1

This Issue

Volume 4, Issue 12 December 2012

Growth of the Game P 2

Rules P 3

Assistant’s Corner P 4

Employment P 5

Career Links/Jobs P 6

Fitness P 7

Upcoming Education

and Tournaments

P 8

Scholarship P 9

Junior Golf Certificates P 10

Member Updates P 11

I want to wish you and your loved ones a happy holiday season. It is

amazing that the 2012 season is almost in the books. I am sure that many

of you will welcome a little holiday break or at least a weather change

that allows a little time for planning and reflection. The amount of

playable days has been the highest since I have been with the Gateway

Section. I hope that the longer season translated into positive results

for your facilities. I want to give a quick reminder that the Gateway Section and Mike Tuck-

er will be hosting a year-end holiday party at Mike and Michelle’s house on Friday, Decem-

ber 14th. If you did not receive the email notification and would like to attend or know more

about the get together, please contact Lindsay Riley at lriley@pgahq.com.

As we turn towards our cooler months ahead, our education program really warms up. I

want to take my hat off to Brian Schmersahl for coordinating a full winter entrée of educa-

tional opportunities. Some of these offerings have already taken place. Nearly 10 public

facility PGA Professionals got together at Tapawingo to discuss issues and ideas as it relates

to the Public arena. The Gateway Section is taking some of the hot topics and putting togeth-

er further information and/or offerings as it relates to this side of our business. Please keep a

look-out for email reminders, check the website, or view the schedule in this newsletter. I

would also like to thank Callaway Golf and David Kohlberg for their support of our educa-

tion programs.

Planning is already underway for the 2013 Golf Marathon. I want to thank Mike Suhre and

Kevin Corn for agreeing to spearhead this initiative again. I can already tell that they are

looking for bigger and better. It will be a great challenge to try and surpass the nearly

$90,000 raised for our association and charities in our area. In talking to Kevin and Mike,

they are excited as that dollar amount was collected by only 41 Gateway PGA Professionals!

The Gateway PGA Board and Directors will be coming together this December to conduct

the annual strategic and business planning session for the association. This process always

revolves around servicing you better and providing programs and opportunities that grow our

brand, create new golfers, and make your association one that reflects positively on you and

your facility. We cannot do anything meaningful without your help, involvement, and ideas.

We will be looking for help with leading and/or being part of a committee. If you would like

to be more involved with the section, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Continued on the next page

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GROWTH OF THE GAME

Looking back on 2012, I can honestly say more was accomplished through the Gateway Founda-tion and Growth of the Game team than I anticipated. This success can only be attributed to the numerous golf professionals who supported the section in one way or another.

The daily lives of golf professionals are filled with priorities at the golf facility, leading staff, hosting customers or members, teaching lessons, and managing their time when 15 hours of work

need to be done in 10. Coupling professional responsibilities with personal commitments to family and friends almost always leaves just enough time to sleep and get up in the morning to do it all over again. So when professionals offer just a small portion of their time towards teaching a golf class in a school or giving free clinics at a Play Golf America event, it means a great deal to me, the Foundation, and those being introduced the game. I can promise you, in-volvement with programs like these is not results-less, meaningless, or valueless. Quite the op-

posite is true: influencing non golfers with fun opportunities turns into golf course visits, Get Golf Ready Classes, private lessons, investments in equipment, food and beverage purchases, and memberships. Looking at the bigger picture, we are ensuring this sport thrives on through future generations. If you are one who reads the newsletter articles, keeps up to date on the Pros In Schools program, or takes an interest in growth of the game but is not sure where your time can be used, please call me – every little bit helps!

Transitioning from 2012 to 2013, I am excited about all of the possibilities and growth in store for the Gateway PGA. One item of note is a modification of the two youngest divisions in the Gateway Junior Program – the Mini and Novice 9 Divisions. Starting next year, these two divisions will be operated under the Foundation offering juniors a stronger base of development and learning. A distinct pathway from development and growth to compe-tition will be created by offering stepping stone divisions concentrated on both age and ability for juniors 5 to 18. Look for more details and opportunities as we continue defining the details.

The Pros In Schools Program saw growth in 2012 through the addition of Fulton School and Lutheran School at Webster Gardens. I am pleased to relay Immaculate Conception Dardenne has requested golf to be taught in PE classes to their 6th, 7th, and 8th graders in February of 2013!

