Nebraska Newsletter - January 2016 by David Honnens

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Golf Professional of the Year Tony Pesavento, PGA – Omaha Country Club Teacher of the Year James Sieckmann, PGA – Shadow Ridge Country Club Facility of the Year The Players Club – Don Germer, PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Tom Johnson, PGA – Champions Run Horton Smith Nathan Kalin, PGA – Fremont Golf Club Youth Player Development Karrie Van Ravenswaay, PGA – The Ridge Golf Club Merchandiser of the Year – Private Nick Muller, PGA – Country Club of Lincoln Merchandiser of the Year – Public Joe Sutter, PGA – Quarry Oaks Golf Club Salesperson of the Year Brad Wuhs, PGA – The Loden Group (Martin Golf Apparel, Fennec Golf and Aptus Apparel;) Ouray Sportswear; Sport Haley and Bette & Court; SunIce Outerwear; Antas Belts & Trousers; PRG Golf Accessories Bill Strausbaugh Matt Shaner, PGA – Kearney Country Club Player Development Bob Baber, PGA – City of Omaha Parks & Rec. Patriot Award Jim White, PGA MP – Firethorn Golf Club OMEGA Nebraska Section Player of the Year Shane Zywiec, PGA OMEGA Nebraska Section Senior Player of the Year Troy Harder, PGA OMEGA Nebraska Section Apprentice Player of the Year Ryan Vermeer

Earn up to two (2) Member Service Requirement (MSR) credits for completing the 2016 PGA Golf Professional Compensation Survey The PGA requests your participation in helping to ensure that one of our Association's most powerful employment tools remains effective for you and other PGA Professionals. By completing the 2016 PGA Golf Professional Compensation Survey by March 31, 2016, you can receive up to two (2) Member Service Requirement (MSR) credits. MSR credit is now automatically applied upon completion of the survey with a summary of your responses available for your records. In an effort to continuously improve the survey experience for our members, we have streamlined many areas. Ideally, this will direct you to only answer questions that are relevant to your position. As a reminder, all survey responses are treated confidentially with results being reported only if there are five or more responses. To ensure your confidentiality, results continue to be shared in an aggregated format and not by individual. Your participation is key to ensuring that your Section's compensation information is valid and meaningful. Your support of this important PGA initiative is greatly appreciated.

The PGA of America Centennial celebrates PGA Professionals nationwide for their passion and contributions to grow the game of golf and enrich the lives of others. From Jan. 27 through May 4, Golf Channel’s “Morning Drive” will host 41 Section Spotlights that focus on grassroots efforts of PGA Members spanning charitable, social and educational endeavors.

PGA Section Spotlight Schedule Jan. 27 North Florida

Feb. 23 Midwest

Mar. 25 Wisconsin

Jan. 29 Gulf States

Feb. 24 South Florida

Mar. 30 Georgia

Jan. 31 Central NY

Feb. 27 Michigan

Mar. 31 Northeastern NY

Feb. 2

Nebraska

Mar. 1

Kentucky

Apr. 12 Aloha

Feb. 3

Southwest

Mar. 2

Indiana

Apr. 13 Carolinas

Feb. 9

Northern California

Mar. 8

New England

Apr. 15 Colorado

Feb. 10 Rocky Mountain

Mar. 9

Dixie

Apr. 20 Gateway

Feb. 11 Pacific Northwest

Mar. 10 Philadelphia

Apr. 23 Northern Texas

Feb. 14 Iowa

Mar. 11 Southern Ohio

Apr. 24 South Central

Feb. 15 Middle Atlantic

Mar. 15 Sun Country

Apr. 26 Utah

Feb. 16 Connecticut

Mar. 16 Illinois

Apr. 27 Minnesota

Feb. 17 Southern California

Mar. 17 Tri-State

May 3

New Jersey

Feb. 19 Tennessee

Mar. 23 Southern Texas

May 4

Metropolitan

Feb. 21 Northern Ohio

Mar. 24 Western NY

Last summer, Firethorn Golf Club hosted the Golf-FORE-The Troops Golf Tournament and raised $2,500. These funds were generously donated to the UNO Military and Veteran Services for needs-based scholarships for students.

