January/February 2015 Topics Newsletter

Chip Shots

Topics Newsletter

NEW APPRENTICES

The South Florida PGA would like to welcome the following new apprentices to the section: Member Classification Facility Blake Hulett B-8 Sun N’ Lake Golf Club Valeria Ochoa B-8 Diplomat Golf Club Sean Biggs B-8 Verandah Golf Club Kyle Brennaman B-8 Mayacoo Lakes Country Club Joseph Midgett B-8 Gleneagles Country Club Jeffrey Muzio B-8 Monarch Country Club Stefan Pantu B-13 Toski-Batersby G Learning Ctr Daniel Strool B-8 Cypress Woods Golf & CC James Swagger B-8 Orchid Island Golf & Beach Club Jesse Wood B-8 Ft. Lauderdale Country Club Baker DeCamp B-8 Trump National Doral Ricky Lemon B-8 Hunters Run Golf & Racquet Cl.

NEW MEMBERS

The South Florida PGA would like to welcome the following new members to the section: Member Classification Facility John Murray, PGA A-8 The Old Collier Golf Club Bobby Ruzzi, PGA A-8 Don Law @ Osprey Point Josh Weaver, PGA A-6 The Breakers Ocean Course John Bednar IV, PGA A-8 BallenIsles Country Club Michael Buttacavoli, PGA A-3 PGA Tour Sean Fairholm, PGA A-18 Global Golf Post Robert Kusek, PGA A-8 Club at Mediterra David Pastore, PGA A-3 PGA Tour Jaimie Pierson, PGA A-8 The Sanctuary Golf Club Kevin Rossi, PGA A-8 Woodfield Country Club

CERTIFICATION COMPLETION

SOUTH FLORIDA SECTION 186 ATLANTIS BOULEVARD ATLANTIS, FL / 33462 PHONE / FAX 561-729-0544 / 561-729-0914 EMAIL sflorida@pgahq.com WEBSITE www.sfpgagolf.com PRESIDENT Warren Bottke, PGA VICE PRESIDENT Mark VanDyck, PGA SECRETARY Don Meadows, PGA IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Brian Peaper, PGA SOUTHERN CHAPTER PRESIDENT Chris Krause, PGA SOUTHEAST CHAPTER PRESIDENT Jim Leary, PGA SOUTHWEST CHAPTER PRESIDENT Dan Gawronski, PGA ISLAND CHAPTER PRESIDENT Aaron West, PGA

Congratulations to PGA Professionals Benjamin DeArmond and Evan Holewinski who have successfully completed the requirements for becoming certi- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Geoff Lofstead fied in Golf Operations.

QUARTER CENTURY CLUB

Congratulations to PGA Professionals Jeffrey Sarver and Jay Staton who have been elected to the Quarter Century Club of the PGA of America, an elite group of members who have served the PGA with honor and pride for 25 years.

HALF CENTURY CLUB

Congratulations to PGA Professionals Burl Dale, Dave Smith, Richard Stucklen, and Robert Zimmerman who have been elected to the Half Century Club of the PGA of America, an elite group of members who have served the PGA with honor and pride for 50 years.

ADVISORY BOARD Paul Anderson Rick Bayliss Steve Sponder Ken Kennerly Matt Lambert Peter Lund Joe Steranka

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Chip Shots PROS ON THE GO

Professional Nathaniel Manis, PGA Tom McClurg, PGA John Vicker, PGA Colin Gooch, PGA Matthew Martin, PGA James Muir, PGA Mark Cammarene, PGA Ray Sowers, PGA Vincent Grillo, PGA Tyler Clauson, PGA Mark Van Dyck, PGA James Nuchereno, PGA Robert Glickman, PGA Diane McHeffey, PGA Ernie Ruiz, PGA

To A-1 - St. Lucie Trail Golf Course A-4 - Highlands Ridge GC North A-1 - PGA Golf Club A-1 - Jupiter Country Club A-1 - Coral Ridge Country Club A-1 - The Links at Pointe West A-4 - The Links at Pointe West A-1 - Park Ridge Golf Course LM A-1 - Tiburon Golf Club A-4 - Ft. Lauderdale Country Club A-4 - Lexington Country Club A-1 - Polo West Golf Club A-13 - Florida Keys Country Club A-4 - LaGorce Country Club

