January/February - South Florida PGA Golf

NEW MEMBERS
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The South Florida PGA would like to welcome the following new members to the
section:
Members
Classification
Facility
DavidAllyn,PGA
A-8
Raptor Bay Golf Club
DustinBitter,PGA
A-11
PGA of America
ThomasBurton,PGA
A-8
John’s Island Club
FrankDeaner,PGA
A-8
Legacy Golf & Tennis Club
SebastianHutman,PGA
A-8
Palm Beach Country Club
MichaelLamere,PGA
A-8
Sun N’ Lake Golf Club
ChaseMarinell,PGA
A-3
PGA Tour
CraigMerlin,PGA
A-8
Deering Bay Yacht & Country Club
EmmanuelPalacios,PGA
A-8
Deering Bay & Yacht CC
VincentRunyon,PGA
A-4
Pine Lakes Country Club
IanSaboski,PGA
A-8
Country Club at Mirasol
NEW APPRENTICES
The South Florida PGA would like to welcome the following new apprentices to
the section:
Member
Classification
Facility
JamesCurrin
B-8
Naples Grande Golf Club
ZacharyHappy
B-8
Vanderbilt Country Club
TimHoward
B-8
Ballen Isles Country Club
ErikaJones
B-8
The Loxahatchee Club
PaulKerbel
B-8
The Tesoro Club
BlaineLytle
B-8
Alico Family Golf Center
EricMills
B-8
Cedar Hammock Golf & CC
JohnThomasPellegrini
B-20
Plane Sight, Inc.
TaylorSzyndlar
B-21
The Breakers Ocean Course
ScottVoightmann
B-8
The Yacht & Country Club
QUARTER CENTURY CLUB
Congratulations to PGA Professional GregoryMartzolfwho has been elected to
the Quarter Century Club of the PGA of America, an elite group of members who
have served the PGA with honor and pride for 25 years.
HALF CENTURY CLUB
SOUTH FLORIDA SECTION
186 ATLANTIS BOULEVARD
ATLANTIS, FL / 33462
PHONE / FAX
561-729-0544 / 561-729-0914
EMAIL
sflorida@pgahq.com
WEBSITE
www.sfpgagolf.com
PRESIDENT
Mark VanDyck, PGA
VICE PRESIDENT
Don Meadows, PGA
SECRETARY
Karl Bublitz, PGA
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Warren Bottke, PGA
SOUTHEAST CHAPTER PRESIDENT
Jim Leary, PGA
SOUTHERN CHAPTER PRESIDENT
Chris Krause, PGA
SOUTHWEST CHAPTER PRESIDENT
Christian Sheehan, PGA
ISLAND CHAPTER PRESIDENT
Aaron West, PGA
SOUTHEAST CHAPTER AT-LARGE
Steve Hudson, PGA
SOUTHERN CHAPTER AT-LARGE
Scott Kirkwood, PGA
SOUTHWEST CHAPTER ATLARGE
Dan Gawronski, PGA
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Geoff Lofstead
ADVISORY BOARD
Congratulations to PGA Professionals PeteDonnelly and Dr.GaryWiren who have Paul Anderson
Rick Bayliss
been elected to the Half Century Club of the PGA of America, an elite group of
Steve Sponder
members who have served the PGA with honor and pride for 50 years.