Established in 1986, the program provides college scholarships for children and grandchildren of PGA members. Last year alone, this program awarded 128 scholarships totaling $301,000. The kinship of the PGA is truly exemplified in this initiative, with members contributing more than $150,000 in 2015. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a benefit you should not pass up. The application is located here: http://apps.pga.org/scholarship/. Deadline date for submitting a completed application: March 1, 2016 Deadline date for transcript and supporting documents to be in hand at the PGA: March 18, 2016

Tony Pesavento, PGA 2015 Nebraska Section PGA “Golf Professional of the Year” Tony Pesavento, PGA, Head Professional at Omaha Country Club, was selected for the Section’s highest honor bestowed on a PGA Member as the 2015 Nebraska PGA Golf Professional of the Year. Pesavento was elected to membership into the PGA of America in August of 1983. Pesavento’s professional career began at Skyline Woods Country Club, then Platteview Country Club, Field Club of Omaha and to Omaha Country Club, where he has served as the Head Professional since 1993. Pesavento qualified for the PGA Club Professional Championship in 1985 and was also the runner-up in the Section’s Match Play Championship that same year. Over the years, Pesavento has teamed up with numerous amateurs and PGA professionals to capture Section team events. He also holds the course records at Skyline Woods and formerly Field Club of Omaha. In addition to his stellar playing career, Pesavento has been recognized as the Bill Strausbaugh Award winner in 1989, 1991, 1994-95, 2000 and 2004. He also was named Professional of the Year in 1991. Most recently in 2013, Omaha Country Club was recognized as the Facility of the Year in the Nebraska Section PGA. Pesavento’s contributions to the Nebraska Section PGA span four decades and during this time frame he has served on every single committee and an at large member of the Section Board of Directors. Pesavento’s time as a Section officer has also come full-circle as he held the office of President from 1989 to 1991 and 2015 and concluding in the fall of 2017. As an officer of the Section, Pesavento was instrumental in diversifying the Sections financial portfolio that resulted in considerable growth since 2012. As co-chair of the Sections Scholarship committee, Pesavento established a new policy to ensure the children and grandchildren of Nebraska Section PGA Professionals would have an opportunity for financial assistance to attend a college university. Omaha Country Club also hosted arguably one of the most successful U.S. Senior Opens in history in 2013. Pesavento was instrumental in creating the U.S. Senior Open junior golf experience that featured over 90 PGA Members volunteering over 300 hours of instruction to over 1,400 youth during this major championship. As President of the Nebraska Section PGA, Pesavento’s desire to see the next generation of golfers come to the game is evident in the Section establishing TEAM Golf and the YMCA PGA Sports Academy. Omaha Country Club was one of the first facilities to help organize and facilitate a team of junior golfers to take part in the TEAM Golf concept that launched in 2014. In just its second year, TEAM Golf now has over 50 PGA recognized facilities with over 450 youth ages 7 to 13 taking part in this exciting team format. The YMCA PGA Sport Academy program was a pilot program in 2015 through the Nebraska Section PGA Foundation. This program introduced young athletes to golf by an all PGA Professional staff. 165 youth ages 7 to 14 took part in this pilot program. It gave them access to the “FORE Membership” card (sponsored by the Nebraska Golf Association) which allowed them to play golf with an adult at the five Lincoln City Golf courses for $3-$4. This YMCA PGA Sport Academy will be expanding to other markets within the Nebraska Section PGA in 2017. Pesavento embodies the PGA of America’s mission in establishing and elevating the standards of the profession and growing interest and participation in the game of golf. This latest achievement solidifies these accomplishments. Nebraska Section PGA | 610 J Street, Ste 10 | Lincoln, NE 68508 | Ph: (402) 489-7760 | Fx: (402) 489-1785 | www.nebraskapga.com