Alton Middle School will continue with another winter golf program for their students, as well. Professionals will be needed Wednesdays and Thursdays during the month of February. Two classes per day (8:30 am – 11:30 am) will receive golf instruction during their PE time. Contact me if you would like to participate. Waiting for the email announcement may be too late!

Lastly, the Growth of the Game Committee has BIG plans for next year. Using the positive energy from the suc-cess of this year, the Committee intends of bettering each event while finding new and creative ways to impact more people, introduce the game, and cultivate golfers for life. Opportunities will be plentiful, events will be awe-some, and fun will be had by all! Join us! Ali Wells, PGA Director of Foundation Programs and Player Development

Thank you for all of the support you have given the staff at the Gateway PGA and Foundation in 2012. I would also like to

thank you for continuing to serve and grow the game. I ask that you consider making a new year’s resolution that 2013 will

be a year in which you engage your stakeholders on ways that you can grow your business. The Gateway PGA, Foundation,

and the PGA of America have tremendous resources to help you. Please reach out as I think you may be surprised at what

opportunities await a PGA Professional who is committed to becoming better.

All the best

Continued from Page 1

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RULES CORNER

D uring the John A. Logan College Fall Clas-

sic a situation arose that illustrates the im-

portance of understanding how Rule 3-3 operates. This

is the rule that allows a player to play a second ball

when there is a doubt as to procedure in stroke play.

Sam Waters from Morthland College hit his tee shot

into the water hazard, identified by yellow stakes and

the margins defined by a yellow line, on the par 3 fifth

hole. His ball was on the bank of the hazard with an

unattached branch directly behind his ball. He wanted

to drop two club lengths from where the ball last

crossed the margin of the hazard. A coach from anoth-

er school told him he did not think he could drop there

and suggested he play a second ball.

Sam first played the original ball. His stroke struck the

branch that intervened between the ball and clubface.

The ball was fairly struck (see decision 14-1/5) and

came to rest just outside the hazard. From that position

Sam chipped the ball in for a score of three. By this

time Sam’s coach arrived at the hole and called me. He

wasn’t sure where Sam should play from or if he need-

ed to play the second ball. I indicated there was a drop

zone and that the player would probably need to play

the second ball, but not having all the facts, I would

come out and sort through what had transpired.

When I arrived the player was walking up the hill to

the drop zone. I first asked him if he had declared his

intention to play a second ball and he indicated he had.

I then ask if he indicated which ball he wanted to

count. He said that he had stated he wanted to score

with a ball that he would drop two club lengths from

where the original ball last crossed the margin of the

hazard.

At this point I told him he did not need to play a se-

cond ball. The score with the original ball would count.

Rule 3-3bi tells us if the ball selected is not played in

accordance with the rules the score with the other ball

counts. If a referee had not been present and he played

the second ball from the spot selected the result would

be the same. If he had not played the second ball with-

out authority from a member of the committee the re-

sult would still be the same, see Decision 3-3/7.5.

The fact that he was going to the drop zone raises an

interesting question. What if he had played a second

ball from the drop zone. The rul-

ing would be he had not indicated

he wanted to score with that ball

since he declared he wanted to

score with the ball dropped two

clubs from the margin of the haz-

ard. Since he had not declared

which ball he wanted to count

Rule 3-3bii tells us the score

with the original ball counts, so

again his score would be three.

Finally, Rule 3-3a states “The competitor must re-

port the facts of the situation to the Committee be-

fore returning his scorecard. If he fails to do so he is

disqualified.” In this case since a referee was in-

volved that requirement was met. Otherwise the

player would need to find a member of the Commit-

tee prior to returning his scorecard.

In many college and high school tournaments a

member of the Rules Committee is not readily avail-

able. That is why it is so important for players and

coaches to have a good understanding of Rule 3-3.

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Assistants Corner We would like to congratulate this year’s two qualifiers Jeffery Schmidt, PGA from Perche

Creek and Ty Zimmerman, PGA from Westwood Country Club on their play at the National Car

Rental Assistants Championship in Port St. Lucie, FL. Both representatives did make this year’s

36 hole cut which was at 6 over par. Jeffery played some very solid golf and represented the

Gateway PGA with a lot of class.

