I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Golf Professionals, General Managers, Gateway Section Staff, and facilities that have assisted in the planning or execution of educational events this past Spring. The seminars and events will slow down for a while as we all get busy at our own facilities. We might drop in a few seminars throughout the summer if the demand or opportunity arises.

Spring 2009 in review:

-Brett Moomey hosted a seminar at Bellerive on March 12^th for the Assistants. They discussed various aspects of the PGA PGM Program with hopes to assist each other in completion, and 20 apprentices attended the event. I would like to thank Brett Moomey, Rick Ewing, Ty Zimmernam & Bellerive for hosting the event!

-Craig Liddle hosted an Employment seminar at Meadowbrook on March 17^th. Doug Turner with the PGA, Jeff Smith with Walters Golf Management, Tom Lee from St Albans, Ryan Johnson from Sunset, and Josh Riley with the Gateway PGA discussed various aspects employment, interviewing, resumes, etc. The event was well attended as 30 PGA Members and Apprentices came. I would like to thank Craig Liddle, Josh Riley, Ryan Johnson, Doug Turner, Jeff Smith, Tom Lee & Meadowbrook for hosting the event!

-Next on the calendar was a Fitting Seminar at Tan Tar A hosted by Irl Robinson on March 23^rd. Irl discussed Modern Fitting Techniques with 14 of our GPGA Professionals. I would like to thank Irl Robinson, Paul Leahy, & Tan Tar A for hosting the event!

-Jon DePriest hosted a Tax Seminar at Sunset Hills on March 24^th. This event brought 7 PGA Members together to discuss different issue with taxes, deductions, payroll, and other issues the members had with their taxes or their clubs taxes. I would like to thank Jon DePriest, Jim Daech with Liberty Tax Service & Sunset Hills for hosting the event.

-One of the Gateway Section’s best educators hosted our next seminar on April 7^th at Stonewolf. Jesse Barge, Master Professional, taught a class of 13 Golf Professionals about the Rules of Golf. Jesse focused the presentation on "how to increase your value at your club by knowing the rules."I would like to thank Jesse Barge, Chris Nava & Stonewolf for hosting the event.

-A very unique event was next on the calendar at Tan Tar A on April 13^th.

"Better Golf with Hypnosis"was hosted by Brian Powers. Brian discussed how to lower your handicap, relax and have more fun, increase your focus and confidence, eliminate the stress and sink more putts and play better in tournaments and under pressure through Hypnosis. 7 GPGA Members attended, and I would like to thank Brian Powers, Paul Leahy & Tan Tar A for hosting the event.

-Our last event of the Spring also had our best turn out! Titleist sponsored and Ball & Club Fitting Seminar at WingHaven Country Club on April 14^th. Steve Ball, Chris Hahn, and Erik Brown delivered a top-notch presentation to 50 PGA Members and Apprentices. I would like to thank Steve Ball, Erik Brown, Chris Hahn & WingHaven for hosting the event.

As you hopefully get busier at your club, don’t forget to sign up for the 2009 Education Bonus Pool. We already have facilities sending in money and faxing over their test scores. Here are the details again, and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at WingHaven.

Thank you!

Nathan Charnes, PGA

ncharnes@winghavencc.com

636-561-9464, ext. 230

 

2009 Education Bonus Pool

The intent of the Pool is to provide the apprentices with motivation to finish their current level of the PGA PGM, provide the apprentices some financial support for a very expensive education process, provide the Head Golf Professionals of Director’s of Golf a reason to encourage his/her apprentice to finish their level of work, provide the apprentices motivation to study and do well on the tests, give the Head Golf Professionals a reason to encourage their apprentices to prepare, and provide additional support and attendance of the Educational Seminars conducted by the Gateway PGA.

Every club in the Gateway PGA Section will be billed a $20 Education Pool entry fee. Facility participation is mandatory for the apprentice and his or her boss to qualify. For only $20, we encourage all clubs to participate whether or not they have apprentices finishing levels this year. Facilities may also donate more than $20 if they wish. Every apprentice finishing Level 1, 2, or 3 will qualify to win the Pool for 2009, assuming your facility paid the $20 entry. Scoring will be based on the following:

Average test score at the checkpoint attended (apprentices must send Nathan Charnes a copy of their test scores after they have completed and passed the Checkpoint).

75% of Education Pool Score

Average number of Education Seminars attended by the apprentice or the Head Golf Professional (Seminars conducted by the Gateway PGA). They count as a team.

25% of Education Pool Score

It is important to understand that for the seminar attendance portion of the score, the Head Golf Professional and Assistant count as a team. If one or the other attends, they will receive the credit. Also, at some facilities, the Head Golf Professional might not be the mentor. The team could consist of a Director of Golf and an Assistant, or a First Assistant and Assistant.

There are just over 200 facilities in the Gateway Section. If 75% of the facilities in the Gateway Section participate, that would total $4000 in the pool. The apprentice who finishes the year with the highest score (combination of average test score at checkpoint and seminars attended) will win the money. If we have 100% participation, $4000 will be in the pool. If we have 75% participation, $3000 will be in the pool. If we have 50% participation, $2000 will be in the pool. At the end of the year, when we figure the results, 60% of the money will be awarded to the apprentice and 40% to the Head Golf Professional or mentor of that apprentice. The determining factor of who wins will more than likely be decided by who attends the most education seminars. If an assistant scores 100% on all his tests, that will only give him 75 points for the pool since 75% is factored from the tests.

Example

-John Doe Assistant attends his level 2 checkpoint and averages an 86% on all his tests.

86 x .75 = 64.5

-John Doe Assistant, or his boss, attends 4 of 8 education seminars offered by GPGA.

4 of 8 = 50%, 50 x .25 = 12.5

64.5 + 12.5 = 77 (score for John Doe Assistant and his boss)

The number of 2-person teams that win the Education Bonus Pool will be determined by the support of the Section: $2000-$2500 in the pool 2 Winners

$2501-$3000 in the pool 3 Winners

$3001 and higher in the pool 4 Winners