The "Creating New Golf Seminar" will be held on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at Braintree Municipal Golf Course in Braintree, MA (click here for directions). The seminar begins at 10:00 am and ends at 1:00 pm. PGA members in attendance will earn 3 MSR education credits. The fee to attend is $20. Please click here to register!
Agenda: Creating and Marketing Programs for Adults with Brian Bain, PGA
Creating More Junior Golfers with Donnie Lyons, PGA and Todd Cook, PGA
Putting for Autism and How to Help Golfers with Special Needs with Bob Beach, PGA
Upcoming Tournament News
The 2012 NEPGA Tournament Season is off to a great start! We had 49 teams play at Portsmouth this week, our first major is in the books, and we have a 102 player sellout at Charles River on Monday for our first Ahead Stroke Play of the year! If you got shutout of those events, there are still plenty to choose from so go to nepga.com and sign up!
Named for former NEPGA Executive Director Susan Hudson, this event is a staple on the calendar for Assistant Professionals. Played traditionally at the Duxbury Yacht Club, this 18-Hole Individual Stroke Play is a can’t miss event! Tee times will begin at 7:30 off the first tee. Entry fee is $100 and includes cart fee, lunch and prizes. Click Here to Register!
NEPGA Pro-Assistant
Bay Club at Mattapoisett
Monday, May 21, 2012 Sponsored by Titleist FootJoy
The Pro-Assistant returns in 2012 with a little different look and feel than it has had in its illustrious history. This year’s Pro-Assistant will be a 1 day, 18-Hole event, whereas it has been a 2 day, 36-Hole event in the past. Titleist reps will again be on-site with some fun contests after your round, and lunch and carts will be included in the entry fee for all players. Special thanks to Titleist/Footjoy who is returning as presenting sponsor once again! Click Here to register!
NEPGA Pro-Am Championship Pinehills Golf Club, Jones & Nicklaus Courses
Tuesday, May 29, 2012 Sponsored byadidas, Ashworth and TaylorMade
We are happy to return to Pinehills Golf Club, site of our 2011 NEPGA Championship! This time each course will be battled by not only the Section's most skilled Professionals, but also some of the most talented Amateurs in New England! Grab your Club Champion and come play 36 holes against the best Pro-Scratch teams around. This will be a one day event sponsored by adidas, Ashworth and TaylorMade, and teams will play one course in the morning and the other course in the afternoon, with lunch in between. Cost is $350 for the team, and includes golf, carts, food and prizes! Click Here to Register!
Spring Fling ProAm #1
Thorny Lea Golf Club
Monday, June 11, 2012 – RESCHEDULE DATE Sponsored by Paul Pichette/Cutter & Buck
The opening ProAm of 2012 was postponed in April and rescheduled for June 11th! There are still spots available to register! The format is 2 BB of 4 Gross + Net (cannot be the same ball), as well as an Individual Pro contest, and cart, range, breakfast, lunch and prizes are included in your entry fee. Special thanks to Paul Pichette for his support of this event! Click here to register!
Pro-Officer Vineyard Golf Club
Thursday, June 14, 2012 Sponsored by Country Club Enterprises/Club Car and Prize Possessions
The 2012 NEPGA Pro-Officer will return to the Island of Martha’s Vineyard at the picturesque Vineyard Golf Club! This Pro+1 event is a favorite among Professionals as it is a great chance to talk shop, play an outstanding golf course, and have a fun day away from the club with one of the decision makers from your facility! Hop on the ferry in the morning, come have some lunch, play (walking only) and have a nice cocktail hour after golf and hop on the ferry back to the mainland, or stay the night and take in the sights and sounds of MV! Entry fee is $300 for the event, which includes golf, caddies, lunch, dinner and prizes! Click here to register!
Be on the lookout for details on more upcoming events in the next Mixed Bag! If you have any questions, contact Dave McAdams at dmcadams@pgahq.com or at the Section office at 508.869.0000.
Get Golf Ready Clinic hosted by The PGA, World Golf Foundation and EWGA- May 22
Click here for more ifnorm
Reminder: Complete the 2012 Annual Operations Survey
To continue to provide you and all PGA Professionals with valuable facility operations data, including benchmarking reports on top-line revenue and expense, the New England Section is asking you to complete the 2012 Annual Operations Survey. The survey is currently available for the highest-ranked PGA Member or Apprentice at each facility.
