June Topics Newsletter

chip shots New Apprentices The South Florida PGA would like to welcome the following new apprentices to the section: Member Classification Facility Michael Hatton B-8 Raptor Bay Golf Club Michael Lamere B-8 Sun N’ Lake Golf Club Kenneth Leech B-6 Don Law GA @ Osprey Point Nicholas Ondriska B-14 GolfTec Naples Adam Scrimenti B-8 Plantation Preserve Golf Club James Tierney B-8 The Sanctuary Golf Club Matthew Woods B-8 Bonita Bay Club Naples Jeffrey Woody B-8 The Links at Fisher Island

New Members

The South Florida PGA would like to welcome the following newmembers to the section: Member Classification Facility Mark Blair, PGA IN Nolan Henke, PGA A-3 PGA Tour

Quarter Century Club

TOPICS NEWSLETTER 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 Mark VanDyck, PGA VICE PRESIDENT Don Meadows, PGA SECRETARY Karl Bublitz, PGA IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Warren Bottke, PGA SOUTHEAST CHAPTER PRESIDENT Jim Leary, PGA SOUTHERN CHAPTER PRESIDENT Chris Krause, PGA

Congratulations to PGA Professionals Bob Allen, Chris Masterson and Robert Vairo, Jr. who have been elected to the Quarter Century Club of the PGA of America, an elite SOUTHWEST CHAPTER PRESIDENT group of members who have served the PGA with honor and pride for 25 years.

Christian Sheehan, PGA

Half Century Club

ISLAND CHAPTER PRESIDENT Aaron West, PGA

Congratulations to PGA Professional Robert Shave who was elected to the Half CenCHAPTER AT-LARGE tury Club of the PGA of America, an elite group of members who have served the PGA SOUTHEAST Steve Hudson, PGA with honor and pride for 50 years.

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

Royal Palm Country Club - Naples, Fla. Thursday, May 21, 2015 Michael Bailey Brian Curran Caitlin Huiting Micah Jacobsen Tim Knowles Brian LaCroix Andrew Ley Robert Thorngate

SOUTHERN CHAPTER AT-LARGE Scott Kirkwood, PGA SOUTHWEST CHAPTER AT-LARGE Dan Gawronski, PGA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Geoff Lofstead ADVISORY BOARD Paul Anderson Rick Bayliss Steve Sponder Ken Kennerly Matt Lambert Joe Steranka

2

chip shots

Jim Staub, Mark VanDyck, PGA, Nathan Oberle, Warren Bottke, PGA, David Kelly, Geoff Lofstead, Bill Gordon

TOPICS NEWSLETTER Florida Club Car Branch Earns Award

The Florida branch for Club Car recently received the “Superior Branch Performance”, making Club Car the #1 Branch in the country. This award was given out at the International Sales Meeting in January. The South Florida PGA’s Club Car representatives include: Jim Staub, Nathan Oberle, David Kelly, Keith Miller and Bill Gordon.

Congratulations to all!

SFPGA Welcomes Three New Interns The South Florida PGA recently welcomed three Tournament Operations Interns for the summer. Samantha Smolen, a Lake Worth native, recently graduated from Lynn University where she competed on the Women’s Golf Team. Her team won two D-2 National Championships and this year she placed third individually. Samantha is a former South Florida PGA Junior Tour member and also interned with the SFPGA last summer. She will assist with the Junior Tour this year.

Caitlin Huiting, a Pompano Beach native, recently graduated from Seminole State College where she competed on the Women’s Golf Team and recently won the NJCAA National Championship. Previously, Caitlin assisted at the Don Law Golf Academy and the US Kids Golf Tour. She will assist with tournament operations at Section Events.

David Hoyt, a Fort Myers native, is a current student in the Florida Gulf Coast University PGA Golf Management program. Previously, David served 4 years with the United States Coast Guard followed by 27 years with the United States Navy.

He will assist with the Team Golf Program.

Member Joe Conforti , PGA Dusti n Irwin, PGA Chuck Knebels, PGA Chad Kurmel, PGA Andrew Michael, PGA Tommi Ylijoki, PGA

To A-1 - The Club at Pelican Bay A-4 - Turnberry Isle Unattached Michigan Section A-4 - Jacaranda Country Club A-4 - Delray Beach Golf Club

Steve Madsen, PGA to Compete in US Senior Open

Pros on the Go

From Unattached Southern California Section Georgia Section A-4 - Boca Grove Golf & Tennis Club A-1 - Jacaranda Country Club A-1 - Orangebrook Golf Course

Congratulations to SFPGA Life Member Steve Madsen, co-medalist during the recent US Senior Open qualifier at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. Madsen will head to Sacramento, CA to compete in the championship being contested at Del Paso Country Club June 22-28.