As your committee starts to prepare for 2013 feel free to send let us know what you would

like to see done for the Pro-Am and/or Championship. Send us an e-mail or give us a call

because we want to provide you the best possible experience we can each and every year.

Feel free to contact any one of your committee

members with any questions or concerns you

might have. Your 2012 Assistant Committee

Members are:

Westwood Country Club

Illini Country Club

Persimmon Woods Golf Club

Quincy Country Club

Forest Hills Country Club

The Club at Old Hawthorne

WingHaven Country Club

Quincy Country Club

Meadowbrook Country Club

Ty Zimmerman, PGA Chairman

Michael Leotta, PGA Vice-Chairman

Trey Strong, PGA Secretary

Gideon Smith, PGA Board Liaison

Brandon Coffey, PGA

Kevin Stall, PGA

Andrew Jury

George Schrage

RJ Villafuerte, PGA

2012 GATEWAY PGA

AWARDS DINNER

CLICK IMAGE FOR AWARDS

SLIDESHOW

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EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

Connecting with Her! The much anticipated Connecting with Her PlayBook is now available for download at

Golf20.net and also on your home page at PGALinks.com. We all understand the potential

benefits of engaging women in the game of golf and how their participation can increase reve-

nues, activate the family aspect of enjoying the game, and also increase the number of players

we bring to the game. As part of the study conducted for the PGA by the Boston Consulting

Group, statistics showed that 42% of the 90 million people who have expressed interest in

golf are women! Since women control much of the time and money spent in recreational

activities it is important for us as entrepreneurs to focus on the ways and means to make

golf something fun, challenging, and important to our existing and potential women cus-

tomers.

The PlayBook is a great tool to use to work together with your employer in order to bring about change in the way

you do business and how that can, and will, affect how women view your facility, programs, and staff. Its message

is simple; to present a compelling case as to why women represent such a significant opportunity for the industry

and provide the insights and action steps you can utilize to lead the way for a model change that will yield positive

results for all.

I would suggest starting with the two exercises that are provided in the PlayBook on pages 20 and 35 and then go

through the checklist provided in the appendix on pages 81-86. These tools can provide a look at your facility and

expose some problems you may have in connecting with your women customers. Start there and then work up a

plan to change with your employer and staff. If you need further reference in an area then consult the correspond-

ing section in the PlayBook.

Good luck with your Connecting with Her initiatives and remember what someone once said, “We did not move out

of the stone age because we ran out of rocks!”

Have a great winter and holiday season and please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or help that you

may need in regard to your employment!

Tim Marks, PGA

Employment Consultant

815.630.5196 – office

tmarks@pgahq.com

Want tell your employer the Golf 2.0 story? Here is a

way they can log in to the web site!

Go to www.golf20.net

Username: golf2.0

Password: growgolf

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The 2013 PGA CareerLinks Profile Survey

The PGA of America developed the award-winning CareerLinks system to help golf industry employers and quali-

fied PGA professionals connect for employment opportunities. The CareerLinks Profile is the method used to

quantify the skillsets, background, experience, etc., of our PGA professionals and allows the system to search and

identify matching candidates for jobs in the golf industry.

In 2009 when we made the decision to do the Compensation Survey on a yearly basis we stopped sending out The

PGA CareerLinks Profile as a survey. It is a document that PGA professionals have always had the ability to up-

date at any time so we didn’t feel the need to keep making them start from scratch. However in the past 4 years

the industry has experienced change and the Survey has been enhanced with new questions based on the priorities

of today’s golf industry and the needs of employers, including player development and higher level management

positions.

PGA professionals were sent an email with a link provided to complete their new PGA CareerLinks Profile. This

must be filled out to remain active in CareerLinks after the December 31st deadline. If you have questions please

contact your PGA Employment Consultant or call 1-800-314-2713.

Job Opening in Section Assistant Golf Professional

Westwood Country Club, St. Louis, MO

Excellent interpersonal skills

Successful completion of Level One

Sound player and teacher

Computer skills a must

Junior Golf experience helpful

Position can be seasonal if needed

Deadline for resumes December 15, 2012

Contact Daryl Hartig 314-432-2312

darylh@westwood-cc.com

Job Openings in the Section - From Careerlinks, Click HERE

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Optimal Lifestyles, Inc is a health and fitness consulting company and fitness education sponsor for the Gateway PGA. Optimal Lifestyles, Inc. provides personal training, golf fitness and yoga for golfers. The information provided by Optimal Lifestyles is for educational purposes and should not replace care or advice of a physician. Please check with a physician if you are starting an exercise program or suspect you are ill.

