President's Report

The summer is a crazy busy time for all of us. As a Section Officer, however, our duties remain. By implementing the Strategic Plan and the business plan for all five Chapters and the Section, our business is more effective. The accountability to those plans allows us to check up on our progress and ensure that our resources are being most efficiently used to the betterment of our membership. Each summer, the Section Officers get together to review the mid-season progress of our Section and the Chapters. If you have input on our operations, please contact me by July 10th and I will be happy to have the discussion and provide input at that summer meeting.

Most of you have had the chance to meet and work with Monte Koch, PGA over the past few years as our Player Development Regional Manager. As with most valued employees, he has transcended his position and become a key person in our Section for your own professional and business development. I want to congratulate Monte on his appointment as our new Employment Consultant. There is no doubt that he is the right person and I look forward to watching him continue to help our Section Professionals better their careers!

Finally, our Section Staff is also in full operational mode. Their commitment to our Section is amazing and they are a great group of people. From financial, tournament ops, membership, communications and everything else they do for us on a daily basis, they always do it with a smile and a willingness that is very much appreciated. Section Staff, thank you for what you do, you make all of us better!

Enjoy the busy season and if I can ever do anything for you I would be honored!

Sincerely,

Greg Manley, PGA
Meridian Valley Country Club
greg@meridianvalleycc.com
President, Pacific Northwest Section

CEO's Report

July means it’s time for the Rosauers and this year we return to the original site, Indian Canyon Golf Course, for the 30^th Rosauers Open Invitational. Our thanks to Rosauers and the entire Spokane golf community for making this championship a success not only for the PGA Professional with $135,000 in total purse but also the official charity, the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery. Thanks to the tremendous support of our sponsors in the first 29 years, over $2.7 million has been raised to support their important work. Please join us for the Umpqua Bank Pro-Am and the championship. Enter at: https://www.pnwpga.com/event/2017-rosauers-open-invitational/.

July is the final month of Drive Chip and Putt Local Qualifying with opportunities at Canyon River (July 6), The Creek at Qualchan (July 9), Pasco Golfland (July 19) and Emerald Valley (July 23). If the juniors you work with are not signed up, reach out to them today! Players from these sites will join the qualifiers from our 7 sites in June to compete for the chance to eventually reach Augusta. Five juniors from our sites made it last year! Send parents to www.drivechipandputt.com to register.

The Pacific Northwest Section PGA Merchandise Show will return to the very popular Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center on October 24-25. Not only is this a great time to work with current vendors but also find new lines for your shop. Included in this week is the Pro-Vendor on Monday at The Home Course as well as two excellent education programs. Look for more information soon.

Congratulations to Russell Grove on winning his first Section major – the Oregon Open Invitational at Juniper Golf Club. Russell tamed the course and the wind for a six shot margin of victory and the $7,500 first place check. Our thanks to General Manager Travis Kane and Director of Golf James Billings for being terrific hosts. We could not conduct this championship without our sponsors – National Car Rental, Bridgestone, Sun Mountain, Skechers, AMA/Sundog, Greg Norman, Legendary Headwear, Orange Whip and of course, Abby’s Pizza. Please thank them when you get the chance. One important note, the 2018 Oregon Open Invitational will change dates. In response to the new PPC dates we are moving to the final week of June contesting the championship on June 26-28, 2018 at Aspen Lakes Golf Course.

We just signed on PXG as a new sponsor for the Northwest Open Invitational at Wine Valley in August. Look for Jake Thomas on the range with a demo day opportunity.

Finally, there are still a couple of days to pay your PGA dues before National applies the late charges. You can pay by credit card by simply logging into your PGA.org account.

Have a great July and I hope to see you at the Rosauers.

Jeff Ellison, PGA

Host Professional Travis Kane, Bridgestone Golf Sponsor Cliff Jones, Champion Russell Grove, Orange Whip Sponsor Birk Nelson and Greg Norman and Legendary Headwear Sponsor Ren Weaver

Grove Runs Away with Oregon Open Invitational

Mitch DeKruif, Tournament Intern

Juniper GC, nestled in beautiful Redmond, Oregon, played host to the 2017 Oregon Open Invitational featuring the National Car Rental Pro Am June 13-15. The 7,186 yard, par 72 course has made Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play in Oregon” list year after year. And what a place it was for the best professionals and amateurs in the Pacific Northwest to do battle for one of the most prestigious Section trophies.