3

chip shots

TOPICS NEWSLETTER

Southwest Chapter Awards

On Monday, May 11, during the Southwest Chapter meeting, the annual awards were announced.

Congratulations to all awards recipients.

Golf Professional of the Year Jeremy New Assistant of the Year Merchandiser of the Year Private Merchandiser of the Year Resort

Merchandiser of the year Public Bill Strausbaugh Award Horton Smith Award Junior Golf Leader Award Teacher of the Year Henry Watkins Award Chapter Player of the Year Chapter Senior Player of the Year

Jeff Nixon, PGA - Stoneybrook GC of Estero Perry Smith, PGA - Wyndemere Country Club Duke Bowen, PGA - Naples Lakes Country Club Scott Lien, PGA - The Rookery at Marco GC Anthony Schmid, PGA - Hammock Bay Golf & CC Craig Hamet, PGA - The Golf Guys at Alico Family Golf E.J. McDonnell, PGA - Bonita Bay Club Marty Hall, PGA - Florida Gulf Coast University PGA Golf Management Jordan Ball, PGA - Stoneybrook GC of Estero Andy Scott, PGA - Andy Scott School of Golf Dick Young, - FSGA Rules Official Gene Fieger, PGA - Hideout Golf Club John Calabria, PGA - Life Member

Southeast Chapter Awards On May 21 at Bear Lakes Country Club, the Southeast Chapter held their Spring Meeting and announced the recipients of their annual awards. Congratulations to all awards recipients.

Golf Professional of the Year Teacher of the Year The Horton Smith Award The Bill Strausbaugh Award

Merchandiser of the Year (Public) Merchandiser of the Year (Private) Youth Golf Development Award Player Development Award

Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Chapter Player of the Year Chapter Assistant Player of the Year

Warren Bottke, PGA – Abacoa Golf Club Chris Kaufman, PGA – Ballen Isles Country Club Kevin Compare, PGA – Divot the Clown Corporation Bud Taylor, PGA – Old Palm Golf Club Tony Chateauvert, PGA – Town of Palm Beach Golf Club Frank Petitti, PGA – Frenchman’s Reserve Roger Van Dyke, PGA – Indian River Golf Foundation Le Ann Finger, PGA – Executive Women’s Golf Association Aaron Crooks, PGA – The Medalist Golf Club Alan Morin, PGA – The Falls Golf Club Alan Morin, PGA – The Falls Golf Club

New Partner Spotlight Thank you to our family of partners including our new friends at Green Earth Beverage Systems and Tom Tom. Tom Tom - supporting partner of the South Florida Open Tom Franke – 407.616.3183 - tfranke@p4penterprises.com

Green Earth Beverage System - supporting partner of the Pro Scratch Gene Komishock – 561.206.6393-gene@gebsfl.com Steve Bloom - steve@gebsfl.com

Zero Friction - supporting partner of the Pro Scratch Championship Kerry Keena - 561.371.3393 kerryk@golfsalesinc.com

4

annual meeting

TOPICS NEWSLETTER

Mark VanDyck, PGA Elected President of the South Florida PGA Atlantis, Fla. -- Mark VanDyck, PGA was elected the 18th President of the South Florida PGA during the Annual Meeting of the Membership on Wednesday, June 3rd at Seminole Casino Coconut Creek. VanDyck is the PGA Director of Golf at Fort Lauderdale Country Club and previously served as Secretary of the Association from 2011-2013 and Vice President from 2013-2015.

Mark VanDyck, PGA President

VanDyck succeeds Warren Bottke, PGA Master Professional at Abacoa Golf Club in Jupiter. Succeeding VanDyck as Vice President is Don Meadows, PGA Director of Golf at Quail Valley Golf Club in Vero Beach, who served the past two years as Secretary. Karl Bublitz, PGA Director of Golf at Grey Oaks Country Club in Naples was elected Secretary.

Mark VanDyck was elected to PGA membership in 1998 and has served extensively in the Southern Chapter and was named the Southern Chapter Golf Professional of the Year twice. VanDyck also served as the Section Finance Committee Chairperson from 2009-2011.

