January 4, 2022

President's Report

Well…we made it through 2021! Like me, I know many of you are glad to see 2021 in the rear-view mirror.

A special thank you to Frank and the Section staff and ED’s for a great 2021. I also want to thank the fantastic, dedicated members who serve as officers, board members, committee chairs, and committee members. These professionals work tirelessly to serve you and make the Pacific Northwest the best Section in the PGA of America.

I believe 2022 is going to be a great year!  Looking ahead, the Section and Chapters will continue to offer you numerous playing opportunities at some great venues. The Hawaii Pro-Am, now the Pelzer Golf Hawaiian Paradise Pro-Am, is back after being canceled in 2021 because of Covid-19. I sincerely hope “canceled because of Covid” is a phrase I don’t hear in 2022. We continue to add sponsors at both the Section and Chapter levels, giving you the chance to play for more money.

In the spring, we will have our spring general meeting and special awards presentations in conjunction with the PNW PGA Pro-Assistant Championship at Inglewood GC. We had some fantastic professionals win awards this year, and I hope you can join us at the meeting.

This year will be a big year from a governance standpoint. At the National level, we will elect a new National Secretary. We have three outstanding PGA Professionals who have tossed their hats into the ring. Your officers will be getting to know these candidates over the next few months through phone calls, video conferencing, and face-to-face meetings in March. Additionally, we will have our election for Section Secretary In the fall. We have two great candidates, John Grothe and Chas Holmes. John is the President of the Oregon Chapter, and Chas is the Vice-President of the Central Washington Chapter. They will begin writing articles and answering leadership questions in Foreword Press in the spring. Lastly, Doug Doxsie will finish his tour as our District Director at this year’s National annual meeting. Doug has been an exceptional representative of our Section and District on the National PGA Board of Directors. Jeff Lessig from the Southwest Section will replace Doug.

We have a lot to look forward to in 2022. I am optimistic that the PNW Section will continue to be the best Section in the PGA of America. I hope you are all getting some well-deserved rest during these slower times and are ready to put the pedal down as we move into 2022.

As always, please stay safe, reach out, and contact someone you have not seen or talked to in a while.


Thank you for your time and all that you do,

Howie Pruitt, PGA
Director, Golf Operations, Aspen Lakes GC
President, Pacific Northwest Section
[email protected]

It's Time to Renew (or Establish for the First Time) Your WHS GHIN

In 2022, we will once again utilize WHS GHIN numbers for our Section and Chapter tournament schedules.

If you paid for a 2021 handicap through the Section, it expired on December 31, 2021. You will need to either activate your existing GHIN number at your club or purchase your handicap for 2022 through us.

Except for members of the Western Montana Chapter (who need to purchase directly through the Montana State Golf Association), you may renew or establish a new GHIN through the Section. The annual fee is $10.

If you are registering for a new GHIN #, we will establish your handicap and send you your GHIN #. 

Renew or Establish a New GHIN Through the Section

Many of you have GHIN numbers through your club.  If you did not send it to us in the last two years, please email it to me at [email protected] and we will add it into our master roster and it will prepopulate when you register for an event.

A few important details:

The Section and Chapters will still post all scores from PNW PGA events. The new process will provide for professionals to post all additional scores in accordance with WHS requirements.

Professionals will not be required to maintain a handicap to be eligible to compete in Section and Chapter events.

What if a professional chooses not to maintain a WHS handicap?

The Section will maintain a process similar to 2021 in regard to using handicaps in our competitions.

For the Section events, just like in 2021, plus players and no handicap players will be a 0 in the team game and use their handicap (including plus) in the individual game. The only adjustment here is that professionals who chose not to maintain a handicap will not be eligible for any individual net purse. For the Section, the individual net purses are a very minor part of any particular competition.

2022 Tournament Schedule

Holk's Highlights: Jennifer Parker, PGA

This month we profile Jennifer Parker, PGA, who is one of two cohorts selected for the 2022-2023 class of PGA LEAD. In addition to being TPI Certified, Jennifer has a Master’s degree in Athletic Training (Sports Medicine), a Master’s degree in Sport Management, a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, and an Associate’s degree in Physical Therapy Assistant. A lifelong student, she is currently working on her Doctorate of Education in Health Professions and simultaneously working on the PGA Specialized Professional Program in Executive Management.

Facility: Coquille Valley Elks CC

Hometown: Menifee, CA; currently lives in Coquille, OR

PGA Member Since: 2018

How do your degrees and certifications fit into your total philosophy as a PGA Professional?

