 2008, Batson estimates that he has seen over 2,000 kids go through his program and everything for them is free of charge. He works hard to keep his program going and the SCPGA Section, as well as several local PGA Professionals, continue to help whenever they can. Batson is a kindhearted man with a big smile who’s living his passion to Help Youth Through Golf.

SCPGA.COM

SCPGA JUNIOR TOUR

14 YEAR-OLD ROSE ZHANG MAKES THE CUT AT AN LPGA MAJOR Sitting at 2-under-par heading into the weekend, Zhang celebrated another career milestone, making the cut at a major championship on the LPGA Tour! BY: BRYCE SEIVER S C P G A C O M M U N I C AT I O N S BSEIVER@PGAHQ.COM

SCPGA Junior Tour Member Rose Zhang accomplished a feat most golfers only dream about; playing in a major championship. Zhang competed this year in the LPGA’s ANA Inspiration, hosted at Mission Hills Country Club’s legendary Dinah Shore Tournament Course. The 14 year-old phenom brought her “A” game, carding an openinground score of even-par 72. She then followed it up with a 70 in the second round.

Zhang earned her exemption into the elite field by posting a 7-underpar (209) to win the American Junior Golf Association’s ANA Junior Inspiration. Adding her name to a prominent field filled with all of the top 10 players in the Rolex World Ranking at the time (Shanshan Feng, Lexi Thompson, So Yeon Ryu, Sung Hyun Park, I.K. Kim, Anna Nordqvist, Christie Kerr, Ariya Jutanugarn, Inbee Park and Hye Jin Choi). Then you have the 14 year-old from Irvine playing amongst the top golfers in the world. Impressively, Zhang handled the pressure well.

PROGRAM MAGAZINE - SUMMER ISSUE

“I had first tee jitters coming out in round one, but I quickly settled in and made a lot of good saves that helped me along the way.” Zhang, who is a current Toyota Tour Cup member, noted her progression through the SCPGA Junior Tour as an important piece of her golf career. Zhang is an example of the SCPGA’s player pathway at work. Zhang progressed through the threetier junior golf program, beginning with the Junior Development Tour, advancing into the Players Tour and quickly began making waves on the elite Toyota Tour Cup. Zhang would go on to finish with a three-day total of 289, T-60. “It’s definitely surreal,” she said. “To have the ability and opportunity to play at such a high level with LPGA pro’s, it’s just a blessing.” With the tournament behind her Zhang is keeping her focus on her future, which according to her includes playing college golf and finishing with a four-year degree. With the eyes of the golf world on her, Zhang walked away from her first LPGA Tour experience with a memory that she will undoubtedly cherish for a lifetime. The Southern California PGA looks forward to supporting Rose for many years to come along her journey in golf.

SCPGA.COM

P L AY E R D E V E LO P M E N T

SCPGA PLAYER DEVELOPMENT STAY IN THE KNOW

BY: ANTHONY LEONE P L AY E R D E V E LO P M E N T & GOLF IN SCHOOLS DIRECTOR ALEONE@PGAHQ.COM

Firstly, I hope everyone is having a great 2018 and that golf operations are buzzing as spring turns to summer. As the SCPGA’s Player Development & Golf In Schools Director, I’d like to provide a brief update on several player development programs that are in full swing.

which takes the game of golf away from the facility in an effort to introduce or re-introduce the game to the non-golfing public. Our goal at these events is to promote local PGA Professionals via the LINK app. LINK was developed to connect new golfers to local Professionals for a free lesson or clinic. We currently have over 40 participating Professionals and look to greatly expand that number over the next year. Do you have a community event you’d like us to participate in or help promote you at your facility?

SCPGA NEIGHBORHOOD GOLF FEATURING LINK The SCPGA has been busy participating at various community events across Southern California. Whether it’s corporate health fairs, a 5 or 10k or community events like the Neighborhood Golf program –

PROGRAM MAGAZINE - SUMMER ISSUE

Are you interested in becoming a LINK Professional? Please call the Section office, or email me to get yourself involved! PGA JUNIOR LEAGUE Captain registration is now closed, but player registration is still on going here in Southern California. To date, 37 percent of our Section facilities are participating in PGA Junior League Golf, with a 35 percent increase in the number of Captains, a 25 percent increase in the number of teams/leagues and a 35 percent increase in player registration. We have nine “inhouse” leagues, up from four last year. This speaks to increased interest in the program and more kids wanting to play! PGA Junior League is the fastest growing player development initiative in the country and truly a great way to engage players of all skill levels in a fun low-pressure setting. How can you get involved? Simply register as a Team Captain or Coach. For more information visit www.pgajrleague.com/captains or contact Nikki Gatch, PGA Regional League Manager, at (760) 534 1370. Get involved today!

