December 15, 2022

CEO's Report

Frank Talarico | [email protected]

‘Tis the Season to Revisit a Classic

It's amazing to consider that “A Christmas Carol” was written by Charles Dickens over 170 years ago and remains a timeless holiday classic today. Countless film and stage performances have been made over the years and the book continues to sell. And every December, many of us make it a tradition to enjoy this traditional Christmas story.  I know this is true in our family.

Yet after December 25th, we tend to forget about this book—until the next Christmas season. For leaders, this is a mistake. In my humble opinion, “A Christmas Carol” is one of the best business books ever written.  The lessons the story of Ebenezer Scrooge offers the business world are timeless – how we work with others, balance our work lives, and interact with our communities. This holiday season, I challenge you to revisit this classic with a fresh eye and maybe find some new meaning and personal applications.

1. Equating financial success with personal success is an illusion.

Ebenezer Scrooge knew what he was doing.  He was an excellent businessman. He created and managed a successful business. He built a tremendous amount of personal wealth. He controlled markets through his actions and words. He was known by every mover and shaker in the city and was feared by many of them. He had spent his entire life focused on growing and developing his business career. If Scrooge were alive today, it is likely we would be reading his latest how-to book, waiting for his next social media post, watching him make deals on “Shark Tank,” or even suggesting he go into politics.

But I am also certain that those closest to a modern-day Scrooge would have the same perspective of him as those in Dickens’ story: an insufferable human to be tolerated only until he is gone. Scrooge’s entire life was all about business and making money. He prioritized his imbalanced perception of success, defined purely as financial gain, above all else. Personal relationships were secondary in importance, and it was this that ultimately led him to a life of loneliness and misery.

2. Business leaders have a significant impact upon the well-being and success of their employees and co-workers.

Bob Cratchit was Scrooge’s employee.  A close reading of the story might lead us to say he was his only employee. Cratchit is both loyal and hardworking. When his wife speaks angrily of Scrooge, Cratchit not only stops her but offers a toast of thankfulness to Scrooge for the “bounty” he provides their family. Scrooge, however, treats Cratchit with contempt and disdain. Horribly underpaid, his wages are further docked if he shows up late to work. Time off is seldom given. To avoid the cost of heating coal, Scrooge won’t even allow Cratchit to warm the office on a cold winter day. Scrooge’s skill as a manager is limited to one ability:  getting the most he can out of an employee for the least amount of money.

For me, the greatest failure of Scrooge as a manager is that he knows nothing about Bob Cratchit as a person.  What is worse, he does not care.  Scrooge is not aware that Cratchit has a large family, that he can barely provide for them on his lousy salary, and most importantly, that Cratchit has a sick child that needs help and assistance the family can barely afford. When Scrooge eventually does learn of Cratchit’s personal situation, he realizes he has the ability and the power to make a difference. This serves as a reminder that any employee – regardless of their title or pay scale – has a personal story.  We, as leaders in our own organizations and facilities, have an obligation to never forget that our decisions and our behaviors directly impact employees’ lives.

3. No business operates in a vacuum.  What you and your team do each day reverberates throughout your community.

Clearly, Scrooge was not a pillar of the community, yet he was known as a successful man. Others were aware of his resources and the potential impact he could make on his neighbors.  Community leaders sought his assistance, but Scrooge continually denied their requests. His fortune was his alone, not to be shared with those who he felt had squandered their lives away. He felt no responsibility to help others, especially after he had worked so long and so hard. But just as no person is an island, neither is any business. The insulation Scrooge provided himself was to protect his assets and to assert his opinion that every person or entity can exist without the support and assistance of others. What Scrooge ultimately learned is that each of us has a responsibility to support and benefit our communities, and that both business and personal growth happens when this occurs.  As you round into the new year, I challenge you to assess your impact on the community where you work.  Personally, I learned a long time ago, it is always the right thing, to do the right thing.  When we do, the ripple effects are extraordinary.

Hopefully, most of us love what we do.  I know, I do.  The business of our profession is rewarding and can be exciting.  The programs, the negotiations, the strategy, all excite me about the work I am fortunate to do every day.  Professionally, there is really nothing better than serving our members and growing the game of golf.  But I must also remember daily the words of Jacob Marley, the former business partner of Ebenezer Scrooge and the first ghost to visit him on Christmas Eve. Scrooge, when he sees the chains of torture and despair that Marley carried with him in death, reminded Marley that he was a good businessman. Those that know this story remember that Marley scolded Scrooge. “Business! Mankind was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business. The deals of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!”  This Christmas, look closer at the “ocean” of your professional life.  My wish is that you will find happiness in its enormity.