In addition to earning up to 2 MSR credits by completing this survey with usable data by May 15, 2012, PGA Professionals will also benefit with important research data that can help you:
• Benchmark your facility’s performance with other “like” facilities in your area
• Obtain your own customized reports
• Prepare for your annual budgeting process
Click here to download a copy of the survey to use as a worksheet.
Click here to set up a proxy to complete the survey on your behalf.
Click here to access the Annual Operations Survey reporting tools to view past data.
NEPGA Pro-Member Invitationals...Click the Links to Register!
*Please note that registration only indicates your availability to play. You will be contacted by the Host Professional or the Section office regarding your status.
Win a Trip to St. John! Helicopter Ball Drop Contest to Benefit the Jimmy Fund
The Helicopter Ball Drop Contest will take place during the 5th Annual Tame the Tigers event at The International in Bolton, MA on May 14th. No event attendance is required to enter the contest! Numbered golf balls can be purchased at a rate of 1 ball for $25.00 or 3 balls for $50.00. Each purchaser will be informed of their golf ball numbers after purchase. After the tournament, a temporary hole is set up at the course. All numbered golf balls are loaded into a bag that is towed below the helicopter. The helicopter will release all balls while hovering approximately 20ft above the hole. The 1st ball landing in the cup or closest to the cup wins (the winner does not need to be present). The winning number will be emailed to all purchasers. Click here to purchase your tickets and to read more information.
Volunteers Needed for Special Olympics MA Golf Coach Seminar
The Golf Coaches Training & Athlete Development Seminar will be held on Saturday, June 23rd. The seminar is open to all Special Olympics MA Golf Coaches, athletes and Unified Partners. Athletes and Partners will receive hands on golf instruction from professional instructors, club fitting and regripping. Click here to view the schedule of events.
PGA Professionals are needed to help with training and coaching, club fitting and club repair portions of this event. If you are interested, please contact Klete Squires at 508-485-0986 x 232 or email Klete.Squires@SpecialOlympicsMA.org.
Drop-In Veterans Golf Clinic at VAMC Brockton on May 17th
This clinic is open to ALL veterans of any skill level. Participants will receive assistance and one-on-one instruction from PGA golf pro's. Help spread the word, and learn and share the passion of golf! For more information please click here.
In addition, volunteers are needed to assist at Thursday night clinics for Veterans and their families at Brockton VA, Brockton, MA (every Thursday beginning on May 17th from 5:30 to 7:30 throughout May) and Braintree Municipal GC (Thursday, June 7th from 5:30 to 7:30). Additional venues to be announced.
The first of a twelve week series of free lessons for veterans and their families will be at the Brockton VA in Brockton, Mass. on Thursday, May 17th from 11:00am to 1:30pm. Veterans with disabilities are also welcome. This program for veterans will be held at the Braintree Municipal Golf Course. The other clinic dates include Thursday, May 24th from 5:30 to 7:30, Thursday, May 31st from 5:30 to 7:30 and Thursday, June 7th from 5:30 to 7:30. There will be eight more clinics for veterans TBA. Each clinic is worth 2 MSR hours for PGA Professionals who volunteer.
If you would like to host one of these clinics at your golf course or driving range, or volunteer to give free instruction to veterans please contact Bob Beach, PGA at bbeach@braintreema.gov or by phone at 781.843.6513 x2.
Volunteers Needed for Special Needs Clinics On Monday Nights at Braintree GC
Braintree Municipal GC will host a special needs clinic every Monday night from 5:30-7:30 until the NEPGA/Special Olympic Tournament on October 14th. In addition, Putting for Autism clinics will be held on alternating Mondays.
Volunteers are needed to help with the instruction. PGA members who volunteer from 5:30-7:30 will earn 2 MSR credits. Bob Beach will be available to help train and guide any volunteers in working with people with different abilities. To volunteer or for more information, please contact Bob Beach at 781-843-6513 or email bbeach@braintreema.gov.
New Members Listed on NEPGA.com
We will soon be displaying our newly elected members on NEPGA.com. Look for the New Members icon (pictured left) on the homepage next week and be sure to congratulate your fellow PGA Professionals!