Don Meadows, PGA Vice President

SFPGA Vice President, Don Meadows was elected to membership in 1998 and has most recently served as the Section Awards Chairperson from 2011-2013. In 2014, he won the Southeast Chapter Golf Professional of the Year. Previously, Meadows was a PGA Head Professional in the Middle Atlantic and Gulf States Sections. In addition to his role as PGA Head Professional, Meadows was also a Division 1 Golf Coach at McNeese State University in Lake Charles LA. SFPGA Secretary Karl Bublitz was elected to membership in 1995 and has most recently served as the Southwest Chapter At Large Board Member. No stranger to awards, Bublitz won Southwest Chapter Golf Professional of the Year in 2009 and the Bill Strausbaugh Award in 2006 and 2011. On a Section level, Butlitz won the Bill Strausbaugh Award in 2007 and Golf Professional of the Year in 2012.

All of these offices carry a two year term.

Karl Bublitz, PGA Secretary

Annual Meeting of the Membership Education Seminar

Prior to the Annual Meeting of the Membership, the SFPGA conducted a Seminar at Seminole Casino Coconut Creek. Starting out the seminar, Jim Butler, PGA General Manager of Grey Oaks Country Club in Naples discussed how to understand and identify age and gender differences at golf facilities. Next, Don Meadows, PGA Director of Golf at Vero Beach Golf Club in Vero Beach discussed Women’s Programming and the success of his facility’s “Boot Camp” program.

Christian Sheehan, PGA Director of Golf at Pelican’s Nest Golf Club in Bonita Springs reviewed the Tee It Forward Program. Lee Stroever, PGA Assistant Professional at McArthur Golf Club in Hobe Sound discussed his involvement and the success of the SFPGA Team Golf Program. Finally, Kim Verrecchio, PGA Director of Instruction of the Loxahatchee Club in Jupiter reviewed Diversity and Inclusion. Thank you to all who were in attendance and special thanks to our presenters.

5

annual meeting

TOPICS NEWSLETTER

Outgoing Board Members The South Florida PGA would like to recognize and thank all the outgoing Board Members.

Karl Bublitz, PGA Southwest Chapter At Large Member, 2011-2015 Dan Gawronski, PGA Southwest Chapter President, 2013-2015 Chad Kurmel, PGA Tournament Chairperson, 2009-2015 Southeast Chapter At-Large Member, 2011-2014

Andy Scott, PGA Growth of the Game Chairperson, 2013-2015

Don Law, PGA Junior Golf Committee Chairperson, 2000-2015

Victor Tortorici, PGA Senior Committee Chairperson, 2011-2015

Brian Peaper, PGA SFPGA Secretary, 2007-2009 SFPGA Vice President, 2009-2011 SFPGA President, 2011-2013 SFPGA Honorary Past President, 2013-2015

Eric Veilleux, PGA Education Committee Chairperson, 2011-2015 Cameron Wiebe, PGA Membership Committee Chairperson, 2012-2014

2015 Annual Meeting of the Membership The 2015 Annual Meeting of the Membership presented by Seminole Casino Coconut Creek and PGA National Resort and Spa took place on Wednesday, June 3rd at Seminole Casino Coconut Creek. Approximately 200 South Florida PGA Professionals attended the meeting.

Pete Bevacqua

Pete Bevacqua

Guest speaker, CEO of PGA of America, Pete Bevacqua spoke to the membership about the Long Term Strategic Plan. He emphasized the PGA’s constant pursuit of excellence and commitment to innovation and collaboration. The PGA is defined by teamwork and talent and commitment to diversity and inclusion. The eight points of the Strategic Plan include Employment, Education, Properties, Player development, PGA Reach, Sections, Championships and Global.

Following Bevacqua’s speech, Immediate Past President, Warren Bottke was awarded his official green jacket in recognition of his service as President of the South Florida PGA. Then the membership showed their support as the newly elected officers were sworn into office. The following members were sworn into office: President – Mark VanDyck, PGA Director of Golf at Fort Lauderdale Country Club Vice President – Don Meadows, PGA Director of Golf at Quail Valley Golf Club Secretary – Karl Bublitz, PGA Director of Golf at Grey Oaks Country Club In addition to the officers, fellow Professionals Dan Gawronski, Southwest Chapter At Large Board Member, Chris Krause, Southern Chapter President and Christian Sheehan, Southwest Chapter President were also sworn into their positions. Following the meeting, members enjoyed a complimentary reception hosted by the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek.