Ken Kennerly
Matt Lambert
Donna Parlapiano
Joe Steranka
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PROS ON THE GO
Professional
Thomas Patri, PGA
Justin Bertsch, PGA
Jonathan Chapman, PGA
Mark Cammarene, PGA
James Feipel, PGA
William Safrin, PGA
George Mann III, PGA
Paul Crespo, PGA
Jeff Wilson, PGA
Scott Sheffield, PGA
Benjamin Brown, PGA
Andrew McMechan, PGA
Ronald Rogers, PGA
Jay Garrick, PGA
Kyle Olson, PGA
Jason Waters, PGA
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To
A-14 - TP Golf School
A-1 - Hideout Golf Club
A-4 - Naples Grande Golf Club
A-13 - Fairwinds Golf Course
A-1 - River Hall Country Club
A-4 - Naples National Golf Club
A-1 - Naples National Golf Club
A-1 - Gleneagles Country Club
A-13 - Hideaway Country Club
A-1 - Royal Palm Yacht and CC
A-14 - Royal Palm Yacht and CC
A-4 - Royal Palm Yacht and CC
A-1 - Grandezza Country Club
A-4 - Grandezza Country Club
A-14 - Highland Woods Golf & CC
A-4 - Weston Hills Country Club
From
Metropolitan Section
A-8 - Hideout Golf Club
Unattached
A-1 - The Links at Pointe West
A-8 - River Hall Country Club
A-1 - Naples National Golf Club
A-8 - Naples National Golf Club
A-19 - Ship Sticks, LLC
LM
A-8 - Royal Palm Yacht and CC
A-8 - Royal Palm Yacht and CC
A-1 - Royal Palm Yacht and CC
Kentucky Section
A-1 - Grandezza Country Club
A-8 - Highland Woods Golf & CC
Connecticut Section
In remembrance
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of South Florida PGA Professional Michael “Sean” Fischbeck. Additionally, South Florida PGA Hall of Fame Member, Mallory Privett Jr. passed away on December 26. We
send our condolences to his wife, Boo and their entire family.
Certification Completion
Congratulations to PGA Professional Judy Alvarez who has successfully completed the requirements for becoming
certified in Player Development through the PGA Certified Professional Program. Additionally, Patrick Brosnihan,
James Chorniewy, Don Cook, David Sanchez and Jamie Fordyce have completed the requirements for becoming
certified in Teaching and Coaching through the PGA Certified Professional Program. Congratulations to all!
A year in Review
Looking back on 2015, we remember a wonderful year and would like to thank all those who have supported us
throughout the year, including our partners, foundation donors, friends and section members.
To remember some of our best moments, watch our 2015 Year in Review video by clicking here.
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TOUR QUALIFIERS
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ThePGAChampionsTourandPGATourarecomingtosouthFloridaonceagain!Belowarealistofqualifiers,formore
information click the name of the event.
AllianzChampionshipPre-Qualifier
Thursday, January 28
Fountatins Country Club-North
AllianzChampionshipEventQualifier
Tuesday, February 2
Fountains Country Club-North
ACEGroupClassicPre-Qualifier
Thursday, February 4
Stoneybrook GC of Estero
ACEGroupClassicEventQualifier
Tuesday, February 9
Verandah Golf Club
TheHondaClassicPre-Qualifiers:
Tuesday, February 16
Fountains Country Club-North
Thursday, February 18
Fountains Country Club-North
Wednesday, February 17
Ironhorse Country Club
Thursday, February 18
WycliffeGolf&CountryClub
TheHondaClassicMondayQualifier
Monday, February 22
Mayacoo Lakes Country Club
DONNA PARLAPIANO APPOINTED
TO ADVISORY BOARD
Donna Parlapiano, Senior Vice President of Franchise Operations and Corporate
Real Estate of AutoNation, has been named the newest member of the South
FloridaPGAadvisoryboard.Previously,Parlapianoworkedinfinance,marketing
and strategic management with Ford Motor Company. In 2010 and 2015, she was
named one of the “100 Leading Women” in the industry and in 2014 was the recipient of the Tim Pring Memorial Award, AutoNation’s most prestigious honor.
The South Florida PGA advisory board is a group of influential business leaders
who advise and counsel the board on policies and future direction. The other
members of the advisory board include: Paul Anderson, CEO of Tampa Port Authority; Rick Bayliss, COO of Lost Tree Club; Steve Sponder, Owner of Global Golf
Sales; Ken Kennerly, Executive Director of The Honda Classic; Matt Lambert, COO
ofCountryClubofMirasol;andJoeSteranka,ChiefGlobalStrategistofBuffalo
Communications.
South Florida PGA President, Mark VanDyck said, “We are very fortunate to have
Donna Parlapiano serve on the South Florida PGA advisory board. Her many contributionsthroughoutthesouthFloridacommunity,aswellasherpassionforthegameofgolfwillassistoureffortsin
diversity and inclusion as we continue to serve the members and grow the game of golf in south Florida.”
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cOllEGE SEMiNaR
In conjunction with the Don Law Golf Academy’s College Combine, the South
Florida PGA held its annual College Seminar on Saturday, January 9 at The Hilton
Garden Inn at PGA Village in Port St. Lucie. Topics discussed included NCAA rules
and regulations, how to get noticed by college coaches, importance of academics, selecting the right school, PGA Golf Management University Program and the
responsibility of parents of student athletes. Over 130 attendees included student athletes and their parents.
