Issuu

2012 UPCOMING

DEADLINES

From the desk of the Executive Director Dear Nebraska PGA Members and Apprentices, The tournament season is off to a great start! For those of you who have not been able to participate in a Section event thus far, I encourage you to make the time. After all, our love for playing the game is why most of us made the commitment to become a PGA Professional. I was reminded by a fellow PGA Professional just the other day that our presence in our business should be felt just as much on the fairways as in the office. Looking ahead to the coming months, there are so many programs to talk to you about and I will do my best to utilize Monday’s “This week in the Nebraska” to inform you instead of sending you daily emails. The new Section website is close to being complete and I appreciate your patience with the staff and I as we are diligently making sure that when we do launch the new site, things are in order. The Omaha Steaks Hole-in-one program that we launched out to the media and general public a few weeks ago is off to a fantastic start. Below is an overview of how the program works and the hole-inone registration form. We are very excited about this partnership with Omaha Steaks and I ask that you continue to educate your memberships and customers on this promotion at your facilities. Here’s how it works: 1. If you score a “hole in one” on a hole of at least 150 yards in length visit www.nebraskapga.com to find the Omaha Steaks hole-in-one registration form. 2. Please fill out the form in its entirety, including a signature from the courses PGA Professional and return it to the Nebraska Section PGA either by e-mailing it to nebraska@pgahq.com or by faxing it to 402-489-1785. 3. Omaha Steaks will then send you a box of 4 (6 oz.) Filet Mignons, along with a congratulatory note to commemorate your achievement. It’s up to you to plan the celebration.

Click here to print off the Hole-in-one registration form. Fairways and greens,

David Honnens, PGA Executive Director Nebraska Section PGA

Steranka to retire as PGA of America CEO at yearâ€™s end

Published on PGA.com (http://www.pga.com)

oe Steranka will retire at the end of the year as chief executive of The PGA of America.

Steranka will have spent seven years as the CEO of an association that serves 27,000 PGA club professionals and runs events that include the PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup, the PGA Grand Slam of Golf and the Senior PGA Championship. This year, the Americans will try to win back the Ryder Cup at Medinah in September, and the PGA Championship goes to Kiawah Island in South Carolina for the first significant event in more than 20 years. "Joe has been a popular and visionary leader and the work he has done to date and the path he has set with Golf 2.0 leaves us in a strong position for the future," said PGA President Allen Wronowski. "In sharing the news with leaders in the golf industry over the weekend, it is very evident the positive impact he has had on The PGA and the game. We are finalizing our plan for the CEO transition including naming a search committee, but in the meantime

Joe Steranka has been the Chief Executive Officer of The PGA of America since 2005.

we will continue with business as usual. The nine-month transition provides ample time for a complete and smooth transition. And while Joe will be leaving at the end of the year, I know he will remain a committed supporter and friend to The PGA of America." Steranka was a broadcast executive for 18 years with The PGA of America when he was appointed to replace Jim Awtrey in 2005 as chief executive.

He did not say what other interests he might pursue, but that "I'll be available for golf in the future. "I love golf, I love The PGA and I think the game is in a good spot right now," Steranka said Wednesday. "It's the biggest decision of my life."

Steranka, who graduated from West Virginia with a degree in journalism, said it was time for him to find a new challenge while he is still young. "I want to take time to reap the rewards of 35 years of hard work," he said. "I'm at a point in my life where I'm still young enough to look at new challenges. Golf does so many good things."

Joe tees off at the 2012 Nebraska Golf Day.