DRIVE, CHIP & PUTT The Drive, Chip & Putt (DCP) season is underway! By tapping the creative and competitive spirit of girls and boys ages 7-15, DCP provides aspiring junior golfers an opportunity to play with their peers in qualifiers around the country. Participants who advance through local, sub-regional and regional qualifying in each age/gender category earn a place in the National Finals, which is conducted at Augusta National Golf Club the Sunday before the Masters Tournament and is broadcast live by Golf Channel. You can volunteer to help operate qualifiers. During the summer months, the SCPGA will hold 14 local qualifiers, three sub-regional qualifiers and the regional qualifier to be held at Torrey Pines Golf Course. If you are in need of MSR credits, this is a great opportunity to earn them while also having fun. You will receive 1 Required MSR credit for every hour you volunteer.

2018 DRIVE, CHIP & PUTT SCHEDULE June 21 - Skylinks Golf Course June 25 - Navy Golf Course July 2 - Red Hill Country Club July 9 - Fairbanks Ranch Country Club July 11 - Whittier Narrows Golf Course July 16 - Bear Creek Golf Club July 19 - El Cariso Golf Course July 20 - Costa Mesa Country Club July 23 - Goose Creek Golf Club July 25 - Oaks North Golf Course

Some professionals are hosting Drive, Chip & Putt Clinics in an effort to better prepare local juniors. In addition, the Southern California PGA is compiling its list of host facilities for the summer of 2019. To be considered, please contact me.

Drive, Chip & Putt local qualifier.

GOLF IN SCHOOLS The SCPGA Golf In Schools program enjoyed great growth in the 2017-18 school year, with more than 55 school partners and the average class size eclipsing 12 students. Our goal is to take the beginning stages of golf instruction to school campuses in order to spark excitement in children and build the desire to continue their development at a local facility with a PGA Professional. Utilizing the TGA (Teach, Grow, Achieve) model and curriculum, Golf In Schools is a great way for parents and kids to get involved in a affordable low-pressure environment. The SCPGA had almost 2,000 children go through the program in Orange County and North San Diego County, with 22 percent participating in golf activities outside of their school whether that be PGA Junior League, DCP (Drive, Chip & Putt) or private golf lessons.

GIS Students representing ther scholâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in the Spring CIF League.

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to become a Golf In Schools Coach, while earning up to $50 per class and having the opportunity to promote your junior golf activities, contact me to learn more, aleone@pgahq.com.

SCPGA.COM

TEACHERS FORUM

M O R E THA N J UST A FU N PRO G RA M BY: R ANDY CHANG, PGA SCPGA TEACHING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN R A N DYC H A N G @YA H O O . C O M

When PGA Regional League Manager Nikki Gatch came to me three years ago and recommended that I put a team together for this new PGA junior initiative, I never imagined the impact it would have on my teaching philosophy, facility relationships and instructional revenue.

How Has It Imroved My Coaching? In many cases, it used to take six months to get a junior from picking up a golf club for the fist time to playing an event on the SCPGA Junior Development Tour. Now, with PGA Junior League Golf (JLG), it takes half the time! From the teaching/ coaching perspective, the accelerated development is a major positive because juniors are more quickly becoming dedicated and passionate about the game. The scramble format, team atmosphere, uniforms, comradery and friendships encourage greater focus and engagement at practices and matches â&#x20AC;&#x201C; therefore accelerating the learning process, which means more interest in lessons and improvement.

