Volume 8, Issue 2
February 2015
I am looking forward to kicking off the 2015 Season at the Under Armour Gateway PGA Spring Meeting. Under Armour is generously providing a pair of logo’d athletic shorts to each Gateway PGA Professional who attends the meeting. I want to thank John Sheridan of Under Armour for his great partnership. We have big plans for the membership meeting and a few surprises. I don’t think you will want to miss it. Following the meeting, we will hold our first event of the year in the way of the All Star Pro Golf Quad Pro presented by PTE Golf. I would like to thank both All Star Pro Golf and PTE Golf for their support. They will be set-up on a hole during the event. 2015 looks to be a great year on many fronts. Our partnerships locally and nationally have never been better. The commitments we receive from our partners allow us to grow the game and provide better programs and education to you the member. Orange Whip is a great example of this. Their support will ensure an incredible line-up for the 3rd Annual Teaching & Coaching Summit. We have 2013 PGA Teacher of the Year, Lou Guzzi as well as Joe Hallett, PGA who happens to teach LPGA Tour star Stacy Lewis. If you have not done so already – please take a moment to sign up for this great event. In addition, Orange Whip has agreed to be the official “Warm-Up” patron of the Gateway Jr PGA. We are excited to announce more details on this partnership as well as others at the Under Armour Spring Membership Meeting. Last, please read all of the great updates and content below. Nathan has taken a lot of time to engage committees in 2015-16. I have already had great dialog with so many members who are continuing their involvement or getting involved with the section for the first time. It is exciting for me to see the bar continue to be elevated. The staff certainly enjoys being challenged with new ideas and concepts to grow the game and serve you the member.
From the Officers Desk
P2
Junior Golf Letter
P3
Growth of the Game
P 4-5
Assistants’ Corner
P6
Rules Corner
P6
Education Corner
P7
Employment Chips
P8
PGA HQ News
P9
Fitness Tips
P 10
Tournament News
P 11
Upcoming Events
P 12
Member Updates & Birthdays
P 13
Section Officers Nathan Charnes, PGA President
Benjiman Kent, PGA Vice-President
Michael Suhre, PGA Secretary
Gateway PGA Staff Josh Riley, PGA Executive Director
Steve Finn, PGA
All the best,
Assistant Executive Director
Michael Brown, PGA Director or Junior Golf
Ali Wells, PGA Director of Foundation Operations
Josh Riley, PGA
Lindsay Riley Foundation Admin Assistant
Susan Bender Membership 1
FROM THE OFFICERS DESK Spring is just around the corner and we are excited about the 2015 golf season. I have been working with the Gateway Staff, fellow Board Officers and Committee Chairs over the last month in hopes to finalize member committees by the end of February. These committees will serve a 2 year term ending December 31, 2016. Committees are: Membership, PGA REACH Pro Am, Rules, Tournament, Long Range Planning, Teaching & Coaching, Assistants, Education, Employment, Golf Sale, Growth of the Game, Junior Golf and a few more. I am very anxious for these groups to hit the ground running and excited to see the programs, progress and accomplishments made in each area. Speaking of spring, the Spring Membership Meeting is just around the corner on March 30th. Under Armour will be the Title Sponsor of this year’s meeting. In addition, All-Star Pro Golf will be the title sponsor of the Quad Pro Golf Event with PTE as a supporting Sponsor. For those of you needing MSRs with the cycle coming to an end this June, we will offer some learning experiences at the meeting also. New this year, we are hoping to have a Past Presidents Dinner the evening prior on March 29, so please save the date! This past week I attended the first meeting of the newly formed Gateway PGA REACH Foundation. I am very proud of Josh Riley, the Staff, and anyone else involved over the last 4 years in talking PGA REACH to where it sits today. The next few years will be quite productive, memorable, and leave a lasting impact in St Louis. Registration will open for the 6th Annual Gateway PGA REACH Pro-Am Dinner & Gala on March 2nd. The cost will be $600/ amateur and $150/extra dinner guest. PGA Professionals play free with 3 paid am’s and dinner is included in the $600/pp fee. The Gala on June 28th has a location of TBD and the Pro-Am will be held at Bellerive on June 29th. This year’s guests will be Hall of Famers Bob Gibson and Reggie Jackson. Nathan Charnes, PGA Gateway PGA President
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Hello fellow PGA Professionals, How about this crazy Mid-West weather start to the year? I hope that winter has treated you well and that you share our excitement for the spring! In preparation for the upcoming Gateway PGA Junior Golf Season, we wanted to make you aware of some very exciting news. 2015 will be filled with incredible venues, new partners, and an exciting new event.
