May 2021 Edition
SECTION NEWS President Dan Antonucci, PGA pgagolfman17@gmail.com Vice President Jake Northrup, PGA jakenorthrup1@gmail.com Secretary Mike D'Agostino, PGA mikethepro@aol.com Honorary President Rob Horak, PGA rhorakpga1@gmail.com Tournament Chairman Dwayne Randall, PGA randalldwayne@yahoo.com Director Steve Carney, PGA scarney@holidayvalley.com Director Jay Sutherland, PGA jsutherland@ccofbuffalo.org
Director Michael Kiel, PGA mkiel@pga.com Director Robert King, PGA rkinger13@gmail.com Director Sean Moffat, PGA smoffat@pga.com Director Kyle Benish, PGA kylebenish@gmail.com
1
2
FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK Dan Antonucci’s President Message 3-4 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE Steven Bartkowski Message to the PGA Membership 5 T-SQUARED MEMBER MILESTONE Welcome New Members! 6 OUTREACH WITH WILCRO Use Wilcro for your golf events 7 2021 WNYPGA SPRING MEETING In case you missed it! 8-9 2021 WNYPGA PROFESSIONAL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE See the tentative 2021 Tournament Schedule 10 EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Complete the employment Survey 11 2021 WNYPGA PARTNERSHIPS Learn about our new and renewed partnerships 12-14 DRIVE REVENUE TO YOUR FACILITY PGA Jr League, Doubles Golf & Go Golf U.S. 15 PGA.COACH Update your PGA Coach profiles to gain business 16 WNYPGA JUNIOR GOLF DAYS FREE Clinics for ages 5-9 17 LONGEST DRIVE COMPETITION Proceeds benefit Special Olympics New York Athletes 18-19 2021 WNYPGA JUNIOR TOUR UPDATE Junior Tour Membership 20 WNYPGA ACADEMY Earn MSR hours and learn how to grow your business 21 WNYPGA FOUNDATION UPDATE CBS PGA HOPE Television Special 22 BE SOCIAL WNY Follow us on social media 23-24 2021 SECTION PARTNERS Thank you to all of our 2021 Section Partners
Glen Oak Golf Club 711 Smith Road East Amherst, NY 14051 Main Phone/Fax: (716) 626-7095
Executive Director Steven Bartkowski sbartkowski@pgahq.com (716) 313-2943
wnewyork@pgahq.com westernnewyork.pga.com
Junior Golf Director Bob Ashley, PGA bashley@pgahq.com (716) 707-3818
Coordinator of Operations Jacob Coles jcoles@pgahq.com (716) 247-6283 PGA WORKS Fellow Mackenzie Culhane mculhane@pgahq.com
PGA WORKS Fellow Hope Warkoczeski hwarkoczeski@pgahq.com (716)-646-8479 CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LINKS TO:
www.westernnewyork.pga.com
SECTION NEWS
2
PGA Certified Professional Niagara Frontier G.C. 1058 Lake Road Youngstown, NY 14174 716-745-3329
FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK Dan Antonucci, PGA Certified Professional
The Golf Season is in full swing, leagues are running, member’s tournament’s are playing, golfers are utilizing our golf courses at a high rate and players are booking lessons. I know membership has increased significantly at my Club. Speaking to other WNYPGA Professionals, they report a full membership, with waiting lists and an initiation fee reestablished. This is great news for the golf industry in WHY. As I reported last month, CBS Sports came into WNY to interview Steve Bartkowski, PGA Members, Tim Fries and Brian Jacobs about the work they Dan Antonucci, PGA Certified are doing within our PGA HOPE Program. If you didn’t see the program on Professional May 15th before the PGA Championship, you can view it on the website vimeo.com. I recommend taking the time to watch, for it was a wonderful tribute to the PGA HOPE Program in WNY. Speaking about the PGA Championship, being one of the experienced guys myself, it was so much fun watching Phil Mickelson win the tourney at almost 51 years old. Hopefully you had some time to unwind and watch the finish on Sunday afternoon. My compliments to the National PGA of America and the Carolina Section for running a very professional event. As a note, the WNYPGA Section gets the PGA Championship in 2023 at Oak Hill C.C. As a reminder, our PGA Reach WNY – Marathon Team will be running the Virtual Buffalo Marathon this coming Sunday May 30th. Our team is dedicating this race to our PGA Reach WNY initiatives. If you could look into your heart and make a donation to our team’s goal, it would be appreciated! Log onto our Section Website, click on the foundation tab and this will direct you on how to submit your donation. Thank you for all you do every day as a PGA Professional, promoting golf and making it the greatest game on earth.
