CPGA Spring Quarterly Magazine

CPGA OFFICERS

CHAPTER DIRECTORS

CHRIS BYRD, PGA President JOSH WAGAMAN, PGA Vice President

JEFF AVANT, PGA Secretary

BOB BYRNES, PGA Honorary President

MATT PAVIA, PGA Mountains (I) CHASE BUTLER, PGA Palmetto (II)

DERON LEE, PGA Lowcountry (III)

SAVIO NAZARETH, PGA Piedmont (IV)

KYLE KIRK, PGA Sandhills (V)

BARRY PIERCE, PGA Greater Charlotte (VI)

MATT DALY, PGA Grand Strand (VII)

JASON CHERRY, PGA Cape Fear (VIII)

ROB PILEWSKI, PGA Triangle (IX) JT SYMONS, PGA Atlantic (X)

CPGA PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Morgan Deneen, PGA Wins First CPGA Major of the Season

Morgan Deneen, PGA of Dunes Golf & Beach Club in Myrtle Beach, SC dominated the CPGA Players Championship contested at Oldfield Club in Okatie, SC. A field of 114 Carolinas PGA Professionals and Associates took on the course surrounded by white picket fences, Spanish moss, and a variety of horses and alligators alike Deneen had the low score of the first round with a bogeyfree card of 5-under, 67 There was a three way tie for second place after the first round at 4-under between Nick Rencis from River Run Country Club, Blake Childers from Quail Hollow Club, and Peter Skirpstas from The Links at Stono Ferry who featured an eagle on the par 5 fourth hole. Deneen kept calm under the pressures of starting at the top. He started round 2 at 5-under and wasted no time setting himself apart by firing four birdies in a row on holes 2 through 5. He kept a safe cushion from his competitors most of the round and fought his way to the Wells Fargo Championship finishing at 8-under for the day to seal the deal with an overall score of 13-under. Deneen represented the Carolinas PGA at the PGA Tour event at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Derek Watson, PGA from Carolina Golf Sales climbed his way to the second place position by carding an impressive nine birdies to finish 9-under overall. Scott Glaze, PGA from Congaree Golf Club went 4-under for the day to finish 7-under overall in the 3rd place position. Chris Haarlow, PGA from Precision Golf School finished in fourth place after an amazing round of 67 highlighted by an eagle on the par 4 twelfth The low round of the day went to Seth Sweet who skyrocketed up the leaderboard after carding eleven birdies Sweet finished tied for 5th place with Skirpstas and Seth Robertson from Hendersonville Country Club at 5-under

CPGA WOMEN'S PRO-PRO CHAMPIONSHIP

Weiland/Coleman Victory at Country Club of Landfall

It was a stunning day in Wilmington, NC at the Country Club of Landfall where twenty-three women competed in the XXIO CPGA Women’s Pro-Pro Championship. This one-day event brought out the best female players across the Carolinas to socialize, network, and compete in a team format. The team of Jenn Weiland from Kiawah Island Resort - Osprey Point and Madison Coleman, PGA from Lowcountry Custom Golf finished in the top spot at -1 after carding an impressive five birdies on the front nine and six birdies overall. The pair won the title after a playoff was contested between them and CC of Landfall’s own Meghan Holbrooks and The Grande Dunes Members Club’s Meggan Bunker. The playoff began on the Par 5 No. 1 hole where both teams made a bogey. After an incredible second shot from Jenn Weiland to five-feet from the pin, Weiland sunk the putt and won the playoff with a birdie on the Par 4 second hole. The pair of Melissa Greene, PGA from Pinewild CC and Sara Belger from Greensboro, NC finished in third place with an even par, 72 The support from XXIO is incredible and the Section is grateful to have them help create more playing opportunities for women in the Carolinas

The Official Carolinas PGA Podcast. An extension of our news brand with monthly updates on the happenings and excitements of the section. Earn PDR Credits by listening and then taking the quizzes on our webpage! carolinas.pga.com/podcast/

Season 2 Episode 7 "Super Show Recap"

It’s spring out there and we’re ready for golf season! CPGA Director of Operations Ben Weeks chats with CPGA President Chris Byrd, PGA about the Annual meeting, trustee program, section updates, and more! Ben also sits down with CPGA Director of Marketing Jess Hanson to recap the Special Awards and Honors dinner and the award committees.