Topics Newsletter From A-8 - PGA Golf Club Sun Country Section Wisconsin Section Southern California Section A-8 - Coral Ridge Country Club A-8 - The Polo Club A-1 - The Links at Pointe West A-1 - Okeeheelee Golf Course A-13 - Forest Oaks Golf Club A-8 - The Colony at Pelican Landing A-4 - La Gorce Country Club A-1 - Lexington Country Club unattached A-1 - Florida Keys Country Club A-4 - Weston Hills Country Club

IN REMEMBRANCE

We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of South Florida PGA Professionals, Josh Borrell, Joseph Sallette, Pete Reyburn and William Ferriel. In addition, Harry Dee, father of SFPGA Partner Tommy Dee of Yamaha, passed away on December 16th. Harry’s proudest professional achievement included being named New Jersey PGA Golf Professional of the Year in 1966. Our condolences go to Tommy and the rest of the Dee family.

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INTRODUCING THE NEW YAMAHA A.C.

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Chip Shots

Topics Newsletter

GENE FIEGER, PGA EARNS SENIOR PLAYER OF THE YEAR Gene Fieger, PGA Director of Golf at the Hideout Golf Club in Naples has earned the 2014 South Florida PGA Senior Player of the Year Award.

Fieger’s impressive year was highlighted by a win at the 25th Southworth Senior PGA Professional National Championship presented by Mercedes-Benz in April. This is the second consecutive year that Fieger has been named South Florida PGA Senior Player of the Year. He also earned SFPGA Player of the Year in 2000.

Fieger competed in numerous South Florida PGA events this season, rarely finishing outside the top-10. His season included: South Florida Senior Open (T4), Fort Lauderdale Open (Senior Division T1/Open DiGene Fieger, PGA vision T15), South Florida Open (T4), Florida Senior Open (T3), Senior Section Championship (T3), South Florida PGA Professional Championship/Section Championship (T7), and The Naples Beach Club Senior Open (T5). Fieger’s scoring average throughout these events was 71.1.

On a national level, Fieger won the 2013 Senior PGA Professional National Championship at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, which was postponed from its original date of November, 2013. He then traveled to Benton Harbor, Michigan to compete in the Senior PGA Championship. Most recently, Fieger finished T11 in the 2014 Senior PGA Professional National Championship at PGA Golf Club. As a result of his finish, he has earned a spot in the 2015 Senior PGA Championship, which will be contested at the Pete Dye Course at French Lick in French Lick, IN on June 28-July 1.

As the SFPGA Senior Player of the Year, Fieger has earned a spot into the Monday qualifier for the Allianz Championship, held February 2-8, 2015 at the Old Course at Broken Sound in Boca Raton.

PAUL SCALETTA, PGA TO COMPETE IN TWO PGA TOUR EVENTS PGA Assistant Professional at The Bear’s Club in Jupiter, Paul Scaletta will compete in the 2015 Honda Classic and Puerto Rico Open. As the 2014 South Florida PGA Player of the Year, Scaletta earned a spot into the Honda Classic, which will take place at PGA National Resort & Spa on February 26 - March 1. Winner of the 2014 South Florida PGA Section Championship, Scaletta also earned a spot into the Puerto Rico Open, which will tak place at Trump International Golf Club on March 5-8. We wish Paul luck as he competes against the top professionals from around the world!

Paul Scaletta, PGA

PARTNER UPDATE Omega has been named the presenting partner of the South Florida PGA Player of the Year and Senior Player of the Year Awards. Omega will provide the top finishers monetary gifts, based on their play for the season. More details of the partnership will be coming soon.

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Topics Newsletter

Chip Shots PAT PASSERS Congratulations to all SFPGA Apprentices and aspiring Apprentices who successfully passed their Playing Ability Test.

Thursday, December 4th - Park Ridge Golf Course Jared McNeill Stevie Anderson Steven Neville Matthew Badach Daniel Olsen Briana Carlson Trevin James Ray Sean Cleary Jonathan Rodriguez Nigel Fagan Joseph Rubino Fredrick Hager Bobby Ruzzi, PGA Jeffrey Hesse Kyle Schulte Patrick Jacobs Audry Longo

2015 TRAVEL PRO-AM This summer the South Florida PGA will travel to England for the Travel Pro-Am, July 25th to August 1st. This marks the first time the SFPGA will visit England, and it is going to be a great trip! The event is open to the first 18 teams, first come first served.