Cape Cod Chapter 2012 Spring Seminar
Although we are in the first year of our MSR period ending in June of 2015, it is a good time to start compiling our points towards recertification. We have an excellent “Best Practices” instruction seminar set for May 23rd from 3 to 6 pm.
Our panel of Cape Cod Chapter professionals are former Teachers of the Year, Players of the Year, and current college and high school golf coaches. They will assist you in your professional development as a teacher, which in turn gives you the opportunity to create a broader student base and thus increase your instruction revenue. We also want this to be a very ‘interactive’ exchange of ideas so be prepared to share one of your very own ‘best practices’.
Please email our Education Chairman, Danny Caverly at dannyc007@me.com if you plan to attend before the deadline of May 18th. Bring a $15.00 check to cover the cost of snacks and refreshments. You will receive 3 MSR points for attending. Click here to view the seminar agenda.
Cobra-Puma Girls Golf Fair
The 2012 Cobra-Puma Girls Golf Fair Presented by PGA Tour Charities will be held at TPC River Highlands on May 19th and is hosted by Suzy Whaley, PGA! Click here to complete the online registration form below to secure your child's spot in the activities. This fun-filled event will include activities aimed at getting girls excited about golf!
The NEPGA Sponsor Spotlight has been introduced to provide NEPGA members and apprentices the opportunity to get to know the Sales Representatives that are sponsors and supporters of New England PGA Professionals. Click here to view the Sponsor Spotlight Archive on NEPGA.com.
Featured Sponsor: Jamie Griffiths -- TaylorMade Golf
What is your age? 36
What is your birthdate? August 16, 1975
Where do you currently reside? Rumford, RI
What is your hometown? Raynham, MA
What previous jobs have you held? Grew up working at Pine Oaks Golf Course / Joe and Leigh’s Golf Shop. FootJoy Customer Service, Inside Sales, Sales Administration Manager.
What is your career low round, and on what course? 68 Hyannis Golf Club – ECAC College event when I was at Bryant College.
What was your greatest moment in golf? Qualifying for Match Play in the Mass Am at Winchester a few years back.
Do you have a spouse? If so, how long have you been married? Danielle - 6 years.
Do you have any children? No
What hobbies do you enjoy outside of golf? Hockey and running.
How did you get into the sales business? Leigh Bader had made a call to FJ for me and I thought sales would be easier to have a family. Now with 95+ demo days I'm not sure that is the case but I love what I do. I was on my way to being an assistant pro.
What is your dream job in the golf industry? CEO of a major golf company.
Do you have any career aspirations outside the golf industry? Nope. Want to stay in golf if I can.
What do you enjoy most about the game of golf? The people you meet and the competitive nature of it.
What awards or career accomplishments are you most proud of? Rookie of the Year TaylorMade Golf 2004
To continue to provide you and all PGA Professionals with valuable facility operations data, including benchmarking reports on top-line revenue and expense, the New England Section is asking you to complete the 2012 Annual Operations Survey. The survey is currently available for the highest-ranked PGA Member or Apprentice at each facility.
The Helicopter Ball Drop Contest will take place during the 5th Annual Tame the Tigers event at The International in Bolton, MA on May 14th. No event attendance is required to enter the contest! Numbered golf balls can be purchased at a rate of 1 ball for $25.00 or 3 balls for $50.00. Each purchaser will be informed of their golf ball numbers after purchase. After the tournament, a temporary hole is set up at the course. All numbered golf balls are loaded into a bag that is towed below the helicopter. The helicopter will release all balls while hovering approximately 20ft above the hole. The 1st ball landing in the cup or closest to the cup wins (the winner does not need to be present). The winning number will be emailed to all purchasers. Click 
We will soon be displaying our newly elected members on NEPGA.com. Look for the New Members icon (pictured left) on the homepage next week and be sure to congratulate your fellow PGA Professionals! 
Although we are in the first year of our MSR period ending in June of 2015, it is a good time to start compiling our points towards recertification. We have an excellent “Best Practices” instruction seminar set for May 23rd from 3 to 6 pm. 
Featured Sponsor: Jamie Griffiths -- TaylorMade Golf