Respectfully submitted, Dan Antonucci, PGA Certified Professional WNYPGA Section President CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LINKS TO:
www.westernnewyork.pga.com
SECTION NEWS
3
WNYPGA Professsionals and Friends of the Section, While April’s rounds this year are obviously up dramatically YOY, they fall more in line with the historical average (pre-pandemic) as seen in the below graphic. However, total YTD rounds for the first four months of 2021 are up about 20% (according to the National Golf Foundation) when compared to the same period from 2017-2019. As I have been making my way around the region, there are three words that remain constant in my conversations with Section Professionals - busy, healthy, and positive. Tee sheets and club tournaments are selling out, clubs that may have struggled to get memberships now have waiting lists and the spirit of our Section Members seems to have never been better. No one can argue that we have gone through a lot over the last year or so and no one could really fault anyone for defaulting to a negative outlook. However, it has been the exact opposite that I have seen and I truly believe that the future of golf and the Section is very bright. Much can be said the same for the spirit of your WNYPGA Staff. It is refreshing to get back out and conduct tournaments and programming for our PGA Members, juniors, and Foundation benefactors in a more "typical" fashion. We are steadfast in continuing to share our passion for the game and ensure we promote the brand of the WNYPGA both internally and externally to the fullest. Thank you to all for the continued support of all Section tournaments and programming. If we can ever be of assistance with anything please don't hesitate to reach out. Finally, I would like to congratulate Hope Warkoczeski on her time with the WNYPGA Section and Foundation as it comes to a close at the end of this month. Hope was our 2021/2022 PGA Works Fellow and was instrumental with the roll out of Doubles Golf and junior golf days, enhancement of our marketing and communications, and assistance with the WNYPGA Junior Tour. As she makes her leap to Assistant Professional/Assistant GM at a 63-hole facility back in her hometown in Michigan, please help me with thanking her for her service and commitment to our mission this past year. Best of luck Hope!
Steven J. Bartkowski Executive Director Western NY PGA PGA REACH Western NY C/O Glen Oak Golf Club 711 Smith Rd. East Amherst, NY 14051 E: sbartkowski@pgahq.com CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LINKS TO:
Respectfully, Steven Bartkowski WNPYGA Section Executive Director
www.westernnewyork.pga.com
SECTION NEWS
3
PRESENTED BY
The PGA Member Milestone program was created to highlight the accomplishments of both our newest PGA Members, as well as, pay tribute to our more tenured PGA Professionals reaching Quarter and Half Century status. T-Squared Putters produced three distinct desktop awards to recognize new members and celebrate those with 25 and 50 years of service. New members receive a custom Ts-503 Standard Series putter with name and selection date, 25 year receive a custom Ts-713 Standard Series, and 50 year members receive a custom Ts-912 Standard Series. WNYPGA Members who have previously reached Milestones before the development of this Sponsorship will be offered an opportunity to purchase an award at a discounted rate through this agreement. Click here for details!
Quarter Century Members: Don Schneider, PGA
New Members: Jeffrey Martin, PGA Bob Pappert, PGA New Associates: Kristen Bromley
• • • •
CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LINKS TO:
www.westernnewyork.pga.com
SECTION NEWS
4
For those who don't have time to volunteer their time to PGA REACH WNY, you can now simply order your signs, plaques, trophies, name tags and more and give back to your Foundation. Two ways to help: 1. As a WNYPGA Professional visit wilcro1.com/wnypga and purchase your everyday needs with a 20% kickback going to PGA REACH WNY. 2. Download and print the above post card and hand to your charity outings, tournament committee, event guests and board members to encourage them to order their signage needs through Wilcro. Make a difference in your community!
LEARN MORE HERE CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LINKS TO:
www.westernnewyork.pga.com
SECTION NEWS
5
Monday, April 19th, 2021 • Glen Oak Golf Course 711 Smith Rd. East Amherst, NY 14051 In Case You Missed It Left: Registration in the Hall of Fame. Middle: Wedge Fitting Education with Jon Hoecker, PGA and Sean Lalley, PGA Right: Meeting is called to order.