Thanks to all our host professionals for the courses that the juniors will play in 2015, I believe this is one of the best Junior Tour schedules in the Country. Check out the courses they will play which includes a PGA Tour Major Championship Course. Don’t miss out - Click Here Now to Renew or become a New Member! The Gateway Junior PGA is dedicated to making 2015 a year of opportunity and growth for our juniors. Make sure your juniors at your clubs are a part of it. They can go to our website here to learn more about the GPGAJT and sign up for the 2015 season. Along with the above great news, we are happy to unveil a brand new event in 2015. We will be hosting a Ryder Cup Style match against the Iowa PGA Junior Tour. This event will be held at Winghaven CC on June 26th, 27th and 28th. 2015 will kick off an annual event between the two Junior Tours. Each team will be made up of 16 (8 girls/8boys) juniors from each Tour - Stay tuned for more information that will be coming out here shortly. FYI there will be an opportunity for Juniors to play their way on to the team by participating in events that start in the Spring and run through our June 15th event. Another exciting opportunity, as you may have heard, are the chances for your more advanced juniors to qualify to compete in the upcoming AJGA event at The Country Club at The Legends. The Gateway PGA Junior Tour will be hosting an AJGA qualifier for one boy and one girl from the Gateway PGA Junior Tour to play in the event. The Qualifier will take place on Sunday, April 26th at The Country Club at the Legends. Be sure to register as soon as possible as space is limited! These are great opportunities that lead to national exposure. This will allow our Junior Members to qualify locally instead of traveling around the country. As always, I am available via email at mbrown@pgahq.com or 636-532-3355 x104 to help with questions you or your Juniors parents may have about the Tour. Thank you and I look forward to seeing you all soon! Michael Brown, PGA Gateway PGA Section Director of Junior Golf 3
GROWTH OF THE GAME Get Golf Ready, Anyone? Did You Know? There are only 5 facilities within 100 miles of St. Louis with Get Golf Ready programs posted online? Did You Know? The average spend per Get Golf Ready Graduate is $970 (not including the $99 class fee)? Did You Know? Get Golf Ready is for public AND private facilities? Do You Know Why You Are NOT Running Get Golf Ready Programs? It’s not hard to get started; it does require a tiny bit of effort, though. First thing’s first: register on PGALinks.com or PGA.org to become a GGR Certified Facility. It’s free AND you get more free stuff in the mail like collateral and marketing resources. Additionally, you get access to customizable GGR promotional materials through the Creative Resource Center. Create it, print it, and hang it. Public Facility? Pick the days of the week you want to hold a class. I recommend starting with 3 (a couple weekdays and a weekend) for 1 hour each class for 5 weeks in a row. Next, post the dates/times on your Active.com account for the whole world to see. Don’t have an Active.com account? No worries, call the GPGA Office and we’ll walk you through it. Private Facility? Where do you see the most growth potential in instruction and rounds? How about trying a Ladies Get Golf Ready Program? Maybe a Spouses Get Golf Ready Program? Ever thought of a Member-Guest GGR Program? Could you specially invite those members who constitute the lowest playing 25%? How about a Never Ever Get Golf Ready Program for Social Members or those who have never played? So many possibilities! Now market it! Drop off a flyer at the gym around the corner, the bank you use, or the bulletin board at Starbucks. Throw something on your Facebook and Twitter accounts, update your website, and notify the golf staff so nobody has that deer-in-the-headlights look when the question is asked at the shop. And finally, TRACK IT! Still have questions? Need more proof that GGR is an asset for you and your instruction programs? No sweat – give me a call. I would love to help.
PGA REACH Growth of the Game Partner Program Registration is now open for the Teaching & Coaching Summit. Facilities partnering at the $1000 and $500 Level, make sure you are using your pre-paid attendance spots. If you are the Professional using this spot and plan on attending the Summit or the upcoming Spring Meeting, contact Susan to confirm your registration. Do not pay online. Still interested in becoming a GPGA Growth of the Game Partner? View, print, and return (fax or email) the form and invoice found online OR contact Ali Wells at Awells@pgahq.com for more information. Thank you to those who have already committed to a 2015 partnership.
