June is a busy time for PGA Professionals: the MSR deadline, entries are out or soon to be out for the PPC, Sr. PPC, Assistant, Rosauers and Senior Oregon, dues bills are out and of course you are all swamped at the course….at least I hope so!
First, a big thank you to Chris and Greg Manley and the members at Meridian Valley for a very successful Muckleshoot Casino Washington Open. Great job! In addition to an exciting championship with Darren Black out dueling Chris Griffin and Brian Thornton down the stretch, we raised $43,000 for the Folds of Honor. Thank you to all the professionals who played with our sponsors in the pro-am and participated in the great parties, auction and raffle.
The PGA of America has distributed entries for the PGA Professional Championship at Canyon River GC in Missoula. Those who played five years ago remember the fun golf course and hospitality of the local spots in Missoula. If you like to wet a fly once in a while, the fishing is outstanding just down the way from the club. Entry for this championship is through the PGA of America. Don’t miss the July 7 deadline. Enter at www.pgatournaments.com.
Entries will be out soon will be the Senior PGA Professional Championship qualifying and the PGA Assistant Professional Championship. Watch your email notices and the mid-July deadlines!
Tee times are posted for the Oregon Open Invitational at Crosswater. Thank you Josh Willis for the invitation to return to Sunriver. The full field speaks to the popularity of your great facility. Be sure to watch our almost live scoring starting on June 9. Our thanks to our sponsors – National Car Rental, Bridgestone, Sun Mountain, Greg Norman, Sundog/AMA and of course our friends at Abby’s Pizza.
The Rosauers Open returns to Indian Canyon in 2015. The weather cooperated and the city has made a strong effort to revitalize the course. It looks great! The Rosauers team will once again produce an outstanding pro-am and our largest purse of the year. Many of you have worked with Bob Fah over the years. As I write this, Bob is sitting next to me on a bus traveling across Ireland on the first day of our Ireland Pro-Am. Be sure to ask Bob about his experience, we’ll make sure he has fun! Click here for Rosauers entry forms.
Congratulations to PGA Scholarship winners Kyle Robertson, Joel Bowen, and Carly Conner. Your good work has been recognized by the scholarship committee.
Our local Drive Chip and Putt qualifiers start on June 14 at both the OGA Course and Mount Si. Please promote this fun opportunity to your juniors and parents. It really is a no pressure competition for most of the kids and a way to help your new juniors ease into competition. We have 11 local sites, one is near you! Registration is free and players may sign up at www.drivechipandputt.com.
For a bit of business, remember that your PGA dues are payable no later than June 30. Simply log into PGA.org to pay on-line or print an invoice to submit with your check. Paper invoices are not mailed! One caution, if the club pays your dues, please walk your invoice though accounting. Every year we have a club accountant think mailing a check on June 30 works….not so much. Help yourself out and avoid the late fees/suspensions by taking an active role in the process. If you know of a senior who is unable to pay their dues due to health reasons, please let me know as a group of seniors has a private fund to assist in special circumstances.
We are just two weeks away from the US Open at Chambers Bay. It should bring a great focus on golf in the Pacific Northwest. We’ve received a few calls about access to the championship. The following is reprinted from PGA.org:
As a courtesy extended by the USGA; Class A PGA members, Life members and Master Professional members. No spouse or family members (PGA members only; this offer is not extended to apprentices). Must show membership card and Photo I.D. each day. Go to Will Call to pick up daily ticket. Ticket Information (800) 698-0661.
I hope you have a great summer. Your fantastic staff is here to help you navigate your PGA membership. Please feel free to give them a call. They are a dedicated team that I’m so grateful to be working with. Reach out to them when you need help.
Jeff Ellison, CEO