PROGRAM MAGAZINE - SUMMER ISSUE

HOW IT HAS INCREASED BUSINESS & RETENTION Our junior golf schools have increased in membership by approximately 15 percent now that out JLG teams are full. In addition, we require juniors to complete our Level 1 sessions in order to be eligible to play. With the older 14-16 age division, we can retain these juniors for years to come! At the facility level, the golf course appreciates the incremental income being generated on slower days and on late afternoons when the tee sheet is open. This program also measurably impacts spectator cart fees, F&B and practice range revenue. PGA Junior League Golf has evolved into a year-round program that now keeps me, and my coaches, busy and active

throughout the normally slow fall and winter months. It has also spurred two additional programs at the facilities where I work. At Talega Golf Club, we have been running a beginning ladies clinic for the last six months and have now transitioned into a Six-Hole Ladies League with the same scramble format – which allows us to mix beginners with experienced players because of the fair and easy points system. We end each ladies league event with a wine happy hour and social gathering. We’re planning a Senior Tribal League on the Journey at Pechanga, pairing different Native-American tribes in Southern California. We’ve adopted the same JLG format, but with 18-hole events and sixhole incremental matches.

WHY PARENTS & JUNIORS LOVE IT! For the parents, the value is comparable to what they pay for other sport programs (and often times less expensive). And for the juniors, the fun experiences and measurable improvement over a short period of time are exciting. The opportunity to play new local golf courses against different juniors also brings new excitement, compared to always playing at the same place and competing against the same people every week. The growing popularity of the national championship has attracted even the better players to this program, and we have used this opportunity to advocate mentoring skills. If you haven’t looked into this program, I implore you to do so!

SCPGA.COM

E M P LY O M E N T C O N N E C T I O N

AMERICA’S NEXT GENERATION

HOW PGA PROFESSIONAL MENTORING CREATES POSITIVE CHANGE

America’s millennial generation faces

& Putt. Furthermore, the Southern

SUPPORTING YOUR EFFORTS

a myriad of new and unprecedented

California PGA Section has some of

The PGA of America and the Southern

challenges. Modern issues can have a

the most successful youth programs

California PGA Section are here to

significant effect on the progression of

and tours in the country. These

assist as you strive to achieve personal

young people, particularly if daily human

programs are excellent opportunities

and professional goals while mentoring

connections are minimalized or there’s

for PGA Professionals to further

others to do the same. You will find

the absence of a role model/mentor.

identify individuals in need of

many tools and resources are available

Studies have shown that just one out of

mentorship.

to you to enhance your success. I recommend regularly logging

three young people have been exposed to mentorship. Mentors have the ability

Remember, a mentor is someone who

onto PGA.org to see what tools are

to make a profound difference in

sees more talent and ability within a

available. For more information, please

people’s lives, at any age.

person than they see in themselves

contact the Section office or reach out

and helps bring it out of them

to me anytime.

Golf as a discipline, and as a game, is an outlet for social interaction leading

KEY TRAITS OF GREAT MENTORS

to personal and professional growth guided by focused mentoring. Mentoring

Available, approachable & accessible

relationships are the strength of the

Communicates with others asking open

PGA of America and its Professionals.

ended questions

How can we help as individuals? As an organization, the PGA of

Excellent motivator & encourager Provides consistent & timely support

Brings out the talent and abilities of those around them Identifies weaknesses while providing support for future improvement Provides clear plans to reach goals

America does an outstanding job of implementing programs to introduce and enhance life skills, leadership and growth through youth programs such as PGA Junior League and Drive, Chip

PROGRAM MAGAZINE - SUMMER ISSUE

BY: KEN FERRELL , PGA P G A C A R E E R C O N S U LTA N T

Ken can be reached at 951-324-3665 or kferrell@pgahq.com

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TUCSON

WAGES & TAXES...

WE’RE IN UNCHARTED WATERS BY: CRAIG KESSLER SCGA DIRECTOR, GOVER N M ENT AFFAI RS CKESSLER@SCGA.ORG

The new minimum wage and the new federal tax structure feature two grand experiments: 1) To determine whether raising the minimum wage to an 80-year high can raise the wage floor without destroying the jobs of the law’s intended beneficiaries. 2) To determine whether lowering taxes against the backdrop of a seven-year expansionary cycle, near zero interest rates, the lowest unemployment in 40 years and record corporate profits can stimulate the economy beyond those heights without exacerbating the trio of problems known as debt, deficit and inflation. There have been many minimum wage increases over the course its 80-year history, but most of them have been reactive (efforts to restore some of the lost value of the wage as the passage of time erodes its purchasing power). Today’s effort is a multi-year, multistate affair designed to result in a wage higher in inflation adjusted dollars than the highest rate in any one of those previous 80 years, which just happens to have been 1968. Sure, there was that tax cut in the first administration of George W. Bush, but that was a piker compared to the one Congress passed December 22, 2017 – a 1,100-page beast drafted in

record time without hearings, stakeholder input or substantive amendments. In other words a mystery waiting to be unwrapped by the high paid tax lawyers, accountants and estate planners who command top dollar for parsing tax law in a way that reduces burdens to their bare legal minima.

