I hope you’re having a great summer! The heat is ramping up, but the first half of this summer has been amazing. It’s hard to believe it’s already half over. I swear, the older I get, the faster time flies. I hope you have all found time for your own game, coaching this great game, working, and spending time with your family! That is a lot to juggle.
We recently finished our president call and section officers call. The business of all our chapters in the Section is going very well. At the halfway mark of the season, participation has been great across the Section—in section majors and in chapter events. It seems that our junior player development programs are thriving, and we are seeing a lot of uptick in PGA HOPE events thanks to support from our Section’s foundation. Personally, this is very exciting!
One topic that came up during our recent officers call was the Freddy Initiative. I would like to thank President John Grothe and Past President Bryan Tunstill for providing me with an update and information to share with you.
Sean Fredrickson was a dedicated leader and mentor whose passion for helping others shaped the Pacific Northwest Section of the PGA. As Section President, Sean championed mentorship by creating the Mentoring Committee and launching early mentoring conferences. His commitment to supporting fellow professionals left a lasting impact on many of us.
In honor of Sean’s legacy, we’ve established a foundation focused on mentoring Associate PGA Professionals. This initiative connects Associates with experienced mentors from across the Section, encouraging them to grow beyond their immediate environments. By learning from diverse leaders, Associates gain broader perspectives, enhance adaptability, and build confidence to take on new challenges.
The foundation will also host educational workshops on key topics like leadership, customer service, and industry trends—providing valuable tools for ongoing professional development. In addition, scholarships will be available to help Associates advance through the PGA Education Program.
This mentorship initiative is a powerful way to honor Sean’s legacy and build a stronger future for our Section. I encourage all PGA Professionals to engage—whether as mentors, supporters, or advocates—and help inspire the next generation of golf professionals. Applications are now open for all PGA Associates to join this tremendous opportunity. Learn more and apply here.
Don’t forget to nominate outstanding professionals in your Chapter for special awards. Nominations are submitted online through the Section website. From there, each Chapter Awards Committee carefully reviews candidates to identify the recipient in each category. Chapter winners then move forward as candidates for Section awards, and Section recipients are considered for national recognition. This is a meaningful way to celebrate the hard work, leadership, and impact of our peers—so please take a few moments to submit a nomination.
On the Section front, make sure to sign up for the Section Championship in Western Montana when entries open on July 23rd! We look forward to hosting you at Canyon River for the tournament and Missoula Country Club for the fall meeting.