Left: Jon Hoecker, PGA is inducted into the WNYPGA Hall of Fame. Middle: President’s Report from Dan Antonucci, PGA. Right: Panel of PGA Player Development Champions
Left: Lonnie Nielsen’s family talks about his legacy. Middle: Ed Habjan, PGA Region IV Director addresses the membership. Right: New business is conducted.
GO GOLF U.S.
CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LINKS TO:
www.westernnewyork.pga.com
SECTION NEWS
JUNE 1 Tuesday Club Car Pro-Officer/Superintendent Ravenwood Golf Club, Victor, NY 4 Friday Lawrence Park Invitational Pro-Am* Lawrence Park Golf Club, Harborcreek, PA 11 Friday Lake View Invitational Pro-Am* Lake View Country Club, North East, PA 14 Monday Moon Brook Invitational Pro-Am* Moon Brook Country Club, Jamestown, NY 21 Monday Children’s Invitational Park Country Club, Williamsville NY 23 Wednesday NYS Open Qualifier Glen Oak Golf Club, East Amherst, NY 25 Thursday Bartlett Pro-Am* Glen Oak Golf Club, East Amherst, NY 28 Monday Chautauqua Pro-Am* Chautauqua Golf Club, Chautauqua, NY
JULY 12 Monday WNY Open* Stafford Country Club, Stafford, NY 19 Monday Kahkwa Invitational* The Kahkwa Club, Erie, PA 26-27 Mon-Tue Blaisdell Pro-Am & Open Pennhills Club, Bradford, PA
6
SEPTEMBER 2-3 Thurs-Fri WNYPGA Senior Championship* The Golf Club at Blue Heron Hills, Macedon, NY 7 Tuesday Pro-Assistant Championship Transit Valley Country Club, East Amherst, NY 12 Sunday Locust Hill Pro-Am* Locust Hill Country Club, Pittsford, NY 13-14 Mon-Tue Match Play Championship* Crag Burn Golf Club, East Aurora, NY 20 Monday Golf Max Pro-Pro Championship Niagara Falls Country Club, Lewiston, NY 27-28 Mon-Tue OMEGA Tour Championship* River Oaks Golf Club, Grand Island, NY OCTOBER 4 Monday Junior-Senior Cup Matches Holiday Valley Resort, Ellicottville, NY 11 Monday WNYPGA Annual Meeting & Shootout Glen Oak Golf Club, East Amherst *Denotes Player of the Year Points Event Updated—1/20/2021
AUGUST 2 Monday WNY Classic* Glen Oak Golf Club, East Amherst, NY 9 Monday Holiday Valley Pro-Am* Holiday Valley Resort, Ellicottville, NY 15 Sunday Midvale Invitational Pro-Am* Midvale Country Club, Penfield, NY 16 Monday Sr-Jr Pro-Pro / Pro-Am Championship Mill Creek Golf Club, Churchville, NY 23-24 Mon-Tue WNYPGA Section Championship* Country Club of Buffalo, Williamsville, NY 27 Friday NCR Assistant Championship Pennhills Club, Bradford, PA 30 Monday Wellsville Pro-Am* Wellsville Country Club, Wellsville, NY
CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LINKS TO:
www.westernnewyork.pga.com www.westernnewyork.pga.com
SECTION NEWS
7
Left: Joe Bock, Mike Mancari, Kirk Stauffer & Tim Burkhardt took first place at the Spring Scramble at Glen Oak GC after the 2020 Annual and 2021 Spring Meeting. View the results here: SPRING SCRAMBLE Below: Mike Kiel, PGA and Tim Fries, PGA took first place at the Custom Turf Doubles Golf Pro-Pro Scramble at Wild Wood Country Club. View the results here: PRO-PRO SCRAMBLE
Above: Rob Krajewski, PGA and Matt Thomas took first place at the Titleist Scratch Pro-Am at Brook-Lea Country Club with a score of 66.