wages as high as $13 have had no ill effect on employment levels, while contributing to increased economic activity in certain sectors. On the other hand there are peer-reviewed studies that show that where the wage has already exceeded $13, there has been a deleterious effect on employment levels, particularly on the bottom rung of the job market.

“...in other words a mystery waiting to be unwrapped by the high paid tax lawyers, accountants, and estate planners who command top dollar for parsing tax law in a way that reduces burdens to their bare legal minima.” So, what will be the impact of both experiments on the golf industry? At the risk of violating my own rule against issuing public predictions, particularly ones in print, I’ll venture a guess – a guess, not a prediction. With respect to the minimum wage, there is at least some evidence to go on. Of course, it’s contradictory, but such is the nature of economics (it’s not called the “dismal science” for nothing). There are peerreviewed studies showing that at least in economically robust cities like Seattle and San Jose, minimum

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What to make of this? Roughly $11.50 per hour would approximate in real dollars the apex of the 80year history of the minimum wage; however, perhaps by exceeding that high water mark by $1.50 such “economically robust” cities can reach Henry Ford’s sweet spot – a wage that allows those who labor in today’s equivalents of his assembly lines the capacity to purchase some of the fruits of their labors. On the other hand, there aren’t any credible studies yet of how the $13 wage works for the less economically robust

regions of states like California that have adopted a one-size-fitsall minimum wage. And anyone who has seen a demonstration of those new driverless greens mowers understands the allure of automation once labor costs reach a certain level. On the other hand yet again, an industry like golf that has been rocked by fixed expenses rising at multiples of the CPI (Consumer Price Index) for years without relief (e.g., water, energy and environmental compliance) may just be in the same position with respect to wage floors as the proverbial 6-foot man who drowns in a river the average depth of which is four feet. Golf is a traditional industry tied to land, not a tech industry whose expenses go down in rapid

geometric progression. Oh, were that it were so. With respect to the tax bill, the impacts are anybody’s guess. In the short run wage earners should see a little extra cash in their pay checks, and they should see some benefit from the doubling of the standard deduction. Of course, that may not be the case for those who itemize deductions, particularly those who itemize them in the nation’s largest states like California, where more than 6 million taxpayers will lose an average of $8,000 in state/local tax write offs. And it may not be the case for those lines of business that

have come to rely upon certain entertainment deductions for a portion of their income, deductions that were just scaled back by Congress. My speculation as to the effect on the golf industry? Perhaps a tad more liquidity for the municipal and low cost daily-fee sectors, but a most definite chill on all but the toniest of private clubs. The loss of the 50 perecent entertainment write-off is going to hit some of the mid-level private clubs and resort courses hard. In the long run? If the enormous windfall provided by the 14 percent lowering of the corporate tax rate in conjunction with the new “pass-through” provisions result in massive reinvestment in new plant, equipment, business activity

and jobs, I would imagine the golf industry would get the same boost as would all businesses. The economy will grow at 3-4 percent annual rates and easily absorb the debt created in the process. If leftward analysis of the bill is correct and corporate America simply pockets the bounty, the golf industry will suffer as debts and deficits mount without the economic growth necessary to absorb them. Where does that leave us? With a clearer understanding of what to look for and what questions to ask; that and really nothing more.

