President's Report

Earlier this week, our Section CEO of 16 years, Jeff Ellison, informed me that he would be retiring on August 31st, 2020. While we all knew that Jeff couldn’t work for the PNW Section forever, I was still caught off guard by his announcement.

Over the past 30 years, Jeff has been part of our section as a Tournament Director, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer. I am not sure I’ve ever met someone more dedicated to his/her profession. Jeff lived our mission statement of “growing the game and serving our members.” Replacing Jeff Ellison will be difficult at best.

When one door closes, another opens. Your officers and section board members are united and committed to the process of finding Jeff’s replacement. I can promise each of you that we will work tirelessly as we find a suitable candidate to take our section into the future.

I will provide updates throughout the process in my monthly Foreword Press article. I encourage each of you to reach out to me personally with any questions you may have.

We look forward to acknowledging Jeff at our Section Spring Meeting at Tualatin Country Club on March 23rd. I hope to see you all then!

Sean Fredrickson
Head PGA Professional – Oswego Lake Country Club
PNW PGA President
Callaway Master Staff Professional

Rules Reminder as We Start the 2020 Season

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

As we start the 2020 Section and Chapter Tournament and Pro-Am Season, I want to remind you of some of the more important rules that created some confusion in the past. Below is a list of the rules that were most often confused in 2019, with a full explanation. Let’s refresh ourselves on these rules before we start competing or running events at our club this year! Read more about any of these rules individually at https://www.pnwpga.com/2020/rules-reminder-as-we-start-the-2020-season.

Rule 18.2a: When Ball is Lost or Out of Bounds

A ball is lost if not found in three minutes after the player or his or her caddie begins to search for it.

Rule 7.1: How to Fairly Search for Ball

A player is responsible for finding his or her ball and may fairly search by taking reasonable actions to find and identify the ball.

Rule 19.3: Relief Options for Unplayable Ball in Bunker

See your options... and a handy diagram!

Rule 10.2b (4) Covers Restrictions on Caddie Standing Behind Player

A partner standing behind the player would also be in violation of this rule.

Rule 12: Bunkers

This rule now allows you to remove loose impediments and movable obstructions. Sounds great right?  Keep reading, as there are new liberties that were not allowed before, there is still restrictions and consequences if you do not apply the rule correctly.

Local Rule G-9

The recent addition of a Local Rule could affect you, if your facility adopts Local Rule G-9, or if the tournament you are playing has this local rule in affect.  Local Rule G-9 allows for replacement of a club that is broken or significantly damaged during the round, except in cases of abuse.

Rule 13.1c: Improvements Allowed on Putting Green

While repairing the cup hole is allowed on putting greens, repairing wear is not allowed until your group has completed the play of the hole.

Rule 13.1d: When Ball or Ball-Marker Moves on Putting Green

There are two specific Rules for a ball or ball-marker that moves on the putting green.

As always, to continue learning more about the new Rules of Golf, go to www.usga.org and please download the Rules of Golf App on your phone. I cannot stress enough how convenient it is and how easy it is to use. The search engine on the app is amazing! Simply type in what you are looking for and you immediately have the answer at your fingertips.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Northwest Open Pro-Am benefiting Folds of Honor

PNW PGA Special Awards Ceremony

Please join us in celebrating the 2019 PNW PGA Special Award Winners on Sunday, March 22 at Tualatin CC. The reception begins at 4:30 and the ceremony begins at 5:30. All PGA Members and Associates and their friends and families are invited to attend, enjoy no-host cocktails and celebrate the accomplishments of your fellow members!

PNW Pro-Assistant Championship

Please join us for the Spring General Meeting and the PNW Pro-Assistant Championship at Tualatin CC on March 23-24. Head PGA Professional Brad Ebberson is excited to host the popular team event this year and invites you to join us for both the tournament and our meeting, which will immediately follow our first round at 7:00 pm. Dress attire for the meeting is golf attire.