View the results: TITLEIST SCRATCH PRO-AM Right: Kirk Stauffer, PGA & Steve Barber, PGA both scored 68 to tie for first place individual winners at the Elkdale Pro-Am. View the results here: ELKDALE PRO-AM
CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LINKS TO:
www.westernnewyork.pga.com www.westernnewyork.pga.com
SECTION NEWS
8
Be sure to fill out the local compensation survey you should have received via email. Haven't received it? Contact Steven Bartkowski at sbartkowski@pgahq.com. The Employment Committee and Section office continues to actively work to help improve the employment landscape for the PGA Professionals of our Section. In 2020, due to the tangible data from this exact survey, we were able to raise the compensation levels in many open positions as well as help those in their current roles. To continue helping Section facilities improve open positions, assist WNYPGA Professionals who are in their current jobs, and those applying for new positions the assistance of the entire Section is required. As you are already aware, this information is a cornerstone in the employment process and is consistently asked by and provided to employers at the start of the search process. In 2020, your Board of Directors approved the below local survey that will allow you to provide information anonymously to the Section. You will be asked for your total compensation in 2020, its composition (salary, lessons, bonus, commissions, golf shop ownership, etc) and the benefits provided by your employer. The survey will also request your relevant facility information; specifically the labor expenses for the golf operation, golf and facility revenue.
The survey will take approximately 5 minutes to complete if the above information is organized in advance. The professionals who complete the survey will have access to the 2020 tiered facility document, contract templates, budgeting templates and year end review templates. Those professionals who do not complete the survey will not be allowed to register for section events until their survey is completed. The survey monkey tool will collect your email address so that we know who has completed the survey, but your answers will remain anonymous and cannot be linked to the email that you submit. Respectfully, WNYPGA Section Board of Directors
PGA Professional Chris Kulinski is the PGA of America’s Employment Consultant proudly serving Western, Central and Northeast New York PGA sections. He has been tasked with providing professionals with the necessary tools, strategies and education to implement at the facility level, along with recruiting men and women into the business of golf. Chris is happy to help any and all PGA Professionals in Western New York to achieve their career goals. If you have comments or questions for PGA Employment Consultant Chris Kulinski, PGA you can call (716) 316-4160 or email ckulinski@pgahq.com CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LINKS TO:
www.westernnewyork.pga.com
SECTION NEWS
The Western New York Section, PGA of America is proud to announce a NEW partnership with locally owned and operated payroll and HR company, RPM Payroll. The new partnership with the WNYPGA Section will not only provide tournament support at the Pro-Officer/Superintendent Tournament but just as importantly provide payroll and HR savings to all facilities across WNY that employ PGA Professionals. “We’re so happy to be entering into this partnership with WNYPGA. Building long term relationships with organizations that share our core values is extremely important to us and we believe we’ve found that with WNYPGA. We look forward to meeting and getting to know the many members and associates of WNYPGA in the coming months and years,” said Phil Mule, Partner RPM Payroll. Phil Mule Business Banking Relationship Manager pmule@rpmpayroll.com 716.277-0504 RPMpayroll.com
The Western New York Section is excited to announce that the Greg Norman Collection have returned as a Supporting Partner of the Section and Custom Turf / Doubles Golf Pro-Pro at Wild Wood Country Club on Monday, May 3rd to enhance both the prize purse and experience for all competing PGA Professionals. PGA Member Sales Representative, Alex Smith, will be onsite to greet all of the participants and present each with a Greg Norman piece. Alex Smith, PGA ALEXSMITHPGA@gmail.com Gregnormancollection.com
The Western New York Section and DUNNING GOLF are proud to announce a NEW partnership in 2021. As part of the 1st time partnership, Mike Moran and DUNNING GOLF will provide tournament support that includes Section logoed pieces for all competing Professionals in the Pro-Pro Stableford presented by DUNNING GOLF. Driven by innovation, DUNNING was founded in 2001 to build better golf apparel. A continued and concentrated focus on the player and what they desire is what inspires their products. Their designers strive not to be better than the competition, but to challenge assumptions how golf apparel should be built. Mike Moran jmoran19@roadrunner.com Dunninggolf.com
CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LINKS TO:
9
The Western New York Section and PGA REACH WNY are excited to announce that long time partner Club Car has signed on to a three-year agreement that supports Section Professional Tournaments, Member Education, and PGA REACH WNY Foundation programming. In 2021, WNYPGA Professionals, club presidents and superintendents will be treated to a top-class experience at the Club Car Pro-Officer/Superintendent on Tuesday, June 1st at Ravenwood GC, Victor, NY. Furthermore, competing WNYPGA Professionals will see a return of the Club Car Hole-In-One Fund and Year End Shootout! This year round closest to the hole competition ends with a shootout at the Fall Meeting at Glen Oak GC which was captured by Bobby Hogan, PGA back in 2019. In addition to tournament support, our friends from Club Car will also help to enhance the WNYPGA Academy, which is a NEW digital online professional development platform exclusive to Section Members. Steve Gertner, PGA steve.gertner@icro.com Heather Keranko heather.keranko@irco.com Clubcar.com