SCPGA.COM

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA TOURNAMENT RESULTS

YAMAHA SENIOR-JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

WOMEN’S TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

1 Andy Gaither/James Hochsprung, Black Gold G.C., -13, 59, $1,500 2 Brian Smock/Tim Parun, Coronado G.C., -11, 61, $1,200 T3 Jon Fiedler, Las Posas C.C./Kenny Pigman, Goose Creek G.C., -7, 65, $910 T3 Gary Sowinski, The Hodges Golf Learning/Steve Holmes, Westlake G.C., -7, 65, $910

1 Sara Ovadia, The Alisal/Erika Ilagen, Seacliff C.C., -7, 65, $720 2 Nikki Gatch, PGA of America Nat’l HQ/ Nikki Prichard, Arrowood G.C., -6, 66, $520 T3 Petra Cole, Torrey Pines G.C./Kimberly Falcone, La Jolla C.C., -2, 70, $180 T3 Alison Curdt, Wood Ranch G.C./Heather King, Carmel Mountain Ranch C.C., -2, 70, $180

SCPGA FOUR-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP

April 23 at La Costa Resort & Spa – Champions Course

THE STROKE PLAY CLASSIC

HONMA WOMEN’S STROKE PLAY

1 Scott Miller/Alex Hird, North Ranch C.C., -9, 63, $1,800 2 Steve Holmes, Westlake G.C./Brian Smock, Coronado G.C., -8, 64, $1,450 T3 Ryan Kennedy, Rustic Canyon GC/Mike Fergin, Mesa Verde C.C., -7, 65, $975 T3 Kenny Pigman, Goose Creek G.C. /Michael Block, Arroyo Trabuco G.C., -7, 65, $975

1 Brian Smock, Coronado G.C., -10, 134, $1,500 2 Steve Saunders, Temecula Creek Inn, -10, $1,200 3 Kyle Mendoza, South Hills C.C., -8, 136, $1,000

1 Erika Ilagan, Seacliff C.C., +3, 75, $260 2 Bari Brandwynne, The Los Angeles C.C., +4, 76, $180 3 Ronnie Valerio, Tustin Ranch G.C., +5, 77, $0

April 9 at Marine Memorial Golf Course

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April 25 at Aviara Golf Club

May 14 at Andalusia Country Club

May 30 at Tijeras Creek Golf Club

APA STROKE PLAY

March 15 at Goose Creek G.C. 1 Steve Saunders, Temecula Creek Inn, -1, 70, $480 2 Lyon Lazare, Aliso Viejo C.C., -1, 70, $380 3 Bobby Nickell, Arroyo Trabuco G.C., E, 71, $350

SENIOR DIVISION

UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS

SAN DIEGO 2-DAY The Golf Club of California – February 21-22 Young Seniors – Bruce Nakamura (E) $400 Mid Seniors – Gary Sowinski (+1) $400 Super Seniors – Paul Wise (+11) $400 Super Senior Net – Mardell Wilkins $125 Team – Eric Evans/Mardell Wilkins/Fred Wood (264) $600

JUNE 26-29 119th California State Open Maderas Golf Club

METRO 2-DAY Industry Hills Golf Club – March 28-29 Young Seniors – Alan Sorensen (-2) $450 Mid Seniors – Gary Sowinski (-3) $450 Super Senior – Bob E. Smith (+6) $450 Super Senior Net – John Powell $100 Team – Eric Evans/Chuck Minerd/Chris Powel (256) $600 18 HOLE STROKE PLAY Ivey Ranch Country Club – April 18 Young Seniors – Mike Mitchell (-7) $200 Mid Seniors – Gary Sowinski (-3) $200 Super Seniors – Paul Wise (-4) $200 Super Senior Net – Paul Marchewka $90 Team – Gary Sowinski/Jim Petralia/Tom Sargent/David Foster $340

JULY 11-12 Women’s California State Open Maderas Golf Club AUGUST 20-21 Section Senior PGA Professional Championship Oak Valley Golf Club AUGUST 27 Assistant Championship Glendora Country Club September 1-3 2018 Inland Empire Amateur Championship Bear Creek Golf Club September 19-20 Women’s Section Championship Seacliff Country Club September 25 APA Championship Mountain View Country Club

Congratulations! April 19 at Oak Valley G.C. 1 James Moreno, Hideaway G.C., -5, 67, $250 T2 Mark Geddes, Coronado G.C., -3, 69, $210 T2 James Hochsprung, Black Gold G.C., -3, 69, $210

The Southern Califonia PGA is proud to recognize the players listed below for qualifying for the following Championships.

