In this issue:

President's Report
CEO's Report
Oregon Open Invitational Returns to Sunriver Resort
Play with the Best at the Washington Open Invitational
PNW Junior PGA Championship entries available
Tacoma Golf Duo Wins Pro-Assistant Championship
Team Bomar Wins Holcomb-In-One Las Vegas Pro-Am
Holk's Highlights: Cameron Milton
8 Tips for Business Success from Sir Richard Branson - Carol Pence

What Should We Be Selling in Golf? - Monte Koch
The Defense of Purchasing Power - Blake Parrish
Members on the Move

Gold Level Sponsors

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President's Report

As we progress through spring, I wanted to highlight our most recent PNWPGA Spring Membership Meeting at Meridian Valley Country Club. It was a great couple of days in mid-March, getting together to share best practices and promote the game of golf. Thank you to PGA General Manager Greg Manley, PGA Associate Professional Wes Hayden and staff for hosting the meeting as well as the PNWPGA Pro-Assistant tournament. Also, thank you to our sponsors for supporting this great championship. Sally Schmitz with Bushnell, Bryan Dickson with Cutter and Buck and Matt Pollitt of PTE Golf are great partners of the PNWPGA and we appreciate all of their support of our Section.

At the conclusion of our Spring General Membership meeting, we had breakout sessions for additional MSR opportunities. Carol Pence and Monte Koch rose to the occasion, leading small groups on career building, resume writing tips, and best practices on promoting and growing the game of golf. Just before we ended the meeting, CEO Jeff Ellison and myself presented a short presentation of what our Section Board has been working on and towards the most recent months. It was a good Q+A session, with topics ranging from Tournaments to Education to Governance. I wanted to offer to share that presentation with anyone that didn’t get a chance to see it. If you would like a copy of it, it is available on the member website (use your PGALinks login).

Your Section Board is here for you, and we want your input. The more we know from our members about how we can better serve the 1100 of us, the better we will be able to serve you and guide our Section down the best road.

Have a great season! Get out and play some golf, and promote this game of golf, the most wonderful of games.

Bryan Tunstill, PGA
Columbia Edgewater CC
(503) 285-8354 | [email protected]

Gold Level Sponsors

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CEO's Report

It’s no April Fool’s joke that the MSR deadline is quickly approaching. June 15 is the magic day for members to complete their MSR requirements. Please log into your PGA.org account and ensure you have satisfied the requirements and confirm you have fulfilled both the PGA Required and Total numbers. If you still need a few credits, check your Chapter web site or view our comprehensive list at http://www.pnwpga.com/member-services/education/. Your staff here in the office is available to help you navigate the last few credits you might need.

Inglewood CC will host the 2015 Pacific Northwest Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on April 24 where we will be inducting Pat Huffer and Steve Prugh into the PNW PGA Hall of Fame along with adding Tom Brandes, Chris Maletis and Hilda (McAuslan) Beck into the PNGA Hall of Fame. All Pacific Northwest Section members are invited to attend. You should have received an invitation via email and you may also view details here. Register early as we expect the room to fill.

DCP logo Drive Chip and Putt registration remains open and with the finals coming up on Sunday, April 5, I’m sure you’ll receive a few questions on how to register. All of our 11 sites have open spots but I expect a bit of a rush with the coverage so encourage your juniors to sign up today at www.drivechipandputt.com. This is a great opportunity for kids of all abilities. For parents concerned about the expense of advancing along the process, we are fortunate to host the Regional Qualifier this year at Chambers Bay!

Speaking of junior golfers, the Pacific Northwest PGA Junior Golf Fund is offering Youth Player Development grants to PGA Professionals wishing to upgrade their programs. Click here for details.

Our tournament season is in full swing. Next up is the Senior Players and I am pleased to welcome Ken Allen and Club Glove as our new sponsor of this championship. Ken will be providing logo towels for all the players. Thanks, Ken!

Entries are also out for the Washington Open and the return of the Oregon Open Invitational to Crosswater. I’m happy to report that Indian Canyon came through the winter and we’ll be returning for the Rosauers Open Invitational in July! We have a great line up this year….I hope you plan to play!

Mark your calendar for our 2016 Destination Pro-Ams. January 14-21, we return to the Big Island of Hawaii and the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel for the 41st Winter Pro-Am and March 13-17 we will once again head to Las Vegas and the Holcomb-In-One Pro-Am. Both are a blast! Start working on your team now.