Season 2 Episode 8 "All Things Assistants"

Join Director of Operations Ben Weeks as he catches up with our section’s own Joel Stark, PGA, Tyler Lucas, PGA, and Nick Wilhelm, PGA! The group dives into the Assistants’ Association, associate eligibility changes, how an assistant can make an additional $10,000 this year, and more!

Season 2 Episode 9 "PGA HOPE"

CPGA Director of Operations Ben Weeks has the pleasure of sitting down with PGA HOPE National Instructor Brian Oliver, PGA to recap the Spring PGA HOPE Training sessions as well as discuss the impact that PGA HOPE has had over the past few years.

Thank you to everyone who attended one of the 2023 Carolinas PGA Global Golf Sales Chapter Championships and Spring Chapter Meetings Presented by Signature Golf! Each meeting included Chapter update from their Chapter Director, Section updates from Director of Operations Ben Weeks, and education from Player Engagement Consultant

Frank Maynard, PGA, and Career Consultant Mike Mueller, PGA. Thank you to all of our partners who made these meetings possible: Global Golf Sales, Signature Golf, Next Round, and Srixon / Cleveland Golf / Asics.

Congratulations to all of our Chapter Championship winners!

CHARLOTTE CHAPTER

Aaron Black, PGA

MOUNTAINS CHAPTER

Seth Robertson

PALMETTO CHAPTER

Quinn Rogan, PGA Rohan Allwood, PGA

LOWCOUNTRY CHAPTER

Evan Hyma, PGA

GRAND STRAND CHAPTER

Billy Belair

CAPE FEAR CHAPTER

Grayson Arellano, PGA

SANDHILLS CHAPTER

Rick Bronson, PGA

PIEDMONT CHAPTER

Tyler Lail

ATLANTIC CHAPTER

Daniel Aros, PGA

TRIANGLE CHAPTER

Dalton Rich, PGA

Drew Kiger, PGA

WELCOME TO THE TEAM

QUARTER & HALF CENTURY MEMBERS

MARCH

Quarter Century:

Chris A. Edwards, PGA

APRIL

Quarter Century:

Eric C. Fickling, PGA

Brian P. Gordner, PGA

Walter H. Hall, PGA

Todd C. Miller, PA

Frank O. Ratcliffe, PGA

Alan P. Rowsam, PGA

Gregory M. Wrobel, PGA

MAY

Quarter Century:

Grant C. Beck, PGA

Half Century: Roger Watson, PGA

50 YEARS YEARS

25

RECENTSignings

The Carolinas PGA has signed or resigned several partners this Spring for 2023. These partnerships will elevate our tournaments with better purses and playing opportunities and we are extremely excited to have them on board with us to help serve the member and grow the game! Check out all of our Section Partners on our Partners Page here.

Blue Delta Jeans 2023

Bushnell Golf 2023-2024

Criquet 2023

Comcast 2023

CPGA Professional Championship

Las Vegas Pro-Am

Foresight Sports 2023-2024

Pro-Official Championship, Fall Teaching Summit, & Winter Teaching Summit

Istruzi 2023

Lowcountry Teaching Summit

Made By The Water 2023-2025

Players Championship ECCO 2023 Women's Championship

CPGA Professional Championship, Pro-Assistant Championship, & Pro-Official Championship