2018 SENIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Golf Club at Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor, MI | May 24-27 Jon Fiedler & Chris Starkjohann

2018 PGA PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Bayonet Black Horse, Seaside, CA | June 17-20

Michael Block, Alison Curdt, Paul Devine, Rick Garboski, Barry Mahlberg, Thomas Chu, Mike Mitchell, Kenny Pigman, Alan Scheer, Brian Smock, Rick Garboski & Ryan Kennedy

2018 KPMG WOMEN’S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP May 17 – The Golf Club of California 1 Mark Geddes, Coronado G.C., E, 72, $370 2 Raj Samra, Friendly Hills C.C., +1, 73, $270 3 Travis Gerrish, El Camino C.C., +3, 75, $195

Kemper Lakes, Lake County, IL | June 26-July 1 Alison Curdt

2018 UNITED STATES OPEN

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Shinnecock Hills, NY | June 14-17 Michael Block | Alumni: Franklin Huang, Aaron Wise, Rickie Fowler, Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay, Stewart Hagesad, Brendan Steele, Tiger Woods, Phil Michelson, Patrick Perez, Charlie Hoffman & David Gazzolo

SCPGA.COM

10THINGS TO KNOW 4 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

“THE MOST IMPORTANT SHOT IN GOLF IS THE NEXT ONE.” - BEN HOGAN

Henry Liaw, PGA Director of Golf at the Morongo Golf Club, was the 2001 United States Junior Amateur Champion, winning at Oak Hills in San Antonio Texas at the age of 15.

Southern California PGA Professionals Paul Runyan and Gene Littler each won 29 PGA Tour events. Runyan’s playing career spanned 12 years and Littler’s over 24 years.

SCPGA Section Member Olin Dutra won two major championships, the PGA Championship (1932) and U.S. Open (1934). He also won our Section Championship six times. He was the Head Professional at the Brentwood Country Club when he won the two majors, and then moved to Wilshire Country Club in 1935. Note: Presently Bob Harrison has been at Brentwood C.C. for 54 years.

The SCPGA’s own Chris Starkjohann won the Section Players Championship five times, the Section Championship four times and the Senior Section Championship three times. He has been named Player of the Year in both Senior and Junior divisions a collective 11 times.

It was 34 years ago when PGA Professionals Ken Ferrell and Bob Nicoletti along with Mike Marcum, Scott Bentley, Scott Stubbs and Bob Madsen orchestrated the beginnings of the Assistants Association – which is now the APA Division.

Derek Hardy and his brother John have been PGA Members for 61 and 60 years, respectively. Derek is a National Horton Smith Award winner and John is a PGA Master Professional.

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SCPGA STAFF HIGHLIGHT Brent Johnston is the manager of the Players Tour on our exceptional junior golf tour. He has held this position since being hired on as a full-time staff member in August of 2015. Before coming on board he enjoyed working as a field staff team leader and as a member of the field staff starting in February of 2013. Before coming to work with the SCPGA Junior Tour, Johnston served in the United States Marine Corps for 20 years, retiring in 2012. His military occupational specialty was in Aviation Maintenance and he was an aerial observer and machine gunner on UH-1N “Huey” helicopters. He deployed several times in support of the War on Terrorism. He also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautics while serving. He also was able to compete for and win a spot on the Camp Pendleton Men’s golf team.

Sharon Curfman, SCPGA Membership Manager, is celebrating her 21st year with the Section.

PGA Professional John Leonard has been at the Newport Beach Golf Course for 58 years. What might Tom Watson, Arnold Palmer, Nick Faldo, Ernie Els and Billy Casper have in common? Hint, PGA Championship…

There are 1,336 PGA Members in our Section, 212 are retired and we have 334 Associates. Our longest serving Professional is Warren Reidy, at 68 years, and our oldest living Member is Al Roush, who will turn 100 this year.