The above title is something I learned from a teacher friend. When standing in front of a room of kids she states the importance of “teaching like your hair is on fire.” This is because she has seen a shift toward kids with shorter attention spans. She has to keep moving, changing topics and trying different methods all in one class. This isn’t isolated… a survey of teachers by the Huffington Post found that 87% feel kids today are more distracted and working with shorter attention spans. It goes on to show how children today have grown up with information instantly accessible and delivered in an entertaining format. This along with many other cultural shifts has been attributed to this shorter attention span. As golf instructors we have noticed this shift as well. During camps and clinics we are charged with teaching a difficult sport to these juniors over a long period of time in an area with endless distractions. As golf professionals, I feel we have done a great job adapting through a new style of group instruction which includes your traditional golf instruction as well as new near-golf equipment, contests, fitness and games. Games can be an instructor’s best friend as they serve to motivate, entertain and teach junior golfers. Games also have the young golfers leaving our camps and clinics with an excitement to return that makes the parents happy. Below are a few games which professionals and staff have utilized which have proven to be fun and educational. Hopefully they can help as you prepare your lesson plans for the upcoming season. Putting Tic-Tac-Toe This game mirrors its namesake and the game we grew up playing in elementary school. Tic-tac-toe grids are created on the putting green using baby powder or string. The size of the grid should fit the skill level you are working with (smaller = skilled….larger = beginner). A starting point for putting is created where golfers or teams of golfers take turns. Each side can create their own ball design using different colored sharpies or different color balls can be used. The golfers take turns, the first ball in a grid spot keeps that spot and the first side to connect three in a straight line wins. This game is great for teaching lag putting, accuracy and distance control Golf Bowling Another putting game, golf bowling has been a favorite in the YMCA PGA Sports Academy Program. Bowling diamonds are set as shown here and can be changed to fit every skill level. For beginners we often use tennis balls for the bowling ball and cones for the pins. For more skilled players I have used a traditional golf ball for the bowling ball and coasters for the pins. Teams are created and split in front of different diamonds but all start equal distance from the pins. Golfers in each line take turns putting. If you hit a pin the putter must set down the putter, run to retrieve the pin and return it to their starting line. You can only pick up the first pin you strike. The first team to clear all pins is the winner! This game is great for fitness as well as putting accuracy. Safety is important so you can have time-out penalties for throwing or running with a putter. Blindfolded Putting Course A unique twist on a traditional game we all play. The game is played as always by creating a putting course on your practice green. Starting points for each hole can be identified by tees, markers or baby powder. Golfers compete over a 4, 6, 9-hole course with lowest amount of strokes taken winning. The twist is this game is done in teams where the putter is blind folded and teammate is responsible for telling the putter where to aim and how far to hit the putt. Kids have a great time playing and watching while it helps golfers work on their putting stroke and feel for distance.

Five Hundred This game mirrors the one we played in football as kids. In the traditional game a player would call out a number (100, 200, 300, 400 or 500) and throw the ball into a group of players. The player who caught the ball receives the points called out. When a player in the catching group earned 500 points they would be next up to throw. The golf version is the same except a tennis ball or stress ball is used. A sand wedge or SNAG club is used to hit the ball. Players in the field can use those Velcro mitts sold as a beach tool or simply catch the ball by hand. This game is used to entertain kids while also teaching the pitch shot. Open Field Speed Golf Speed Golf game for intermediate to advanced golfers (junior and adult). This game requires an open area (closed driving range works great), three hula hoops, three sets of tees, stopwatch and soft practice golf balls like those made by Almost Golf or Callaway. Create three holes anywhere from 30 yards to 125 yards in a triangle pattern that begins and ends where the participants can gather. The tees indicate where to start each hole and the hula hoops are the holes. A ball is holed when it comes to rest inside the hula hoop. After a ball is holed they move to the next tees located usually within 10 yards of the prior holes hula hoop. A golfer using only one club (iron) must complete all three holes as quick as possible. Each stroke they take is 10 points and each second they take is 1 point. The player with the least amount of points is the champion. This game is best played individually with juniors as they are using real clubs. If you have adults you can also play in teams using an alternate shot format. This is a great fitness exercise as well as full swing and chipping practice. It is amazing how well kids do chipping and in full swing when they are competing and not overthinking. The Claw Machine A great game for the final day of a junior golf camp, The Claw Machine is named after the claw machine we see in grocery stores and pizza places. Prizes are spread randomly around the green (usually the better ones further away). Two ways of doing this…have the actual prize on the green surrounded by a chalk or string circle. The other way is to have construction paper circles with the prize written on them or string/chalk circles without the prize and a note saying what it is worth. Young golfers chip or putt and if their ball comes to rest in the circle they win that prize. Prizes usually consist of all that random stuff we usually hand out to them anyway but these feel rewarded winning them. Other ways I have seen this game played is by giving kids tokens during junior golf camp when they do something good or behave. They can then cash these tokens in for chips or putts in The Claw Machine. I have also seen this done by having circles on the practice green with point totals in each one (larger points the further you get or smaller the circle). Kids can then use those points to “purchase” prizes which are given point values. This game can be considered a chipping/putting drill but really just something fun for the kids at the end of camp.

If you have any fun games please don’t hesitate to send it my way at JCanny@pgahq.com. We’d love to feature these in future best practices. Best of luck to all of you this upcoming season in the junior golf space and I look forward to seeing you out there! 8

It is with great excitement that we welcome our Sectionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new PGA of America Employment Consultant, Cory Fletcher, PGA. Cory is a 22-year PGA Member, Past-President of the Nebraska Section PGA and multiple award winner (Golf Professional of the Year and two-time Horton Smith.) As you might expect, there is a training and transition period taking place right now for Cory. Bruce Lubach, PGA, will continue to serve our Section for the time being and Cory will be following up in the near future to the membership when this transition is complete. On behalf of our Association, thank you for your support and patience in this transition and please help us welcome Cory as our new PGA of America Employment Consultant.