Before we all head off to finish shopping and wrapping, a few reminders from the Section Office:

  • Applications are available through Dec 23 to join PGA LEAD Cohort VIII and this specialized leadership development program. Click here for more information.
  • The PGA Financial Assistance Fund Scholarship application for the 2023-2024 school year is available here. The deadline for submitting applications is April 10, 2023. 

I wish to express my sincere appreciation for our partners.  This month, I would like to say a special thanks to Keith Moskowitz with Under Armour, the official apparel sponsor for the 2022 Hudson Cup Matches. Lastly, please join me in welcoming our newest sponsor, AndersonOrd Performance Apparel.  AndersonOrd will be supporting several 2023 events, including the 2023 Pelzer Golf Oregon Open Invitational.

As always, if I or any member of our Section team can be of any service, never hesitate to call on us.

Merry Christmas and a very, happy New Year!

Frank Talarico, CEO

Report on the 2022 PGA Master Professional Leadership Summit

October 30–November 1, 2022 | Grayhawk Golf Club | Scottsdale, AZ

Norm Blandel, PGA MP | Master Professional Leadership Summit Chairman

The PGA Master Professional Leadership Summit (PGA MPLS) was conceived in 2019. The vision: to bring together PGA Master Professionals and invited guests to enjoy fellowship and camaraderie while working together to better inspire fellow PGA peers toward lifelong learning and growing the game of golf. Sadly, plans for the 2019 and 2020 summits had to be canceled, like so many events, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Happily, in 2021, we were able to hold our first PGA MPLS event at PGA West in La Quinta, California, hosted by The Southern California PGA Section. This inaugural summit was a wonderful event and a success in many meaningful ways. Our Legacy Honoree, Mr. Arnold Palmer, was truly one of the greatest legends in the game and history of golf. It was a privilege to remember and honor the legacy of Mr. Palmer at the Arnold Palmer Restaurant there on site as he was a great friend to so many in the PGA of America. The 2021 summit was a wonderful reminder of a great truth—“We are Better Together” as the stakeholders in the PGA of America, the PGA membership and in our 41 PGA Sections.

Building on the successful launch of 2021, our 2022 PGA Master Professional Leadership Summit was held at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, AZ, and grew to include several PGA Section Executive Directors (or CEOs) and PGA Career Consultants as invited guests. In their work, they directly serve so many PGA Professionals in their career pathway and professional development.

On Sunday, October 30th, we were thrilled to celebrate our 2022 Legacy Honorees, Dr. Gary Wiren, PGA Master Professional and Tom Addis III, PGA (PGA of America Past President and Southern California PGA Section Executive Director/CEO). It was a privilege to celebrate their accomplishments and to present each of them with a letter of congratulations from Jack and Barbara Nicklaus. See a pdf copy of each letter from Jack Nicklaus below:

Dr. Gary Wiren, PGA Master Professional | Tom Addis III, PGA

Then, on Monday, October 31st, we had large group discussions and updates about the future of PGA Education and lifelong learning, and on the purpose and mission of the Regional Membership Service model. The focus of each of these sessions was on how Master Professionals can continue their leadership through intentional mentoring and inspiration of younger PGA Professionals to pursue Specialization, Certification and eventually MP status in one of the three career paths. The highlight of the day was an engaging Q&A session with the incoming President, John Lindert, PGA and Vice-President, Don Rea, PGA.

All of this was made possible due to the support of our generous sponsors. We gratefully extend a special "thank you" to the PGA of America, Mike and Lindy Keiser, and Mr. Jerry Rich for their unwavering support. We invite you to experience part of this special event by viewing a digital copy of the 2022 summit program.

We are excited for the future of the PGA Master Professional Leadership Summit as the leadership of the PGA of America commits to growing this event and inspiring more PGA Members & Associate Professionals in their pursuit of lifelong learning and career development. Planning for the 2023 summit is presently underway to be hosted by the PGA of America at the new PGA Home and headquarters in Frisco, TX.