The Western New York PGA and Try It Distributing are proud to announce that Michelob ULTRA – the fastest growing beer brand in the United States – has been designated as the beer partner of the 2021 WNYPGA Major Championships . This new partnership includes enhanced major championship purses, amateur prizes and on-site experiences for all WNYPGA Professional and amateur competitors alike. The 2021 Major Championship season will kick off with both PGA Professionals and top amateurs competing at Stafford Country Club on Monday, July 12th in the WNY Open and will conclude with the Top 30 Professionals at the Tour Championship at River Oaks Golf Course in September. “We are ecstatic that one of the top growing beer brands in the country has partnered with the WNYPGA Section,” said WNYPGA Executive Director Steven Bartkowski. This will undoubtedly add to the excitement that these major championships provide as our Section Professionals vie for the WNYPGA Player of the Year Title.” www.michelobultra.com
www.westernnewyork.pga.com www.westernnewyork.pga.com
SECTION NEWS
10
PGA Jr. League Coach Lisa Scally of historic Oak Hill Country Club recently took some time to sit down with Regional League Manager Doug Wert, PGA, to chat about PGA Jr. League and how it has positively impacted both the culture and engagement at the club. Click the image to view Lisa’s discussion with Doug.
If you have questions about PGA Junior League you can contact the Section Office or PGA Junior League Regional Director, Doug Wert, PGA at dwert@pgahq.com or call (719) 351-2738.
Transforming Lives
PGA Coach App
Since introducing the opportunity to donate to the PGA Jr. League Scholarship Fund in player registration this season, PGA Jr. League families have helped fund more than 700 scholarships for players. During the PGA Championship, we opened this donation opportunity to everyone and encouraged golf fans to make a donation to the PGA Jr. League Scholarship Fund via PGA REACH.
Weave in other fun skills challenges and games. Take inspiration from the library in the PGA Coach App, like this activity plan for your competitive players or this one for those more developmental.
Questions? Visit PGAJrLeague.com/Scholarships
CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LINKS TO:
Get ADM certified: PGA. Coach PGA Professionals can click here to create their PGA Coach profiles today. www.westernnewyork.pga.com
SECTION NEWS
11
WHAT: What is Doubles Golf? Rebranding of the two-person 9-hole scramble. Developed by the creators of PGA Junior League & Jack Nicklaus. HOW: The steps to host Doubles Golf at your facility Golf Facility • Register your Doubles Golf® facility • Utilize marketing material to advertise Doubles Golf® at your facility • Host Doubles Golf® Club Championship (Week with any tee time OR one day event) • Send your top teams to compete at the Section/State Championship WNYPGA Section & US Doubles Golf • Provide marketing material and promote your golf facility • WNYPGA hosts Section/State Doubles Golf® Championship • Doubles Golf® provides scoring system • Doubles Golf® hosts USA National Amateur Championship WHO: Amateur golfers compete for a National Championship Divisions • Men’s: Team of any two men 25 years of age or older. • Women’s: Team of any two women 25 years of age or older. • Mixed: Team of one man and one woman 25 years of age or older. • Senior: Team of any two players 60 years of age or older Registered WNYPGA Doubles Golf Facilities • Crag Burn Golf Club • Seneca Hickory Stick Golf Club • Glen Oak Golf Course • Southern Meadows Golf Club • Lakeside Country Club • Webster Golf Club • Niagara Frontier Golf Club • Wild Wood Country Club • Lockport Town & CC
REGISTER: To register a team CLICK HERE To register your golf facility CLICK HERE QUESTIONS: Mac Culhane mculhane@pgahq.com Tyler Stanfield, PGA t.stanfield@leaguegolf.com LEARN MORE: Doublesgolf.com wnypga.com
POSTSEASON: • Teams must post three (3) scores at a registered Doubles Golf facility to participate in the Doubles Golf National Qualifier • Registered Doubles Golf facilities must have at least two (2) teams in a Division to send a team from a Division to the National Qualifier • The Doubles Golf National Qualifier will be held at Glen Oak Golf Club on Sunday, September 12th, 2021
Schedule an appointment with the Doubles Golf team! Use the link to schedule a 30-minute meeting with the National Doubles Golf Team to learn how to tailor Doubles Golf to your facility. Click here to SCHEDULE A MEETING. CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LINKS TO:
www.westernnewyork.pga.com
SECTION NEWS
12
A digital golf pass based out of Western New York
The Western New York Section and Go Golf U.S. are excited to announce a new partnership with Oishei's Childrens Hospital. The goal of this partnership is to spread awareness of the hospital's impact on the community and to generate funds to give back to their friends and families. Go Golf U.S. is a mobile app, designed to help golfers play MORE golf for less. Our mobile app allows users access to golf discounts at local participating courses for a one-time yearly cost. The reduced rates on golf are given through redeemable coupons all held in your Go Golf U.S. mobile app! In partnership with Oishei's Childrens Hospital, Go Golf U.S is donating 15% of all ebooks sold!