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Reminders! Give STL Day The Gateway PGA REACH Foundation will be a participating charity in this year’s Give STL Day held on May 5th and WE NEED YOUR HELP. Give STL Day is a 24-hour, online giving event with the goal of inspiring the community to come together to contribute as many charitable dollars as possible to support local non-profits like us! Promotional resources will be available in the coming months to help spread the word to the golfing community and to continue to emphasize the role of the PGA Professional, both on the course and in the community. For now, sharpen your social media skills and spread the word… “$10 will help PGA REACH and area Professionals impact more lives”. PGA Jr League Golf All new captains go to www.pgajrleaguegolf.com to sign up to host one or multiple teams. If you were a captain last year, no need to re-register… log back in to your account and begin setting up your season. Returning Captains/Coaches: You can now host a team for any juniors over 13 years old in the new U-16 League. More information will be coming soon! I hope to see everyone at the Teaching & Coaching Summit on March 6th-7th and the Spring Meeting on March 30th! Ali Wells, PGA Foundation Operations Director
Last Chance Offer: The deadline for updating your employment information for publication in the 2015 GPGA Calendar and Advertiser Directory was Sunday, February 15, 2015. However, we have decided to give you until Wednesday, February 18 to make the updates at www.pgalinks.com. After this date no corrections can be made and how you are listed at the PGA of America is how you will be listed in the calendar.
MSR Credit Cycle Ending Soon The current MSR Cycle is ending June 15, 2015. If you do not have all your required credits there is ample opportunity to complete what you lack. Ty Zimmerman has prepared an outstanding education and seminar schedule between now and then. You can check your email and the GPGA Website for announcements and sign up opportunities. Attending the Spring Business Meeting March 30 will give you three PGA Meeting and three PGA Education credits. In addition to these, the PGA of America has many online opportunities, click here to check them out. Required Meeting/Education/Golf 2.0/Player Development Category (PGA Required) = 36
Total MSR credits = 54 If you need additional credits to achieve the total 54 there is a need for assistance at Junior Tour events Sundays in April and May. Compensation is not offered for this service but growth of the game credits can be earned at the rate of one credit per hour worked up to eight a day. Contact Michael Brown for more information. 636-532-9191 or mbrown@pgahq.com. The newsletter update employment deadline was Sunday, February 15 in order to be listed at the correct facility. We have decided to give anyone who has not updated their employment in PGALinks one more opportunity.
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ASSISTANTS CORNER The committee would like to congratulate Nic Bunning on becoming the Head Golf Professional at Kankakee Country Club in the Illinois Section. Nic has been an Assistant at Greenbriar for the past 9 seasons and served on the Assistants Committee for 2 years. Good luck Nic! We’d also like to welcome Nathan Jacquin from Meramec Lakes to the Assistants Committee. I’m happy to announce we have finally scheduled our two main events: The Assistants Pro-Am will be on August 10th at Sunset Hills Country Club in Edwardsville. The Assistants Championship will be hosted at Lake Forest Country Club on September 8th.