Relay Pro 2023

Fall Chapter Meetings

TRUE Linkswear 2023

Pro-Official Championship

Signs by the Sea 2023

CPGA Professional Championship

Skoni 2023

South Carolina Open

Synergy Systems & Solutions 2023-2024

North Carolina Open

Toptracer 2023-2024

Pro-Pro Championship

TurfHound 2023-2024

Wilson 2023

Assistants' Association Tournaments

THANKYOU.THANKYKYOU. .THANK NKYOU. .THAN ANKYOU. THANKYOU THANKYOU

$2,875 TO PGA REACH CAROLINAS

$1,800 TO PGA REACH CAROLINAS

$1,100 TO PGA REACH CAROLINAS

Thank you Evolve Golf, Next Round, & Global Golf Sales for supporting all of our Professionals in the Carolinas and also for growing the game via our three pillars of PGA REACH Carolinas: Youth, Military, and Diversity & Inclusion.

1100 100 00

YEARS OF THE CPGA

To celebrate the Section's 100th year, each month the Carolinas

PGA will be hosting a giveaway thanks to the support of our amazing Section Partners! The prizes vary from month to month and there are some excellent prizes to be had in the coming months! Congratulations to our winners so far and see below for an exclusive sneak peak at May's giveaway prize!

JANUARY

VIBE Bluetooth Speaker Tumbler - Josh S.

FEBRUARY

Maui Jim Sunglasses & Headcover - Gerald K.

MARCH

Wells Fargo Championship Swag Bag & Tickets - Jordan C.

APRIL

Lie + Loft Custom Illustration - Jess W.

MAY

Corkcicle Cooler & Drinkware - COULD BE YOU!

100YEARSOFTHECPGA

THE ROOTS OF THE CPGA

As 2023 dawns, there are nearly 28,000 members of the PGA of America and more than 2,100 within the Carolinas PGA, which is the largest of 41 regional sections within the umbrella group These dedicated golf professionals give lessons, manage golf shops, organize tournaments and in general perform a myriad of tasks to make the game enjoyable and spread the gospel of golf

But how did they get here?

The genesis of the PGA of America dates back to January 17, 1916, when a group of golf professionals and leading amateur golfers gathered Read More

NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT ON THE CAROLINAS

decade Donald Ross, who ran the golf operation at Pinehurst and would over his career design some 400 golf courses across the eastern half of the country.. Read More

THE ROARING TWENTIES

contested for a century

The Carolinas PGA Professional Championship is the competition restricted to the professional golfers of the two Carolinas Ralph Miner of New Bern Read More CAROLINAS.PGA.COM

The early 1930s were difficult years in the United States as the Great Depression rolled on No facet of life was spared the golf business included Leisure activities were quick to get the ax when the basic necessities of food, clothing and shelter were on the line.

Herbert Warren Wind in his book The Story of American Golf cited a 65 percent drop in club membership across America in the first half of the

He charmed James B Duke out of $5 caddie tips as a young boy.

He teamed with Sam Snead to win a professional tournament and once hit 114 shots across 10 miles from Lexington to Thomasville

He helped spread the game of golf by smuggling clubs into Italy and North Africa in World War II.

He helped Charles Sifford break the color barrier at the Greater Greensboro Open in 1960 and raised money to help a fellow pro like Skip Alexander recover from physical mishaps He answered to the nickname of “Doog” and to the appellation of “King of

THE FIFTIES EXPLOSION

y g

was a rabid golfer and played some 800 rounds while in office from 1953-60. The first nationally televised golf tournament was the 1953 Tam O’Shanter World Championship, and the explosion of TVs in American households over the decade dovetailed perfectly with the emergence of an exciting young golfer from Wake Forest College named Arnold Palmer

the Jungle” for his frequent trips to the forest in search of his wayward drives

There was certainly never a more colorful and influential figure in Carolinas golf in the mid-1900s than Dugan Aycock, the longtime head pro at Lexington (N C ) Golf Club and for at least 15 years the president of the Carolinas PGA.