Many of you have asked about access to the US Open. The following policy is posted on PGA.org:

USGA: 2015 U.S. Open – June 15-21 – Chambers Bay, University Place, Washington: As a courtesy extended by the USGA; Class A PGA members, Life members and Master Professional members. No spouse or family members (PGA members only; this offer is not extended to apprentices). Must show membership card and Photo I.D. each day. Go to Will Call to pick up daily ticket. Ticket Information (800) 698-0661

Many of you have seasonal assistants–please make sure they complete their change forms upon returning to work. April 30 is the magic day for change forms as it determines which Section will be supported by their dues!

We just released our Social Media Survey. Please help us forge a new communication plan to best utilize our resources to effectively share with you the Section’s news and program availability. The survey is deliberately quick and painless. If you don’t use social media, please complete the survey and let us know….you might save us a lot of effort! Our goal is simple, use our limited resources in the most effective, targeted manner. Click here to take the survey if you have not already done so.

Have a great April and I hope to see you at the Muckleshoot Casino Washington Open Invitational in May.

Jeff Ellison, PGA
Chief Executive Officer

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Oregon Open Invitational Returns to Sunriver Resort!

Team entries are now available for the Oregon Open Invitational at Sunriver Resort -Crosswater Course on June 9-11. Entries close Wednesday, May 27th, so hurry and get your team entry in now! Host Professionals Josh Willis, PGA and Erik Mettille, PGA are excited to have us all.

Download the Oregon Open Invitational Team Entry

A Resort Golf Experience for Everyone

With a robust list of activities and magnificent resort amenities, Sunriver Resort offers an experience that will satisfy any palate. Located just 15 miles south of Bend, Ore., Sunriver Resort is a 3,300 acre all-seasons getaway destination known for its championship golf, award-winning spa, Northwest restaurants and outdoor pool facility. It is near extra activities such as fly-fishing, hiking, biking, rock climbing at Smith Rock, skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing at Mt. Bachelor. Bend, Ore. is just a short jaunt away with an impressive selection of restaurants, breweries, cafes, events and art galleries. Sunriver is one of those unique locations that truly provides something for everyone; whether it’s your family or your team of favorite golf buddies!

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Play with the Best at the Washington Open Invitational!

This event draws 168 of the best professional and amateur players in the Northwest. There is no cut! Last year’s champion, PGA Professional John Cassidy of Alderbrook Golf & Yacht Club, is expected to return to defend this title. Watch 2014 interview with John Cassidy.

Be a Part of History

The Washington Open Invitational dates back to 1922. In that year, young Al Espinosa captured the crown at Yakima CC. Some big names have won this event over the years including the Zimmerman brothers, Al and Emery, along with Chuck Congdon, Al Mengert, Senior Tour Player Rick Acton and PGA Tour Player Fred Couples.

Chuck Congdon holds the record for the most wins (39, 47, 50, 52, and 62) while Al Mengert holds the record for the most consecutive wins (63, 64, and 65). The current tournament record is held by PGA Professional Tim Feenstra of Broadmoor GC (2011) and PGA Member Jeff Gove (2012).

Download the Washington Open Championship Professional Entry.

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Senior Players' Championship at Wine Valley

A few spots are still open in the PNW Senior Players’ Championship, to be held April 21-22 at Wine Valley GC. Mark Keating is expected to be back to defend his title against a full field of Senior PGA Professionals, including host professional John Thorsnes.

Click here for online entry

Click here for PDF entry form

We are happy to announce that Ken Allen with Club Glove recently came onboard to sponsor this event!

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PNW Junior PGA Championship

jr champ We are now accepting entries for the 2015 Pacific Northwest Section Junior PGA Championship Qualifier at Lake Spanaway GC on May 30 – May 31. Please let your junior golfers at your club know about our upcoming tournament in the coming months. It’s a wonderful opportunity for your junior golfers to become involved in competitive golf.

Click here for PDF entry form

Championship Qualifier Information: A stroke play competition based on the lowest gross scores. The age divisions are: 12 & Under, 13-15, and 16-18.

The winning Boy and Girl Champion from each of the 41 PGA Sections will participate in the Junior PGA Championship held August 3-6, 2015 (Practice Rounds August 1-2) at Miramont Country Club in Bryan, Texas. Section Champions are identified based on the lowest gross score in the 16-18 age division.

