The Professional - Volume VI, Issue I

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE PROFESSIONAL Volume VI, Issue I

07

54th PGA Professional Championship

14

Tournament Season

16

Player Development

20

Coe Qualifies for 4th Straight KPMG Women’s PGA

22

In Memoriam

12

Frank Laber Selected to MAPGA Hall of Fame

15

MAPGA Welcomes First Intern of the Season

18

Online Education Series

21

Hemeon Named Taylormade Crusader of the Year

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The Professional

Letter

From The

President

Josh Tremblay, PGA Section President

Dear MAPGA Professionals, The 2021 Golf Season is upon us and I am sure many of you are already very busy at this point. Masters week is always enjoyable and usually (pre-Covid) signifies that the golf season is underway. I’m sure many of your members, students and customers have felt that way for a while in this unusual time!

Hopefully many of you were able to participate in the virtual meetings and seminars this spring or play in your respective Chapter Pro-Pro event. Please take some time to keep your golf game sharp and to go out and play with golfers to show your passion for the game. This will also fuel your confidence and likely lead to you entering more Chapter and Section tournaments.

I would be remiss if I did not thank my fellow officers and Board members for all they have done over the past year and a half. It has been a challenging, yet rewarding roller coaster and an uplifting time for the golf industry to see such a boom in activity. Let’s pledge to continue to engage these golfers who continue to flock to our facilities and truly show our value as PGA Professionals.

Our MAPGA Staff continues to do a great job at communicating and keeping the Section moving forward. Our new website should provide another great platform (especially as a mobile platform) for them to showcase our programs and be an outstanding resource for you as a PGA Professional or Associate. Obviously, 2020 provided some challenges in the sponsorship world but the staff and committee has worked hard to find new sponsors for this season. Please do your part by thanking our sponsors, giving them time to come to your facilities and pitch their products and hopefully we can all reap the benefits of these relationships.

The Professional Volume VI, Issue I Editor: Ben Smith

2021 is an election year for the Chapters and Section…our Chapter Boards and Section Board are always looking for new leaders to join our ranks. Now is the time to start planning if you think you’d like to run…discuss it with your family, your employer and reach out to those currently serving. It all starts by joining a Committee or running for regional director or Chapter Secretary! I wish you all a great season and hope to see you on the course soon.

Contributing Writers:

Warm regards,

Ben Smith Jon Guhl Taylormade.com

Joshua Tremblay, PGA MAPGA President joshtremblay@pga.com

EXPERTS IN THE GAME AND BUSINESS OF GOLF

Page 4

The Professional Dear MAPGA Professional, I hope you are as optimistic about the upcoming season as I am! With the growth in rounds and people playing golf, and the promise of vaccinations and the ability to get past the pandemic, I am looking forward to the summer of 2021!

Our staff has been working diligently on your behalf to make 2021 a great year.

Our professional tournament staff have transitioned to GolfGenius for our operating software. The most visible change for you will be a great platform to do live scoring from each group. On the junior golf side, we have created new events to get more juniors playing competitive golf to keep them excited about the game.

We all count on you for course access. Although we understand you are busy with the increased rounds at your facility, we hope that you can make the time to host a Section or junior event. It means the world to us, and hopefully you feel the benefit of helping our game, industry and your fellow professionals.

I hope you were able to join us virtually for either the Spring Section meeting or your chapter meeting (or both)! While it certainly wasn’t the same as gathering in person, we were still able to disseminate important information and give the membership an avenue to ask questions.

Letter

From The

ED

Jon Guhl Executive Director

On the Player Development front, we are planning to conduct DCP and Junior League this year. We are also adding Doubles Golf and PGA Family Cup to the portfolio of programs you can run at your facility. CLICK HERE to view all the ways you can grow golf at your facility. The PD committee also worked with the Junior Golf Committee to distribute $25,000 in Player Development Grants this year. If you did not receive a grant, please submit next year, and pay particular attention to the ground rules. Many of the applications that were not awarded were due to asking for grants for impermissible items.

If you recall, our Awards program had a COVID pause, but we are planning on running the 2021 Awards nomination and selection process this summer/fall. If conditions permit, we will have a banquet this fall honoring our 2020 award winners and 2021 HOF Class (Troy Beck & Dean Hurst). If we are unable to do so, we will merge two classes at the Spring 2022 banquet.

Lastly, the new compensation survey is out! Please take the time to fill out the survey. It is much shorter than past years and is always open. You are encouraged to update it every time your job or compensation changes. CLICK HERE to access the survey.

I look forward to seeing you in person in 2021.