The first two days, along with the individual competition, included the National Car Rental Pro-Am. National Car Rental sponsors nearly 100 of these events in all 41 sections in an effort to grow the game of golf. The net 2 best of 4 competition was won by PGA Professionals Shane Prante (Lake Spanaway GC) and Liam Kendregan (The GC at Echo Falls) and their amateur partners Travis Paul and Rick Schott. They won with an impressive two-day score of 25-under par. The Four-Ball contest paired a PNW PGA Professional and his amateur partner in a 36-hole best ball format. PGA Professional Russell Grove (North Idaho College) and his amateur partner Gilbert Ross (Emerald Valley GC) took home the victory with a score of 15-under par.

Blustery winds challenged the players during all three days of the competition, but one man was able to handle it better than the rest. While other players were battling to hold on, Russell Grove took his game to another level. He finished the first round as the only player to shoot in the 60’s; he fired a 67 to put him in the lead by three strokes. The second round offered no break to the players as the wind continued to howl, and yet again, Grove fired the low round of the day with a 7-under 65. Heading into the final round, Grove knew what he needed to do, “Going into the final round with the lead, my plan was to play conservative…just stay patient and stick to my game plan.” He fired a 1-under 71 to put him six shots clear of second place, held by PNW PGA Professional Derek Berg (Sahalee CC) who won this event in 2010 while still an amateur. PNW PGA Professional Billy Bomar (Prairie Falls GC) finished third at 3-under and Reid Hatley (Hayden Lake CC) took low amateur honors at 3-under as well.

Grove was pleased with the win, stating that he was “definitely happy to get the job done and hopefully that can propel me to keep being there” in the winner’s circle.

We’d like to thank National Car Rental and all of our great sponsors for helping make the 2017 Oregon Open Invitational such a great event. With the help of them we were able to offer an enticing purse with a $7,500 first place check and also donate $3,130 to The Kids Center, a local organization that helps youth struggling in abusive situations. Thanks again to all of our players, sponsors, General Manager Travis Kane, Director of Golf James Billings and Juniper GC for a fantastic week. We look forward to seeing all the competitors again for the 2018 Oregon Open Invitational at Aspen Lakes GC.

Mitchell DeKruif

Enter the 113th Northwest Open Invitational

WALLA WALLA, WA – Wine Valley GC – 6,980 Yards, Par 72

The Field

Past champions such as PGA Professional Brian Thornton of Meridian Valley CC, PGA Professional Shane Prante of Lake Spanaway GC, and PGA Professional Corey Prugh of Manito G&CC are expected to return to take their shot at another title this year against a very strong field of PNW PGA Professionals and amateurs.

History of the Championship

The Northwest Open Invitational is a significant part of the history of golf in the Pacific Northwest. The early years were dominated by Seattle Golf Club’s Robert Johnstone (who won 6 of the first 10 events) and “Long Jim” Barnes. Barnes, the professional at Tacoma C&GC from 1911 - 1915, won the first two PGA Championships (1916, 1919) in addition to the 1921 U.S. Open and the 1925 British Open! Spokane’s Marvin “Bud” Ward captured six championships over a 22 year span, five as an amateur and his last as a professional. Bud was also a National Amateur champion and may have won a few more but for the lack of championships during WWII.

Wine Valley GC

Wine Valley Golf Club has been rated "One of The Top Three Golf Courses to Play in Washington" by Golfweek.  It has been awarded many other honors since opening in 2009. This stunning Dan Hixson design unfolds on a grand scale, playing over rolling hills in the shadow of the Blue Mountains. Wine Valley GC has broad fairways, dramatic bunkers, and bold, undulating putting surfaces.

CLICK HERE – to view exemption list.

CLICK HERE – to view a complete list of past champions.

Reminder – the Northwest Open Invitational has Hudson Cup and Senior Hudson Cup points available as well as Player of the Year points!

Ellie Slama, Brittany Kwon, Connor Golembeski, Host Professional Matt Mandell

Four Qualify for National Junior PGA Championships

by Molly Cooper, PGA - Director of Tournament & Member Programs

The PNW PGA Boys Junior Championship and Girls Junior Championship were held at Canyon Lakes GC on June 3-4. The Section events serve as qualifiers to the National Championships later this summer. Ellie Slama and Brittany Kwon were co-champions of the Overall division while Connor Golembeski (Bear Creek CC) won the Boys division.

