I write this report knowing the golf season is in full force in the Pacific Northwest. Spending the first 13 years of my golf career in green grass in the Northeast part of our country, I can relate to the pent-up enthusiasm from both the consumer’s and golf professional’s perspective. What a tremendous opportunity we have to serve such a popular and growing industry.
Now residing in the Southwest where summer months offer a time to catch our collective breath, our PGA of America Championship season is in full force. Did you know we are the only golf association to host three majors on three different tours (LPGA, PGA, and Champions)? It is quite an honor to be involved in the planning and facilitation of these worldwide events. We have the best Championship’s Department in golf. And in addition to delivering first class competitive events, our Association also uses these events to broadcast what we do as a member-led Association to grow the game each and every day.
Last month, I joined members of the Pacific Northwest Section, namely Howie Pruitt and Carissa Shaw in Texas for our National Committee meetings. You have two superstars who are working hard for your Section and our National membership to advance education and employment opportunities. We joined the Chair of our Membership Committee, Doug Doxsie, and committee member Marcus King (two exemplars in the field we also know well) to assist with mentorship initiatives.
Days after, I joined a number of PGA Professionals for a few days in Washington, D.C. during National Golf Day. We represented our Association as members of the American Golf Coalition. Our group met with Senators leading the golf caucus movement, and several State Representatives to advocate for our golf industry. We targeted sponsorship for the PAR Act enabling golf courses to receive funding for disaster relief; sponsorship of the PHIT Act to include golf equipment and lessons as eligible expenses for pre-tax health savings accounts; a request to reauthorize $3M of the Farm Bill for turfgrass research; opposition to permanent standard time; increase awareness of golf’s sustainable use of resources, including water and the necessary allocations and costs associated with a sustainable business; and a request to each of our State Representatives to join the golf caucus.
I cannot begin to tell you how much stronger our messaging is together alongside our allied Associations. When we have representatives from the PGA of America, the National Golf Course Owners Association, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, and the First Tee, for example, all sharing the same energy and advocacy for the game we love, State Representatives listen. We are a number of small businesses working together, enabling a $226B economic impact, with strong social and health benefits. Golf is one of the most popular outdoor recreation activities in our country, with 138M people interested in the game. I encourage all who are reading this report to make the effort to go to one National Golf Day in your lifetime, it is a rush like no other…all for the love of the game.
What I have seen and experienced in the boardroom is nothing less than exceptional service to our members and the game. We made difficult decisions that will provide a sustainable Association for many years to come. I am pleased to report our Association received a promising financial report for 2025 and we are positioned well to achieve a 4-year break-even budget for the PGA of America (c6). While we have reduced spending related to PGA of America Foundation (c3) REACH programming, we have reset operational and fundraising goals and have committed to add resources where necessary to create a sustainable pathway forward for REACH. Consequently, we have changed the structure of the PGA Foundation Board of Directors, and have benefitted from existing and new trustees to help secure resources for the PGA Foundation. I am proud of the direction we are heading in with PGA REACH and the number of critical programs that are served under its scope.
Speaking of pride, I am inspired each day by our Section leadership throughout the country. When REACH programming experienced reduced funding, many of our Section leaders whether Officers or Executive Directors displayed grit and determination to lead by example. These examples include: meeting regional needs by launching new fundraising events; donating services to meet demand in Veteran and junior golf clinics and events; and hiring staff to support Section Foundation services. The Pacific Northwest Section continues to serve as a great example of the spirit behind what REACH is all about, and to support growth in our game while serving populations that need our service the most. I am so proud to be associated with both the Pacific Northwest and my home Section in the Southwest, together we serve as a strong District setting a standard for growth of the game initiates while serving our member in the highest level possible.
To conclude, I wanted to share with you a brief summary of a recent competency study I completed. The study explored competencies valued most important in the PGA Professional role compared to their self-perceived level of expertise in that particular competency. The results of the analysis identify the largest gaps between what is felt to be most important and their perceived preparedness for those roles. Perhaps these are areas we can begin focusing on for educational opportunities.
- Managing personal stress
- Adapting and being flexible to changing needs
- Developing positive member/customer relations
- Knowledge of and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
Given you are all in the heart of your season, please keep in mind you are surrounded by people who care for you and want to help you succeed. We are a member-based Association that holds mentorship in high regard and sharing of information to support each other’s goals, all with a foundation of strong sense of community.
Together we are better.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if I can be of any assistance.
Chris Cain, PGA