For more details click here.

WYCLIFFE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB HOSTS “BEAT NICK” On December 30, Wycliffe Golf & Country Club hosted their annual Junior Golf Clinic. This year, special guest and SFPGA Junior Tour Member Nick Staub was on-site to demonstrate his golf skills and challenge other juniors to put their games to the test.

Nick is a very talented junior golfer who has a deep passion for the game and an incredible work ethic. At the age of 11, he was won numerous tournaments throughout South Florida.

During the clinic, juniors listened to Nick discuss his experience as an accomplished golfer in South Florida and his passion for the game of golf. Nick’s talk with the other juniors was inspiring and was the highlight of the clinic.

TICKETS FORE CHARITY Looking to attend this year's World Golf Championship Cadillac Championship at Trump Doral Golf Resort & Spa March 4-8? If so we have a special offer for you!

You can purchase a good any day grounds ticket for just $40 through TicketsFORECharity and the proceeds will benefit the SFPGA Foundation. Click here to puchase your tickets.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH “Learn from the past, set vivid, detailed goals for the future, and live in the only moment of time over which you have any control: now.”

-Denis Waitley 6

Chip Shots

Topics Newsletter

PROCEDURES FOR ANNOUNCING INTENT TO RUN FOR SECTION OFFICE Members interested in running for Section office should make their intentions known by providing a written statement to Executive Director Geoff Lofstead no later than April 27th. Reigning Vice President Mark VanDyck and Secretary Don Meadows will be running for the seats of President and Vice President, respectively. Scott Kirkwood, PGA Director of Golf at Ocean Reef Club and Karl Bublitz, PGA Director of Golf at Grey Oaks Country Club have announced their intent to run for Section Secretary in the upcoming election.

All three offices will be an open election and if there is only one candidate for a respective office then that member will win the election by acclamation. Section Officers serve for 8 consecutive years, with a two-year terms as Secretary, Vice President, President and Immediate Past President. For the full copy of the election policies and procedures please click here.

MERCHANDISE SHOW

The 2015 PGA of America Merchandise Show will be held next week in Orlando, January 21-23 with demo day being conducted on the 20th. If you are in need of MSR credits, there are numerous opportunities for you to obtain credits while attending.

In addition to obtaining MSR credits, we encourage any SFPGA members attending the show to participate Short Game Challenge supported by Callaway Golf, Nike Golf and PING. For more details click here.

TOUR QUALIFIERS

The Fountains C.C. in Lake Worth will be hosting the Allianz Championship Pre-Qualifier on Thursday, January 29th as well as the Allianz Event Qualifier on Monday, February 2nd. PGA Members can register online HERE for $150. Old Corkscrew Golf Club in Estero, FL will be hosting the ACE Group Pre-Qualifier on Thursday, February 5th and as well as the ACE Group Event Qualifier on Tuesday, February 10th. Please click HERE to register online.

A Year In Reveiw

As the SFPGA begins a new year, we reminisce on the greatness of 2014! We encourage you to take a moment to view our 2014 Year in Review video filled with highlights from meetings, tournaments, foundation activities including our junior golf programming, and our annual awards and hall of fame dinner. Thanks to all of those who supported us throughout the year, including our partners, foundation donors, friends and section members! Click here to view the video.

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Foundation News

Topics Newsletter

SFPGA FOUNDATION AFFORDS A DESERVING FAMILY WITH A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

On Saturday, December 13th the South Florida PGA Foundation dedicated a home to a deserving family in Oakland Park just in time for the holidays. This dedication was the third one the SFPGA Foundation has been a part of since 2010.

From late May through September more than 50 PGA Professionals volunteered 700 hours to help build the home located in Oakland Park. In the audience during the home dedication, supporting the family were various members of the South Florida PGA Section and Foundation board, in addition two PGA Professionals who volunteered their time to help with the project.

Rohema Cortijo-Witten and Brian Golden, along with their three children AJ, Matese and Amari, were given the keys to their new home, just in time for the holiday season. On behalf of the family Rohema thanked all those in the crowd who made this day possible.

Perry Eaton, Tom Wildenhaus, PGA, Brian Golden, Rohema Cortijo-Witten and Warren Bottke, PGA

“It is moving to be a part of such a special occasion. To watch a family achieve their dream, knowing how hard they have worked is what this is all about,” said SFPGA Foundation President and PGA Professional Tom Wildenhaus.