The PGA of America Joined WE ARE GOLF Coalition at the Fifth National Golf Day Golf's leading associations and industry partners met with members of Congress for the fifth annual National Golf Day, to further illustrate the positive impact golf has on America's economic, environmental and social agendas. Source: www.pga.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. â€“ The PGA of America joined WE ARE GOLF -- a coalition of the game's leading associations and industry partners -- to meet with Members of Congress during the fifth annual National Golf Day, April 18, to share stories and data about golf's diverse businesses, employees, tax revenue creation, tourism and charitable benefits, and environmental leadership. As in past years, WE ARE GOLF brought a cast of story-tellers to Capitol Hill to discuss what golf has meant to them. Reports on golf's economic contributions to cash-strapped states around the nation were shared with influential policy makers who may otherwise not have been exposed to all the data. In addition, a new set of "Shared Principles on Sustainability" was unveiled â€“ a unified commitment from industry professionals to design, construct and manage environmentally responsible golf courses. PGA of America President Allen Wronowski, PGA Chief Executive Officer Joe Steranka, the board chair of WE ARE GOLF; and PGA Professional Todd Butts, owner and head professional of Drake Creek Golf Course in Ledbetter, Ky., joined other association leaders to represent the industry in meetings with Democratic and Republican leadership. "WE ARE GOLF was formed because it had become clear golf was misunderstood by too many of our nation's policymakers," said Steranka. "Longstanding perceptions of the game simply didn't square with the facts. We set out to do a better job explaining the profound impact on communities around the country. By showcasing that impact, we are aiming to level the playing field for the thousands of small businesses that make up our industry, and their employees. National Golf Day featured a day-long exhibit in the Rayburn Foyer with live lessons for Members of Congress and staff from PGA Professional Michael Breed, host of Golf Channel's "The Golf Fix." Attendees practiced on a golf simulator, participated in a Republican vs. Democrat putting challenge; took photos alongside the signature piece of hardware of the PGA Championship, the Wanamaker Trophy, and reviewed an educational display illustrating golf's cutting-edge environmental stewardship. At $76 billion, golf is bigger than the motion picture industry. It's key to the economic vitality of many states and localities including: 167,000 jobs in Florida; 160,000 in California; 56,000 in Georgia; and 98,000 in Texas. "Being from a golf-loving state like North Carolina, you're talking about an impact in our state alone of 68,000 jobs and $5.8 billion of economic impact," said U.S. Congressman Mike McIntyre.

2012 Govenor Dave Heineman

Justin Apel

Joe Steranka PGA of America CEO

Liz Leckemby

J. Rhett Evans

Bill Langley

2012

E M P L OY M E N T

ast month’s article focusing on communicating with your employer about Golf 2.0 was hopefully accomplished by you! For many of you reading this, the weather we have experienced has given you and your facility a great “jump start” to the season. Momentum is on our side so let’s try to take advantage of the opportunity!

The second component of what I refer to as the “Circle of Life” in our Player Development action steps is Analysis. In teaching this great game, I sometimes referenced “paralysis by analysis” with my overly- analytical students. However, just the opposite may be true in this second action step in Player Development. Your paralysis may be due to you not knowing what to do when it comes to Golf 2.0. You feel paralyzed or stuck because you have not analyzed your club’s situation when it comes to Player Development. Here are the “whys” to analyze your Player Development programs and your local market. 1. 2. 3. 4.

Identify strengths and deficiencies in your current Player Development programming Help your employer understand the environment you’re working in to develop new customers Establish attainable goals for success in future Player Development programs Develop a targeting plan of preferred consumer segments, organizations and current golfers that will be most interested in and most likely act upon (or tell their friends and family) about your messages to learn how to play golf or how to play golf better

Performing a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) of the internal structure of your business will help you develop a realistic assessment of what works well and what could be improved. Undoubtedly, many of you are doing Player Development programs. But, let’s follow the action steps (Communicate- Analyze- Planning- Marketing- Execution- Tracking) so we can maximize the potential of what you are currently doing to further strengthen your position with your employer! Bruce Lubach, PGA, is The PGA of America Employment Consultant for the Iowa, Midwest, Minnesota and Nebraska Sections. blubach@pgahq.com | (402) 261-3604.

T OURNAMENT N EWS Callaway Golf Pro/Pro/Pro By Thomas Harmon, PGA

Matt Meuret, PGA of Plainview Country Club and Scott Holly, PGA of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln finished one stroke behind the winning team after shooting a nine-under par, 62. Scott Holly, PGA was one of four that individually shot two-under par, 69. On a day where it was hard to control the golf ball, Scott Holly, PGA had a very up and down round as he carded seven birdies and five bogeys.