After college, I decided I wanted to combine my love of golf with my passion for helping others.  I have taken numerous continuing education classes over the years that combine sports medicine and golf in hopes to keep players and staff healthy and happy out on the course (and at work).  I know we have all seen the group that goes straight from their car, to pay, and directly to the tee box without any proper warmup. My goal as a healthcare professional and as a PGA professional member is to get players to break that habit so they can benefit from a healthier body, thus leading to a longer and more pleasant golf experience.

How did you get started in your golf career and who were your mentors?

Ed Winiecki, PGA and Stan Gonzales, PGA were the first golf professionals that I was introduced to when I was young.  After my dad introduced me to the game of golf, Ed and Stan were the ones that gave me my first lessons and developed my game. Years later, I reconnected with Ed. He was generous enough to sit down with me and practice my interviewing skills.  I played on the boys high school golf team and the men’s golf team in college because they didn’t have girls/women’s teams at that time or place. 

Once I decided I wanted to work in the golf industry, I was lucky enough to have several great mentors along the way.  Ken Ferrell, PGA employed me as a golf shop attendant and bar manager at a standalone practice facility and also sat down with me to work on my 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year road map of where I wanted to go with my career.  Buck Page, PGA was another one who took time to help me get where I am today. 

Once I entered the PGA apprentice program, I worked under three great head professionals: Lee Hanley, PGA, Scott Wasco, PGA, and Geoff Hodge, PGA.  Lee worked with me on how to become a good instructor and introduced me to running tournaments.  Scott was instrumental in teaching me how to become a great leader, how to manage staff, and about budgeting.  Geoff helped me by teaching me golf operations, selecting merchandise, and how to provide a successful player development program.  I have learned so much from all of them and can’t thank them enough!

Anything else you’d like to share about yourself?

I love to travel, play sports (golf, softball, volleyball, bowling), spend time with family and friends, and attend Major League Baseball games (Braves & Angels fan).  I have currently been to half of the major league stadiums and can’t wait to get them all checked off of the bucket list!

Upcoming Events

"Fore the Best" Podcast

New episode every Thursday!
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PNW PGA "Stay Involved" Education Opportunties

Starting Off Your Year Right: Maximizing Your Time for Productivity

  • January 6 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Pacific
  • presented by Monte Koch, PGA
  • This webinar will be held via Google Meet
  • Receive 1 PGA Required MSR / 1 AMP Education Credit for attending

Leveraging Relationships: Taking Advantage of Networking in an Impactful Way

  • January 12 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Pacific
  • presented by Molly Cooper, PGA and Barb Trammell,  PGA
  • This virtual happy hour is an informal get-together for women in our Section
  • Receive 1 PGA Required MSR / 1 AMP Education Credit for attending

PGA Jr. League in 2022: Coaching

  • January 13 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Pacific
  • presented by Branden Thompson, PGA
  • This webinar will be held via Google Meet.
  • Receive 1 PGA Required MSR / 1 AMP Education Credit for attending.
SEE ALL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

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

PNWPGA JOB BOARD NOTICE

We Are All Feeling the Crunch of Inflation - Be Proactive About Keeping up Your Compensation!

PLEASE click the link below to access and complete your compensation profile (you will need to login to http://PGA.org). 

Don't hesitate to call or email me if you have any questions or difficulty in completing your profile. Thank you for your contribution to this important tool used to impact compensation for you and your peers!

https://account.pga.org/compensation-profile

Regards, Monte

Pros on the Move

by Robin Lindsey, Tournament & Membership Coordinator

Employment Changes
  • Andrew S. Morris, PGA (A-14) - from RedTail Golf Center to XGolf Tualatin
  • Kathy Wake, PGA (A-1) - from Fairwood G&CC to Twin Lakes G&CC
Classification Changes
  • Timothy Morton, PGA (The Highlands GC) - from A-1 to A-4
  • Jess A. Wingett, PGA (The Highlands GC) - from A-8 to A-1

New Associates

  • Fraser J. Brown (B-8) - Sunriver Resort - Meadows Course

Newly Elected Members

  • Jess A. Wingett, PGA (A-1) - The Highlands GC

Transfers INTO the Section

  • Michael R. O'Toole, PGA (A-1) to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort from Colorado
Transfers OUT of the Section
  • Kathy Gildersleeve-Jensen, PGA - from Kalispel G&CC to Southwest
  • Kevin T. Phillips, PGA - from Bandon Dunes Golf Resort to Northern California 
  • Joe I. Wainhouse - from Meridian Valley CC to Northern Texas 
New Quarter Century Members
  • Gordon B. Tolbert, PGA
Deceased Members

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