UPCOMING HABITAT FOR HUMANITY PROJECT

The SFPGA Foundation will kick off its fourth Habitat for Humanity home project on Saturday, May 2nd in Collier County. More details and volunteer information coming soon…

NEW SFPGA SCHOLARSHIP New this year the SFPGA Foundation will be providing an additional scholarship to a deserving south Florida student. This $1,000 scholarship is named in honor of current SFPGA Foundation Vice President Michael O’Brien and is focused on service to the community.

For more details click here.

HELP SUPPORT THE FOUNDATION BY PLAYING GOLF As the SFPGA Foundation continues to grow annually, we heavily rely on the support of local organizations, facilities and members to support our programs and activities. For the third consecutive year we will be hosting PGA Golf Day affording members with an opportunity to get involved by playing golf. Participants will request donations to support their chosen charity as well as various initiatives supported by the Foundation. For more information click here.

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Foundation News

Topics Newsletter

QUAIL VALLEY PRO-AM As a kick off to Giving Tuesday; Quail Valley Golf Club hosted the 2nd Annual Quail Valley Holiday Pro-Am presented by Tire Kingdom supported by Heritage Creations and benefiting the South Florida PGA Foundation on Monday December 1, 2014. Ninety-two individuals competed in this event helping to raise close to $14,000 for the SFPGA Foundation.

Teams for the event were comprised of one professional and one amateur.

PGA Tour Professional Justin Hicks and amateur John Reynolds captured the low gross division firing a team score of 64. Hicks was also the low professional of the event with an impressive 69.

In the net division, professional Guy Boros and David Geiser were champions finishing with a 65 placing them in a tie with Dennis Satyshur and Jay Litty. Thanks to all those who participated in this event and to Don Meadows, PGA and the staff of Quail Valley Golf Club for being such gracious host. For further results click here.

Staff Update SFPGA HIRES NEW TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR, CHRISTOPHER GILKEY The South Florida PGA is excited to announce, Christopher Gilkey as our new Tournament Director.

ber of the men’s golf team and team captain.

Chris comes to the South Florida PGA from the Southern California PGA Section, where he served as a Junior Golf Manager for the last two years. In addition to his tenure with the Southern California PGA, Chris previously completed a Tournament Operations Internship with the Northern Texas PGA Section. An alumnus of Shepherd University in West Virginia, Chris was a four year mem-

In his role as Tournament Director, Chris will handle the administration and operation of all PGA Tour qualifiers, all players’ ability test, and all section tournaments.

Contact information: (561) 303-7680 - mobile phone cgilkey@pgahq.com

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SFPGA Junior Tour

Topics Newsletter

LEE AND JANIGA TAKE TOP HONORS AT CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT #10 November 15-16, the SFPGA Junior Championship Tour held event #10 at Mariner Sands Golf Club in Stuart. The final regular season Championship Tour Event of 2014 was welcomed with perfect weather to accompany an outstanding golf course.

Port St. Lucie native Wanjoo Lee opened up round one with a 1-under-par 71 round to take a two stroke lead over Wellington native Anthony Gabriele heading into Sunday’s final round. Gabriele, who has played outstanding all season, gave it all he had on Sunday but was not able to overcome Lee’s lead. Lee shot a final round 2-over-par 74 to take home the Overall Boys title.

Gabriele would go on to take home the boys 16-18 age division title. Boca Raton native Anthony Muttillo went on to take home the boys 13-15 age division title.

Wanjoo Lee, Tim McKenna, PGA and Mary Janiga

The Girls division featured an outstanding battle all season long between Wellington native Mary Janiga and Hallandale Beach native Valeria Sophia Pacheco. Janiga entered the tournament with only a 12 point lead in the Player of the Year race. Janiga opened up round one with an impressive 2-under-par 70 to take two stroke lead over Pacheco heading into the final round. Pacheco and Janiga had another great battle on Sunday as Janiga was able to shoot a 1-over-par 73 to take home the Overall Girls Title over Pacheco who fired a final round 2-over-par 74. Pacheco would go on to take home the girls 13-15 age division. Wellington native Emily Faulkner would go on to take home the girls 16-18 age division title. Thank you to Tim McKenna, PGA and his staff for hosting the event!