2015 Committee Members Brandon Coffey, PGA George Schrage, PGA Michael Leotta, PGA Andrew Jury, PGA Richard Niedergerke, PGA Austin Waibel Adam Betz RJ Villafuerte, PGA Brandon Veld, PGA
Chairman Vice-Chairman Past Chairman Secretary
Forest Hills Country Club Quincy Country Club Illini Country Club Winghaven Country Club The Club at Old Hawthorne The Club at Old Hawthorne Meadowbrook Country Club Meadowbrook Country Club Bellerive Country Club
RULES CORNER One of the duties of most PGA Professionals is conducting club tournaments. Now is a good time to start preparing for that task. Review Rule 33 The Committee. Start a check list of items that are necessary to ensure your events are run in a manner that reflects your professionalism. A good place to start is making sure your course is properly marked. Meet with your superintendent and golf committee and discuss how essential this task is. Establish a procedure to check and maintain the proper markings to define hazards and boundaries. When my son was in high school the rules sheet at a state regional tournament stated that margins of hazards were defined by the waters edge. This led to situations where players would drop a ball two club lengths from the margin (waters edge) and the ball would roll to within a few inches of the water. The ball had not rolled into the hazard since it was outside the waters edge and the ball had not rolled more than two club lengths. Therefore there was no reason to re-drop under Rule 22-c. This led to situations where players had to stand in water to play a stroke. If the course had been properly marked this unfortunate situation could have been avoided. Another good winter project is to review local rules. First read Rule 33-8 and then review appendix 1. One local rule that is used in all PGA of America, USGA, PGA Tour, and LPGA Tour events is the relief for an embedded ball anywhere through the green. You will also want to decide if you will permit the use of distance measuring devices. These are just two examples. Review all the specimen local rules in the appendix. Remember any local rules you will use must be published on a rules addendum. To avoid having to do this for each event create a list of local rules that will be used in all club events. You could then publish it in a newsletter, post in the locker rooms, and have extra copies available on the first tee on days of events. This will avoid any last minute oversights on the day of a competition. 6
EDUCATION CORNER Your Education Committee has been working very hard and we believe that we have some wonderful opportunities coming up to help you be the expert at your facility. Please see the listing below for March: March 6th-7th
Teaching & Coaching Summit
March 16th
How to become a Better Fitter with Titleist PGA Tour Technician Brett Fleming Missouri Bluffs Golf Club 9:00am – 2:00pm Cost $25.00
March 23rd
Rules of Golf Seminar with Jesse Barge Annbriar Golf Club 9:00am – 12:00pm
March 30th
Cost $10.00
Spring Meeting Educational Seminars following Spring Business Meeting
I hope to see you all at these events in growing your impact on the game of golf at your facility.
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Employment “Chips” Please enjoy this “Gateway Employment Chips” section of your email newsletter. Every month I will be adding to the subjects of these “brief” articles and hoping to inspire your thought process regarding your employment and/or your facility. Please use and expand on the information to make your employment more successful!
You all accomplish so much on a daily basis! But you know what? Does your board, your boss or owner, the person in charge always notice, or are they really aware? We have developed a tool for your use to help you communicate these accomplishments and a way to track them. If you are interested in further developing your communication with your employer then click HERE to be taken to the Employer Communication Planning page
ARE YOU READY TO COMMUNICATE? I recently attended the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando and was fortunate to visit with some of you who attended. Some of you may have also attended an Education Seminar conducted by some of my fellow colleagues. The title of the seminar was, “Career Fitness for the 21st Century”. We enjoy conducting seminars and our goal when doing them is to hopefully leave enough of an impression that evokes some type of change in behavior, attitude or day to day activities by those in attendance.
on PGA.org. (You will need your PGALinks/PGA.org username and password to access it) Within this page, after the first paragraph, you will see some blue letters that say “click here”, which when clicked on will open the Executive Summary Word document. I am asking you, no imploring you, to review this and start the process of change with the “Executive Summary Report”. This is a 30 day recap or a weekly recap and can be changed or revised in whatever way you desire to fit your needs. ARE YOU READY TO CHANGE AND IMPROVE YOUR COMMUNICATION??
Change is a threatening word to some of us. Our comfort level in how we do our jobs is typically about routine and following a preordained or predetermined way of doing something. The change I am going to get you to think about today is relatively simple. This change is going to revolve around the word ACCOMPLISHMENTS! The career fitness you are hopefully establishing should and must be tied to this word. This isn’t necessarily about trying to accomplish something new and exciting every day. Rather, this is
Tim
Tim Marks, PGA Employment Consultant 269-221-6009 – office tmarks@pgahq.com
about keeping track or remembering by documenting important accomplishments. Each one of us is sometimes our own worst enemy. We are taught to be humble, to not “brag”, and to let our successes speak for themselves. 8
PGA HQ NEWS
What your employer expects you to know PGA PerformanceTrak: Monthly Rounds and Revenue Reporting Employers expect you to know where you stand in relations to the market. In only minutes each month, you can report and compare your facility’s performance through PGA PerformanceTrak and provide sound business information to help drive your facility’s bottom line.
resource for all fellow section members. Please take some time to complete this survey before March 23rd. PGA members can receive up to two MSR credits by completing the survey by the deadline. The survey can be accessed by clicking the following link and entering your PGALinks username and password.