Eagle, NE- On a very windy day at Woodland Hills Golf Course, four Nebraska PGA professionals shoot twounder par, 69, to tie for first in the individual contest at the 2012 Callaway Golf Pro/Pro/Pro. One of those four tied at the top was Raul Cortes de la Riva of York Country Club who helped his team to a first place finish in the team division. Michael Brown, PGA of Sunset Valley Country Club and Devon Kastler of Kearney Country Club teamed up with Cortes de la Riva and the team made eight birdies and one eagle to shoot a 10-under par, 61 in the one of three best ball format. The team of Kevin Drew, PGA of Fox Run Golf Club,

Shane Zywiec, PGA of Highlands Golf Course and Jon Petersen, PGA of Miracle Hill Golf and Tennis Center joined Cortes de la Riva and Holly at two-under par for the day. These four gentlemen finished one better than Bryan Hughett, PGA of Norfolk Country Club and Robert Walker, PGA of Floyd Park Golf Course who rounded out the top-5 finishing at one-under par, 70. The Nebraska PGA would like to thank everyone who participated on Monday as well as Callaway Golf and the PGA Tour for their support of this yearâ€™s event. Click HERE for the complete results.

ClubCar Pro - 3 Am Jon Petersen, PGA of Miracle Hill Golf and Tennis Center and Shane Zywiec, PGA of Highlands Golf Course also continued their good play this year with a four-under par 68, which landed them in a tie for second place in the professional division. Petersen and Zywiec were both able to keep their good play going from a week ago as they both finished in a tie for first place in the Callaway Golf Pro/Pro/Pro. Petersen’s good play rubbed off on his teammates as they won the team division finishing at 16-under par. Bill Richards, Don Kroupa and James Borer joined Petersen to win by two shots over the three way tie at -14. The team format for this event was one net of four on the front nine and two net of four on the back nine.

Dennis Fruchtl, PGA Head Golf Professional at Riverside Golf Club tees off on the ﬁrst hole at the ClubCar Pro-3AM.

GRAND ISLAND, Neb- On a beautiful day at Riverside Golf Club, Nebraska PGA Professionals took a trio of amateurs to the course in the Club Car Pro-3AM. Several professionals took advantage of the perfect scoring conditions including Raul Cortes de la Riva of York Country Club who shot a six-under par 66, which was good enough for first place in the professional division and the assistants division. “I played good, really good,” said Cortes de la Riva after he finished his round on Monday.

Mike Schuchart, PGA from Wilderness Ridge Golf Club finished the day with a two-under par 70, which was good enough for a six stroke victory in the senior division. Schuchart finished the front nine at one-over par but bounced back nicely on the back nine with three birdies and zero bogeys. The Nebraska PGA would like to thank Club Car, Omaha Steaks, Riverside Golf Club and everyone who participated in this years event. Click Here for the complete results.

ClubCar Pro - 2 Scratch ASHLAND, Neb- Nebraska PGA professionals teamed up this week with some of the best amateurs in the area to play in the Club Car Pro2 Scratch at Iron Horse Golf Club. Ryan Vermeer of Oak Hills Country Club set the pace for the professionals with a four-under par, 67. Vermeer finished three shots ahead of second place after making six birdies. On a day that was cool and the winds gusted in the mid 20’s the 6,500 yard layout at Iron Horse Golf Club provided a great test to all that competed. One team finished on top after finishing at nine-under par, 74 that team included Nick Wanderscheid, Todd Sapp and Brandon Johnson. This week’s team format was one gross on the par 4’s and 5’s and two gross on the par 3’s. Mike Schuchart, PGA finished at top of the Senior Division for the second straight week after finishing with a two-over par, 73. Schuchart finished three ahead of Mike Cornell, PGA after his five birdie performance. The Nebraska Section PGA would like to thank Iron Horse Golf Club, Club Car and all of those that participated in this year’s Club Car Pro-2 Scratch. Click HERE for complete results. Nebraska Section PGA | 8700 Executive Woods Dr., Ste 100 | Lincoln, NE 68512 | Ph: (402) 489-7760 | Fx: (402) 489-1785 | www.nebraskapga.com