THANK YOU TO OUR SOUTH FLORIDA PGA JUNIOR TOUR PARTNERS FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! PRESENTED BY:

SUPPORTED BY:

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The Allianz Championship is an official PGA Champions Tour golf tournament that is played at the Old Course at Broken Sound, in Boca Raton, from February 2 – 8. All proceeds from the tournament benefit the Boca Raton Regional Hospital. Whether you prefer being on the grounds of championship golf course or relaxing and entertaining clients in our hospitality tents, you are sure to have a great time. Get your tickets today!

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SFPGA Junior Tour

Topics Newsletter

GABRIELE AND JANIGA WIN TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP AND PLAYER OF THE YEAR HONORS The 2014 South Florida PGA Junior Tour came to an exciting finish on December 7th at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie. 100 of the year’s top performing juniors met for one last tournament, the Junior Tour Championship. The field was comprised of the top 50 players from the Challenge Tour and the top 50 players from the Championship Tour. Mary Janiga and Anthony Gabriele, who both reside in Wellington, were able to cap off their outstanding seasons with victories at the Tour Championship. The win was also enough for each player to claim the Male and Female Championship Tour Players of the Year Honors.

South Florida Junior Challenge Tour members RyAnthony Gabriele and Mary Janiga der Sutcliffe of Jupiter, and Hannah Foster of Hobe Sound, put together an outstanding season on the Challenge Tour in 2014 to capture the Player of the Year Honors. Sutcliffe claimed five victories and Foster won three times.

The Challenge Tour boys 11-12 age division provided plenty of entertainment during 2014. After a close Player of the Year battle all season, Coral Springs native Brett Roberts was able to win his age division at the Tour Championship and propel himself into first place in the race for Player of the Year. The girls 11-12 age division featured Boca Raton native, Taylor Robers who was able to win seven times during 2014 and capture the Player of the Year Award.

Following the first round of the Tour Championship, player were invited to a banquet that featured SFPGA Junior Tour Alumni, Jaye Marie Green. Jaye discussed her experiences playing on the SFPGA Junior Tour and how she has worked her way to the LPGA Timothy Simpson, Ed Ficker, PGA and Emily Faulkner Tour.

In addition, end of the year awards were given out for Honda Classic Most Improved Player and Ed Ficker Sportsmanship Award. Jordan Reeves and Taylor Morgan received the Honda Classic Most Improved Award for their tremendous development over the past year. Timothy Simpson and Emily Faulkner were awarded the Ed Ficker Sportsmanship Award. This is given to one male and one female who handle themselves with great character at all times throughout the year.

Jordan Reeves, Jaye Marie Green and Taylor Morgan

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SFPGA Junior Tour

Topics Newsletter

JUNIOR TOUR PREVIEW

The South Florida PGA Junior Tour presented by the Honda Classic will start the season on February 7-8 at Madison Green Golf Club for the Championship Event #1. This year the Junior Tour will conduct 11 Championship Tour events, 13 Challenge Tour events, the Tour Championship, as well as the Junior PGA Championship which will be held at Boca Woods Country Club on June 17-18, 2015. This year’s Challenge Tour will feature a 11-12 year old age division, as well as the 13-18 year old age division, while the Championship tour will continue with the 13-18 overall age division. All of the South Florida PGA Junior Tour events will be ranked by the National Junior Golf Scoreboard Ranking System. The Tour will be traveling everywhere from Sandridge Golf Club in Vero Beach, to Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo.

With the popularity of the tour growing each Sachin Kumar year, membership is expected to be at an all-time high. The 2014 season saw a membership of over 500 juniors. We are anticipating a membership of nearly 600 juniors for the 2015 season. The Championship Tour will feature South Florida’s best rising golfers. Port St. Luice native Sachin Kumar, who is currently ranked 45th in the world on the Polo Golf Junior Rankings will headline the Boys Championship division, while Hallandale Beach native Valeria Sophia Pacheco will headline the Girls Championship division.

The South Florida PGA Junior Tour will also be looking to set new records with the birdie club program. The Birdie Club is a player performance based fund drive initiative developed to enable Junior Tour members to become involved in Valeria Sofia Pacheco community outreach by supporting the South Florida PGA Foundation. Through this program, juniors seek out pledges made in his or her name for every birdie he or she makes throughout the season, with all proceeds raised going to support the foundation. This year the Birdie Club is setting a goal of raising $10,000 for the South Florida PGA Foundation. To participate in the Bridie Club, click here.

