I can’t believe how fast this year is rolling by. It seems like the weather was meh in May and June, then spiked hot for the fourth, and now the evenings are starting to cool again. It has all happened so fast.
Eventful seems to define every year in some fashion in life and this business. Maybe it’s the nature of a seasonal region of the country, or it may just be fate. Each year, both personally and professionally, curve balls keep slicing by. I mean since I wrote my last article, I have executed a member guest, played in two events, including a great time at the Senior Oregon Open, lost 144 trees in a windstorm at my facility, and most importantly, became a new grandpa. That last one is “fire”, as my oldest son would say! Minerva was three weeks early and came the night before the first round of the Sr. Oregon Open.
The storm on July 24th was more than expected in western Montana. 109 MPH winds devastated our golf course, Larchmont Golf Course across the street, and most of the city. I know many of you have experienced this or worse, but it is always a huge shock. Thank goodness no one was killed. For many, the power was out for days, and some people couldn’t get to their homes for days. The silver lining was the amazing community outreach for each other in Missoula, the region, and at Missoula Country Club. But isn’t that what we have come to expect around the game of golf? Community and relationships are fortified in a four-hour adventure chasing a little white golf ball. Nearly every one of us has a network of family, friends, co-workers, members, and patrons that we may or not know by name, but we remember shared experiences of camaraderie, pain, and success. When devastation hits, people show up, communities come together, and we show our true humanity. There were many golf professionals from around the Chapter and Section that reached out to offer assistance and support. It was overwhelming to say the least. Thank you very much.
Our Section is at a disadvantage when it comes to networking and outreach. We are so large geographically and it takes time for information to circulate around our five Chapters. Many times, we miss opportunities to share exciting and devastating situations or experiences. If we aren’t paying attention, we are left wishing we could have helped. Thankfully, I see a great opportunity we already have is our VP financial calls and our President’s monthly calls that we have throughout the year. Your leadership shares what is happening in each Chapter. We talk about our unique challenges, mostly around Chapter affairs, but what is happening, none the less. However, if we don’t know, we can’t discuss, plan, and act. I encourage you all to reach out to your Chapter President, VP, Section Officers, or Section staff if you or someone you know needs a hand.
There are still many things coming up in the next few months of the 2024 golf season. Make sure you nominate a fellow professional that has demonstrated success for an award. Sign up to play in the PPC or bring a team of your members to a destination pro-am if you have the opportunity. Register for the Mentoring Conference. Please attend your Chapter fall meetings next month and vote for our next Section Secretary. If you aren’t PGA HOPE certified, I hope you find an opportunity to complete the training. Also, if you have an opportunity to serve your Chapter, get involved. We need your leadership.
Have a great month!