PING/ ClubCar Pro - 3 Am LINCOLN, Neb- The weather was spectacular on Monday for the PING/ Club Car Pro – 3Am at Hillcrest Country Club in Lincoln. Ryan Vermeer, Oak Hills Country Club, finished alongside Ted DiGiacomo, PGA of Council Bluffs Country Club at top of the leaderboard in the professional division at three-under par 69. This is Vermeer’s second consecutive week where he finished at top of the leaderboard. There was a four way tie at top of the team division who all finished at 17-under par 137 in the 2 of 4 net competition. These teams finished three shots better than their closest competitors. The winning teams consisted of:

Shane Zywiec, PGA- Highlands Golf Course Jim Hobbs Rich McLaughlin John Cole John Craw, PGA made his 2012 Nebraska PGA season debut with a bang after he finished at one-under par 71 to win the Senior division. Craw was one of only four professionals to finish under-par on the 6,913 yard layout. Raul Cortes de la Riva, York Country Club, was the fourth player to join Craw, DiGiacomo and Vermeer under par. The Nebraska PGA would like to thank Hillcrest Country Club and their staff, Club Car, PING, Vinnie Krikac of State Farm Insurance Agency and all of this year’s competitors. Click Here for all results.

Raul Cortes- York Country Club Doug George Mike Winquest Preston Jacobe Ted Digiacomo, PGA- Council Bluffs C.C. Eric Wison Tony Mersick Dan Sidzik Jon Petersen, PGA- Miracle Hill Golf & Tennis Ctr. Bill Richards Dick Boyer Don Kroupa

Cox Classic Points Race

Nebraska PGA Cup Series Points Race Current Standings as of May 1, 2012

Current Standings as of May 1, 2012

Place

Name

Total Points

Place

Name

Total Points

Raul Cortes

215

Shane Zywiec

249.85

Jon Petersen

180.75

Raul Cortes

246

Ryan Vermeer

178.25

Jon Petersen

234.75

Jim White

151

Ryan Vermeer

212.25

Kyle Schellpeper

137.25

Jim White

200

Click HERE for complete standings.

Omaha Steaks Holes of the Week Leaderboard Current Standings as of May 1, 2012

Place

Name

Score

Thru

Ryan Norman

-1

Ryan Vermeer

-1

Jim White

-1

Nathan Kalan

-1

Mike Fiddelke

-1

Click Here for complete 2012 Nebraska PGA Schedule

Event

Date

Yamaha Asst. Match Play Championship Tiburon GC - GWH - Omaha, NE

May 6 - Aug 1

Info

Callaway Golf Match Play Championship Firethorn GC - Lincoln, NE

May 6 - Aug 29

Info

Bushnell/Club Car Pro - 3 Am Champions Run - Omaha, NE

May 7

Info

TaylorMade/adidas Pro - 3 Am Fremont GC - Fremont, NE

May 14

Info

Callaway Golf Pro - 3 Am Wilderness Ridge - Lincoln, NE

May 21

Info

Mizuno Pro/Assistant Championship Oak Hills - Omaha, NE

May 29

Info

E-Z-GO Pro - 3 Am Platteview Country Club - Bellevue, NE

Jun 4

Info

Yamaha Pro - 3 Am Quail Run - Columbus, NE

Jun 11

Info

TaylorMade/adidas Pro - 3 Am Happy Hollow - Omaha, NE

Jun 18

Info

TaylorMade/adidas - Club Car Pro - 3 Am Firethorn GC - Lincoln, NE

Jun 25

Info

Mizuno/Club Car Pro - 3 Am The Country Club of Lincoln - Lincoln, NE

Jul 2

Info

Siouxland Golf Charities Pro - 3 Am Whispering Creek - Sioux City, IA

Jul 9

Info

Golf Fore The Troops Firethorn GC - Lincoln, NE

Jul 16

Info

Laser Link Golf Pro - 3 Am Oak Hills - Omaha, NE

Jul 23

Info

Registration

UPCOMING

ArborLinks, Nebraska City June 11-13 (54 Holes) Registration Deadline May 14, 2012 @ 11:59 EDT