Thank you to all the speakers who attended the seminar:
Sarah Trew – Florida Gulf Coast University (Head Women’s Coach)
Angelo Sands – Florida Atlantic University (Head Men’s Coach)
Kathy Baker-Guadagino – Florida Atlantic University (Head Women’s Coach)
Chris Hawley – Johnson & Wales University (Assistant Coach)
Craig Watson, PGA – Palm Beach Atlantic University (Head Coach)
Tara McKenna, PGA – PGA Golf Management University Program at Florida Gulf Coast University (Director)
Denise Jakows – Parent of College & Professional Golfer
St. aNDREWS cOuNtRy cluB HOStS MORGaN
& fRiENDS fiGHt caNcER tOuRNaMENt
For the past nine years, St. Andrews Country Club in Boca Raton has hosted the Morgan & Friends Fight Cancer Tournament.ThiseventraisesfundsforMorganPressel’sFoundationanditseffortstofightbreastcancer.Thisyear,the
event helped raise over $1 million and over the course of nine years has raised over $5 million. Morgan Pressel, along
with Lydia Ko, Lexi Thompson, Cristie Kerr, Brittany Lincicome, Paula Creamer, Natalie Gulbis and Sandra Gal participated in the event. Pressel participated in South Florida
PGA junior events while she was growing up in Boca Raton.
“This is a special event and we’re so proud of the woman
Morgan Pressel is today. Our members have taken Morgan in as their own daughter. 75%-80% of the donations
to her foundation have come from this community,” said
Paul Clivio, PGA Director of Golf of St. Andrews Country
Club.CongratulationstoPaulandhisentirestaffforanother successful year supporting such a worthy cause.
Click here to view Paul Clivio on Golf Channel’s Morning
Drive.
Tara Clivio, Foundation Director; Morgan Pressel; Paul Clivio, PGA
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PGA MERCHANDISE SHOW
The 2016 PGA of America Merchandise Show will be held in Orlando, January 27-29 with demo day conducted on the
26th. If you are in need of MSR credits, there are numerous opportunities for you to obtain credits while attending.
For more information on MSR Credits at the PGA Merchandise Show, Click Here.
PGAMerchandiseShowExhibits
2 MSR Credits
PGAShowDemoDay
Tuesday, January 26
4 MSR Credits
PGAofAmericaYouth&FamilyGolfSummit
Sunday-Monday, January 24-25
16 Required MSR Credits
PGATownHallMeeting
Thursday, January 28
1 Required MSR Credit
“A”SwingLiveTrainingCourse
Tuesday, January 26
3 Required MSR Credits
InstructionalWorkshops
Tuesday, January 26
2 Required MSR Credits
FlightscopeAcademyCertificationProgram
Tuesday, January 26
6 Required MSR Credits
CPP2.0PlayerDevelopmentJumpStart
5 Required MSR Credits
PGAShowEducationConferenceSessions
Receive up to 17 Required MSR Credits
2016 GOLFPASS
The2016GolfPassSeasoniscomingupsoon!TheSouthFloridaPGAislooking for new facilities to participate this year. It costs the facility nothing to
participate and will generate additional revenue during the summer months.
Facilities determine when GolfPass members can play and how many times
in addition to what price the member will pay. For more details and informationpleasecontactMeredithSchuleratthesectionoffi
ceat561-729-0544or
mschuler@pgahq.com.
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COMPLIMENTARY
ACCESS TO TOUR
EVENTS
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Complimentary tickets are available for upcoming
events in south Florida. For PGA Tour Events (The
Honda Classic), PGA Members and an accompanying immediate family member receive a ticket. For
World Golf Championship Events (Cadillac Championship at Trump Doral) only the PGA Member will
receive a ticket. Simply show your PGA card and a
Photo ID at main gate to receive tickets. Additionally, PGA Members only receive complimentary daily
admission to the Masters. Click here for more details.
