Happy October, fellow golf professionals. I hope you’re happy and well as the season is winding down in the Pacific Northwest.
First, I would like to mention Frank’s last article. I hope you had a chance to read it. Hopefully, we will have some rest and reflection in the next couple months, but this amazing weather has been very fun. What a beautiful fall we are having! Crisp mornings and warm temperatures during the day, late starts with some morning, frost, but gorgeous sunshine and warm weather. Great for fall golf!
At my facility, we are in the throes of planning for 2025. This has not allowed for downtime yet, and probably isn’t suitable for reflection about 2024 before we dive into 2025. However, things are slowing down, so we have been able to get caught up on the little things and have a couple of days without things being crazy.
For our chapters and the Section, it is the same story. We’ve not reached a point of downtime and reflection, because we are still hosting our chapter meetings, conducting Secretary elections, and wrapping up the golf season. Next, your leadership will dive right into strategic planning for 2025. Hopefully, all chapters will complete their first winter planning sessions by Thanksgiving or so, in time for us to meet in Arizona for the Section’s winter planning meeting. At the beginning of November, the Officers of the Section and Chapter Presidents will head to the PGA National Meeting. This year we elect our next National Secretary.
Chapter and Section Committees are also meeting this time of the year, looking at our success for 2024 and planning for the success of 2025. One committee that is working diligently is the Special Awards Committee. If you know someone on that committee, please thank them for their time and effort, as it is extremely demanding.
Professional development is another busy committee this month with the upcoming mentoring conference. If you have not signed up to join us at Tacoma C&GC, there are only a few spots left. The 2024 PNWPGA Mentoring Conference presented by TaylorMade is November 12-13, 2024. This year’s event will offer two full days of keynote presentations and breakout sessions delivered by nationally recognized experts in a variety of topics, all intended to leave you with valuable takeaways for your own professional and personal growth and the tools to make you a truly effective mentor. Our special thanks to Mr. Greg Manley, PGA, Mr. Kyle Freeman, and all our friends at TaylorMade for again being this incredible event’s lead sponsor. To register, click here.
The tournament committee will also begin a review of 2024 and discuss adjustments for 2025. This has been a great year for our tournament program at all levels. We continue to see great participation and success in our chapter and section events. There is always room for improvement, so give your thoughts to your chapter tournament committee chair.
As the season winds up, the best of the best players are meeting at Meadow Springs CC this week for the 76th annual Hudson Cup matches. I would like to thank Chris Peterson and Meadow Springs for hosting, congratulate Jason Aichele and Steve Stull for captaining this year’s teams, and wish both teams a great match. I wish I could attend this year. Best of luck to both teams this week!
Many other things are coming in professional development, player development, employment, orientation, mentoring, education, and governance at the chapter and section level. As always, I want to thank Section staff for their hard work on our behalf, and I want to thank the many PGA professionals that volunteer their time to serve the member and make our lives as members better. We are truly blessed to have the success we enjoy. Our section is the best of the best.
I would like to congratulate Marcus King on his selection as our next District Director. Congratulations, Marcus, and thank you for serving us on the big stage. Thank you to Howie Pruitt for competing with Marcus for that role. These two remarkable gentlemen represent our section well at every level. Anyone that has considered getting involved, please follow in their footsteps. Now is a great time to sign up for a committee and get involved at the chapter level. Your work will be rewarding for you and beneficial to all.
Several members have asked about assisting our fellow professionals dealing with damage from the recent hurricanes that have plagued the Southeast. Our sister sections in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas have set up Hurricane Relief Funds to help those with an emergency. They have varying levels of assistance. You can also make donations through our PGA Disaster relief fund. Click here for more information or do a quick search for PGA Disaster Relief for recent storms.
If you are an associate looking for assistance with your journey through the program, work, work experience projects, or life in general, I am willing to help you or find help for you in your area. Please, email me at [email protected]. Many PGA professionals have reached their 25th anniversary this year. Congratulations to them, and we are also a great resource to the many new Associates in the Pacific Northwest Section.
Cheers!
Chris M. Nowlen, PGA