DEADLINES

Divisions: Boys & Girls 13-15, 16-18

Registration Fee: $215.00

This series of events gives junior golfers the opportunity to play in a professionally run national junior event. Each event is nationally ranked in the Golfweek/Titleist Performance Index and the Junior Golf Scoreboard. Last year over 120 participants from 15 states participated in the PGA Junior Series event at ArborLinks. For more information on the PGA Junior Series CLICK HERE.

Updates between 4/1/2012 - 4/30/2012

NEW REGISTERED APPRENTICES Name

Facility

Class Registered

Hector Campos Willow Lakes Golf Course

B-8

4/13/2012

NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS Name

APRIL BIRTHDAYS Terry Riordan, PGA Bob Walker, PGA Nick Wanderscheid Mike Schuchart, PGA Todd Boeve, PGA Robert Thomason, PGA Scott Allacher, PGA Garrett Rathke Hank McFarland, PGA Joshua Kohn-Lindquist Bill Scarborough, PGA Brett Evans, PGA Tom Nelson, PGA Gerald Fitzpatrick, PGA Jim White, PGA Don Kruse, PGA Britt Ward, PGA Jon Petersen, PGA David James, PGA Mitch Merrill, PGA Mike Cornell, PGA Jen Smith, PGA

STAFF David Honnens, PGA Executive Director dhonnens@pgahq.com

4/1 4/2 4/2 4/6 4/7 4/8 4/8 4/10 4/11 4/11 4/11 4/12 4/15 4/16 4/16 4/22 4/23 4/24 4/25 4/25 4/26 4/28

Facility

Class Elected

Nicholas Larson, PGA Firethorn Golf Club

A-8 4/4/2012

Jerad Palmer, PGA

A-8 4/4/2012

Iron Horse Golf Club

William Schellen, PGA Dakota Dunes Country Club

A-8 4/1/2012

Mark Stava, PGA

A-6 4/1/2012

GolfTEC - Omaha

EMPLOYMENT CHANGES Name

Facility

Class Effective Date

Michael Brown, PGA

Sunset Valley Country Club

A-1

4/2/2012

Hector Campos

Willow Lakes Golf Course

B-8

4/3/2012

Adam Coates, PGA

Spencer Golf & Country Club

A-1

4/11/2012

Michael Fauver

Field Club of Omaha

A-6

4/1/2012

Maxwell Hadenfeldt

Scotts Bluff Country Club

B-8

4/1/2012

Nicholas Larson, PGA Firethorn Golf Club

A-8

4/4/2012

Lee Maiden, PGA

A-4

4/1/2012

Michael Melena, PGA GolfTEC - Park Meadows

A-6

4/17/2012

Jerad Palmer, PGA

A-8

4/4/2012

William Schellen, PGA Dakota Dunes Country Club

A-8

4/1/2012

Gregory Spence, PGA

Adams Golf

A-20

4/1/2012

Mark Stava, PGA

GolfTEC - Omaha

A-6

4/1/2012

Cross Creek Golf Links Iron Horse Golf Club

MAY BIRTHDAYS Joe Finnegan

5/2

Mardi Anderson, PGA 5/16

Tom Everett, PGA

5/3

Mark Mooberry, PGA 5/18

Scott Harmelink, PGA 5/7

Brian Steventon, PGA 5/18

Thomas Harmon, PGA Tournament Director tharmon@pgahq.com

Kyle Huse, PGA

Tom Potvin, PGA

5/21

Thomas Harmon, PGA 5/10

Kevin Doby, PGA

5/21

Tim Tafoya, PGA

5/13

Kirk Hogen, PGA

5/22

Renee Tyson Administrative Assistant rtyson@pgahq.com

Jon Hoesing, PGA

5/14

Tom Jeffers, PGA

5/25

Tim Kruse, PGA

5/16

Cliff Yohe, PGA

5/29

5/7