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Best practices
PGA MEMBER BENEFITS
Each year the PGA of America works with numerous corporations to create programs providing members with benefitsanddiscounts.RecentlyaSouthFloridaPGAmemberwaslookingtopurchasenewkitchenappliances.After
workingwithalocalcontractorandthenvisitingthePGAofAmericaKitchenAidmemberbenefitssite,themember
was able to save over $2,400 through the PGA of America KitchenAid program. We encourage you to click here to
viewthenumerousbenefitsprovidedtoyouasamemberandtakeadvantageofthegreatoffersavailable.
HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR MEMBERS?
OvertheholidaysthegolfstaffatGreyOaksCountryClubnoticedoneoftheirmemberswhodidnotshowupforhis
teetimewithhisnormalgroup.Rightawaythestaffmemberbecameconcernedandcalledhishome,knowinghe
was an extreme diabetic who lived alone. Upon receiving no answer on his home phone, he then tried his cell, once
again no answer. He knew something had to be wrong so he did everything he could to track down someone who
couldgetincontactwiththemember.Aftercontactingthemember’scondosecuritystaffandfinallyhisgirlfriend,
someone was able to get into the member’s condo where he was found unresponsive. He was rushed to the hospital
where he received the care he needed to make a full recovery.
Knowing your members can have a meaningful impact and in this case helped a member during a time of crisis.
PLAY 6 AT 4
Since 2013, the South Florida PGA has conducted an annual “Women’s Golf Day” to promote the game of golf to women in south Florida. Following an extremely successful Women’s Golf Day at Miromar
Lakes Golf Club in 2014, the South Florida PGA received feedback
from the participants wanting more opportunities to play golf with
other women and have a social component similar to the Women’s
Golf Day. Working with Ken McMaster, PGA Director of Golf at Miromar Lakes Golf Club, the South Florida PGA created “Play 6 at 4” as
a way to keep those women who participated in Women’s Golf Day
engaged in the game.
“Play 6 at 4” included 6 holes of golf with a 4-person scramble format followed by a social hour including drinks and
appetizers. This year there will be a total of 5 events all held at Miromar Lakes Golf Club. The goal of “Play 6 at 4” is
to provide a fun, social golf experience. One event is being held per month between December-April. The event in
Januarysawafullfieldof72participants.
With the success this program has experienced, the SFPGA is looking forward to continuing to provide the same opportunities next year. If you are interested in hosting one of these “Play 6 at 4” events, please contact Tori Stock at
tstock@pgahq.com.
“It has been so incredibly well received, very easy to coordinate and has had a tremendous impact on the ladies as well
as our facility” Ken McMaster, PGA.
Thank you to Ken McMaster, PGA for graciously hosting these events. For more details about the league, click here.
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employment corner
OVERTIME REGULATIONS
President Obama announced on June 30 that the Department of Labor (DOL) would propose overtime regulations
that would entitle overtime pay to most salaried workers earning less than $50,440 a year. The Rule would raise the
salary threshold under which salaried executive, administrative and professional workers are entitled to overtime pay.
The threshold would increase from $455/week ($23,660 a year) to $970/week ($50,440 a year).
The PGA of America collaborated with allied golf organizations (CMAA, GCSAA, NCA, and NGCOA) to submit industry-wide comments to the Department of Labor, prior to the Sept. 4 deadline. Following the Department of Labor’s
analysisofthewrittencommentstotheproposedrule,afinalrulewilllikelybeissuedin2016withanaccelerated
implementation period of approximately 90 days.
At this time of year when strategic planning and budgeting is done for employees and facilities, it is important to be
aware of this regulation and the impending implementation. For more information, please see
http://www.dol.gov/whd/overtime/NPRM2015/.
YoucanfindadditionalinformationrelatedtothisissueatPGA.org,clickHEREtoaccessthePGA.orginformation.
2016 PGA COMPENSATION SURVEY
The PGA of America requests your participation in helping to ensure that one of our Association’s most powerful employmenttoolsremainseffectiveforyouandyourfellowPGAProfessionals.PGAmemberswhocompletethesurvey
by March 20, 2015, can receive up to two (2) Member Service Requirement (MSR) credits. Your participation is the key
to ensuring that your Section’s compensation information is valid and meaningful. Please note that MSR credit is not
applied at the time of survey submission, but will be posted periodically throughout the course of the study with all
MSR credits applied by the end of March. Click here to take survey.
I receive requests on a regular basis from the members and apprentices of the South Florida Section seeking comparablecompensationstatistics.Whilenationalfiguresarealwaysavailable,myexperienceisthatthemostsoughtafter
andcrediblenumbersarethosethatarespecifictotheSouthFloridaSection.