CLICK HERE to register your golf facility for the Go Golf U.S. Pass & join these already registered courses in Western NY! Churchville Golf Club Durand Eastman Golf Club Eagle Vale Golf Club Elkdale Country Club Genesee Valley Golf Club Lake Shore Country Club Lake Shore Country Club
Mill creek Golf Club Ravenwood Golf Club Shadow Lake Terry Hills Golf Course Webster Golf Club Wild Wood Country Club
WHY PARTICIPATE WITH GO GOLF U.S. POWERED BY THE WNYPGA? INCREASE ROUNDS AT OFF PEAK TIMES FREE MARKETING DIRECT BENEFIT TO THE PGA PROFESSIONAL REACH A NEW DEMOGRAPHIC NEW REVENUE STREAM FOR THE SECTION
Alan Liwush | Go Golf U.S. (585) 749 - 2296 alan@gogolfus.com
CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LINKS TO:
Scott Chambers, PGA (585) 802-4044 schambers@webstergolf.com
www.westernnewyork.pga.com
SECTION NEWS
13
The scientifically proven program will be used in future years for the WNYPGA Section. We encourage all WNYPGA Professionals to go through the training to be included in the future benefits. How do you get started? • Go to www.PGA.Coach and sign up for the PGA.Coach training. • Once you complete your virtual training, you will be given access to the PGA Coach app to build lesson plans, promote your business and more. • Update your PGA.Coach profile!
We will be featuring ALL ADM certified PGA Professionals in our Coaches of the Week promotions. Ric Alberico, MP PGA Bob Ashley, PGA Kyle Benish, PGA Rod Blair, PGA Tom Bolduc, PGA Matt Clark, PGA Chip Clover, PGA LM Mike D’Agostino, PGA Chris Devincentis, PGA Brett Emrick, PGA Curtis Evanicki Tim Fries, PGA Travis Geiger, PGA Stacy Harrower, PGA CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LINKS TO:
Kyle Hlywa Thomas Irish Brian Jacobs, PGA Greg Kaye, PGA Robert King, PGA Rob Krajewski, PGA Chris Kulinski, PGA James LaBuda Sean Lalley, PGA Mark Lesinski Joseph Lusardi, PGA Tom Maloney, PGA Jeff Mietus, PGA Sean Moffat, PGA
"I received a lead during the PGA Championship from PGA.Coach. I did a New Student Assessment which is my product and was able to enroll the student for a long term, 1:1 coaching program. I never would have had that lead without PGA.Coach and wanted you, again, to know how grateful I am. As always if I can be of any service please let me know." -Brian Jacobs, PGA
Linda Opalisky, PGA David Patronik Patrick Phillips, PGA Lauren Tallman, PGA Anthony Saccomanno, PGA Paul Sanders, PGA Bradley Smith, PGA Kirk Stauffer, PGA Daniel Vanill Jack Widger, PGA Eric Wilson, PGA Josh Wojtaszczyk, PGA
www.westernnewyork.pga.com
SECTION NEWS
14
On May 16th, 2021 the Western NY PGA traveled to Victor, NY to Dick’s Sporting Goods House of Sport to run the first Junior Golf Day. Chris Kulinski, PGA of America Career Consultant, Linda Opalisky, from Ontario Country Club, Steve Bartkowski, WNYPGA Executive Director, and Hope Warkoczeski, PGA WORKS Fellow used SNAG (Starting New at Golf) equipment to teach juniors about golf. The clinic was composed of three stations where the juniors age 5 to 9 learned about full-swing, chipping and putting. One Dick’s Sporting Goods team member put on the SNAG suit for the kids to learn about aiming to a target and helped to great a finale to the event the juniors will never forget. The event was a great success at introducing the juniors to golf in a fun way. We owe a big thank you to Dick’s Sporting Goods, Emina Acee (Dick’s Sporting Goods team member) and Linda Opalisky for making the event such a success. If you are a WNYPGA Member or Associate who is ADM (American Development Model) certified coach you can assist with future events! Please contact Steve Bartkowski if you are interested.