Warm regards, Jon Guhl Executive Director jguhl@pgahq.com

EXPERTS IN THE GAME AND BUSINESS OF GOLF

Page 6

54

The Professional

th

PGA PROFESSIONAL

CHAMPIONSHIP PGA Golf Club Port St. Lucie, FL

The 54th edition of the PGA

Professional Championship will be a long awaited one. With the cancellation of the 2020 tournament due to COVID-19, the best PGA Professionals from around the country have waited to test their skills and vie for a chance to compete in the 2021 PGA Championship. This year’s tournament heads to PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, FL, the courses first time hosting this prestigious event. The 312 players

EXPERTS IN THE GAME AND BUSINESS OF GOLF

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The Professional will play the Wanamaker and Ryder Courses April 25-28 to crown a PGA Professional Champion. A spot in the Top-20 is also a valuable place to be for these Professionals as they would earn their way into the 2021 PGA Championship at The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island in South Carolina later this year. The opportunity to compete among the world’s best is worth fighting for.

The Wanamaker and Ryder Courses will play host over the four-day tournament. Site of many of the PGA Winter Series, many players will have experience at these courses. The Wanamaker Course is a 7,079 Par-72 classic Florida course that weaves through the wetlands. The Ryder Course is shorter of the two, playing 6,826 from the tips but a Par71. With four of the five Par-3’s playing over 200 yards, these could be the difference in making and missing the cut.

Wanamaker Course

EXPERTS IN THE GAME AND BUSINESS OF GOLF

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The Professional

Ryder Course

The Middle Atlantic PGA will have 13 players representing our Section. Seven of the thirteen Middle Atlantic players head to PGA Golf Club with experience playing in the national event. Jim Estes is making an impressive 12th appearance at the tournament. Six golfers will be making their

national debut. A mix of experience and first timers will give their best to represent at the PGA Professionals biggest stage.

Good luck to all!

EXPERTS IN THE GAME AND BUSINESS OF GOLF

Page 9

The Professional

EXPERTS IN THE GAME AND BUSINESS OF GOLF

Page 10

The Professional

COMPENSATION SURVEY

The new Compensation Survey is out! It is shorter, and accessible all year. You should update it every time you change jobs or compensation. Please log in right now to enter your current information. It will take less than 5 minutes.

Our Section has historically been #1 in survey completion percentage. Please keep the tradition alive by filling out the quick survey for the benefit of your peers!

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LUGGAGE

The Professional

FRANK LABER, PGA SELECTED TO MAPGA HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2022

was the foundation for career services being offered in the Section today. Frank’s initiative to establish the position of Employment Director on the Section level subsequently evolved into a National effort, impacting the entire structure of The PGA and all its members!

As a result of Frank’s inspiration, positive systemic changes have taken place to improve employment opportunities, the financial well-being, and the negotiating climate all enhancing the status and lifestyle of today’s PGA professional. Frank still believes that along with the honor that comes with being a PGA Head Professional, there also comes a responsibility to mentor others to realize their potential in the profession. He was awarded the Section’s PGA Professional Development (formerly Horton Smith) Award in 1987 for his efforts as an educator and has continued over the years to play an important role in the Section’s education programs.

Promoting the game through sharing knowledge, developing human relations skills, improving playing proficiency, and keeping current with education and certification requirements are some of the most The Middle Atlantic PGA is proud to announce its important lessons he still teaches new associates he newest selectee for the MAPGA Hall of Fame, Master comes into contact with. Frank can proudly reflect on Professional Frank Laber. Frank epitomizes the ideals the success of many of his former assistants who were of sportsmanship, ethical behavior, and the mission of inspired by his methods and continue in that same the MAPGA. His enthusiastic spirit, loyalty, and selfless tradition today. service toward promoting the game of golf and the PGA professional are extraordinary and undisputed. Frank Frank became a PGA member in 1978 and has a long will become the 56th member of the MAPGA Hall of history of service to the MAPGA, including serving on the Section’s Membership, Tournament and Fame in March of 2022.

Employment Committees in some capacity since 1981.

Born in Baltimore, MD, in 1947, the only child of Frank He was Chair of the MAPGA Membership Committee and Eleanor Laber, Frank is well known and respected in 1984-85, and Chair of the MAPGA Employment in the Baltimore/Washington area where he has spent Committee from 1986 - 1995. Frank served as the first his entire life. He began playing golf as a youngster and President of the Northern Chapter in 1989- 90; and was a fixture at Clifton Park GC and Mt. Pleasant GC. following that term, he served as Vice President of the Later, he and his mentor and best friend for almost 60 Northern Chapter in 1991-93. He served as Northern years, Coleman Plecker, could often be found playing Chapter Director-at-Large from 1994 - 2001. For his golf at Carroll Park GC. In keeping with the true years of dedicated service to his fellow professionals “Baltimore son” that he is, Frank attended the University and to the Section, Frank was awarded the prestigious of Baltimore.

MAPGA President’s Award in 2001. Lastly, Frank was honored as the Section’s highest active honor, as its This four-time recipient of the Section’s Bill Strausbaugh Professional of the Year in 2002.