I hope that you will take a few minutes and complete the PGA Compensation Survey. Thanks in advance for considering participating in the 2016 PGA Compensation Survey.
The PGA Compensation Survey has been revamped and you
shouldfindthe2016Surveythesimplestever.Ifyouencounter any difficulties or if I can provide any additional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Mike McCollum, PGA
PGA Employment Consultant
South Florida PGA
MMcCollum@pgahq.com
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tournament news
MIXED TEAM EVENT
December 14, 2015
Bonita Bay Club Naples
The 2015 Mixed Team Event was contested at Bonita Bay Club Naples on the
Fazio designed Cypress Course. Thirty teams of two competed in the fourball stroke play event consisting of PGA Members, Apprentices as well as
LPGA teaching and playing Professionals. In ideal conditions eighteen teams
finishedunderparwiththreeteamsearningtheirwayintoaplayoffposition
EJ McDonnell, PGA, Laurie Rinker, and Colin Amaral, PGA firing 62 (10 under par). Heading into the playoff were the teams of PGA
Teaching Professional Dennis Meyer/LPGA Professional Terry-Jo Meyers,
LPGA Professional Laurie Rinker and PGA Director of Instruction at the Yacht and Country Club, Colin Amaral, and
PGA Assistant Professional at Bonita Bay Club Richard Packish/LPGA Professional Maude Amiee Leblanc. The teams
ofRinker/AmaralandPackish/Leblancwenttothesecondplayoffholeinatieforthelead.Amaralgotupanddown
from the fairway bunker for birdie on the eighteenth to secure the victory for the team. The South Florida PGA would
like to thank Cure Putters for their supporting role in this year’s event as well as Bonita Bay Club Naples for hosting.
ALAN MORIN TO COMPETE IN
PGA TOUR EVENTS
PGA Assistant Professional at The Falls in Lake Worth, Alan Morin will compete in the 2016 Honda Classic and Puerto Rico Open.
As the 2015 South Florida PGA Player of the Year, Morin earned a
spot into The Honda Classic, which will take place at PGA National
Resort & Spa on February 25 - 28. Winner of the 2015 South Florida PGA Section Championship, Morin also earned a spot into the
Puerto Rico Open, which will take place at Coco Beach Golf
& CC on March 24-27. We wish Alan luck as he competes
against the top professionals from around the world!
PAT RESULTS
Sean Eric Bergeron 140
Matthew Smith 144
Brian Bird148
Rami Asayag 148
Gary Evans 149
Taylor Szyndlar 150
Shane White 150
Congratulations to all SFPGA Apprentices and aspiring Apprentices who successfully
passed their Playing Ability Test Thursday, December 4th - Park Ridge Golf Course
Frank Wielander 151
Baldonick Fernandez 151
Nick King 153
James Lowe 154
Benjamin Page 154
Joseph Guerrero 154
Nikolas Maldonado 154
Ward Cameron White 155
Thomas Bishop 155
Isaac Schaefer 156
Joshua Strausbaugh 156
Zachary Lieberman 156
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FEBRUARY 22 – 28
thehondaclassic.com
© 2016 American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
PADRAIG HARRINGTON – Defending Champion
D R E A M I T. D R I V E I T.
junior tour
TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP
December 19-20, 2015
Jonathan’s Landing Golf Club at Old Trail
The South Florida PGA Junior Tour Championship presented by The Honda Classic
was contested at Jonathan’s Landing Golf Club at Old Trail. The field was composed of 90 players from the Challenge Tour and Championship Tour combined.
The Championship Tour Boys Division featured some outstanding play. Jupiter native Matt Mcrostie and Miami native Jake Beber-Frankel each opened up round one
witha1-under-par71tofindthemselvestiedatthetopoftheleaderboard.Jupiter
nativeBryanWiyang,whofiredafirstround2-over-par73,madeastrongpushduringSunday’sfinalroundaftershooting a 74. After the 36 hole stroke play event was completed, Beber-Frankel and Wiyang found themselves tied for
thelead,sendingtheboysdivisiontoasuddendeathplayoff.WiyangmanagedtooutlastBeber-Frankelonthethird
playoffholeandcapturetheseasonendingjuniormajortitle.