COLLEGE SEMINAR The South Florida PGA will hold its annual College Seminar Saturday, January 17th, from 10 AM – 1 PM at Westchester Golf & Country Club in Boynton Beach.

Topics discussed include the PGA Golf Management University program, NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA rules and regulations, communications with coaches, recruiting process, resumes and videos, official and unofficial visits, and personal perspectives from a student athlete and a parent of a student-athlete.

Tara McKenna, PGA

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Employment

Topics Newsletter

MSR CYCLE ENDING JUNE 15, 2015 Congratulations to the 465 South Florida Section Members that have already completed their MSR requirements for the current cycle. For the other 692 of you, now is the time to finalize your plan to earn your MSR points before the current cycle ends.

Here are some suggestions for you to consider as you create your plan of action: • Ten (10) complimentary videos for required Education MSR’s to be found on PGALinks.

• Attend any Section or Chapter meeting, especially the Section Annual Meeting.

• Register for Certified Professional Program (CPP) and accumulate MSR Education credits for each module completed.

• Registering, promoting, conducting and reporting on Golf 2.0 Programs via PGA registration and reporting tools; examples include: • Get Golf Ready (2 credits per graduating class, minimum of three students per class) • Get Golf Ready 2 (3 credits per graduating class, minimum of three students per class) • Get Golf Ready Leagues/Outings (3 credits per reaching minimum thresholds) • Attend any of the PGA Education seminars offered in the Members Business Center during the 2015 PGA Merchandise Show. A total of 17 required MSR credits available. Seminar Schedule as follows: • •

January 21, 10:15 am – How to Find Job Opportunities (2 MSR Required Credits) January 21, 12:00 pm – Building Your Facility’s Player Development Strategy (2 MSR Required Credits) • January 21, 1:45 pm – CPP 2.0, MP 2.0, Legacy .. New Opportunities for PGA Members (2 MSR Required Credits) • January 22, 8:30 am – PGA Junior League (2 MSR Required Credits) • January 22, 10:15 am – Putting Your Best Foot Forward in the Job Search (2 MSR Required Credits) • January 22, 1:45 pm – Career Fitness for the 21st Century (2 MSR Required Credits) • January 22, 2:30 pm – Town Hall Meeting with Derek Sprague & Peter Bevacqua (1 MSR Required Credit) • January 23, 8:30 am – Marketing Tips to Create Player Development Customers (2 MSR Required Credits) • January 23, 10:15 am – How to be a Better Boss & Mentor (2 MSR Required Credits) Please contact me if you have any questions or if you need any help with employment or career planning!

Mike McCollum, PGA Employment Consultant 706.563.9773 – office mmccollum@pgahq.com

COMPENSATION SURVEY

The PGA of America requests your participation in helping to ensure that one of our Association’s most powerful employment tools remains effective for you and your fellow PGA Professionals. PGA members who complete the survey by March 20, 2015, can receive up to two (2) Member Service Requirement (MSR) credits. Your participation is the key to ensuring that your Section’s compensation information is valid and meaningful. Please note that MSR credit is not applied at the time of survey submission, but will be posted periodically throughout the course of the study with all MSR credits applied by the end of March. Click here to take survey.

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2015 PGA Merchandise Show FlightScope will be exhibiting at the 2015 PGA Merchandise Show. The event will kick off with Demo Day on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at Orange County National Golf Center with FlightScope demonstrating on Tee #5. During this time, FlightScope will also be hosting an academy from 11:00 am - 5:30 pm on the Tooth Course at Hole #9. Click Here to Register Orange County Convention Center will host the remainder of the show from Wednesday Friday (January 21-23). FlightScope will be exhibiting at Booth #373 and will be offering live demonstrations on the Equipment Testing Center (ETC) bays #37, 38, & 39, directly across from the booth. FlightScope will be introducing a new product for teachers and club fitters.

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Rules with Chris

Topics Newsletter

JUST A THOUGHT...