As life in the United States settled down following World War II in 1945, Aycock was at the epicenter promoting the game of golf Read More

The LPGA was founded in 1950, and Golf Digest launched in 1953 Golf in the Carolinas was popping as well, and there were a number of talented and passionate club pros to shepherd the game along. Many worked their club jobs year-around Others split their time giving lessons and running member-guests with forays into the pro golf tour and the premier Carolinas PGA competitions such as the Carolinas Open and Carolinas PGA

Two of the most respected South Carolina club professionals and instructors of the era lived and worked within 80 miles from one another Melvin Hemphill at Forest Lake Club in Columbia and Grant Bennett at Florence Country Club

Bennett wore several hats with aplomb head professional, green superintendent and high school golf coach at McClenaghan High in Florence His teams at McClenaghan lost only one dual match from 195770. Bennett’s junior clinics every Saturday helped produce a vaunted talent pool for the high school team and the amateur tournament Read More

Harvick4HighSchoolGolf

The PGA REACH Carolinas Harvick4HighSchoolsGolf Program started in 2022 Funded by The Stewart-Haas Foundation and Nascar Driver Kevin Harvick’s Kevin Harvick Foundation, the Harvick4HighSchoolGolf program provides an opportunity for high school students to engage in the game of golf. Through this generous funding, underserved high schools are able to provide their young athletes with equipment, golf lessons, and anything else necessary to compete at the high school level. The goal of Harvick4HighSchoolsGolf is to help student athletes foster healthy lifestyles, learn teamwork, and gain valuable life skills obtained from competition This 2023 season, PGA REACH Carolinas and the Kevin Harvick Foundation are proud to support eight high school golf programs

In 2022, Harvick4HighSchoolsGolf supported four high schools; two in Guilford County and two in Mecklenburg County: James B. Dudley High School, Ben L. Smith High School, David W. Butler High School, and East Mecklenburg High School. In 2023, we are excited to have the opportunity and support from the Kevin Harvick Foundation to expand this program and add four additional high schools to this year’s

program: High Point Central High School, T Wingate Andrews High School, Independence High School, and North Mecklenburg High School.

While some of the golfers involved in Harvick4HighSchoolsGolf have played golf for many years, the majority of them are just starting out. This program pays for golf lessons from PGA Professionals in the area as well as supplies golf equipment to these new athletes. The hope is that these lessons will help speed up the earning process for these students, so that they can be competitive with their peers who may have had access to golf growing up The PGA REACH Carolinas Harvick4HighSchoolsGolf Program will continue its outreach this Fall as the women’s golf season begins as well.

In Guilford County, Bob Brooks, PGA takes on the role of facility host to two of our Guilford County Schools at Gillespie Golf Course while also providing golf lessons for these student athletes. Brooks is heavily involved with PGA REACH Carolinas, as he also supports our PGA HOPE and PGA Jr. League programs. This is Brooks’ second year instructing golf for our Harvick4HighSchoolsGolf program. In his first

year with Harvick4HighSchoolsGolf, Jim Nemeti, PGA, has given his time to provide lessons for our two new Guilford County Schools at Grandover Resort. Providing one on one lessons with the students, Nemeti is able to quickly make a difference in his first year with the program.

Mecklenburg County Schools in the program are provided lessons from three different PGA professionals: Mike Abate, PGA, Rushi Oza, PGA, and Jay Reid, PGA In his second year with Harvick4HighSchoolsGolf, Abate provides his facility at Charles T Meyers Golf Course and gives lessons to two Mecklenburg County Schools. Abate also supports PGA Jr. League and helped lead Team North Carolina to victory in the 2022 National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Championship!