Four major rules changes have now been implemented in the Rules of Golf. The most major change prohibits anchoring while making a stroke. Rule 14-1b, "Anchoring the Club," prohibits anchoring a club during the stroke, either “directly” or by use of an “anchor point.” The penalty is loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play. Long putters still can be used. However, they can’t be anchored to the body. Appendix II to the Rules of Golf, "Design of Clubs," is quite thorough. Appendix II: Clubs 1c states: “The overall length of the club must be at least 18 inches (0.457 m) and, except for putters, must not exceed 48 inches (1.219 m).” It meant the governing bodies would have faced a backlash had they banned long putters, so they had to come up with language to limit their use. This new rule does that. The ongoing revolution of modern TV and video cameras has forced the renovation of Rule 18-2b, "Ball Moving After Address." Previously a player could be penalized if a ball at rest had moved after it had been addressed, even if the player had NO way of knowing with the naked eye that the ball had moved. Padraig Harrington was unfortunately caught in a terrible situation back at the 2011 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship After what appeared to be an opening round 65, TV viewers called in after his ball was deemed to have moved on the seventh green. Harrington was unaware the ball had moved until slow-motion replays showed that it had moved by the slimmest of margins. Because Harrington did not add the then-required two-stroke penalty, he was disqualified for having signed for a score lower than he actually had taken. In 2016, if a ball at rest moves after address, the player is not automatically deemed to have caused the ball to move. A one-stroke penalty under Rule 18-2 will be applied only when the player was the one who did in fact cause his/her ball to move and the ball must be replaced to its original condition. The change to Rule 18-2 goes hand in hand with the rewriting of Rule 6-6d, "Wrong Score for Hole.” A player will not be disqualified for returning a lower score for a hole than actually taken if the incorrect score is a result of failing to include penalty strokes that the player did not know were incurred before returning the scorecard. Under the new rule, the player incurs the penalty under the rule that was breached and must add an additional penalty of two strokes for the scorecard error. In all other cases in which a player returns a score for any hole lower than actually taken, the penalty will continue to be disqualification. Finally, Rule 14-3, "Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment and Unusual Use of Equipment," has been modified. Previously, players were automatically disqualified for using such devices if the conditions of the competition deemed them illegal. The penalty for a player’s first breach of Rule 14-3 (Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment and Abnormal Use of Equipment) during the round has been reduced from disqualification to loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play. The penalty for any subsequent breach of Rule 14-3 will continue to be disqualification.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – In conjunction with the 63rd PGA Merchandise Show’s kickoff to the PGA Centennial celebration, on Jan. 26 the PGA of America unveiled “#ThxPGAPro,” a special grassroots commemorative program, designed to pay tribute and showcase the extraordinary impact of PGA Professionals. The #ThxPGAPro campaign shares first-person accounts from a full range of golfers—PGA Tour pros, amateurs and junior golfers—who shine a light on the PGA Professionals who inspired, mentored and coached them to achieve success both on and off the course. The PGA selected Atlanta-based Ideas United to develop and produce the Centennial Celebration marketing campaign, which consists of a series of TV, radio, print and digital spots. The campaign includes public service announcements to be broadcasted on NBC, CBS, Golf Channel, Turner and other broadcast partners, as well as social media outlets. Meanwhile, golfers and employers everywhere are invited to upload videos, photos and messages throughout the year to tell their story in support of their favorite PGA Professional at ThxPGAPro.com or on their social channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) using #thxpgapro. “PGA Professionals have a tremendous impact on the lives of golfers nationwide, serving as a coach, mentor, trusted friend and a source of inspiration,” said PGA of America Chief Commercial Officer Jeff Price. “As we launch our Centennial celebration, #ThxPGAPro is a special opportunity for golfers of all ages and abilities to pause and offer their appreciation for the amazing work that PGA Professionals do to grow and teach the game.”