Brought To You by Optimal Lifestyles, Inc.

It’s that time again … time to make New Year’s

resolutions. Do your intentions involve golf and

fitness? Maybe you vow to play more golf, low-

er your handicap, hit the ball further, improve

your swing, find more enjoyment in the sport.

Whatever your interest, keeping golf resolutions

typically boils down to one thing: achieving bet-

ter fitness.

We have a few months before golf season gets

back into full swing in St. Louis, but the key to

successful outings in the spring is to start your

conditioning routine now. This is the ideal time

of year to condition golf specific muscles and

get in better shape.

Take a personal approach to improving your golf

game through exercise – choose the path that

best suits your personality and lifestyle. As you

think about fitness and how you want to get

there, consider the following options:

strength training

body weight training

exercise and weight loss

personal training

core training

group personal training

These fitness options are among the top 10

trends for 2013 indicated by a survey conducted

by the American College of Sports Medicine’s

Health & Fitness Journal. Yoga, boot camp and

wellness coaching are in the top 20.

Optimal Lifestyles, Inc. provides individual,

group and corporate fitness at your golf club,

your office or in your home, along with yoga for

flexibility classes. For help in determining your

best approach to fitness, or for gift certificates

for the holidays, contact Barb Michael at 314-

984-0592.

Whatever area of fitness you decide to pursue in

2013, remember that anything you try is better

than nothing and every little bit helps. It’s time

to get off the couch, push away from the table

and try something. Keeping your resolutions will

make you feel better, improve your fitness and

make golf a more enjoyable experience. Happy

Holidays to you and your family!

Resolution: Choose Your Path to Fitness

Email: barb@optimallifestylesinc.com www.optimallifestylesinc.com

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With the upcoming season just around the corner, we

would like to share some of the major dates that are set for the 2013 Gateway PGA

Tournament Season. These are about 75% sure, but we should have the schedule completed and

confirmed by mid-January.

March 25th Spring Meeting/Quad Pro Norwood Hills

April 7-8 Gateway Cup Matches

April 15-16th Spring 2-Man Osage National

April 30-May 1 Match Play Championship Annbriar

July 22 Team Championship Illini CC

July 29-30 Gateway PGA PNC

August 19-20 Senior PNC Lake Forest CC

September 3 Assistants Championship

October 21-23 Lake Team Event

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PGA Financial Assistance Scholarship

Beginning November 15th the PGA Financial Assistance Scholarship will be available online.

PGA Financial Assistance Fund Scholarship Program Fact Sheet

Graduating high school seniors and college students who are the children or grandchildren of PGA members are invited to apply online at the

home page (before you log in) of PGALinks.com to be considered for financial support for college through the PGA Financial Assistance

Fund Scholarship Program.

The scholarship program is an academic based scholarship program that takes into account the following depending on the class level of the

student:

High School Graduating Senior

High School Cumulative Grade Point Average – must be at least 3.4 (60% of the scholarship weighting scale). This number is to be an

unweighted GPA based on a 4.0 scale.

ACT and/or SAT test scores (30% of the scholarship weighting scale)

Extracurricular activities in high school such as sports, clubs, student government, community service, part time employment, etc. (10%

of the scholarship weighting scale).

Current College Student (has not reached their senior year in college)

College Cumulative Grade Point Average – must be at least 3.4 (60% of the scholarship weighting scale)

Most recently completed college semester or quarter GPA (30% of the scholarship weighting scale)

Extracurricular activities in college such as sports, clubs, student government, community service, part time employment, etc. (10% of

the scholarship weighting scale)

The amount and number of scholarships is determined by the availability of funds, and may vary from year to year based on these factors and

IRS guidelines. In 2012 eight $5,000 scholarships were awarded and 126 $2,000 scholarships were awarded out of 848 applications. Schol-

arships are awarded at the discretion of the PGA Scholarship Committee. The scholarship is for accredited Universities or Colleges in the

United States only.