Mark VanDyck, PGA

6

www.golfbuddyglobal.com

THE FUTURE OF ACCURACY

COMPACT & EASY-TO-USE LASER RANGEFINDER

INNOVATIVE & FASHIONABLE GOLF GPS BAND

AL YOUR LOC CONTACT R MORE INFO. P FO SALES RE

MAIL-IN

SAVE 50 UP TO

KEVIN HOLT (SW FL) 727.639.4652

kevin@kevinholt.com

$

MARIANNE DEIBEL (SE FL) 954.344.1365 marianne.deibel@gmail.com

REBATE MAY 22~JUN 26

More details available on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Copyright © 2015 Deca International Corporation. All rights reserved.

FEATURE-RICH GOLF GPS WATCH

foundation news

TOPICS NEWSLETTER

6th Annual Pro-Am Raises $19,OOO for the SFPGA Foundation ATLANTIS, FLORIDA – Sixteen PGA Professionals and forty-eight am-

ateurs competed in the 2015 South Florida PGA Foundation ProAm presented by Tire Kingdom and supported by The Loxahatchee Club, Heritage Creations and Fairway & Greene in Jupiter. This marked the sixth annual Foundation Pro-Am conducted to help raise funds to support Foundation programming including but not limited to Smiling Fore Life, Habitat for Humanity, junior golf, charitable gifting and scholarships. The event this year raised just over $19,000.

John Calabria, PGA, David Kirk, John Scheessele, & Rob Keleher.

The team from Wilderness Country Club in Naples comprised of PGA Professional John Calabria, David Kirk, Rob Kelecher and John Scheessele fired a 133 to capture first place by two. The format for the event was two best balls (one gross one net).

Special thanks to the entire staff at The Loxahatchee Club and their PGA Head Golf Professional Wilson Zehner.

Club Med Academy Student Makes Big Impact Kristarin Oukosavanna, who is the head of the student council at the Club Med Academy powered by Don Law, created a fundraising event to raise money to benefit charities. The event included 3 Club Med members and one Acaemy student. The event raised over $2,000 and half of the funds were donated to the South Florida PGA Foundation. A special thanks to Kritsarin and the rest of the students at the academy for their outstanding generosity.

Thank you to all our facilities that donate annually to support the South Florida PGA Foundation. Recently, Admiral’s Cove donated over $2,500. Thank you for your generosity!

8

foundation news

TOPICS NEWSLETTER

Scholarships for Children & Grandchildren The South Florida PGA Foundation is now accepting applications for its annual scholarships. The Don E. Beattie Scholarship and Bobby Goodman Scholarships are grants of $2,500 awarded to high school seniors or college students enrolled in their freshmen or sophomore classes of undergraduate studies who are currently employed in the golf industry, or whose parents or grandparents are employed in or retired from the golf industry.

The Michael O’Brien Scholarship is a grant of $1,000 awarded to a student for their service in the local community. Finally, the Jim McLean Elite School Scholarship is awarded to one boy and one girl who are in need of financial assistance that cannot otherwise afford to attend the Jim McLean Golf Schools Junior Elite Camp.

Eligibility for all scholarships vary and details along with applications can be found by clicking here. The deadline to apply for these scholarships is June 15th.

Deadline for Scholarship Applications: June 15th

Charitable Gifting The South Florida PGA Foundation recently granted $14,500 to the following organizations: The First Tee Naples/Collier-Gulf Coast Junior Tour, Dade Amateur Golf Association, Gold Coast Junior Golf Foundation, Junior Golf Association of Broward County, Indian River Golf Foundation, Palm Beach County Junior Golf Association, Junior Golf Foundation of America, Hollywood’s Diamonds in the Rough and Nicholas R. Chiera Dinner/Auction and Golf Classic.

Habitat for Humanity

Build dates: June 6, 11, 13, 20, 23 Key Passing: July 1st Address: 10552 Majestic Cir. Naples, FL If you are interested in volunteering, contact Meredith at mschuler@pgahq.com

9

tournament news

TOPICS NEWSLETTER

Fieger Fires 138 to Win South Florida Senior Open JUPITER, Fla. – The 28th Annual South Florida Senior Open presented

by Cure Putters was contested May 14-15 at Jonathan’s Landing Golf Club at Old Trail.