It is rumored that, shortly after the Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Clemson Tigers for the 2015 National Championship, Clemson Coach Dabo Sweeney challenged Alabama Coach Nick Saban to a rematch consisting of a round of stroke play the next morning. In this month's quiz, your task is to help these two coaches by rendering the correct rulings in the following situations: 1. Due to the Alabama celebrations extending through the night, Nick had to rush to the course, and did not realize that he had 15 clubs in his bag until just before their tee time. As there was no time to return and leave the extra club in the golf shop, he told Dabo that he was taking his long putter out of play for the round and placed it on the floorboard of his golf cart. What is the ruling? (a) Nick is penalized two strokes on the 1st hole and another two strokes on the 2nd hole for carrying too many clubs. (b) Nick is only penalized two strokes on the 1st hole. (c) There is no penalty. (d) Nick is disqualified. 2. Without his long putter, Nick elected to putt and chip with his 3-wood during the round. In doing so, he would occasionally position the top of the grip against his left bicep, and then clamp his right hand against his left forearm to hold the shaft in place during the stroke. What is the ruling? (a) This method of making a stroke is permissible for chipping strokes only. (b) Nick incurred a one-stroke penalty every time he made a stroke in this manner. (c) There is no penalty. (d) Nick incurred a two-stroke penalty every time he made a stroke in this manner. 3. Dabo nailed a 3-wood for his second shot on the par-5 4th hole, but his ball disappeared in an area of tall grass. As he neared the area, he sensed that his ball might not be found even though there were some spectators searching for it. He turned around and walked back to where he last played, announcing that he would be playing a provisional ball. Just after he dropped a ball, a spectator shouted that he had found the original ball. What is the ruling? (a) Dabo may continue play with the original ball. (b) Dabo must play the dropped ball under penalty of stroke and distance. (c) Dabo may play the dropped ball as a provisional ball just in case the spectator did not actually find his ball. 4. Dabo's approach shot to the 13th green ends up on the edge of the fringe, just behind his pitch-mark on the green. In the process of repairing the pitch-mark, Dabo accidentally causes his ball to move. Before playing his next stroke, Dabo replaces his ball. What is the ruling? (a) Dabo incurs a two-stroke penalty for repairing the pitch-mark since his ball was not on the putting green, and another penalty stroke for causing his ball in play to move. (b) Dabo is permitted to repair the pitch-mark, but he is penalized one stroke for causing his ball to move. (c) There is no penalty.

Answers: 1. (c)

Revised Decision 4-4c/1 [Excess Club Declared Out of Play Before Round] points out that, in these particular circumstances, (i.e., the discovery was made shortly before the round, the player had 15 clubs, having the extra club was inadvertent, and the player declared one of the clubs out of play), Nick is not considered to be carrying the extra club, even though it is physically in his possession in the golf cart.

2. (d)

New Rule 14-1b [Anchoring the Club] states, "In making a stroke, the player must not anchor the club, either "directly" or by use of an "anchor point." In stroke play, the penalty for breaching this Rule is two strokes. Note 1 to this Rule indicates that holding a club against one's hand or forearm is permissible. New Decision 14-1b/3 [Explanation of "Forearm" in Relation to Rule 14-1b] advises that, for purposes of Rule 14-1b, "forearm" is the part of the arm below the elbow joint and includes the wrist.

3. (a)

According to new Decision 27-2a/5 [Player Intends to Drop Provisional Ball After Search for Original Ball Has Commenced; Original Ball Found Within Five Minutes Before Dropped Ball Played], as Dabo had gone forward to search for his original ball, he was no longer entitled to play a provisional ball under Rule 27-2a. Consequently, the procedure adopted by Dabo when dropping the ball was not in accordance with the Rules. Therefore, he was entitled to correct his error under Rule 20-6 and continue play with the original ball, without penalty, from where it was found.

4. (c)

Rule 16-1c [Putting Green: Repair of Hole Plugs, Ball Marks and Other Damage] states, in part, "The player may repair... damage to the putting green caused by the impact of a ball, whether or not the player's ball lies on the putting green. If a ball... is accidentally moved in the process of the repair, the ball... must be replaced. There is no penalty, provided the movement of the ball... was directly attributable to the specific act of repairing... damage to the putting green caused by the impact of a ball.

02/01 02/01 02/03 02/08 02/12 02/16 02/16 02/20 02/24 02/25 02/25 02/26 02/26

David Honnens, PGA Executive Director dhonnens@pgahq.com

Sean Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill, PGA Tournament Director soneill@pgahq.com

Jesse Schellen, PGA Rob Brown, PGA Mike Ten Eyck, PGA Bentley Benson, PGA Sid Holtmeier, PGA Jacob Pribnow, PGA Brian Radebaugh Nick Muller, PGA Brett Mayo, PGA Steve Boveia, PGA Scott Holly, PGA Ron Gunia, PGA Bob Saffer, PGA

Joe Canny, PGA Junior Golf Director/ Player Development Coordinator jcanny@pgahq.com

Renee Tyson Operations Manager rtyson@pgahq.com