MiaminativeAlexaRivasfoundherselfthreestrokesbehindTamaracnativeJillianBourdageenteringthefinalround.
LakeWorthnativeAlexaPanomadeastrongpushduringthefinalround,firinga4-overpar75butitwasn’tenoughto
stopRivas.Rivasfiredafinalround3-over-par74tocapturetheGirlsChampionshipTourDivisiontitle.
The Challenge Tour Division featured some great
play as well. Vero Beach native Carter Dalili and
BocaRatonnativeMattGlenneachfiredopening
round 76’s and shared the lead heading into the
final round. Dalili was able to continue his solid
playandfireafinalround2-over-par73andcapture the Boys Challenge Tour Overall Title. Lake
Worth native Serina Combs put a solid end to her
2015 season by winning the Overall Girls Challenge
Tour Division by two strokes.
Jake Beber-Frankel, Neil Lockie, PGA and Bryan Wiyang
The boys and girls 11-12 age division squared off
in a one day, 18 hold Tour Championship. Nicklas
Staub of Boynton Beach was able to continue his
dominate 2015 season and win the boys 11-12 age
division. Doral native Skylee Shin fired a 3-overpar 74 to capture the girls 11-12 age division title.
The South Florida PGA Junior Tour Player of the Year was also concluded during the Tour Championship. Hobe Sound
native Andie Smith won the Girls 11-12 age division Player of the Year, while Boynton Beach native Nicklas Staub won
the Boys 11-12 age division player of the year. Coral Springs native Brett Roberts captured the Boys Challenge Tour
Player of the Year, while Boca Raton native Taylor Roberts captured the Girls Challenge Tour Player of the Year honors.
Lake Worth native Jordan Reeves took home the Boys Championship Tour Player of the Year, while Boca Raton native
Dana Williams took home the Girls Championship Tour Player of the Year.
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junior tour
END OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Dana Williams
Challenge Tour Players of the Year
OVERALL
Taylor Roberts
Brett Roberts
11-12 Age Division
Nicklas Staub
Alex Martell
Gloria Vawter
Championship Tour Players of the Year Honda Classic Most
Jordan Reeves
Improved Player
Ed Ficker
Sportsmanship
Award
Andie Smith
Jillian Bourdage,
Ed Ficker and
Joe Lewis
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junior tour
TEAM GOLF PREVIEW
Team Golf is nearing the start of the 4th season in south Florida. The program continued to experience tremendous
growth in 2015 thanks to the involvement of more than 60 PGA members and over 650 junior golfers. 2016 looks to
expandevenmorewithbothasummerandfallseasonofferedforlocalPGAProfessionalsandareateams.
The 2016 schedule will begin in May with a few weekend “warm-up” tournaments for teams already established in
select counties. The full summer season will begin the week of June 13-17 and conclude the week of August 8-12. The
fall season will begin in late September and conclude in early November. Leagues are formed by area facilities and
teams and separated by county. For most leagues, there will be 5-8 tournaments during the summer season and 5-6
tournaments during the fall season. Tournaments during May and September-November will be held on a weekend
day (Saturday or Sunday). Tournaments during the summer months (June-August) will be held during the weekdays
and some weekends. Tournaments will be held in the geographic area that your team’s facility is located (no more
than 15-20 miles away).
PGA Professionals are encouraged to create teams
and participate in this Section wide program. This
is a great opportunity to grow your junior program,
showcase your facility, and expand overall revenue &
clientele. In addition, for each season, PGA Professionals that coach a team will earn three (3) PGA MSR
credits in the Required Category. For more information about Team Golf please contact Tyler Wolford at
561-729-0544 or twolford@pgahq.com. More information about Team Golf can also be found HERE.
16
rules with chris
THE THINGS THAT GUIDE US
Do you remember why you first picked up a golf club or who
brought you to the game? Maybe you grew up in a family that
had a membership at a local country club or lived down the street
from a golf course. Maybe a friend took you to a driving range
or you saw a professional tournament on television. One of the
most uniquely fascinating parts of this game is that it brings people from all walks of life together under a common set of relatable principles. These principles are strong enough to transcend
language and cultural barriers and ultimately serve as the common thread that ensures that we are all playing the same game.