The application process is live online (www.PGALinks.com) between November 15, 2012 and March 15, 2013 and students are asked to

wait until they are in possession of their most current grade report (first semester) or transcript before applying. The applicant must enter the

students Social Security number and the PGA affiliated parent or grandparents PGA ID number to gain access to the application.

After submitting the online application, the applicant must have postmarked by March 15,2013 to the below address a sealed official school

grade transcript that shows their GPA information and ACT/SAT test scores (if a high school applicant) to:

PGA Financial Assistance Fund Scholarship ProgramAttention: Linda Bennington

Grant and Scholarship Specialist

100 Avenue of the Champions

Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33418

888.532.6661; 561.624.7612 or e-mail: lbenning@pgahq.com

PGA members can check out the Scholarship Search Tips for additional listed websites to help you with your scholarship search by visiting

the homepage of PGALinks.com/Personal Benefits/PGA Scholarship Program.

CLICK HERE for the additional search tips.

CLICK HERE for college preparation websites and other scholarship assistance information.

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Junior Golf Gift Certificates - Now Available!

Gateway Junior PGA Member PLUS

Cost: $100 Access to all spring, summer and fall events

Early registration period for Spring, Summer, and Fall Events

Discount on Spring and Fall events.

Receive a junior pass book and membership gifts.

Gateway Junior PGA Member

Cost: $75

Access to all of the spring, summer, and fall events

Receive a junior pass book and membership gifts.

Registration dates:

Member Plus:

Spring: January 2nd

Summer: Feb. 4th

Fall: July 30th

Member:

Spring: January 16th

Summer: Feb 20th

Fall: August 9th

Non-Member:

Spring-March 1st

Fall Aug. 20th

The Gateway Junior PGA is happy to offer holiday gift certificates for our junior partici-

pants. This is a perfect gift idea for that grandparent, relative or friend of the family that

would like to help out with the upcoming junior golf season. Gift Certificates may

be purchased in any denomination and can be redeemed for any membership registration

fees or tournament fees once registration opens.

You can purchase your certificates by contacting Melina Rinehart at

Mrinehart@pgahq.com or (561) 624-8599. Additionally, we will put all of our juniors,

who have a purchased gift certificate, into a drawing for a chance to win a summer season of free golf through

the Gateway Junior PGA! Please note the free summer of golf does not include the final championship. The Gate-

way Junior PGA has updated the names of their junior memberships, they are listed below and more details will be

available on the Gateway PGA Website in the near future. The costs and upcoming registrations dates are below:

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Name Class

Fred Friedman, PGA A-1

Russell Luedloff, PGA LM

Stephen Williams A-15

Name Employer Class

Adam Rockey Spencer T Olin GC B-4

Michael J. Fromuth, PGA 12/1 Ryan P Roy, PGA 12/19

Mark A. Marcuzzo, PGA 12/3 Dan K. Buffington, PGA 12/22

Kenneth E. Sample, PGA 12/5 Tom Loyd, PGA 12/22

Barbara A. Blanchar, PGA 12/9 Dennis P. Walters, PGA 12/22

Jim R. Sides, PGA 12/10 Ronald S. Kosmatka, PGA 12/24

Archie L. VanDover, PGA 12/11 JC Anderson, PGA 12/26

Michael G Parmentier 12/12 Nicholas W Doelling 12/26

Mark W. Faulkner, PGA 12/13 Thomas A. Linard, PGA 12/26

Stephen Williams, PGA 12/13 Bruce T. Phillips, PGA 12/26

Dennis Goettel, PGA 12/14 Terry A. Grosch, PGA 12/28

Aaron C Coon 12/15 James L Martin 12/28

Christopher Bivens, PGA 12/16 Wesley R McVey 12/28

John S. Spray, PGA 12/16 Martin A. Chiarodo, PGA 12/29

Matthew E. Burry, PGA 12/17 Jason M Cooper, PGA 12/30

Bill R. Proctor, PGA 12/17 Tracy J. Valvo, PGA 12/30

Catherine M Brennan 12/18 Ty G. Zimmerman, PGA 12/30

Michael J. Buschhorn, PGA 12/18 Perry C. Leslie, PGA 12/31

Matthew T. Schuerman, PGA 12/31

December Birthdays

Sylvan Griffith Our condolences to the family and friends of PGA Member Sylvan Griffith, who passed away on November 10th.

Syl will be greatly missed especially by his friends at Berry Hill GC.