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Although the Players Tour has many tournaments and running the show can sometimes be daunting, Johnston knows that at the Players Tour level, the opportunity to compete in many tournaments is part of the recipe to develop a competitive golfer. As the JDT brings players to the competitive arena, the Players Tour helps them to sharpen their skills while in the heat of competition, then it is on to the Toyota Tour Cup where they will use these skills against some of the finest junior golfers in the game. In his spare time you can find him happily up to his elbows in grease while in the midst of some mechanical repair or modification, tackling a home improvement project, listening to music or just relaxing at home.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

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

LEO LEE, PGA SPANISH HILLS COUNTRY CLUB Lee has been a PGA Member since September 2000, and is currently the PGA Head Professional at Spanish Hills Country Club in Camarillo, California PROFESSIONAL PROFILE Over his career, Leo Lee has served as PGA Head Professional at Moorpark Country Club, First Assistant at Valencia Country Club and PGA Assistant Professional at Calabasas Country Club. In the more than 11 years he’s been at Spanish Hills, many of his assistants have gone on to become head professionals in the local area. Mentoring staff and assisting them in build their career is a large part of Lee’s professional and personal accomplishments. Lee is an alumnus of U.C. Santa Barbara, graduating in 1996 with a degree in Political Science.

PERSONAL PROFILE Lee is a fan of all sports and enjoys spending time with his family and on the golf course. His love for the sport came from his father, who immigrated to the U.S. from South Korea and served in the U.S. Army at Fort Hood, Texas, in order to provide a wider range of opportunities for his family. Lee is married to his wife of six years, Michelle, and together they have a 5-year-old son, Andrew, and 3-year-old daughter, Audrey. Andrew was born deaf, which spurs his family to support and advocate for children with hearing loss. Andrew continues to make incredible progress after receiving cochlear implants at age three.

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SCPGA JUNIOR ALUMNI ON TOUR The Southern California PGA Junior Tour boasts numerous alumni competing at an elite level across the world of professional golf

Ryann O’Toole

Recently, the LPGA Tour made several stops this season in sunny SoCal, starting at Aviara Golf Club for the Kia Classic, then to Mission Hills Country Club for the ANA Inspiration, and lastly at Wilshire Country Club for the HUGEL-JTBC L.A. Open. The SoCal LPGA Tour swing provided our alumni an opportunity to reconnect with friends and family, while also having a home field advantage – in many cases, playing courses they grew up on.

Robynn Ree Lee Lopez

Alumni competing across the three tournaments included: Jenny Shin, Lizette Salas (SCPGA Junior Tour Hall of Fame Member), Sydnee Michaels, Lee Lopez, Danielle Kang, Jane Park, Jessica Vasilic, Ryann O’Toole, Robynn Ree, Alison Lee, Brianna Do, Tiffany Joh, Angel Yin, Mo Martin and Candie Kung.

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Tiffany Joh

Rose Zhang & Her Caddy

Danielle Kang

Mo Martin

Alison Lee

Robynn Ree

Lizette Salas

Brianna Do

Lizette Salas working with coach Jim Gormley, PGA

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San Diego Chapter

Metropolitan Chapter

CHAPTER CORNER Metropolitan Chapter

DESERT CHAPTER Inland Empire Chapter

Desert Chapter

The Desert Chapter has had an action packed season. Golfers came from around the world to play and enjoy the desert courses. In addition, golfers and non-golfers flocked to watch Northern Chapter the world’s best men and women golfers at the Career Builder Challenge and the ANA Inspiration. We’d like to highlight some of top players in the Chapter. Here are winners of the Winter/ Spring events:

Inland Empire Chapter

gave us an informative briefing on active shooters, including what to do and how to react. Oakley provided technical information on their brand and are looking to be much more active in the Chapter and Section. Please contact Kenny Pigman, PGA or Randy Chang, PGA, for more information about July golf tournaments – signups will go quickly. The MSR completion date is rapidly approaching, requirements need to be fulfilled before June 15, 2018. Hope to see you all around the Inland Empire soon, we have lots of golf, lots of good people and lots to do.

METROPOLITAN CHAPTER

The Foster Cup at Ivey Ranch (two-person scramble) Brian Hughes and Joe Johnson

San Diego Chapter

Assistant’s Championship hosted by Heritage Palms Golf Club Kenneth Pineo Desert Cancer Foundation Pro-Am hosted by Andalusia C.C. Chris Gilley In Memoriam It is with great sadness that we report the loss of a true friend in golf. Mike Shea, PGA of Ivey Ranch passed away in January of 2018. Affectionately known as “The Blade,” Shea was the consummate professional. He loved the game, was a great coach and a good friend to so many. He loved sports and to talk about his New England sports teams. If you knew Mike, you have not one, but dozens of stories to tell about him – and all of them good. He will be greatly missed by all.