Demonstrate your expertise to increase your credibility and industry knowledge
ST. LOUIS - National Car Rental and the PGA of America today announced Generate reports that showcase your business and the renewal of their partnership at the 2015 PGA support future budgeting efforts PGA Professionals can earn MSR credit by participating Merchandise Show, extending National’s designation as an Official Partner and the Official Rental Car of the online. Don’t miss out on this valuable service. PGA of America. The five-year agreement features If you are the highest ranked PGA Professional at your National serving as the Official Rental Car of the PGA facility, click here to submit your data. If you wish to Championship and Senior PGA Championship participate in this service on behalf of your highest ranked PGA Professional, ask them to click here to presented by KitchenAid; an Official Partner of the 2016 assign access to you. and 2018 Ryder Cups; Title Sponsor of the National Car The next deadline to submit monthly rounds is February Rental PGA Assistant Championship and Founding 24, 2015. Whether you are open or closed in a given Partner of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. month, it is important that you continue to enter this data Click here to continue reading. online.
Benchmark your facility’s performance and identify areas that may be under performing
HOW CAN WE HELP? Contact us by phone at: (800) 477-6465 Ext. 8574 or by email at: PerformanceTrak@pgahq.com Online registration for a 2015 PGA/ USGA Rules of Golf Workshop is The PGA Financial Assistance Scholarship application is available. You can register via phone now live on PGALinks.com with a submission deadline beginning Monday, Oct. 27. of Monday, March 16, 2015. Graduating high school More information seniors and college students who are the children or grandchildren of PGA members are encouraged to apply. Click here to view more information. ARE YOU ON TRACK? Scholarship Resources: MSR Cycle Ends 06/15/2015 Click here to view Scholarship Search Tips See Where You Stand: Click here to view Additional Scholarship Suggestions
Log into PGALinks.com to see your current MSR status
We need your help to continue to keep this a great 9
Brought To You by Optimal Lifestyles, Inc.
We’ve talked this winter about the benefits of exercise and lowering stress as we gear up for our next golf adventures. Hopefully, by now you’ve set your fitness goals for 2015. Is losing weight on your to-do list? You still have time to lose about two pounds a week before we jump into golf season in St. Louis. Most leagues start in April. If you’re feeling a little flabby, get serious about shedding a few pounds. The weight loss will also give you greater flexibility and energy. Need some inspiration? One simple remedy is to reduce your food intake. A basic calculation is to cut your portions by one third. Developing a good nutrition plan will help you lose those pounds—and that includes snacking in a healthy way. Below are some suggestions. Healthy energy snacks: Popcorn with Parmesan cheese, rather than butter and salt Peanut butter on whole grain crackers or bread Low-salt peanuts or almonds Energy bars that are high in protein Fruit Low-sugar trail mix Fruit or vegetable smoothies Quick & Easy Smoothie Recipe: Start with a cup of almond milk or soymilk in a blender. Add one banana and a half-cup of frozen mango. Flavor it with a little maple syrup, agave, honey or some type of sweetener other than sugar. If it’s too thick, add more liquid. Start the blender and mix until you have a great smoothie. As part of your healthier eating plan and to lose weight, remember to hydrate with water (64 ounces per day is recommended). As always, if you need assistance to putting together a program for fitness, contact Optimal Lifestyles at 314-984-0592 and Barb or Catherine will get you started. Just a reminder, that focusing just 20 to 30 minutes most days to exercise; you can achieve better fitness activity goals and at the same time transform your golf game.
Barb Michael is a health and fitness consultant and fitness education sponsor for the Gateway PGA. Her company, Optimal Lifestyles, Inc. provides general fitness, golf-fitness and yoga for golfers. The information provided by Barb is for education purposes and should not replace care or advice of your physician. Please check with your physician if you are beginning an exercise program or suspect you are ill.