It seems as though every shot, every round, every tournament serves as a barometer of character that we continue to test throughout the course of our time on the course. The true test is not how we conduct ourselves in the light of success but how we hold ourselves in an environment of ill fortune. It is the personal and professional standards that we hold ourselves to that differentiate the good players from the bad regardless of skillset or club affiliation. The Rules of golf and the Decisions that guide them are set forth to develop an understanding of this test.

Last September I was running a Junior Golf event in Palm Desert, California where we had a player in contention on Sunday afternoon fly a ball onto the 16th green, which that day served as a short par 4 with water guarding the green to the front and bunkers to either side. His ball checked about 4 feet short of the hole and spun back down the false front and into the hazard (marked with yellow paint). Without hesitation he went to the side of the hazard near the green, pulled out his driver and measured two club-lengths no nearer the green where he dropped his ball. Without the presence of a rules official, he played his ball up to the hole and holed out making a difficult up and down look routine. At that point in the round he made his way to the 17th teeing ground a mere 2 shots off the lead looking to make a charge on the more than manageable Par 5 which he incidentally birdied. What he did not understand until our conversation in scoring after his round, was that the place in which he took relief from the hazard on 16 was not one of the two options that he had available at the time. He could have, under penalty of one stroke, and under Rule 26-1a proceeded under the stroke and distance provision of Rule 27-1 by playing a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played, or proceeded under Rule 26-1b in dropping a ball behind the water hazard, keeping the point at which the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball was dropped, with no limit to how far behind the water hazard the ball may be dropped. Decision 26-1/11 outlines that he incurred a penalty of one stroke under Rule 26-1. Furthermore, he was guilty of a serious breach of that Rule. He must, under an additional penalty of two strokes, rectify the error as provided in the second paragraph of Rule 20-7c or be disqualified. By teeing off on the 17th tee, he in turn did not correct his error in time and therefore was in serious breach of 20-7c and disqualified when he presented his case in scoring following the 18th green.

I mention this particular situation not because of the degree of difficulty of the ruling or the perplexity of the decision. I mention this situation because the player, upon discovering his error and the repercussions of his actions, looked up from his scorecard and thanked each of his fellow competitors and each staff member working that day for helping out with the tournament and providing a place for him to compete. He made no mention of his disposition; he made no excuses for his disqualification. Instead he took a simple lesson and turned it into an opportunity to hold himself in the same manner in which he would have upon hoisting the trophy. He taught ever player in the field the true meaning of character and that is the true mark of a winner. It’s not always the obstacles that we face that define us on the golf course, but how we handle ourselves in the presence of those obstacles.

Email me your rules situations at cgilkey@pgahq.com.

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New and Upcoming

Topics Newsletter

Junior Championship Tour Event #1 Madison Green Golf Club February 7-8 Honda Classic Pre-Qualifier Madison Green Golf Club February 17

UPCOMING SECTION EVENTS College Seminar Westchester Golf & CC January 17 Allianz Pre-Qualifier The Fountains CC January 20

Honda Classic Pre-Qualifier Fountains Country Club - North & Madison Green Golf Club February 18 Honda Classic Pre-Qualifier Fountains Country Club - North February 19th

Allianz Event Qualifier The Fountains CC February 2 ACE Group Pre-Qualifier Old Corkscrew GC February 5 ACE Group Event Qualifier Old Corkscrew GC February 10

Junior Challenge Tour #1 Sandpiper Golf Club - Club Med February 21-22 Honda Classic Monday Qualifier Mayacoo Lakes CC February 23 National Car Rental Foundation Pro-Am Fort Lauderdale Country Club March 23rd

EARN MSR CREDITS Looking for ways to earn more MSR credits? Volunteer your time with the upcoming South Florida PGA events.

PGA Members earn 1 MSR credit/hour they are able to volunteer.

SFPGA JUNIOR TOUR

PLAY GOLF AMERICA EVENTS

Junior Championship Tour Event #1 Madison Green Golf Club February 7-8

Allianz Championship Play Golf America Event The Old Course at Broken Sound February 6-8

Junior Challenge Tour Event #1 Sandpiper Golf Club - Club Med February 21-22

Women’s Golf Day Abacoa Golf Club February 21

Volunteers are needed to help with rules officiating and Pace of Play. Those interested in volunteering may contact Jake Weir at jweir@pgahq.com.

Volunteers will provide free instruction to those in attendance. If you are available and interested in assisting please contact Tori Stock at tstock@pgahq.com

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