Gene Fieger, PGA Director of Golf at the Hideout Golf Club in Naples Fla., fired two consecutive three-under-par rounds of 69 on the Fazio course to claim the individual first place honor by a four stroke margin. In the 60-69 age division, Jerry Tucker of Stuart successfully defended his title by winning the division by four strokes and recording a two-day total of 141. Steve Sponder of Cooper City took home first place gross honors as one of seven amateurs in the championship division. Sponder fired a 70 during the final round to post a two-day total of 144 and take home the hardware.

The 70-74 division featured SFPGA Life Member Roger Kennedy, Sr. as he worked his way to the top of the leader-board on the Hills course firing a two-day total of 144. Gary Benoit of Palm City claimed 75+ division honors completing his tournament with a final round 67 to post a tournament score of 140.

r:

Presenting Partner

Thank you to PGA Director of Golf Neil Lockie, PGA Assistant Director of Golf Jim Leary as well as the entire staff at Jonathan’s Landing Golf Club at Old Trail for an outstanding operation and facility. The SFPGA would also like to thank Jeff Ryan and Jason Gitel from Cure Putters for their presenting partnership and tournament contests.

Three SFPGA Professionals Compete in Senior PGA Championship Three South Florida PGA Professionals competed in the 2015 Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid at the Dye Course at French Lick Resort in French Lick, IN. Gene Fieger, Steve Madsen and Lee Rinker finished in the top-35 at the 2014 Senior PGA Professional National Championship in November, which earned them a spot in this year’s Senior PGA Championship.

This marked Steve Madsen’s first Senior PGA Championship firing a 158 for two rounds. Gene Fieger, PGA Director of Golf at Hideout Golf Club finished T71.

Lastly, Lee Rinker, PGA Director of Golf at Emerald Dunes Golf Club competed in his fifth Senior PGA Championship and finished T40. Congratulations to all three for representing the South Florida Section!

R I N K E R

FIEGER

MADSEN

10

chip shots

TOPICS NEWSLETTER

Player Development Corner

The PGA of America in conjunction with the South Florida PGA hosted a full day player development workshop at Parkland Golf and Country Club on Friday, May 8th. Mike O’Donnell, Senior Director of Player Development at PGA of America, helped lead much of the presentation. Topics included defining player development, understanding player development math, identifying the consumer life cycle (from non-golfer to avid golfer), and developing instruction products that meet consumer needs. Over 40 PGA Professionals were in attendance and joined in on the discussion with insight on their experiences.

Of the many areas addressed, “Why Do You Want to Play Golf” graph was a simple idea that could help generate interest in your programming. This example graph was geared towards a new ladies program. As you can see, most of the ladies that participated were interested in playing golf for the social and entertainment value. You may be thinking about new ways to engage your members and this could help provide ideas on how to build a program. Plus, it’s a great way to break the ice and make it fun for those involved.

Understanding player development can be a bit confusing at times, but from our workshop and discussion we learned it starts with understanding your customer and then building a program to meet their needs. Perhaps this graph can help get you going!

Partner Spotlight

Pelican’s Nest Golf Club Professionals Raise Money in Golf Marathon SFPGA Professionals Christian Sheehan, Ryan Sanders and Dan Gawronski competed ina golf marathon, playing 378 holes on May 27th. Play began at 7:45AM and concluded at 5:45PM. The event raised over $14,000 for the following organizations: • Art Solderholm Scholarships for high school seniors • Women’s and Men’s FGCU Golf Teams • Professional Golf Management Program at FGCU • First Tee of Collier/Naples • Southwest Florida Junior Golf • SalusCare - Detox and rehabilitation program in Fort Myers

11

chip shots

TOPICS NEWSLETTER

Team Golf Preview

Team Golf is a few short weeks away from kicking off the 3rd season in south Florida. More teams, kids, and opportunities to grow the game of golf are ahead for this summer. We have expanded into a total of ten regions across the Section. This includes new leagues in Miami-Dade County, Martin/St. Lucie County and South Palm Beach. Seventy (70) individual, 9-hole tournaments are scheduled to be played during the summer months with over 60 teams participating in the ten regions.

The 2015 season will be conducted primarily during the summer months, beginning the week of June 15-19. The last tournament will be the week of August 10-14. Leagues will be broken up based on regions and a total of 5-7 tournaments will be held in each league throughout the summer.