Award (1988, ‘90, ‘91, ‘95) dedicated his career to improving the financial stability of the golf professional. Frank was also active on a national level, serving on the Recognizing a need for employment support for PGA Education Committee in 1984-85, and from 1986MAPGA professionals, Frank played a proactive role in 91 as a member of the PGA Employment Committee. establishing the position of The PGA of America’s first One of Frank’s proudest career accomplishments was Section Employment Director in 1990. The creation earning Master Professional status in 1996. Just as of this position within the Middle Atlantic Section in the game of golf, the commitment to achieve this

EXPERTS IN THE GAME AND BUSINESS OF GOLF

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The Professional status reflected a challenge to surpass one’s own level of Professional. For his unrelenting dedication and countless contributions to the golf profession and to mastery; and Frank eagerly accepted the challenge.

PGA professionals, the MAPGA is proud to recognize Another of Frank’s goals was in pursuing his dream to Master Professional Frank Laber as its newest selectee create and own a facility where people of all ages and for the MAPGA Hall of Fame. playing ability could learn, practice, and enjoy the game of golf. Frank accepted that challenge and realized his dream in 1999. Following 18 years as the Head PGA Professional at Longview GC and a year at Hereford Golf Center, Frank became the co-owner of Black Horse Golf and Learning Center in Whitehall, MD. Frank “retired” to Life Member status in 2009, but that has not kept him from staying active in the Section.

Frank is famous for stopping by “for a cup of coffee” with his PGA peers to see how they are doing, especially on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. But many of his contemporaries still get calls on their birthday or a few times a year when Frank checks in with them. He truly loves being an MAPGA member and cares about his peers. Frank is currently involved with efforts to get his fellow PGA Master Professionals organized to share camaraderie and their collective wisdom.

Frank has been married for 41 years to his wife, Susan, who says Frank is her favorite “All World” PGA Master

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SEASON IS HERE!

TOURNAMENT

Congratulations to our Spring Chapter Pro-Pro Champions!

Check out our upcoming schedule and get signed up and kick off your 2021 tournament season!

Tournament Schedule

The Professional

MAPGA WELCOMES FIRST INTERN OF 2021, TALTON CHERRY We are excited to have Talton Cherry join the MAPGA staff! He started with us in February and will be helping the Junior Golf Department throughout the year. Talton is from Greenville, NC and got his Undergraduate Degree from the University of Mount Olive.

He formerly served in the US Coast Guard and recently graduated from the University of San Francisco with his Graduate Degree. He is the first of three interns that will be joining the staff this year. Make sure to say hi when you see him at events!

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DEVELOPMENT

PLAYER

All Player Development Programs Back In Full In 2021 Drive, Chip, & Putt

After canceling last year due to COVID-19, we are excited to have DCP back in full in 2021!

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DEVELOPMENT

PLAYER

PGA Junior League Player Registrations Surge

MAPGA Jr. League player registrations surging in the 2021 season!

Average Coaching Fee: 2019 - $237 2020 - $257 2021 - $281

PGA Family Cup & Doubles Golf

Make sure your facility is signed up for Family Cup and Doubles Golf! These can be a great way to get your members out on the course while creating some extra revenue for you and your facility.

The Professional

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2nd MAPGA ONLINE EDUCATION SERIES HUGE SUCCESS We had another successful Online Education Series to begin 2021! The on-line aspect allows us to get some of the industries greatest minds and makes it easier for professionals to attend without traveling. Thank you to all of our guest speakers and those that attended! Another thank you to Mark Russo and Sean English for setting these sessions up. We look forward to our next series!

If you missed any of the Education Series, you can watch them on our Youtube page by clicking below.

EXPERTS IN THE GAME AND BUSINESS OF GOLF

Page 18

The Professional

COE QUALIFIES FOR 4th STRAIGHT KPMG WOMEN’S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP Congratulations to Joanna Coe, PGA of Baltimore Country Club for qualifying for the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship for the 4th straight time! She qualified by finishing T5 at the Women’s Stroke Play Championship in February. Due to the cancellation of the 2020 LPGA Professional National Championship, the LPGA and PGA of America agreed on adding the qualifier to the Women’s Stroke Play Championship (part of the PGA Winter Series) for the top eight finishers. Joanna shot 71-72-76 to finish tied for fifth and qualify for the 2021 championship which will be held at Atlanta Athletic Club later this year.

2022 KPMG WOMEN’S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP TO BE HOSTED BY CONGRESSIONAL CC The Middle Atlantic PGA is looking forward to being a part of the 2022 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Congressional in Bethesda, MD. With a storied history of professional events, (‘76 PGA Championship, ‘11, ‘97, ‘64 U.S. Open, ‘95 U.S Senior Open, 3 PGA Tour events) Congressional will add to it when they host their first professional women’s major in 2022.

