Hanefeld and Karbowski Represent NEPGA at Senior PGA Championship

Day 1 Recap

Sonny Skinner drove 12 hours from his home in Sylvester, Ga., to Bellerive Country Club, just outside St. Louis, a journey that he said allowed him time to “clear the mind” while preparing for the 74^th Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid.

“You listen to a lot of good music, and it allows you to refocus when you drive those 12 hours,” said Skinner, who attended his daughter’s high school graduation last Sunday and passed on a late search for a flight. “My game wasn’t very good coming in here. I didn’t play for seven straight days. That was on purpose, because my game felt sour and flat, and I was not confident.”

All in the Family

Father-Son Duo Bill and Griffin Andrews capture Pro-Assistant

Mattapoisett, MA

The Pro-Assistant has been a staple on the NEPGA calendar for as long as anyone can remember.  A celebration of teamwork and a chance to relax amidst the grind of a New England golf season make the event a must play for many Head Golf Professionals and their Assistants throughout the northeast.  For many Professionals, it’s a day to play with your Assistant, as many don’t get that opportunity throughout the season.  For Bill Andrews, PGA of Portsmouth CC and his son Griffin, it’s more than that.

Griffin and Bill (center), featured (L-R) with Dave Woods, Dave Greblick, Mark Finnerty and Pat Dalton of the Acushnet Company.

Drive, Chip and Putt Championship

Thank you to everyone for your interest in the inaugural Drive, Chip and Putt Championship. Due to the overwhelming response we received, it was necessary to conduct a random drawing to determine the field for local qualifying in each region. Confirmation emails were sent last week to those selected in the random drawing from drivechipandputt@reply.usga.chtah.com. If you are unsure about whether or not your child has received a place in local qualifying, we ask that you click here and submit the email address that was used to complete the registration. Please note – many times these emails are delivered to the Junk Mail (spam) folder.

We will notify all participants of their status when the confirmation process is complete. It is still possible those who were not selected as part of the initial random drawing could be added to the field should spots open up due to declines. You will receive an email regarding your child's status one way or the other as confirmations progress.

Thanks very much to everyone for your interest and understanding. We greatly appreciate everyone’s support of the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship!


Your New England Sites are:

Cyprian Keyes Golf Club - Boylston, MA - 6/23  from 2pm to 6pm
Windham Country Club - Windham, NH - 6/29   from 2pm to 6pm 
Blissful Meadows - Uxbridge, MA - 7/1   from 10am to 1:30pm
Granite Links Golf Club - Quincy, MA - 7/10   from 1pm to 4pm 
The Bay Club - Mattapoisett, MA - 7/16   from 11am to 3pm
Triggs Municipal Golf Course - Providence, RI - 7/18   from 10am to 2pm
Links at Lang Farm - Essex Junction, VT - 7/21   from 2pm to 6pm
Val Halla Golf & Rec - Cumberland, ME - 7/22
Lebaron Hills Country Club - Lakeville, MA - 7/28  from 1pm to 4pm 
Black Rock Country Club - Hingham, MA - 7/29  from 2pm to 6pm

Regional Finals will be held at Pinehills Golf Club, Plymouth, MA on August 12, 2013

For more information visit: www.drivechipandputt.com/

The PGA of America Statement from Ted Bishop

From Ted Bishop, PGA

Over the past few months The PGA of America has taken a vocal and active position which reflected the strong viewpoint of our PGA Professionals in opposing the USGA and R&A's proposed Rule 14-1b that would ban the anchored stroke. Today, the governing bodies indicated that they will proceed with the formal adoption of the rule.

 We are disappointed with this outcome. As we have said publicly and repeatedly during the comment period, we do not believe 14-1b is in the best interest of recreational golfers and we are concerned about the negative impact it may have on both the enjoyment and growth of the game. Growing the game is one of the fundamental purposes of The PGA of America.

 Although we do not agree with the decision, we applaud the USGA for its willingness to listen to our concerns and engage in meaningful discussions. In our opinion and based on our experience, the USGA treated the comment period for what it was intended to be -- a time to exchange opinions, concerns and potential solutions.

May is Welcome to Golf Month!

With complimentary instruction as its foundation, Welcome to Golf Month highlights PGA Professionals as the experts in instruction. During the month of May, showcase how your facility can embrace golfers of all abilities and make it fun and easy to stay in the game.

PGA/LPGA Professionals can:
Offer complimentary instruction and/or introductory programs, 10-minute free lessons, Welcome to Golf Days, Get Golf Ready clinics, Mother's Day Welcome to Golf Programs and more. Promote programs you currently offer through ACTIVE.

Keys to success:

• Plan events in May to promote golf (Click here to download the poster.)
• Use social media to promote your programs
• Send PR templates and email blasts announcing programs and dates
• Cross-promote other instruction programs at your facility to keep golfers coming back

Click here to log into PGALinks.com and learn how to promote your event and facility on ACTIVE.com.