There is still time for you to get involved. PGA Professionals are encouraged to create teams and participate in this Section wide program. Team Golf is a great opportunity for PGA members and apprentices to help grow the game and generate additional revenue during the summer months.

Plus, coaches will receive three (3) PGA Required credits for hosting a team.

For more information about Team Golf and how to get involved please contact Tyler Wolford at twolford@pgahq.com.

Drive, Chip & Putt Preview The first Drive, Chip and Putt Local Qualifier will take place on June 14 at PGA Center for Golf Learning & Performance.

The Drive, Chip, and Putt Championship is a youth golf development initiative for boys and girls ages 7-15. Participants will compete against one another in three skill challenges: driving, chipping, and putting. There are three levels of qualifiers: local, sub-regional and regional. The top 80 performers from the regional qualifier – 40 boys and 40 girls – will earn an invitation to the National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday, April 5, the eve of the 2016 Masters. We encourage you to share this information with juniors at your facility. Click here for more information on Drive, Chip and Putt or click here to view the schedule of all local qualifiers in South Florida. For questions, please contact Tori Stock at tstock@pgahq.com.

12

junior tour

TOPICS NEWSLETTER

Roberts and Williams Take Top Honors

ATLANTIS, Fla. – On May 16-17 the South Florida PGA Junior Championship Tour presented by The Honda Classic held event #4 at TPC Eagle Trace in Coral Springs. TPC Eagle trace is known for being a long and difficult course.

With heavy rain and wind on Sunday, players were required to grind out a tough weekend.

Brett Roberts of Coral Springs spent the 2014 season dominating on the Boys 11-12 division of the Challenge Tour. For the 2015 season, Roberts graduated up to the 13-15 age division of the Challenge Tour and has been contending each week for the top spot.

Championship Tour Event #4 was being contested in his back yard and the youngster decided to test his fate on the 6900 yard course against some of South Florida’s top Juniors. After round one, Roberts found himself one back of Lake Chris Duqette, PGA and Brett Roberts Worth native Jordan Reeves who shot a two-over par 74. Roberts put together a great final round that featured three birdies and four bogeys for a final round 73 to capture the Overall Title. Palm City native Alex Vogelsong went on to capture the boys 13-15 age division while Pompano Beach native Isak Nilsson would take home the boys 16-18 age division.

The girls division featured a familiar face atop the leaderboard. Boca Raton native Dana Dana Williams Williams and West Palm Beach native Bridget Green each opened up round one with a three-over par 75 to enter round two tied for the lead. Despite Green’s strong effort, Williams was able to fire an outstanding final round 73 to capture the girls title. Hallandale Beach native Valeria Pacheco would go on to capture the girls 13-15 division title, while Weston native Valentina Haupt would take home the girls 16-18 title.

Special thanks to Chris Duquette, PGA and the entire staff at TPC Eagle Trace for hosting the Championship Tour Event!

Presenting partner:

Supporting partners:

14

rules with chris

TOPICS NEWSLETTER

Pace of Policy

While coming off of our most recent Playing Ability Test in Naples, our committee received an inquiry as to how Pace of Play is determined and the process involved in setting time par. What is important to understand is that pace of play can be influenced by a variety of factors and conditions like weather, size of the field, caliber of player, and difficulty of the course. Tim Finchem was questioned on the subject last year at the Players Championship, “I think this is an area where people get confused. If you’re talking about the length it takes to play the game being an impactor on people playing the game, it’s irrelevant to look at the PGA TOUR, because that’s not the problem. We have a problem with putting 156, 144 players on a golf course and getting them around, and that’s a different kind of problem.”

When we watch the PGA Tour and see Tour Players on a completely packed golf course, pace of play takes on a different meaning and certainly a different look. The most important concept to understand when participating in an event is that the correct position to be in on the golf course is directly behind the group in front of you. The group behind you has no relevance in determining your pace and if you are within one shot of the group in front of you, you cannot be penalized for being out of position.

