Greg Neujahr, PGA Hello Iowa Golf Community,
Message from Ditrict 8 Director
Welcome to the 2022 golf season and creating more memories with your friends and families on the course. Golf has seen a resurgence over the past two years, and we are looking forward to another strong year of play at all the incredible courses in Iowa. There were over 518 million rounds played in 2021 on a national level which is a 20% increase from 2019. Having been in the golf business for 30 years, it is great to see families coming out to the course to spend time together. We are also seeing a continued uptick in ladies and new players trying golf which bodes well for the future. The PGA of America and its 28,000 members are working hard to keep this momentum going and continue to offer many programs to participate in whether you are a beginner or an advanced player.
District 8 Director for Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska Sections
It is going to be a busy Spring over the next couple months as the PGA of America opens its new headquarters in Frisco, Texas. We are in the process of moving our headquarters and partnering with Omni Resorts to open a new $500 million property. Along with our new headquarters building, there will be a 500-room resort, a retail/entertainment district and two championship golf courses. We feel this will be a truly transformational property and the new modern home of golf. The entire property should be open in early 2023, kicking off with the Senior PGA Championship on the East course designed by Gil Hanse. Meanwhile, this year’s PGA Championship comes to Southern Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma, this May and it should be another exciting event. Hopefully you are thinking about attending, due to the proximity, to see the greatest players in the game compete for the Wanamaker trophy. Next month many of you will be heading out to the course for your first round and working the rust off your game. Now is the perfect time to reach out to your PGA Professional for help with your game or advice on new equipment. We are here to welcome you, get you out on the course, play golf with you and make this difficult game a little easier. The boom of the golf industry has created more demand for staff and those who might be interested in getting into the business. Whether you are looking for a second career or just finishing your education, it is a great time to be a part of this rewarding profession. Please reach out to your local PGA Professional or visit www.PGA.com, for more information and how you can get started in our Association! Thank you for your support of golf, and I hope you continue to enjoy our sport in 2022. Your Iowa PGA Professionals are ready to help and grow the game so please reach out to them and get started today. Sincerely, Greg Neujahr, PGA District 8 Representative for Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska Sections Champions Run, Omaha, NE.