2020 Player Development Grants

Two separate Player Development Grant Programs are available to support Pacific Northwest Section professionals - one for adult programs and one for junior programs. Our goal is to provide as many grants as possible, with a maximum of $1,000 per grant. We will focus on enhancing your programs rather than fully funding them. Applications for both programs are due no later than March 13, 2020

Holk's Highlights: Bill Shea

Shea Named PNW PGA Golf Professional of the Year

Bill Shea, PGA, Director of Golf at The Cedars at Dungeness, received the Section’s highest honor in being chosen as the 2019 Golf Professional of the Year. Bill has the depth of commitment and dedication to service that make him the model PGA Golf Professional. Currently President of the Western Washington Chapter, Bill has served the PGA for over 20 years. He has also coached the Sequim High School Boys Golf Team for the past 12 years and the Clallam County Special Olympics Golf Team for the past 10 years. Bill prides himself on bettering his community, the PGA of America, his fellow professionals and himself. In 2019, he received his PGA Certification in General Management. Join us in celebrating Bill and the class of 2019 award winners, March 22 at Tualatin CC.

• Hometown: Grew up in Westport, CT; living in Sequim, WA since 1997
• Attained PGA Membership: 2000

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

My dad traveled a lot and he played golf on Saturdays when he was in town. I started caddying for him when I was 9, and then playing at age 10. It was a great opportunity to spend time with him and I just fell in love with the game. I have been playing ever since.

In college, my dad told me to find something I was passionate about and then figure out how to make money doing it. After graduating from Lynchburg College in Virginia, I started my career at The Country Club of Darien in Connecticut under Ed Nicholson. He was a great initial mentor. I moved to Seattle in 1994. I thought I was a pretty good player and tried a few different mini tours. In 1996, I traveled from BC to Ontario all summer chasing the Monday qualifiers for the Canadian Tour. Tan and penniless, I decided that playing wasn’t my forte, but that I still loved the game and wanted to be involved with it.

In 1997, I sent my resume to Dungeness Golf Course, and have been here basically since then. I had great mentors in Ron Hagen, Ron Hoetmer and Rick Adell and raised two great kids in Sequim (Jack & Sarah) with Cathy, my wife of 24 years.

How did you get involved with chapter governance? What advice do you have for Professionals interested in getting involved?

Getting involved in governance wasn’t a big plan, I was just new to the area and wanted to meet other professionals and network within our industry. I started on the Assistants Committee with Craig Moore, Dan Harrington and a few others. 20+ years has led into continual serving on several different Chapter and Section Committees, Chapter Board and Presidency, and this summer I will be running for Section Secretary. I strongly recommend getting involved in governance to any professional. I have meet so many people that I wouldn’t have otherwise and I have gotten back way more than I have given through my service.

Congratulations on earning your PGA Certification in General Management. What do you feel is the most valuable to PGA Professionals in achieving PGA Certification?

To me education is power. Becoming higher educated will only help you in your career. It doesn’t matter if you are an instructor, a sales rep, a club-fitter or a Head Professional. Getting certified in general management has made me better at my job. I learned a great deal in the process and can now apply that knowledge to make The Cedars at Dungeness a better experience for our guests. It is also a way to separate yourself from other candidates if a professional is looking for employment at a new facility.

You also coach the Sequim High School Boys Golf Team and the Clallam County Special Olympics Golf Team. What do you enjoy most about coaching?

With my role as GM, I don’t have a ton of time for individual lessons, so I really enjoy my time with both the High School Team and our Special Olympics Team. Most of these players are beginners and incredibly excited about the game. Seeing their improvements and the happiness it brings the players is my favorite part. Helping others accomplish something they didn’t think they could is priceless.

Congratulations, Bill Shea!

Employment Opportunities

Monte Koch, PGA of America Employment Consultant

These are primarily “PGA Professional” only positions posted on the PGA Career Services Job Board: https://jobs.pga.org

Internship, non-PGA positions, strictly retail and “franchise” ownership positions will not be listed here.Please visit jobs.pga.org to see these types of opportunities.