Richard S. Tufts wrote a book called, “The Principles Behind the
Rules of Golf” which touches on this common thread and gives
thereaderalookatthesynergisticcultureofthedefinitions,rulesofplay,decisionsandetiquette.Tuftsexplains,
“Golf, like life, is full of breaks. It is a game of chance, one of its fascinations being in ‘the way the ball bounces.’ To
be able to accept the breaks and still go on playing your game has always been one of the tests of a true champion, a
test which it is more important to meet successfully in golf than in any other sport”. In life as in sport we deal with a
variety of factors that we do or do not have control over. A player can hit a ball down the center of the fairway and it
may roll into a divot. On the contrary, a player can hit a ball into a heavily wooded area and the ball may ricochet back
into the fairway. “The way the ball bounces” is an important factor in this game but what Tufts explains to us is that it
isn’t nearly as important as our ability to accept the lie regardless of the stroke.
When we look at the Rules of Golf it can be very easy to get lost in the references and great detail in which they are
written. Let’s remember that we play a very simple game and the only purpose these Rules serve is to ensure we
are all playing the same simple game. The only purposes of the underlying principles are to aid in the understanding
of the Rules that guide us. Ultimately it can be broken down to this underlying statement, “You put your ball in play
atthestartofthehole,youplaythecourseasyoufindit,
you play only your own ball and you do not touch it until
you lift it from the hole”. If you take nothing else away from
this, understand that this is the foundation upon which golf
is played. Nothing can serve as a substitute for the Rules
of Golf or their Decisions but these principles are intended
to serve as a guide to help us understand. Tufts references
these principles as “steel rods which lie below the surface
of reinforced concrete, serve to bind together brittle material and to give it strength”.
The Rules of Golf may be altered and changed but what
is essential to the game is that these “steel rods” are unchanging. The principles that we learned at that local country club or driving range or from watching a professional
tournament are the same principles we instill in those learning through us. We are all very familiar with the countless displays of character brought to us on Sundays in the drama
that unfolds within the championships we lose ourselves in. Highly unsung are the millions of non-televised success
stories that start with this game and are ultimately grounded in these principles. The ultimate question then is not
howcanwebenefitfromthembutwhoelsecanwepassthemalongto?Whatsuccessstorieswillyoubeapartof?
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new & upcoming
UPCOMING SECTION EVENTS
AllianzPre-Qualifier
Fountains CC-North
January 28
HondaClassicPre-Qualifier
Ironhorse Country Club
February 17
AllianzEventQualifier
Fountains CC-North
February 2
HondaClassicPre-Qualifier
Fountains Country Club - North
WycliffeGolf&CountryClub
February 18
ACEGroupPre-Qualifier
Stoneybrook GC of Estero
February 4
ACEGroupEventQualifier
Verandah Golf Club
February 9
JuniorChallengeTourEvent#1
Sandpiper Golf Club - Club Med
February 6-7
HondaClassicPre-Qualifier
Fountains CC-North
February 16
JuniorChampionshipTour#1
Fountains CC - North
February 20-21
HondaClassicMondayQualifier
Mayacoo Lakes CC
February 22
JuniorChallengeTourEvent#2
Sandridge Golf Club
March 5-6
NationalCarRentalFoundationPro-Am
Fort Lauderdale Country Club
March 14
EARN MSR CREDITS
Looking for ways to earn more MSR credits? Volunteer your time with the upcoming South Florida PGA events. PGA
Members earn 1 MSR credit/hour they are able to volunteer.
SFPGA
JUNIOR
TOUR
JuniorChallengeTourEvent#1
Play golf america Events
Sandpiper Golf Club - Club Med
February 6-7
AllianzChampionshipPlayGolfAmericaEvent
The Old Course at Broken Sound
February 5-7
JuniorChampionshipTourEvent#1
Fountains Country Club
February 20-21
Women’sGolfDay
Jupiter Country Club
February 20
JuniorChallengeTour#2
Sandridge Golf Club
March 5-6
Volunteers will provide free instruction to those in attendance. If you are available and interested in assisting with
the Allianz Championship, contact Tyler Wolford at twolford@pgahq.com. If you are able to assis with the Women’s
Golf Day, please contact Tori Stock at tstock@pgahq.com
Volunteers are needed to help with rules officiating
and Pace of Play. Those interested in volunteering
may contact Jake Weir at jweir@pgahq.com.
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