President's Report

Congratulations to Shane Prante for winning the Muckleshoot Casino Washington Open Invitational with a score of -14. Also a BIG Thank You goes to Jason Mattaini and the Muckleshoot Tribe for there unbelievable support of our Section and the Folds of Honor. Chris Manley did a wonderful job running the pro-am, which raised north of $80,000.00 for the Folds of Honor. Thank you to the golf professionals who took the time to play in the Washington Open Pro-Am.

We have two more ways to support Folds of Honor through our tournament program this year: the Folds of Honor Scramble at Moose Run GC in Anchorage, AK on August 3 and the Northwest Open Pro-Am benefiting Folds of Honor at Wine Valley GC on August 17-18. Entries are open for both, check them out.

Our Drive, Chip & Putt local qualifiers begin on June 9th. Check out the schedule at https://www.pnwpga.com/junior-golf/drive-chip-and-putt-local-qualifying. I want to encourage everyone to take advantage of offering DCP prep clinics.  You can find the information on the Section website at: https://www.pnwpga.com/junior-golf/drive-chip-putt-clinics.

Enjoy the busy season. It should be a roller coaster over the next couple of months, but remember to find time to play more golf either at your facility or in a chapter or section event. See everyone at the Oregon Open at the end of June!

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.

All the best,

Gregory C. Morris, PGA
President, PNWPGA
Head Golf Professional, Iron Horse GC

Tips on Learning the New Rules of Golf

Tip #6: Rule 13.1c: Actions Allowed or Required on Putting Greens

Improvements Allowed on Putting Green

Molly Cooper, PGA
Director of Tournament & Member Programs

Welcome back to our monthly Rules article to help guide you to a successful 2019 season and beyond!  By now you have probably experienced many of the new rules either in competitive play or at your club.  I chose my sixth topic to discuss Rule 13.1c: Actions Allowed or Required on Putting Greens: Improvements Allowed on Putting Green as we have experienced some questions on the topic during Section events. 

Please watch the short video below, created by the USGA on the new actions allowed on putting greens.

Rule 13.1c: Improvements Allowed on Putting Green

During a round, you may take these two actions on the putting green, no matter whether your ball is on or off the putting green:

• Sand and loose soil on the putting green (but not anywhere else on the course) may be removed without penalty.
• You may repair damage on the putting green without penalty by taking reasonable actions to restore the putting green as nearly as possible to its original condition, but only:

By using your hand, foot or other part of your body or a normal ball-mark repair tool, tee, club or similar item of normal equipment and without unreasonably delaying play.

But if you improve the putting green by taking actions that exceed what is reasonable to restore the putting green to its original condition, you get the general penalty.

Damage on the putting green means any damage caused by a person or outside influence such as:

• Ball marks, shoe damage (such as spike marks) and scrapes or indentations caused by equipment or a flagstick,
• Old hole plugs, turf plugs, season of cut turf and scrapes or indentations from maintenance tools or vehicles,
• Animal tracks or hoof indentations, and
• Embedded objects (such as a stone, acorn or tee).

But damage on the putting green does not include any damage or conditions that result from:

• Normal practices for maintaining the overall condition of the (such as aeration holes and grooves from vertical mowing),
• Irrigation or rain or other forces,
• Natural surface imperfections (such as weeds, bare or diseased areas or areas of uneven growth), or
• Natural wear of the hole

Click here to download the Pacific Northwest Supplemental Rules of Play (Hard Card) and put a copy of it in your golf bag to reference when needed! 

To continue learning more about the new Rules of Golf, go to www.usga.org

I know I say this every month but please download the new Rules of Golf App on your phone.  I cannot stress how convenient it is and how easy it is to use.  The search engine on the app is amazing!  You just type in what you are looking for and you immediately have the answer at your fingertips.

Feel free to ask me if you have any questions!

Molly Cooper, Certified PGA Professional
Director of Tournament & Member Programs
Pacific NW Section PGA

Prante Wins Muckleshoot Casino Washington Open Invitational

By Alec Bahnick, PNW PGA Section Tournament Intern

PGA Professional Shane Prante of The Home Course won his first Muckleshoot Casino Washington Open Invitational at Meridian Valley CC by five shots after being tied for the lead at the start of the final round. After close finishes the last two years, he shot a final round 67 to complete a winning total score of 202 (14-under par) that was two strokes off the 54-hole tournament record.

Prante said, “It feels very satisfying to win this prestigious event. The Washington Open is a tournament I have always wanted to win. There are so many great things about this event that make it so special i.e. The Folds of Honor, the quality of MVCC as a challenge in all facets, and the rich history of names who came before me. To now be a part of that history is special!”