PAST KPMG WOMEN’S PGA CHAMPIONS 2020 - Kim Sei-Young Aronimink Golf Club 2019 - Hannah Green Hazeltine National GC 2018 - Park Sung-hyun Kemper Lakes GC 2017 - Danielle Kang Olympia Fields CC 2016 - Brooke Henderson Sahalee CC

EXPERTS IN THE GAME AND BUSINESS OF GOLF

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ADAM HEMEON NAMED 2020 TAYLORMADE CRUSADER OF THE YEAR

mentoring and leadership) proved to be a sign of things to come. In January of 2020, Adam became the Director of Golf at Chevy Chase Club in Maryland. In that part of the country, the Strausbaugh name is legendary, as the iconic PGA Professional was the longtime head pro at Columbia Country Club – located one mile from Chevy Chase. The pandemic hit hard shortly after Adam stepped into his new role. Accepting the challenge and the opportunity, he hired a new Director of Instruction to help all his emerging golfers and new members Adam joined Team TaylorMade in 2003 and has embrace the game even more. His club has continued watched the brand grow and evolve ever since. He was to thrive and prosper, alongside the TaylorMade brand. there as the company transitioned from a driver centric “I'm incredibly proud and humbled to be named philosophy to now fielding one of the most complete TaylorMade Crusader of the Year. In year one of a golf equipment lineups in the industry – delivering elite new job, my connection to TaylorMade has resulted in performance across all product categories, including measurable growth of the brand at our club. That speaks metalwoods, irons, wedges, putters and golf ball. to the depth and sincerity of my relationship with the people at TaylorMade. They believe in me; I believe in A degree in Professional Golf Management from Ferris them and I believe in the products.”

State University sparked a career that's included stops at acclaimed courses such as PGA National and Merion - ADAM HEMEON before landing at Chevy Chase Club. Winning the 2018 Strausbaugh Award for the New England PGA Article written by Taylormade Section (awarded to golf professionals for excellence in

The Professional

IN MEMORIAM HANK MAJEWSKI & TROY BECK The MAPGA is deeply saddened by the passing of two of our Hall of Fame Members, Hank Majewski and Troy Beck were revered members of our section and will be missed dearly.

One of the stellar characteristics in Hank’s career is the commitment to and the support of junior golf.

Throughout his career, junior golfers have played and practiced free of charge at his facilities.

Fur t her more, for a number of years Hank orchestrated a bussing p r o g r a m that brought children from the region to Hobbit’s Glen.

In 1980-1981, Hank also Hank Majewski, PGA single-handedly 1939 - 2020 rescued the Howard County Public School System Golf Program when the School Board had previously decided to drop the sport in a costcutting move. Furthermore, Hank and Frank Emmet, the Dean of Junior Golf in the Region, collaborated on the creation of the Maryland Junior Open.

Hank’s awards include MAPGA Merchandiser of the Year (1982), MAPGA Professional of the Year (1988) and The PGA of America Professional of the Year (1988). He was a member of The PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame Inaugural Class of 2005.

Troy was selected for the MAPGA Hall of Fame last year and will be inducted later this year. She was selected for the Hall of Fame based on her sterling playing credentials while spending her whole career at Glenn Dale GC in various positions.

Troy played in 4 majors (1984 & 1985 US Open, 1994 & 1995 M c D o n a l d ’s L P G A Championship) Troy Beck, PGA/LPGA and 13 LPGA Tour events. She 1954 - 2021 won the LPGA National T&CP Championship at Woodlands Country Club in Texas in 1994. She was named the MAPGA Women’s Player of the Year four times in 1993, 1994, 1998, and 2003!

Troy was quite accomplished as a player, but she also did much more than play in tournaments. She served on the National LPGA Board and was an LPGA Section President (2003-07). Her Golf Academy was noted for its Jr. Golf Programs. Jr. Golfers played over 5,000 rounds at Glenn Dale annually. Troy was recognized as the MAPGA Jr. Golf Leader of the Year twice, in 1992 and 2000. She was the first recipient of the prestigious LPGA Nancy Lopez National Award in 2008, presented to an LPGA member that exemplifies the qualities of Leadership, Passion, Giving and Approachability.

EXPERTS IN THE GAME AND BUSINESS OF GOLF

Page 22

MAPGA Staff

Jon Guhl

Executive Director

Eric Southard

Assistant Tournament Director

Bob Heintz, PGA

Assistant Executive Director/ Tournament Director

Collin Elphic

Junior Golf Director

Ben Smith

Andrew Gridley

Communications Manager

Director of Business Affairs

Kristine Alonso Membership Director

Claire Jansa, PGA

Player Development Coordinator

Talton Cherry Junior Golf Intern