Listed in order of “most recent first” – note: These are listed as of 11 am, Feb 28, 2020 (visit PGA.org Job Board for “up to the minute" listings):

TEACHING & COACHING GOLF PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS

MANAGEMENT POSITIONS (HP, DOG, GM or similar)  Note: not all positions like these will be posted here in all cases; instead, postings here will generally be at the request/approval of the Employer.

Internship, non-PGA positions, strictly retail and “franchise” ownership positions will not be listed here, please visit jobs.pga.org to see these types of opportunities.

Pros on the Move

by Robin Lindsey, Tournament & Membership Coordinator

Employment Changes

• Mitchell A. Girard, PGA (A-8) - from GOLFTEC - Bellevue to Olympia C&GC
• Joshua A. Grenier, PGA (A-1) - from Coeur D'Alene GC to The Wilderness Club
• Michael J. Kelly, PGA (A-6) - from Dave's Valley Golf to Bryden Canyon GC
• Dana R. Londin, PGA (A-13) - from La Grande CC to Buffalo Peak GC
• Austin J Nutt (B-14) - from The Plateau Club to Fairwood G&CC
• Edgar A. Quick, PGA (A-1) - from Wenatchee G&CC to Leavenworth GC
• Nicholas C Thurston (B-8) - from The Home Course to Deer Park GC
• Amy C. Wilson, PGA (A-13) - from Persimmon CC to Goldendale CC

Class Changes

• Adam M. Slemp, PGA (Interbay Golf Center) - from A-1 to A-13
• Stuart Smart, PGA (La Grande CC) - from A-14 to A-13
• Brady J. Sharp, PGA (Wine Valley GC) - from A-6 to A-8

New Associates

• Alexander D. Hass (B-8) - Spring Hill GC
• Tyler W. Ames (B-8) - Tualatin CC
• Samuel T. Johnson (B-8) - Skagit G&CC

Newly Elected Members

• Christian M. Ballard, PGA (A-8) - The GC at Newcastle
• Travis W. Huskisson, PGA (A-8) - Kalispel G&CC
• Cordell R. Weber, PGA (A-8) - Seattle GC

Transfers INTO the Section

• Andrew M. Cave (B-6) to GOLFTEC - Seattle from Southwest Section
• Eugene Sullivan, PGA (A-13) to McNary GC from Middle Atlantic Section

Transfers OUT of the Section

• James C. Contreras, PGA - from Fairbanks GC to Southwest Section
• Wendy Simpson-Rash, PGA - from Kennewick, WA to Southwest Section
• Mark S. Easley, PGA - from GOLFTEC - Cascade Station to Sun Country Section
• Stephen Fry, PGA - from Grangeville CC to Southwest Section

New Quarter Century Members

• Thomas P. Anton, PGA
• David M. Christenson, PGA
• Ronald J. Cox, PGA
• Michael J. Eslick, PGA
• Michael K. Hegarty, PGA
• Kelly M. O'Mera, PGA
• Steve M. Richards, PGA

New Half Century Members

• Randall N. Bell, PGA

Epidemics and Stock Market Performance

Blake Parrish, CFP®

It’s amazing that the markets have been so resilient up until late February with the rapid spread of the Coronavirus.  Maybe it’s because recent history with stocks and viruses is that markets overact, leading to significant buying opportunities along the way.  Over a 38-day trading period during the height of the SARS virus back in 2003, the S&P 500 index fell by 12.8%.  During the Zika virus, which occurred at the end of 2015 and into 2016, the market fell by 12.9%.  There are other examples, but they all passed, and the market recovered and hit new highs.  Just look at the 6 and 12 month percentage changes going back to 1980.    The 6-month change of the S&P 500 index following the start of the epidemic was positive in 11 of the 12 cases, with an average price return of 8.8% ‒ which is incredible.

"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."