District #14 Director's Report

Jeff Lessig, PGA | [email protected] 

As your new District 14 Director, it was a convenient pleasure to welcome the Pacific Northwest Section’s Officers, Chapter Directors, PGA Members and staff to the Southwest Section and the We-Ko-Pa Golf Club and Resort for your Winter Board Meeting and golf outing.  We-Ko-Pa is a special place for me, having served as the GM there for the club’s first seven years.
 
During the visit, we were able to schedule a dinner meeting with the officers from both Sections including your CEO Frank Talarico, Regional Director Monte Koch and Player Engagement Specialist Patrick Oropallo.  Given the geographic challenge of District 14, it was a rare opportunity to have our district leadership all in the same room at the same time.  And much was learned, I think.
 
One important focus of the meeting was a presentation on our new Regional Model by Monte.  It’s critical that our leadership, and in turn all PGA Members, understand and embrace the intent and the effort behind this new strategic PGA initiative.  As it now exists, and as Patrick and Monte so correctly pointed out, it’s really no longer a “model”, but is a living reality – a fundamental change to the way our association has operated for more than 100 years.  At its core, it is simply an effort to better serve our 28,000.  To provide resources that will bring your Association closer to you.  It is happening now but it’s also a work in progress.
 
The following day, PGA Vice President Don Rea and I attended your 2022 PNW Winter Board Meeting which provided me a crash course in how the PNW Section is organized and operates.  Your Section is diverse and complicated given the distances, the state boundaries and five chapters.  As PGA Members, you should also hear and know that your Section is extremely well run and deserving of its reputation as one of the best in the country.  It’s an honor to represent you.

Respectfully,

Jeff Lessig, PGA

PGA Jr. League

Patrick Oropallo, PGA - Player Engagement Consultant | [email protected]

Happy Holidays, everyone! I hope you are taking this time to rest and spend time with your loved ones. Despite being new in my role as your Player Engagement Consultant, I am not new to planning for the golf season ahead. As you find time this off-season, please make time to register your PGA Jr. League program(s) for 2023. Believe it or not, many parents are already researching what programs they are going to enroll their children in for spring and summer, it might as well be your Jr. League program!

I would like to remind you of the great scholarship opportunities for Jr. League families via PGA Reach. If you sense that a family is experiencing financial hardship or extenuating circumstances, a scholarship is available for access to your Jr. League program. Similarly, if the Jr. League player is a child of Active Duty, Retired, or Reserve member of the military a scholarship is available as well. The award amounts are slightly different for each scholarship type, so please reach out to me so we can connect, and I can walk you through this very easy process.

Please keep in mind I am here for you. I am here to help you with Jr. League, PGA Family Cup, PGA Camps, and PGA.Coach. I can help with registration, the rationale as to why these programs and platforms are amazing, or simply to talk.

Happy Holidays,

Patrick Oropallo, PGA

Register your 2023 Jr. League Program Now
Email Patrick Re: PGA Reach Scholarships

Convergence Towards Your Best Year as a PGA Professional, Part III: Moderation

Monte Koch, PGA Certified Professional, CEIP - PGA Career Consultant | [email protected]

As we continue with the concept of convergence as a pathway to your “best year (yet) as a PGA Professional,” we continue to build on the foundation of Convergence: Overview (Article 1) and Convergence: Courage (Article 2). In bringing together our three phases (physical, mental and spiritual) in alignment, we are seeking the path to have them “converge” and build our impact, our effectiveness and our legacy as PGA Professionals who use golf as a platform generating goodness and goodwill.

For this article, let’s consider Moderation, and how to apply it to our lives as PGA Professionals.

Read more >

Employment Opportunities

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

PNWPGA JOB BOARD NOTICE

Upcoming "Stay Involved" Education Webinars

Jan 9 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm PDTPGA JAM (Junior Ambassador Membership) – presented by Chris Nowlen

Upcoming Events

Pelzer Golf Hawaiian Paradise Pro-Am

January 12-19, 2023
Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa
Kaanapali Golf Courses
Enter online

Holcomb-In-One Las Vegas Pro-Am

March 5-9, 2023
Caesars Palace
Las Vegas CC, TPC Las Vegas, Anthem CC
Enter online

In the spirit of the holiday season, we are giving away prizes from featured Friends of the PNW PGA Perks partners daily between 12/15 – 12/21.

Follow us on Instagram @pacificnwpga and check out our daily posts to enter!

Thank You for Supporting Our Sponsors

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Silver Level Sponsors
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National Sponsors
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Partner-Level Sponsors
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4ORE
Therabody
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