Silver Level Sponsors

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Tacoma Golf Duo Wins Pro-Assistant Championship

Molly Cooper, PGA - Director of Tournament & Member Programs

The Tacoma Golf Center team consisting of Head PGA Professional Todd Erwin and Assistant Professional Derek Barron won the PNW Pro-Assistant Championship, held March 16-17, 2015 at Meridian Valley CC, by a record nine strokes. The duo fired rounds of 64-62-126, 18-under par for the two-day, four-ball competition. They made 18 birdies during the 36-hole championship, including on all of the last 6 holes of competition.

On the final day of the competition, Erwin and Barron began with a one-stroke lead over the competition. With their thin lead over so many other strong teams, they refused to let pressure affect their play. “We started the day knowing that we were both playing well, so our goal was to just play as free as possible and have as much fun as we could,” said Barron.

Five teams tied for second place, consisting of the teams from Rainer G&CC, Oswego Lake CC, Inglewood GC and two teams from Columbia Edgewater CC. In another example of fantastic play during the championship, Sean Fredrickson made a hole-in-one on the 12th hole during the first round!

The Tacoma Golf Center duo expressed that their goal, "was nothing short of trying to win, after all that's why we are there, and we felt if we could have a solid strategy we could accomplish it.” For their victory, Erwin and Barron earned $2,500 and the title of 2015 PNW Pro-Assistant Champions. In addition to their first place check, Sally Schmitz gave both men a Bushnell new Tour X rangefinder. All participants also received a Cutter & Buck shirt from Brian Dickson.

Our thanks to Sally Schmitz of Bushnell, Bryan Dickson of Cutter & Buck and Matt Pollitt of PTE Golf for their support. A special thanks to host PGA Professional Greg Manley and his staff – especially to superintendent Craig Benson and his crew for a fantastic golf course. The weather held off both days and we enjoyed an amazing track.

Meridian Valley CC is the host of the upcoming Muckleshoot Casino Washington Open Invitational in May. Come be a part of this historic event!

Results

Silver Level Sponsors

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Team Bomar Wins Holcomb-In-One Las Vegas Pro-Am

Molly Cooper, PGA - Director of Tournament & Member Programs

Thank you to all the teams that participated in this year’s TWELFTH Holcomb-In-One Las Vegas Pro-Amateur at Angel Park – Palm Course, Tuscany GC and new favorite Anthem CC. All players enjoyed a week of fantastic weather – mid to high 70’s!

Congratulations to PGA Professional Billy Bomar’s team from Prairie Falls GC with amateurs Mike Bergt, Larry Buss, Dave Faulk and George Swift! They took home the hardware and title of the 12th Holcomb-In-One Las Vegas Pro-Am Champions after winning by 5 points over the team from Hayden Lake CC with amateurs Ben Focke, Dan Stubbs, Branden Reynolds and Dan Baker and the team from Fircrest GC headed by PGA Professional Tom Ainslie with his amateurs Scott Langlow, Steve Howhannesian, Eric Blitz and Rich Force.

Congratulations to Billy Bomar for also for winning the overall professional division by nine points over Matt Bunn and Jordan Reeder of Canyon Lakes GC. Low amateur gross stableford honors went to Tim Tweten of Fircrest GC who won by two points over Derek Mills of McCormick Woods GC. Amateur Steve Howhannesian of Costa Mesa G&CC won low honors in the amateur net field in the stableford competition by four points over Eric Blitz of Fircrest GC.

Grant Holcomb along with John Anderson of Antigua/Slazenger, Ed Kowachek of Sun Mountain Sports, John Bond of Imperial Headwear, Scott Williams of VooDoo Performance Towels and Jon Sjostrom of Range Servant all sponsored this event making it our best year yet. Each participant in the event received two Antigua pieces – a golf shirt and pull over, a Sun Mountain weather jacket, a VooDoo Performance Towel and a hat from Imperial Headwear. Thanks also to Jason Gregory of CaddyX for donating a free voucher to ship all participants clubs home through his easy and convenient lug free travel company.

Thanks to Grant Holcomb for another great year, our twelfth year with Grant as our sponsor! For those of you that have yet to experience the Holcomb-In-One Las Vegas Pro-Am, it’s a great one and Grant is “ALL IN” for next year, so start working on your team and join us in 2016! Mark down the dates on your calendar - March 13-17, 2016.

Results

Holk's Highlights

You were recently awarded the Youth Player Development Award. How does it feel to know that you’re helping to grow the game for future generations – including your own son?

"I can't imagine a better feeling than getting youth golfers into the game of golf. Golf is truly a sport that can give enjoyment to someone for a lifetime. Having a young son just reinforces my belief in youth golfers and doing everything possible to help a junior succeed. Other than golf just being fun and a healthy activity, the intangibles that go along with golf are equally important: i.e. integrity, sportsmanship, honor, etc."