Connor advanced to join 144 of the nation’s top male junior golfers in the PGA of America’s premium junior event, the 42nd Boys Junior PGA Championship, hosted at The Country Club of St. Albans in St. Albans, Missouri. Joe Highsmith (Tacoma C&GC), who placed second in the Boys 16-18 division, also advanced to the National Championships with Connor. The Boys Junior PGA Championship will be held from July 31-August 3, 2017.

Ellie and Brittany, co-champions of the Girls 16-18 age division, advanced to join 144 of the nation’s top female junior golfers in the PGA of America’s premium junior event, the 42nd Girls Junior PGA Championship, hosted at The Country Club of St. Albans in St. Albans, Missouri. The Girls Junior PGA Championship will be held from July 18-21, 2017.

Akshay Anand (Bear Creek CC) won the Boys 13-15 age division after firing rounds of 73-74-147.  He won by two strokes over Matteo Polla (Pumpkin Ridge GC).

Angela Park (Columbia Park GC) won the 13-15 age division by two strokes over Malia Schroeder (Skagit G&CC) after shooting rounds of 78-78-156.

Simon Grey (OGA Course) won the 12 & Under by four strokes over Max Herendeen (WJGA).

Jade Gruher (Camas Meadows GC) won the 12 & Under Girls by four strokes as well over Sofia Fuenmayer (Rock Creek GC).

The Country Club of St. Albans has consistently been ranked in the Top 10 courses in the state of Missouri by Golf Digest and looks to be a fantastic venue for the events. Best of luck to Ellie Slama, Brittany Kwon, Connor Golembeski and Joe Highsmith!

View photos of all the division winners on our Facebook page.

National Car Rental PNW Assistant PGA Championship

Supported by Cleveland Golf, Srixon, XXIO, John Deere and Golf Advisor

August 7, 2017 | Canby, OR – Willamette Valley CC

Eligibility: You must be employed as an A-8 or as an Apprentice (including Apprentice Head Professional) as of July 26 to be eligible to play in the National Car Rental Section Assistant PGA Professional Championship.

Advancement: The top three qualifiers will advance to the 2017 National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship at PGA Golf Club’s Wanamaker Course, November 9-12, 2017.

PNW Senior PGA Championship

Championship: September 7-8 | Optional Pro-Am: September 6

Everett, WA - Everett G&CC

Eligibility: You must be eligibly employed and classified in one of the following active membership classifications as of August 23 or have Life member status (LM, LMA, LMM, or LMMA) to be eligible to play in the Senior PGA Professional Championship Qualifier: MP, A-1, A-2, A-4, A-5, A-6, A-7, A-8, A-9, A-10, A-11, A-12, A-13, A-14, A-15, A-16, A-17, A-18, A-19, A-20, A-21, A-22, A-23, A-24.

Advancement: The top five qualifiers from the PNW Senior PGA Professional Championship will advance directly to the 2017 Senior PGA Professional Championship presented by Mercedes-Benz USA and supported by Golf Advisor and John Deere. The event will be played at Desert Mountain GC in Scottsdale, AZ, September 28 - October 1, 2017.

Two entries: If you want to have a chance to advance to qualify, you must enter through PGA of America Membership services at 800-474-2776 or www.pgatournaments.com. There is a SEPARATE (and additional) entry for a chance to play for the purse and title of Senior PGA Champion. You will need to get BOTH entries in if you wish to qualify for the Senior PGA Professional Championship AND our Section title!

PNW PGA Professional Championship

September 19-21 | Worley, ID - Circling Raven GC

Eligibility: You must be employed in one of the following classifications as of September 6 to be eligible to play in the PNW PGA Professional Championship: MP, A-1, A-2, A-4, A-5, A-6, A-7, A-8, A-9, A-10, A-11, A-12, A-13, A-14, A-15, A-16, A-17, A-18, A-19, A-20, A-21, A-22, A-23, A-24, LMA and LMMA.

Advancement: The top seven finishers in our PNW PGA Professional Championship will advance directly into the 51st PGA Professional Championship, presented by Club Car, Mercedes-Benz USA and OMEGA, held at Bayonet Black Horse, Seaside, California on June 17-20, 2018. We are playing for seven spots to advance to the National Championship held on the WEST COAST next June! Last year we had a $71,800 purse (plus $2,625 in skins) with 93 professionals playing and paid half the field.