In their first year with the program, Oza gives lessons to one school at Highland Creek Golf Club, and Reid teaches the other at Sunset Hills Public Golf Course. We are very thankful to have these PGA Professionals help our program, as they are making a difference in the lives of the student athletes they serve

REGISTRATIONISOPENFOR

FIND A QUALIFIER NEAR YOU

Sat, May 20 | Par Tee (West Colombia. SC)

Sat, May 27 | Methodist U., (Fayetteville, NC)

Sat, Jun 3 | Pinewild CC (Pinehurst, NC)

Sat, Jun 10 | Eagle Creek GC (Moyock, NC)

Mon, Jun 12 | Bryan Park GC (Greensboro, NC)

Wed, Jun 14 | Hope Valley CC (Durham, NC)

Fri, Jun 16 | Wildwood Green GC (Raleigh, NC)

Wed, Jun 21 | Willow Creek GC (Greer, SC)

Fri, Jun 23 | First Tee-Greater Charlotte (Pineville, NC)

Sat, Jun 24 | Cedar Rock CC (Lenoir, NC)

Tue, Jun 27 | Keith Hills GC (Lillington, NC)

Thu, Jun 29 | Mill Creek GC (Mebane, NC)

Thu, Jul 6 | CC of Landfall (Wilmington, NC)

Tue, Jul 11 | Legends GR (Myrtle Beach, SC)

Thu, Jul 13 | GC at Wescott Plantation (Summerville, SC)

Mon, Jul 17 | Maple Chase G&CC (Winston-Salem, NC)

Mon, Jul 24 | Stonebridge GC (Monroe, NC)

Thu, Jul 27 | Cross Creek Plantation (Seneca, SC)

CPGA ROAD TO AUGUSTA

Ou and Meade Take On Augusta National

Minlin Ou (Girls 7-9) from Shelby, NC made her way to Augusta National Golf Club after qualifying at the DCP Regional Qualifier at Quail Hollow Golf Club. Ou placed second overall in her age group at the Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday, April 2, 2023. Minlin was accompanied by her mother, grandmother, brother, and sister.

Slater Meade (Boys 12-13) from North Wilkesboro, NC made his way to Augusta National after qualifying at the DCP Regional Qualifier at Quail Hollow Golf Club. Slater was accompanied by his mother, father, and sister.

What is PGA.Coach?

PGA.Coach is the ultimate coaching resource that teaches PGA professionals about ADM, and how to apply the concepts to coaching golf

Why should a parent or someone looking to learn golf use PGA.Coach?

"Whether as a new player, junior golf parent or lifetime golfer, PGA.Coach is the ideal place to search for and find your next coach. When visiting PGA.Coach viewers will quickly be able to locate PGA Coaches in their area. View their bios, certifications, specialties and offerings. From there you can click on the coach's social media page(s) to get a feel for their personality and teaching style Once you find a coach you want to connect with, message them directly in the PGA Coach platform

All junior golf parents will be thrilled to know that everyone on PGA Coach is certified with the American Development Model The ADM has created an athlete centered framework with guiding principles to assist the coach and parents around the stages of athletic development Personally, I learned an incredible amount during my ADM training, and am thrilled to be equipped with more knowledge to work with young athletes

Often friends and family in other cities ask me how to find a great golf coach in their area and I always send them to PGA Coach If you live in the Lowcountry or you are headed to Hilton Head for vacation, connect with me on PGA.Coach, I’d love to help you with your game."

- AJ Gerlach, PGA, Director of Instruction at Moss Creek Golf Club

Why should a Golf Professional utilize PGA.Coach?

"PGA.Coach has been a huge boost to my teaching business. The ADM training was fantastic and the scheduler has been easy to use for my clients. I was really surprised by how many leads have come through the system each week! Many have bought lesson packages while some have become members at the club. This is a big help for instructors and I can’t wait to see more updates for PGA.Coach in the future!"

- Andrew Kiger, PGA, Director of Instruction at The Club at 12 Oaks

IN MEMORIAM

Purvis "Jim" Ferree Jr

June 10, 1931 - March 14, 2023

Carolinas PGA Hall of Fame member Purvis "Jim" Ferree, Jr. passed away earlier this spring at the age of 91. Jim built a reputation throughout the golf community as one of the best players tee to green and is continually noted by some of golf’s greats as one of the best ball strikers of all time