San Diego Chapter

INLAND EMPIRE CHAPTER Metropolitan Chapter

Metropolitan Chapter

The Metropolitan Chapter kicked off 2018 on a high note with our Special Awards and Professional-Assistants tournament. It was hosted at the beautiful Porter Valley Country Club in Northridge. WeChapter extend a deep thank Inland Empire you to the supporting partners and our host PGA Professional, Tracy Tartaglino. Please start putting gathering your thoughts now regarding Chapter Professionals you would like to honor for next year’s award ceremony.

Northern Chapter

The Spring Meeting and Professional Four-Ball Championship were held at Stockdale Country Club on April 2, 2018. Alan Sorenson and Cody Rose earned a two-shot victory over both the teams of Alex Hird/Sean Duckering and Rodney Scott/Paul Holtby. Section CEO and Executive Director Tom Addis attended the meeting and graciously recognized Ron Graffius, PGA, as being a 50-year member of the PGA. Mr. Graffius is the utmost gentleman, as well as a mentor and inspiration to his peers. The stage was perfectly set because both he and his wife are members at Stockdale Country Club, and they were able to attend the meeting. The Summer Meeting and Professional Shamble are scheduled for Monday, June 18 at Las Posas Country Club. The reinvented Pro-Junior is scheduled for Monday, July 16 at Rustic Canyon Golf Club.

SAN DIEGO CHAPTER

Desert Chapter

Here are the 2017 Special Award winners, congratulations on your dedication and hard Northern Chapter work in the industry: Merchandiser of the Year (Private) Michael Wagner – Yorba Linda Country Club Merchandiser of the Year (Public) Joe Lewis – Trump National Golf Club, Los Angeles

Club Fitter of the Year Josiah Solberg – Cool Clubs (Oak Creek Golf Club)

Please save the date July 16, 2018. Our Chapter’s Summer General Meeting and ProPro Triple Play will be at Journey at Pechanga. Thank you to sponsors Honma Golf and Oakley, Desert Chapter who supported on-course contests as well as prize money. Board & Brew will sponsor lunch, with appetizers provided after the tournament. Special room rates for the new Pechanga resort tower will be available on Sunday and Monday. Please take advantage of this outing, Chapter it should be Northern a highlight of the summer.

Youth Player Development Award Chris Miller – Hillcrest Country Club

Our March meeting at Morongo G.C. was a true success. The Beaumont Police Deptartment

Golf Professional of the Year John McMullen – Hillcrest Country Club

Desert Chapter

Coming up next for the Chapter will be our Summer Meeting, held July 16 at the Navy Golf Course in Seal Beach.

Merchandiser of the Year (Resort) Duncan Simms – Oak Creek Golf Club

Inland Empire Chapter

NORTHERN CHAPTER

Horton Smith Award Eric Mitchell – Anaheim Hills Golf Course Bill Strausbaugh Award Tom Sargent – Mesa Verde Country Club Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Thomas Chu – Valencia Country Club

PROGRAM MAGAZINE - SUMMER ISSUE

San Diego Chapter

The San Diego Chapter held our Annual Spring Meeting on March 19 at Lomas Santa Fe Country Club. Special thanks to PGA Head Professional Phil Machamer and General Manager Ted Axe for hosting the meeting and Metropolitan Chapter golf. On April 2nd, Shadowridge Country Club hosted the Annual Fujikura Pro-Am. Congratulations to the Low PGA Professional Patrick Strandemo, who fired a round of 5-under-par (67). TheChapter winning team Inland Empire consisted of PGA Professional Josh Haynes and his three amateur partners. Thanks to Shadowridge GM Jimmy Letourneau and his staff for making this a great event each and every year. Desert Chapter The San Diego Chapter Match Play Championship started on April 17. The final four will play semi-final and finals matches at Del Mar Country Club on September 5, 2018.

As our MSR Cycle is coming to a close Northern Chapter this June, Michael Major, PGA Teaching Professional at Torrey Pines, has been busy setting up education opportunities for our Chapter Members. Shawn Cox, PGA Director of Golf at The Grand Golf Club, will host an eight-hour Rules and College Recruiting seminar on June 11th.

With integrated technology, industry-leading service and an unrivaled distributor network, we strive to be your most loyal business partner. We would like to thank all of our club professionals, and we look forward to seeing you in Orlando at the 2018 PGA Show.

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