PNW PGA Merchandise Show

The 2017 Merchandise Show will be held in the beautiful Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center on October 24-25, 2017 with vendor move beginning at noon on Monday, October 23.

Download flyer/schedule

OMEGA Player of the Year Points

1. Grove, Russell - 200.00

2. Berg, Derek - 190.00

3. Feenstra, Tim - 180.00

OMEGA Senior Player of the Year Points

1. Sovay, Tom - 215.00

2. Gibbons, Rob - 170.00

3. Bowen, Steve - 155.00

Assistant Player of the Year Points

1. Berg, Derek - 245

2. Prante, Shane - 230.00

3. Cassidy, John - 205.00

Hudson Cup Points

1. Cassidy, John - 190.00

2. Feenstra, Tim - 160.00

3. Grove, Russell - 150.00

Senior Hudson Cup Points

1. Sovay, Tom - 435.00

2. Gibbons, Rob - 415.00

3. Coston, Jeff - 395.00

Holk's Highlights: Dana Londin

Facility: La Grande CC

Hometown:  Born and raised in Clinton, Connecticut. Moved to Oregon in 1996.

PGA Member Since: 1999

Dana Londin’s grandfather started teaching him golf around the age of 7. Now he’s created a golf course just for young golfers at La Grande CC in La Grande, Oregon. Conceived and constructed by Head Professional Dana Londin, Director of Instruction Stuart Smart, and Greens Superintendent Brent Austin, the idea came about to create a kid-sized course that would be a stress-free space for children to enjoy golf.

Pros on the Move

by Michelle Parish, Tournament & Membership Coordinator

Emplyoment Changes

• James P. Dunham, PGA (A-8) - from Unaffliated to Redtail GC
• Michael J. Schoner, PGA (A-8) - from Unaffliated to Canyon Lakes GC

Class Changes

• David I. Kass, PGA (Salish Cliffs GC) - from A-1 to A-4
• Christopher P. Koch, PGA (Salish Cliffs GC) - from A-8 to A-1

New Apprentices

• Taylor W Hutchins (B-13) - Priest Lake GC
• Bradley M Ishikawa (B-8) -  Quail Valley GC
• Garrick A Little (B-8) - The Creek at Qualchan
• Michael A. Low (B-8) -  Rainier G&CC
• Cody M Olson (B-8) - Whitefish Lake GC
• Conner H Robbins (B-6) - Meadow Park GC
• Luke T Yocum (B-8) - Harbour Pointe GC

Transfers INTO the Section

• Joshua R Andona (B-8) to Gozzer Ranch Golf & Lake Club from Southwest
• Todd S. Bigley, PGA (A-1) to Forest Hills CC from Southwest
• Stephen P. Lyon, PGA (A-8) to Gozzer Ranch Golf & Lake Club from Carolinas
• Tyler A. Martin, PGA (A-8) to Whitefish Lake GC from Northern California
• Thomas G. VanHaaren, PGA (A-14) to Pronghorn from Southwest

Resigned

• Anthony B. LoPriore
• Bradley E. West

Deceased

• Ed Bucklin - obituary

Introducing the PNWPGA’s New PGA Employment Consultant

Monte Koch, PGA of America Employment Consultant

As part of the PGA of America’s commitment to employment, the PGA is working to expand the reach and level of engagement to PGA professionals in the Pacific Northwest Section (and the Rocky Mountain Section.) Koch’s hiring, as an Employment Consultant in this section, is one of seven added positions throughout the Association to ensure a more balanced connection to the members and apprentices who make up the PGA.

Three Simple Steps to Secure Your Future

Blake Parrish

“A golfer has to train his swing on the practice tee, and then trust it on the course.” – Dr. Bob Rotella

Forget about getting into a high flying stock like SNAP in order to catch up from all those years we wasted our money on cars, clothes, home furnishings etc.  Forget about flipping houses.  The onus is on us to aggressively save for our future rather than go all in on a risky investment that most likely will not come to fruition.

So let’s create a plan for your future!

This plan will have three phases, and you can forecast your financial situation for each one today. Think of it the same way you do your budget. You’re making a plan for your money before you actually have it, based on projections for your income and expenses.