We are saddened to report that Michael Nelson, PGA, of Newport, Oregon, passed away on January 14, 2025, at the age of 77. A PGA Member since November 1998, Michael dedicated his life to golf, serving as head professional at Olalla Valley Golf Course starting in 1994. He also worked as an assistant professional at … Read more
I’d like to take this opportunity to reflect on friendships. I feel incredibly blessed to be writing this month’s article while on vacation in Hawaii, poolside with my wife and our best friends—whom we met through golf, of course. As golf professionals, this game is an integral part of our lives. One of its greatest … Read more
What is a Skill and What is a Discipline? You might be thinking, “What a weird question!” But I don’t think so. In fact, I’ve been emphasizing the distinction between the two for many years. While skills and disciplines are certainly linked, they are not the same. So, how are they different? Let’s break it … Read more
New Year’s Day: A Strategic Reset for the PNWPGA and the Golf Industry Happy New Year! As Mr. Nowlen reported in his December 2024 column, the PNWPGA Board of Directors and your section staff completed our Winter Strategic Planning meetings. By all accounts, our time together was a great success. Most promising to me is the … Read more
Facility: Oswego Lake CC Hometown: Lake Oswego, Oregon PGA member since: 1986 Brent’s introduction to the game was a family affair. Playing with his father and working for local pro Lee Brune at Glendoveer Golf Course sparked his love for golf. At just 9 years old, Brent began shagging balls for Lee’s lessons, a formative experience that … Read more
Randy Buckenberger, PGA, passed away on December 13, 2024, at the age of 63. Born on March 27, 1961, in Spokane, Washington, Randy graduated from Central Valley High School in Spokane Valley in June 1979. His lifelong passion for golf began early, leading him to turn professional on June 22, 1982. Randy worked as Head … Read more