Rule 6-7 States that the player must play without undue delay and in accordance with any pace of play guidelines that the Committee may establish. Between completion of a hole and playing from the next teeing ground, the player must not unduly delay play. The South Florida PGA Pace of Play Policy continues within the confines of the rule to further illustrate that lead groups will be considered out of position at any time when they exceed the standard rate of play (allocated for each hole and determined by the committee prior to the round). All additional groups will be considered out of position when falling at least one hole behind the group immediately in front of them, while at the same time exceeding the standard rate of play. Individuals are automatically “on the clock” when they tee off. It is the responsibility of each player in a group to know when they are behind and out of position. The first offense includes a warning while the second violation involves a one stroke penalty and a $50.00 fine. The third breach of the policy includes a disqualification and an additional $50.00 fine.

Also equally as important to understand is the concept behind pace of play. It is in the field as well as the committee’s best interest to keep everyone consistent with the time par set. This allows for players to complete their rounds without having to wait extended periods of time for fairways and greens to clear. Pace allows golf to be more enjoyable at every level from the PGA Tour to the average Sunday afternoon at the club. With the conversation in golf being ever more focused on growth and longevity, diversity and inclusion, wouldn’t pace of play aid and support that conversation?

southfloridapga

15

new & upcoming

TOPICS NEWSLETTER

National Championships

2015 South Florida Section PGA Professional Championship presented by Club Car, Mercedes-Benz USA and OMEGA

August 24-26, 2015 Verandah Golf Club *This event is combined with the SFPGA Section Championship Entries Close: Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at 5:00 PM EDT 2015 South Florida Senior PGA Professional Championship supported by: Mercedes Benz USA

August 3-4, 2015 Tequesta Country Club *This event is combined with the SFPGA Senior Section Championship. Two separate entries need to be filed.

Entries Close: Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at 5:00 PM EDT 2015 National Car Rental South Florida PGA Assistant Championship presented by National Car Rental

September 17-18, 2015 Trump National Doral - Gold Course Entries Close: Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at 5:00 PM EDT

To register for any of the above events, call 1-800-474-2776 or visit www.pgatournaments.com

16

new & upcoming Section Events South Florida Open The Club at Renaissance/ Gateway Golf & CC June 9-11

Junior Tour Events Junior Challenge Tour Event #5 West Bay Club June 9-10

Pro-Assistant Imperial Golf Club June 22

South Florida Junior PGA Championship St. Lucie Trail Golf Club June 17-18

Pro-Junior Ballen Isles Country Club June 27

SFPGA Dorado Beach Jr Classic TPC Dorado Beach Resort & Club June 24-25

Chapter Events

Southeast Chapter The Jupiter Classic Jupiter CC / Turtle Creek Club June 15-16

Island Chapter Pro-Junior Fort Buchanan Golf Club June 28

Southwest Chapter Global Golf Sales CS #4 Quail Creek Country Club June 17 Firecracker Pro-Am Quail West Golf Club July 1

TOPICS NEWSLETTER Drive, Chip & Putt Qualifiers DCP Local Qualifier PGA Center for Learn & Perf June 14 DCP Local Qualifier Osprey Point Golf Course June 16 DCP Local Qualifier Stoneybrook GC of Estero June 23 DCP Local Qualifier Country Club of Miami June 28

Southern Chapter Pro Scratch Parkland Golf & CC June 15

Pro-Only Weston Hills Country Club June 29

MSR CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteer your time with the SFPGA Junior Championship and Challenge Tours. PGA Professionals will earn 1 MSR credit/hour they volunteer. On course responsibilites include monitoring pace of play, assisting with rulings and starting. To volunteer please call Jake Weir at the section office at 561.729.0544 or email jweir@pgahq.com Upcoming volunteer opportunities include: Jr Challenge Tour #5 - West Bay Club - June 10-11 SFPGA Jr PGA Championship - St. Lucie Trail Golf Club - June 17-18 In addition the Junior Tour volunteers are needed for our upcoming Drive, Chip & Putt Qualifiers. PGA Professionals will earn 2 PGA Required MSR credits for five to eight hours participation, 1 PGA Required credit for four hours participation.

To volunteer please call Tori Stock at the section office at 561.729.0544 or email at tstock@pgahq.com Upcoming Qualifiers include: June 14 - PGA Center for Golf & Learning Performance - Port St. Lucie June 16 - Osprey Point Golf Course - Boca Raton June 23 - Stoneybrook GC of Estero - Estero June 28 - Country Club of Miami - Miami July 7 - PGA National - Palm Beach Gardens July 18 - Vineyards Country Club - Naples July 28 - Plantation Preserve GC - Plantation August 8 - PGA Center for Golf & Learning Performance - Port St. Lucie

17