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The PGA of America Playing Ability Test schedule A full slate of Pro Ams have within the Gateway Section has been been scheduled for the completed. All players who attempt the tests, are upcoming season as we required to complete their registrations at enter the 2nd year and www.pgalinks.com Deadline for each test is 14 return of the National Car Rental Pro Am days in advance of event date and are $100 per Series. On the heels of a great 2014 Championship attempt. Series, National Car Rental is on for a 5 year deal We have scheduled one test per month throughout with the Series and the venues for this years' events the season and while most are in the Metro St. will certainly not disappoint. Louis area, we will be doing one at Osage National As with last year, winning teams throughout the season will qualify for the year ending Pro Am Championship which be hosted Monday, October 12th, by Forest Hills CC. A full field of approximately 20 teams will be treated to the day entry fee and will feature a tee gift, lunch, golf on the Championship Course, reception, awards and prizes, and the National Car Rental Mobile Experience. Also, all qualifying Professionals will share in the Pro Purse.
Each Pro Am throughout the season will qualify 1-3 teams, depending on number of teams in each event. Most events are flighted and may include Amateur handicaps. Here are the events that will qualify teams as part of the 2015 NCR Championship Series. Monday, April 27th Pro-Senior Pro Am Lake Forest CC Pro with 3 Ams age 50+ Monday, June 8th 8th Pro-Ladies Pro AM WingHaven CC Pro with 3 Female Ams Monday, June 29th REACH Pro Am Bellerive CC Pro with 3 Ams Monday, July 13th Ping Pro Am OakBrook GC Pro with 3 Ams
Golf Resort in the Lake of the Ozarks on June 16th. Here is the schedule 4/15/15 5/13/15 6/16/15 7/28/15 8/19/15 9/15/15 10/14/15
Eagle Springs GC Arlington Greens GC Osage National GR Gateway National GL Eagle Springs GC Gateway National GL Arlington Greens GC
2015 Prairie Cup Monday - Wednesday April 6-8th Firekeeper GC Mayetta, KS 2-person Teams, Entry Fee $300 per player includes, golf, hotel, lunch, tee gift, and prizes. Monday - Practice Rounds Opt Skins Game Tuesday- Scramble - Top 12 finishers qualify for $1400 Alt Shot Shootout Wednesday - 4-Ball - Field split into 2 flights following Round 1. Payout $5500 per flight (based on full field) Also, Prairie Cup will feature District 7 vs. District 8, in a bragging rights match featuring Midwest, South Central, & Gateway Sections vs. Nebraska, Iowa, & Minnesota Sections. More info and entries available by clicking here.
Monday, July 27th Scratch Pro Am Persimmon Woods GC Pro with 3 Ams (No Handicaps) Monday, August 3rd Section Pro Am Dalhhouise GC Pro with 3 Ams Monday, August 10th Assistants Pro Am
Watch for more details with entry fees and formats in the upcoming months.
The very popular Gateway Cup Matches with the Metropolitain Amateurs will return to the Gateway PGA Calendar in 2015. Our top finishers in the 2014 Player of the Year Points Divisions for Regular & Seniors will team up in a Ryder Cup format against the top Amateur players from the area on Sunday & Monday, April 12-13th. Brett Moomey captained the team in 2013 to retain the Cup for the Gateway PGA. Players will be contacted by this years team captain as the event gets closer. 11
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Name
Facility
Class
February 15th - March 15th Brian N. Laur, PGA Robert C. Maruska Jr. Matthew B Muckensturm Bryan L. McMurray, PGA Steve T Finn, PGA Kevin R Stull, PGA Emily K. Berryman Grant J. Masson, PGA David J. Bird, PGA Aaron T Gleason, PGA Paul Loutzenhiser, PGA Adam M Betz Bradley M Dean Dan J. Hilker, PGA Stephen R. Lestmann, PGA Steve Autry Jonathan G Prange Jack Connell, PGA
2/15 2/15 2/16 2/17 2/18 2/19 2/20 2/20 2/21 2/21 2/21 2/22 2/22 2/24 2/25 2/26 2/26 2/28
Ryan T Dodd William C. Scarborough, PGA Daniel P. Attaway, PGA Douglas R. Warden, PGA Scott M Kunz James G. Miali, PGA Mark S. Ryan, PGA Terry Clark, PGA Christian J. Nava, PGA Zackary D. Potts, PGA Brandon L. Coffey, PGA Bob Goalby, PGA John D Prange, PGA Bradley J. Benney, PGA
3/1 3/1 3/2 3/3 3/4 3/5 3/6 3/9 3/11 3/12 3/14 3/14 3/14 3/15
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