At the awards ceremony, you mentioned that your junior program involves a lot of work with local schools and businesses like the local McDonald’s. Do you have advice for golf professionals looking to grow their junior golf programs?

"My advice would be to have passion for what you do, and if you exhibit passion those around you, either in the community, facility, or fellow golf professionals, will want to be involved with your program. A quality youth player development program has to be embraced community-wide. When you have community or facility support, there is no end to how successful a program can be. "

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Cameron Milton

Facility: Polson Bay GC

Hometown: Roundup, MT

University: University of Montana, BA degree in Organizational Communication

PGA Member Since: 2003

Did you play junior golf? How about collegiate golf?

"I played junior golf extensively. I started playing at 8 and by the time I was 10, my parents would drop me off at the golf course in Roundup and I would play sun-up to sun-down. The course was small 9 hole municipal course that didn't mind having a pesky kid around the facility all day. I would pick up range balls or take out the trash to get a free hot dog. The University of Montana did not have a men's collegiate team but I did enter PGA apprentice program while still going to college."

Roger Wallace had a big impact on your career. Who else inspired you in golf?

"Chris Nowlen is the PGA Professional and General Manager at Missoula Country Club and he gave me my first job as an Assistant Golf Professional at King Ranch Golf Club. He started my path in the golf business. Also, my grandfather and uncle were instrumental in keeping me in the game as a youth as they were the only ones in my family who played golf. I owe a great deal to the two of them."

Brought to you by Grant Holcomb and:

National Sponsors

carol pence

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8 Tips for Business Success from Sir Richard Branson

Carol Pence, PGA | PGA Employment Consultant | [email protected]

Sir Richard Branson is an English businessman and investor. Best known as the founder of Virgin Airlines and Virgin Records, he leads more than 400 companies in the Virgin Group. While he professes to there are no shortcuts to success, he feels strongly that certain attitudes and actions can help. Here are his tips for succeeding in business the Virgin way:

Do some good. If you aren’t making a difference in other people’s lives, you shouldn’t be in business – it’s that simple. Companies have a responsibility to make a difference in the world. They owe this to their community, their staff, their customers, everyone. The amazing part is that “doing good” is also good for business.

monte koch

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What Should We Be Selling in Golf?

Monte Koch, PGA | Player Development Regional Manager | [email protected]

As teachers of golf, what are we selling? Lessons or Better Results?

Ian James, a consumer behavior analyst, now focusing on the golf industry as CEO of RetailTribe says it best. No one wants to buy lessons! He’s right!

Think about your current efforts to stay fit or lose a few pounds… Does the workout INSPIRE YOU? How about the diet? Does that INSPIRE YOU? How about walking right past the soda machine to get a drink of water? Does that INSPIRE YOU? If you’re honest, your answer to all of these questions is a resounding “No!” The process of becoming more healthy is not what brings the inspiration, it’s the RESULT. The outcome of looking better, feeling better and maybe living longer (the result) is what inspires these changes in behavior.

If you’ve heard of the “CrossFit” model of fitness training, you may be aware of what actually makes this program work for many adults. It’s certainly not because it’s easy or cheap. I believe it works because it’s a social model. Those I have met who are doing or have done CrossFit say they don’t actually enjoy working out (really?), they enjoy working out with friends. Golf is the same way. Nearly 8 in 10 golfers play the game so they can spend time with their friends or family.

National Sponsors

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The Defense of Purchasing Power

Blake Parrish | BP Financial Associates | [email protected]

"Economize. The secret to golf is to turn three shots into two”.

Under-saving isn’t a golf professional phenomenon. It’s a human phenomenon. There is a gap between the perception and reality of the amount of retirement income their savings can buy. Fifty percent of all Americans over the age of 65 are living entirely on Social Security. But some might say, “central banks around the globe have been printing money like crazy and it’s eating away at my wealth.” I don’t see what global monetary policy has to do with anything, because Americans save and spend in dollars, and the dollar is far and away the most credible currency in the world. Not that that’s saying much.

We’ve all heard of the adage, failing to plan is planning to fail. This holds true when saving for retirement as well. For people in the accumulation phase of life, that means a written, date-specific, dollar-specific retirement accumulation plan, premised on long-term historical returns. Once in retirement, it has to become a retirement income plan which, at historic returns, defends and even accretes purchasing power. What if I retire right before the next market crash and most of my holdings are in stocks rather than bonds/CD’s? There are a number of ways to manage this risk...