Golf's new pathway is built on the principles of the American Development Model (ADM), a proven, long-term athlete development model that has been successfully applied to USA Hockey, USOC, USA Basketball and USA Lacrosse. American Development Model was designed by sports scientists to help support a lifetime affinity to sports, and to develop athletes to their greatest potential. Physical and physiological development is broken into 7 stages. Using this strategy, the right skills, exercises, and instruction can be delivered at the right time, leading to success for your students. The goal of the ADM is to engage athletes in a way that will retain students in their sports, such as golf. Learn more at PGA.Coach
Scan the QR code with to register for an event!
Session Schedule: •
Tuesday, June 29 Glen Oak Golf Course at 10 AM
•
Tuesday, July 20 Livingston Country Club at 2 PM
•
Thursday, July 29 The Kahkwa Club at 4 PM
Learn more about Junior Golf in Western NY:
https://westernnewyork.pga.com/junior-golf/ CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LINKS TO:
www.westernnewyork.pga.com
SECTION NEWS
14
Glen Oak Golf Club 711 Smith Road East Amherst, NY 14051
Do YOU have what it takes?! Join us for the first ever Longest Drive Competition UNDER THE LIGHTS to benefit the local Athletes of Special Olympics New York. When: Friday, June 4th. Registration: 7:30pm. Competition begins at 9:00pm Where: Glen Oak Golf Club (711 Smith Road, East Amherst, NY 14051) How: Your ticket will include a drink ticket, a place in the competition and 3 chances to hit your ball the furthest and closest to the line. Additional shots may be purchased for $5.
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS
Why: All proceeds raised will help support local Special Olympics NY Athletes. For every $500 raised, this event will sponsor a local Special Olympics NY Athlete, giving them the gift of sport. About Special Olympics NY and PGA REACH WNY: Special Olympics New York will return to Glen Oak Golf Course in East Amherst, NY in 2021. In 2020 Glen Oak, the home of the WNYPGA, was named official training center of its Erie Golf Club, providing use of the course, equipment and PGA-certified coaches for the program. The partnership began three years ago when the Western New York PGA had a vision for a local fundraiser to help support and expand the area’s Special Olympics New York golf program. Western New York PGA and their charitable arm PGA REACH WNY have raised $25,000 to benefit the nonprofit in the three years since. To kick off the 2021 SONY golf season, local WNYPGA Professionals are proud to be helping to administer a long dive competition to raise awareness and funds for such a great organization.
CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LINKS TO:
www.westernnewyork.pga.com
SECTION NEWS
15
The Western New York PGA and its charitable arm PGA REACH WNY are excited to announce a new partnership with Five Star Bank. The local bank has agreed to come on board as the Title Partner of the WNYPGA Junior Tour in 2021, showing their commitment to the community and the advancement of our local youth. The WNYPGA Junior Golf Tour was created in 1999 by WNYPGA Professionals and provides an opportunity and atmosphere for juniors to enjoy the camaraderie, friendship, and sportsmanship of competitive golf at a series of premier venues throughout the Western New York Section of the PGA of America. Players in all divisions and all skill levels compete in a season-long points race to qualify for the season-ending Junior Golf Tour Championship that will be held at Stafford Country Club this year on Monday and Tuesday, August 2nd and 3rd. The goal of the tour is to not only provide tournament competition experience but also provide the kids all the life lessons that golf instills such as etiquette, honesty and integrity. The Five Star Bank WNYPGA Junior Tour promotes the PGA of America brand to young golfers who may become future PGA Professionals serving the community.
CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LINKS TO:
www.westernnewyork.pga.com www.westernnewyork.pga.com
SECTION NEWS
MAY 29 Saturday Brockport, NY 30 Sunday North East, PA
16
Timber Ridge GC Lake View CC
JUNE 5 Saturday Wild Wood CC Rush, NY 6 Sunday Bartlett CC Olean, NY 12 Saturday Gowanda CC Collins, NY 13 Sunday Elkdale CC Salamanaca, NY 19 Saturday Lockport Town & CC Lockport, NY 26-27 Saturday-Sunday Fore Tour Series Glen Oak GC East Amherst, NY 29 Tuesday 2021 WNYPGA Junior Championship Glen Oak GC East Amherst, NY JULY 1 Thursday Mendon, NY 6 Tuesday Fairport, NY 9 Friday Churchville, NY 12 Monday Lockport, NY 16 Friday Churchville, NY 19 Monday Livingston, NY 20 Tuesday Lancaster, NY 23 Friday
CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LINKS TO:
Geneva, NY 26 Monday Webster, NY 28 Wednesday Dunkirk, NY 29 Thursday Erie, PA
Webster GC Shorewood CC The Kahkwa Club
AUGUST 2-3 Monday-Tuesday WNYPGA Junior Tour Championship Stafford, NY *This schedule is subject to change
Mendon GC Eagle Vale GC Churchville GC
Willowbrook GC Mill Creek GC Livingston CC Lancaster CC Geneva CC
www.westernnewyork.pga.com www.westernnewyork.pga.com
SECTION NEWS
17
Powered by
The goal of The WNYPGA Academy is to provide WNYPGA Professionals with an inclusive and affordable online learning platform that allows for expanded education both related to the golf business and non-related to the golf business. We believe this directly fits in with the Section's Mission of being a professional force for PGA Members to maintain and upgrade their skill level to allow them to compete in today's business world.
Benefits of Academy Enrollment: • • • • •
Unlimited Access to WNYPGA Academy Education (On-Line & In-Person) Free Access to In Person WNYPGA General Education Seminars Required Educations MSR’s Low-Cost Education in a timely fashion Ease of Use
Current Courses Available: • • • • • •
•
How to Utilize SuperSpeed Golf Showing Your Value as a PGA Professional Digital Coaching with Ikonik Golf Expand Your Brand with Operation 36 How to Sell Your Business with Brian Jacobs Golf Golf Genius Tournament Software Best Practices Teaching with Technology
CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LINKS TO:
Sharpen Your Axe Digital Education Series NOW Available on the The WNYPGA Academy www.westernnewyork.pga.com www.westernnewyork.pga.com
SECTION NEWS
18
Fourteen individuals have dedicated their time to run half and full marathons to raise funds and awareness for PGA REACH Western New York. These individuals include PGA Professionals, local business professionals, Western NY PGA Section Staff and PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) Veterans. It takes great dedication to train for a marathon but these individuals are so passionate about the work PGA REACH WNY does for the golf community that they are wiling to put in many miles and time to complete a marathon for the cause. The funds raised will go to programs supporting our founding pillars: Military, Youth and Diversity/Inclusion. Visit our GoFundMe Charity: Buffalo Marathon Campaign Learn more on our website: Volunteers Run Marathon for PGA REACH WNY Steve Bartkowski Justin Chatelle Steve Coulton Dave Costello Tim Fries, PGA
Ryan Funk John Osberg Nick Martone Bobby Powalski Phil Pandy
Joe Shapiro Brad Smith, PGA Alex Villafranca Justin Wainwright
Prior to the PGA Championship, CBS Sports premiered a special about PGA HOPE. Click the logo to view the entire special about how PGA HOPE is impacting the lives of Veterans across the country and right here in Western NY. CLICK CLICK ON ON THE THE IMAGES IMAGES FOR FOR LINKS LINKS TO: TO:
www.westernnewyork.pga.com www.westernnewyork.pga.com
SECTION NEWS
19
Follow us on Social media to learn more about what is happening in the Western NY PGA Section and with the PGA REACH Western NY foundation! CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LINKS TO:
www.westernnewyork.pga.com
SECTION NEWS
20
SECTION TITLE PARTNERS
SECTION PRESENTING PARTNERS
CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LINKS TO:
www.westernnewyork.pga.com
SECTION NEWS
21
SECTION SUPPORTING PARTNERS
JUNIOR PROGRAM PARTNERS
CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LINKS TO:
www.westernnewyork.pga.com