I wrestled a bit with writing this article, torn between sharing something personal or sticking to business. In the end, I decided to do both. After all, our work lives and personal lives are often deeply connected through the relationships we build in this profession.
Personally, I am overwhelmed this week because a member of my club asked me to speak at his wife’s celebration of life this weekend. As I’ve prepared my remarks, I’ve found myself wondering, “Why me?” There are so many others he could have chosen to speak about Sue. However, he chose a PGA Professional from his country club. That decision reminded me of something we often forget in the busyness of the season: what we do matters.
We’ve chosen a profession centered around a game that offers an opportunity to impact people through relationships. We wear many hats as professionals, but at the root of it all, we build and foster relationships every day with the people we serve. The game brings people together, and we deliver the experience. How fortunate we are to do this work!
On the business front, it’s exciting to see the season getting underway across the Section. Tournaments are in full swing, golf outings are taking place, and our professionals are hard at work delivering outstanding golf experiences.
A few highlights I want to celebrate:
- Thank you to the teams, clubs, and professionals who supported the We Got Your Six tournament for PGA HOPE. Your efforts helped raise over $11,000 to support our veterans through this vital program.
- A big thank you to Tacoma Country and Golf Club for hosting the 99th Washington Open. It was a tremendous event at an incredible venue. Special thanks to our sponsors for making it all possible. Congratulations to Conner Robbins on a well-earned victory!
- And last but not least, this past Friday, Connor Sproull, Dave Owens, and I completed our annual 100 Holes for HOPE fundraiser. The weather was perfect, our members were incredibly supportive, and we raised over $3,500 for a great cause.
Thank you to all the professionals around the Section who played 100 holes for their favorite charity. I especially want to congratulate Molly Cooper on her hole-in-one during her 100-hole marathon! Well done!
Also, a quick reminder: PGA JAM applications close on May 30. PGA JAM (Junior Ambassador Membership) is a fantastic opportunity to bring additional leadership development to your junior golf programs. These course-based programs supplement existing programming and provide kids ages 12–17 the chance to explore real-world responsibilities through golf-related projects. The JAM curriculum not only cultivates leadership and business skills—it also drives revenue, strengthens junior retention, and boosts program participation. If you’ve been thinking about bringing this to your facility, now is the time to apply.
In closing, I want to remind everyone of the incredible impact we have through our profession. Let’s continue to build strong relationships, support each other, and make a positive difference in the lives of those we serve. Here’s to a successful season ahead!
Chris M. Nowlen, PGA