Last year’s champion PGA Professional Ryan Benzel of Sahalee CC, PGA Professional Scott Erdmann of Oswego Lake CC, and PGA Professional Conner Robbins of North Shore GC tied for second place at 9-under par. The low amateur of the tournament was Mason Koch of George Fox University who finished at 5-under par.

Prante began the week scoring a two under par 70 and then continued his stellar play firing a seven under par 65 in the second round. After finishing runner-up the last two years in this event, the three-time Northwest Open Invitational winner was ready to seal the deal at Meridian Valley CC.

Prante revealed, “I knew my game would hold up under the pressure if I would be patient and let the game come to me. I have been in a position that I could have 3 or 4 WA Open’s under my belt by now, but I always tried too hard and made unforced errors or didn’t have the trust that I needed to win. I am learning how to trust my ability again and let the opportunities present themselves and making the most of the rounds when it counts. Understanding that my faith in God, my precious boys, my wife, co-workers, and friends are what is important, and this should be fun!”

Prior to the tournament, a weekend Pro-Am benefitting the Folds of Honor Foundation was held. Competing were 30 sponsored teams of four amateurs, each lead by a PGA Professional. The format of the Pro-Am was a two-day net, best 2 of 5 shamble. The sponsor team from Sysco lead by PGA Professional Hagen Dickinson of Allenmore GC and amateurs Jim Redman, Steve Crowe, Bob Carlin and Russ Heaton won the team shamble competition after firing a 34-under par score. This event raised over $80,000 to help provide scholarships for the children and spouses of those killed or disabled in service to the United States Military. For more information on this incredible foundation, go to www.foldsofhonor.org.

We would like to thank Meridian Valley CC, Muckleshoot Casino, our great sponsors, and the players for making the 2019 Washington Open Invitational and Pro-Am such a special event. A special thanks to General Manager Greg Manley at Meridian Valley Country Club, Chris Manley the Tournament Director, Superintendent Craig Benson, and their staffs for a fantastic week and course. Along with Meridian Valley CC, the Pacific Northwest Section would also like to thank Judy Thompson and her volunteers for the help and time they devoted to the 93rd Muckleshoot Casino Washington Open Invitational and Pro-Am benefiting the Folds of Honor Foundation.

OMEGA Player of the Year Points

1. Shane Prante - 150

2. Russell Grove - 127.5

3. Ryan Benzel - 92.5
    Scott Erdmann - 92.5

OMEGA Senior Player of the Year Points

1. George Mack, Jr. - 150

2. Joe Carranza - 95

3. Mike DeLong - 87.5
    Billy Bomar - 87.5

Assistant Player of the Year Points

1. Shane Prante - 150

2. Austin Hurt -115

3. Colin Inglis - 95

Hudson Cup Points

1. Shane Prante - 150

2. Russell Grove - 92.5

    Scott Erdmann - 92.5

Senior Hudson Cup Points

1. Joe Carranza - 215

2. Billy Bomar - 202.5

3. Tom Sovay - 177.5

Senior Oregon Open Invitational

Team entries are available for the Senior Oregon Open Invitational at Wildhorse Resort and Casino on July 30-August 1.  Host PGA Professional Michael Hegarty is looking forward to hosting again this year for the 17th straight year!

online team entry | team entry (pdf) | exemption list

Since its induction in 1996, the Senior Oregon Open has grown to be the premier senior golf tournament in the Northwest.  This event draws the best players ages 50 and over from all over the Pacific Northwest Section.

We expect a strong field of competitors for the Senior Oregon Open Invitational this year as we return to the Wildhorse Resort & Casino. We will have a full field of 56 teams (224 PGA Professionals and amateurs). This event fills every year and usually has a large waiting list. Please make sure you are aware of the entry priority processing procedure to see what category you fall under. You must sign up as a team, one PNW PGA Professional and three amateurs.

Entry Priority in 2019

a. Exempt players*
b. The balance of the field will be filled by remaining professionals using the following ranking priority**:

1. Number of events (Sr. WA Open, Sr. Players’, Sr. OR Open, Sr. PGA***, WA Open, OR Open, Rosauers Open, NW Open, PPC) played in prior calendar year, January to December.
2. Professionals with the same priority in “1”, by number of tournament rounds posted in the PNWPGA Handicap System.
3. Professionals with the same priority after “1” and “2”, by date of the latest prior year score in PNW Section Handicap System.

* The early deadline for category A is three weeks after entries have opened at 5:00 PM.
** All entrants will be on waiting list until the close of entries to ensure correct ranking, then confirmed according to priority.
*** Sr. PGA will count twice in this ranking list.