Durham Sherrill Austin

May 11, 1942 - April 23, 2023

Past President, Carolinas PGA Hall of Fame Member, Life Member and longtime friend to the section Sherrill Austin, PGA passed away in April. Sherrill had a talent and passion for golf and successfully made the sport his career. After attending Western Carolina University, he became a golf professional professional in 1964, starting as an assistant at Catawba Country Club in Hickory, NC. He then became head golf professional at Lake City Country Club, SC in 1965. In 1969 he returned to Catawba Country Club as head professional where he served for 19 years and became fondly known as “Pro”. In 1988, Sherrill proudly became Director of Golf at the renowned Wade Hampton Golf Club, in Cashiers, NC and retired after

16 years

Kristy Lynn Willis

March 20, 1970 – April 9, 2023

Kristy Lynn Willis, 53, passed away April 9, 2023 at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center, Myrtle Beach, SC. Kristy served the Carolinas PGA Section staff and members for almost a decade from 2002-2011

Mark Feaston Polk

June 7, 1960 - March 26, 2023

Former Head Professional at Monroe Country Club Mark Polk passed away this spring at the age of 62. Mark was loved by many during his time at Monroe CC and is survived by family and friends

UPCOMING EDUCATION

May 15th | 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Earn 4 PDR Credits

The Spring Teaching Summit will be held at the Orange Whip Headquarters on May 15. Presenters include Dr. Arnie Kozak, Ryan Smith, Kevin Britt, PGA & Sean Kennedy, PGA. This is a FREE seminar and there is an optional 9-hole team event afterward for a $50 fee at Smithfield Country Club.

June 13th | 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM

Earn 9 PDR Credits

The Lowcountry Chapter is hosting the second annual Lowcountry Teaching Summit at Colleton River Club on June 13th and registration is Open! We have an incredible lineup this year including Jason Sutton, Krista Dunton, Tim Cooke, James Hong, Jason Baile, and Jon Tattersall The fee is $100

ASSISTANTS' ASSOCIATION

The Assistants’ Association is a division of the Carolinas PGA Section. Our purpose is to prepare golf professionals for future success as PGA Members The goal of our Association is to elevate the standards of CPGA Assistant Professionals through mentoring, networking and promoting the game of golf. We will accomplish this by providing leadership, educational opportunities, tournament competitions and building personal relationships amongst Assistant Professionals in the community.

Learn More Here

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

MAY JUNE

15-16 NORTH CAROLINA SENIOR OPEN - TREYBURN CC

23-24 NORTH CAROLINA OPEN - THE CLUB AT LONGVIEW

HARRAH'S CHEROKEE PRO-AM - SEQUOYAH NAT & LAU RIDGE CC 6-7 8 TPC FREEDOM FOUNDATION PGA REACH CHARITY PRO-AM - TRUMP NAT CHARLOTTE

YAMAHA CAROLINAS GIRLS JUNIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP - THE CARDINAL 12-13

CPGA PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP - WACHESAW PLANTATION CLUB JULY 11-13

CAROLINAS

SOUTH CAROLINA OPEN - GRANDE DUNES MC

SIGNATURE GOLF IRELAND PRO-AM AUGUST

PRO-ASSISTANT CHAMPIONSHIP - RIVER LAND 1 CPGA WOMEN'S PRO-PRO SEPTEMBER CLUB CAR CPGA PRO-OFFICAL CHAMPIONSHIP - DANIEL ISLAND CLUB 11 CAROLINAS SENIOR OPEN - PILOT KNOB PARK COUNTRY CLUB 18-19

8-10

CAROLINAS OPEN - GREENSBORO CC FARM COURSE 21-22

CAROLINAS SENIOR PGA PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPDATAW ISLAND (COTTON DIKE COURSE) 21-22 CPGA WOMEN'S PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPDATAW ISLAND (COTTON DIKE COURSE)

5-6 17-18 SOUTH CAROLINA SENIOR OPEN - CAMDEN CC 9 LAS VEGAS PRO-AM - PAIUTE GOLF CLUB 30-11/1

BOYS JUNIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP - COLONIAL CC OCTOBER