No category has a priority based on receipt of entry, just meet the deadlines for your category.

Wildhorse Resort and Casino

Wildhorse championship golf course was designed by John Steidel. Nestled at the base of mountains and wide open terrain, the course is modeled after a traditional Scottish links-style course with plenty of bunkers and tall grass lurking to make you work a little harder than usual. Each hole is surrounded by spectacular, unobstructed vistas with gentle rolling hills and fairway mounds reflecting the foothills of the Blue Mountains.

Wildhorse Resort and Casino is also home to over 1,200 slot machines plus all your favorite table games including roulette, craps, poker, blackjack, keno and bingo.

Rosauers Open Invitational

The Rosauers Open Invitational is set to take place at Indian Canyon GC on July 19-21. Host PGA Professional Doug Phares welcomes you to a great competition in almost certainly great weather. Get your entries in by Wednesday, July 3 to this fantastic event in Spokane, WA. This is our biggest Section purse, and one of the largest purses in the country!

pro online entry | pro entry (PDF)

History of the Championship

The Rosauers Open Invitational started in 1988 when a group of Spokane area Golf Professionals realized their goal of bringing a Pacific Northwest Section Major to town, which they achieved by developing a relationship with Rosauers Supermarkets. The tournament has almost always been held at Indian Canyon GC, which was designed by E. Chandler Egan – who also designed Pebble Beach GC. PGA Professional Corey Prugh of Manito CC holds the record for the most wins (2009, 2011, 2013 & 2015). Amateur Derek Bayley set the 54 hole-tournament record of 189 (27-under par) at MeadowWood GC in 2016. Bayley also holds the 18 hole tournament record of 59, 13-under par the same year at MeadowWood GC.

Last year, Derek Bayley won the Rosauers Open Invitational for the second time. He won by three strokes after firing a final round score of 72-62-66-200, 13-under par.

View past champions of the Rosauers Open Invitational.

Franz Bakery Pro-Am

After you sign up for the Rosauers Open Invitational, please do not forget to also sign up for the Franz Bakery Pro-Am.  You will be paired with a sponsor team and have the opportunity to play the course in tournament conditions before the championship, enjoy a hosted breakfast, lunch and dinner each day, as well as win money and have a chance to thank our sponsors personally.

These sponsors also raise important funds of $100,000-$135,000 annually for the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, the official charity of the Rosauers Open Invitational. Email Molly Cooper at [email protected] to let her know of your availability during the Franz Pro-Am. Participation in the pro-am is important to keeping this championship great!

Indian Canyon GC

Indian Canyon was built in 1935 for $200,000.  H. Chandler Egan, a member of the PNGA Hall of Fame, crafted the Canyon’s layout over the well treed hillside southwest of the Spokane River.  Indian Canyon hosted the 1941 and 1984 Public Links Championships. This municipal track has been annually rated among Golf Digest’s “Best Public Courses”, “Best Affordable Courses”, “Best Golf Courses You Can Play”, “Best in State” and taken individually, some holes rank with the best holes found on any course – public or private – in the region.  Indian Canyon’s lofty acclaim is well deserved.

Drive Chip & Putt  Qualifying

Folds of Honor Scramble

Anchorage, AK - Moose Run GC

August 3, 2019

National Car Rental PNW Assistant PGA Championship

Molalla, OR - Arrowhead GC

August 5, 2019

Pro-Am benefiting
Folds of Honor

Northwest Open Pro-Am Benefiting Folds of Honor

Walla Walla, WA - Wine Valley GC

August 17-18, 2019

PNW Hawai'i Pro-Am

Mauna Lani Resort

January 16-23, 2020

Holk's Highlights: Kathy Brown

This month we interview Kathy Brown, who recently earned a spot on the USGA Rules Committee. She is also the 2015 and 2016 PNW PGA Perry Williams Award winner.

Hometown:  Hillside, NJ

Facility: Twin Lakes Village GC

PGA Member Since: 2013

Tell us a little bit about your career. Who or what inspired you to become a PGA Professional? 

Most of my work experience had been in the military and small business ownership when I took a part-time job as a Shop Assistant at Esmeralda Golf Course in 2003 for fun.  I quickly had all of the responsibilities of an Assistant Professional, so Rex Schultz suggested I pursue certification.  I worked for Rex for 14 seasons before moving to Twin Lakes Village GC in 2017.

How did you get into being a rules official?

During my quest for PGA Membership, I encountered Jim Hofmeister working as the PAT Administrator and heard him mention opportunities to work as a Rules Official.  Being a retired military officer, that sounded like something right up my alley.  Jim (along with Jeff Ellison and Molly Cooper) has mentored me through the process.  Just like a pilot’s license, the title Rules Official is a “license to learn” and I find that a rewarding challenge.

I have the privilege of also serving on the PGA Jr. League National Rules Committee.  Working with the PGA staff at the PGA Jr. League National Championship last fall to help create an unforgettable experience for the kids has been my favorite event so far.

Favorite golfer?  Annika Sorenstam

Congratulations, Kathy!

Pros on the Move

by Robin Lindsey, Tournament & Membership Coordinator

Employment Changes

• Brian T. Petoletti (B-8) - from Classic GC to The GC at Hawks Prairie
• Carrie K. DeGree, PGA (A-8) - from Eugene CC to Columbia Edgewater CC
• Casey L. McCoy, PGA (A-1) - from Pine Crest GC to The Dalles CC
• David I. Kass, PGA (A-13) - from Salish Cliffs GC to Bear Creek CC
• Jerry J. Olson, PGA (A-1) - from GOLFTEC - Cascade Station to Mountain View GC
• Jordan D. Ropp, PGA (A-1) - from Tetherow GC to Corvallis CC
• Loren E. Jeglum, PGA (A-8) - from University of Idaho to Clarkston CC
• Mark A. Poirier, PGA (A-13) - from The Highlands GC to City of Spokane Parks & Rec
• Mark S. Easley, PGA (A-6) - from Lewis River GC to GOLFTEC - Cascade Station
• Nicholas C Thurston (B-8) - from Deer Park GC to The Home Course
• Quincy B. Smith, PGA (A-8) - from Washington National GC to The Ranch Club
• Sean R. Stewart, PGA (A-8) - from GOLFTEC - Cascade Station to Royal Oaks CC
• Timothy Morton, PGA (A-1) - from StoneRidge GC to The Highlands GC
• Todd R. Kruse, PGA (A-1) - from The Oregon GC to Persimmon CC

Class Changes

• Mark W. Nelson, PGA (Hayden Lake CC) - from A-8 to A-1

New Associates

• Karina Davila Castillo (B-8) - Indian Canyon GC
• Jordan T. Holladay (B-8) - McNary GC
• Cory J. Mehl (B-6) - PNW Golf Academy
• Michael P. Burlison (B-8) - Broadmoor GC
• Tyler S. McDougall (B-8) - Glendale CC

Newly Elected Members

• Lori R. Pearson, PGA (A-8) - Sahalee CC
• Neal J. White, PGA (A-8) - Wing Point G&CC
• Stanley D. Witko, PGA (A-8) - Riverside G&CC

Reinstated Members

• Brian L. Weaver, PGA (A-13)

Transfers INTO the Section

• Aaron A. Moe, PGA (A-8) to The GC At Black Rock from Southern California
• Donald G Rasmussen, PGA (LM) to Airway Heights, WA from Southern California
• Evan H. Neihaus, PGA (A-8) to The Club at Rock Creek from South Florida
• Evan J. Mitchell, PGA (A-1) to Rock Creek Cattle Company from Southern California
• Harrison M. Taylor, PGA (A-8) to Village Greens GC from Southern California
• Jeffrey D. Ritter, PGA (A-14) to Poppy Hills GC from Northern California
• Kody J Idland (B-8) to Eagle Bend GC from Southern California
• Philip C. Conrad, PGA (A-8) to Gozzer Ranch Golf & Lake Club from Southern California
• Robert A. Newbill, PGA (A-8) to Crosswater Club At Sunriver from Southern California

Transfers OUT of the Section

• Kevin R. White, PGA - from Florence Golf Links to Laughlin Ranch GC

New Quarter Century Members

• Richard O'Hara, OGA

Deceased Members

• Ronald Stull, PGA: 8/28/1947 – 5/3/2019

A Silent Retirement Risk

Blake Parrish, CFP®

 “We’re not trying to humiliate the best players in the world. We’re simply trying to identify who they are.” – Sandy Tatum

 Retirement is full of risks and hurdles, as it can span 30 or 40 years for many Americans.  Certain risks are well known:  running out of money, long-term care, health care and investment risks.  We always touch on these.  However, within these broad categories lie hidden or overlooked sub-risks.  For instance, within investment risks are what we call sequence-of-returns risk or liquidity concerns.  And within long-term care is public-policy risk if Medicaid is cut back in your State.  These types of risks carry some weight when evaluating your financial picture.

 One often overlooked sub-risk of health care is senior depression.  It’s not well-documented or understood by the financial services industry so my neighbor’s comments caught my attention.  In my experience, depression, is underdiagnosed, under planned for and under recognized – even though it affects millions of Americans.

"Certified Financial Planner Boardof Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements."