CONGRATULATIONS DON GRAHAM, PGA
See full list of Award Winners on pages 14-15
Officers President Gil Russell, PGA Happy Hollow Club [email protected]
Vice President Don Graham, PGA Press Release Pg. 3 Dawn Neujahr, PGA Champions Run [email protected] Hole-in-One Club & In Memory Pg. 4-5
Secretary Mike Schuchart, PGA Save the Date & World Handicap Registration Pg. 6-7 Wilderness Ridge Golf Club [email protected] Honorary President World Handicap Resources Pg. 8-9 Nathan Kalin, PGA Fremont Golf Club [email protected] Membership Matters Pg. 10-11
Staff District 8 & Career Consultant Updates Pg. 12-13 Executive Director/CEO David Honnens, PGA [email protected] 2019 Special Award Winners Pg. 14-15
Managing Director—Nebraska PGA PGA REACH Nebraska A Life in Pictures & Top 100 Golf Businesses Pg. 16-17 Seth Scollard, PGA [email protected]
Member Updates Pg. 18-19 Tournament Director Sean O’Neill, PGA [email protected]
Director of Nebraska Junior Golf & PGA REACH Programming Assistant Kurt Karcher, PGA [email protected]
Operations Manager Renee Tyson [email protected]
Development Officer Bob Danenhauer [email protected]
Digital Sports Media Director Brett Renner [email protected]
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LINCOLN, Neb.— Don Graham, PGA, Head Golf Professional at Wild Horse G.C. in Gothenburg, NE was selected for the Sec- tion’s highest honor bestowed on a PGA Member as the 2019 Nebraska Section PGA Golf Professional of the Year. Graham was elected to membership into the PGA of America in May of 1995. A native of Coleridge, Nebraska, Graham was a 1991 graduate from Wayne State College with a degree in business manage- ment and a minor in economics. Graham’s PGA journey began at a 9-hole hidden gem in Northeast, NE called Summerland G.C. In 1993, Graham went to work for then Director of Golf at Norfolk C.C. in Norfolk, NE, Mike Antonio, PGA. After a short stint at Eldorado Hills G.C. in Norfolk and Elkhorn Acres in Stan- ton, NE, Graham took the PGA Head Professional job at Wild Horse G.C. in Gothen- burg, NE in 1999. Under Graham’s leadership, Wild Horse G.C. is consistently ranked in the top 100 of Golf Digest’s List of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses. In 2016, Graham championed a half million-dollar on-site lodging project to make Wild Horse G.C. a true destination course. Life-long learning has been instrumental in Graham’s professional development as he is on track to become a Certified Profes- sional in the Spring. This year will mark another key milestone professionally as he will join the Quarter-Century Club as a PGA Member. Growing the game and giving back to his community is another trait that has played a key role in Graham’s 25-year PGA Career. In the fall of 2019, the Wild Horse Foun- dation was formed to help further the game of golf by providing members and guests the opportunity to give back to the game that has made a difference in their lives. These goals will come to life in 2020, as this foundation will sponsor supplies for a Family Fun Day, help defray some of the student costs for the junior golf program and establishment of a scholarship for one male and one female local golf scholar-athlete. Graham takes great pride in serving the community and his service in many areas. Graham is a Board Member on the Gothenburg Health Foundation which helped bring a $5 million YMCA project to fruition in the Gothenburg community. Hosting na- tional, regional and local events has played a vital role in Wild Horse being recog- nized across the country. Events such as the Adrian Fiala Memorial Tournament which has raised over $150,000 for at risk children in the Gothenburg community is near and dear to Graham. One of his largest passions is coaching area scholar- athletes from Gothenburg High School. Graham and the other special award winners and players of the year from 2019 will be recognized on Monday, March 9, 2020 at Hillcrest Country Club during the special awards portion of this meeting. 3
The 2018 PGA Professional Champion, Vermeer, the PGA Director of Instruction at Happy Hollow Club in Omaha, Nebraska, won his second consecutive national award during a season that includ- ed winning a third Nebraska PGA Section Championship, an event at Arbor Links in Nebraska City, where he blazed to a 54-hole scoring record. Vermeer also finished tied for eighth in the PGA Pro- fessional Championship and tied for 80th in the PGA Championship.
Vermeer’s 2019 season included winning a third straight Nebraska PGA Player of the Year award and finishing T-69 in the PGA Tour’s Puntacana Corales Championship in the Dominican Republic. He collected 962.975 total points, while Marty Jertson of Phoenix, Arizona, was runner-up with 816. Danny Balin of Irvington, New York, (800) was third and Rod Perry of Port Orange, Florida, (786.25) fourth.
Vermeer, 41, said his 2019 season had special “bookends” – events that bolstered his confidence and where he didn’t score a Player of the Year point - win- ning the TaylorMade Golf National Championship in March at Pebble Beach and helping the United States recapture the PGA Cup in September in Austin, Tex- as.
“It’s been another awesome year on the golf course. My game held up pretty well considering I was playing in some high-level competition,” said Vermeer. ”To be able to come back and win an award like this – once is incredible – but to win a second year in a row is something that not many have been able to do. I am extremely proud and honored to be able to do it.”
By Bob Denney, PGA of America 4
John Frillman, PGA 1936-2020
It is with heavy hearts that the family of John L. Frillman, PGA announce his passing onto greener fairways on Thursday, January 7, 2020 at the age of 83.
Survived by wife, Judy Frillman; sons, Mark J. Frillman (Gina), Michael Frillman (Carrie), daughter, Karen Frillman; five grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; brothers, Tom Frillman (Marna) and Steve Frillman; other relatives and friends.
Mr. Frillman loved three things in his life… his family, Happy Hollow Club and the game of golf. Mr. Frillman took over as the Head Golf Professional at Happy Hollow Club in February of 1965. Over the course of the next 36 years, Mr. Frillman would change the very landscape of the club and create a culture of excellence amongst pri- vate clubs in the region. Mr. Frillman was an exceptional player capturing the Nebraska Sec- tion PGA Professional Championship six-times in four different decades(60’ s-70’s-80’s and 90’s); Pro-Assistant Championship seven-times in three different decades (70’s, 80’ and 90’s). Mr. Frillman stated that he would’ve won more Section Championships if it weren’t for some guy named Jim White, PGA MP. Mr. Frillman’s lone Section Player of the Year title came in 1986.
Upon turning 50, Mr. Frillman continued his stellar playing resume by capturing the Nebraska Section Senior PGA Professional Championship seven-times from 1986-1999. Mr. Frillman had a short stint on the PGA TOUR Champions but home came calling where he finished his career at Happy Hollow Club where he retired in 2001.
Mr. Frillman loved giving back to the game that gave him so much as he served as the Nebras- ka Section PGA President from 1971-1973. During his time at Happy Hollow Club he inspired and mentored numerous PGA Professionals who went on to own or operate their own facili- ties. Mr. Frillman said he was a blessed man as during his time at Happy Hollow Club he worked alongside the love his life, Judy who was responsible for not only keeping him in line but merchandising at the club. Mr. Frillman loved life and always had a smile on his face like he knew something you didn’t. His personality was larger than life but he always took time for his fellow PGA Professionals.
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6 World Handicap System & New GHIN Products Training Seminars - Conducted by the Nebraska Golf Association
You are invited to attend an informative and interactive seminar focused on the World Handicap SystemTM and new GHIN Golfer Products. Come enhance your knowledge of both topics to better assist your club’s membership with any questions they might have.
Curriculum The seminar will focus on content within the World Handicap System 2020 manual and new GHIN Golfer Products. There will be discussion on common situations that may arise within your club and a review of the roles that your club Handicap Committee will take on. Following the World Handicap System content, an open-book, open-note quiz will be administered. Each club will need to have a representative score 80% or higher on the quiz for WHS certification. ALL MEMBER CLUBS MUST COMPLETE WHS CERTIFICA- TION BY JUNE 30, 2020.
Below, you will find the dates for the upcoming WHS & GHIN Product Seminars. Seminars have a FIRM deadline 10 days prior to the date identified for each seminar.
February 12, 2020 - Happy Hollow Club, Omaha—DEADLINE APPROACHING
February 24, 2020 - Scotts Bluff Country Club
February 25, 2020 - Lake Maloney Golf Club, North Platte
February 26, 2020 - Kearney Country Club
February 27, 2020 - Riverside Golf Club, Grand Island
March 10, 2020 - Norfolk Country Club
Registration Policy Attendees must register ten (10) days prior to the date identified for each seminar. Walk-ins are discour- aged and may not be accepted. The cost of the seminar is $40.00, which includes a beverage station, continental breakfast, lunch, and materials. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the seminar will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Attendees will receive credit on behalf of their golf club for attending and passing the quiz. All golf clubs (Type 1,2,3) must have a representative complete the seminar and quiz requirement by JUNE 30, 2020 to remain a licensed golf club.
*PGA Members will receive MSR Credits for attending and passing the WHS quiz.
How to Register Click on the link above for the site you would like to attend to register and pay online.
Refunds Refunds will be issued if cancellation is made at least seven (7) days prior to the seminar date.
For any questions, please contact Sam Oehm at 402.505.4653 x103 or email at [email protected].
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Disclaimer: Please note that as part of their Member benefits, Member Clubs will receive their complimentary Rules of Handicapping book and Handicapping Reference Guide in their renewal packages – throughout 2020.
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PGA Financial Assistance Fund
Scholarship Program
Academic Scholarships for College
The PGA Financial Assistance Fund was established in 1986 and provides college scholarships to children and grandchildren of PGA Members based on evidence of academic achievement dur- ing high school or college. The PGA of America awarded 185 academic scholarships totaling $400,000 to students for the 2018-19 school year.
Help put your kids on the fast-track to success with scholarship money from the PGA of America. Apply Now.
NEW FOR 2019-2020
The PGA of America Scholarship Committee and International Scholarship & Tuition Services (ISTS) have worked together to make improvements to the online scholarship application, with new functionality enabling applicants to monitor their progress through the application process. Applicants will be able to upload their supporting documents online, correspondence to the appli- cants will increase and disbursement of scholarship checks will be processed on a timelier basis.
There will be additional support to help the applicants via email, chat online, phone or use of the online contact form. The applicants can access a self-help portal that will be available 24/7 and students will receive emails throughout the process. The type of emails going out:
Confirmation email upon submission of the online application. An email to applicants if an uploaded document was rejected. Deadline reminder to applicants who have started but not submitted their application. Deadline reminder for not submitting supporting document(s). Selection results notifications are sent to all Complete applicants. Award acceptance reminder email to scholarship recipients.
ISTS will manage the application process while the PGA Scholarship Committee will continue to oversee the process, and the criteria will remain the same. The applicant must be a child or grandchild of a PGA Class A Member or Life Member in good standing. The applicant must have a minimum cumulative 3.4 (unweighted GPA based on a 4.0 scale). Please contact Valerie John- son [email protected] if you have questions.
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ABOUT INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP & TUITION SERVICES (ISTS)
Founded in 1985, International Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc. (ISTS) provides comprehen- sive scholarship and tuition reimbursement program management for corporations, foundations, as- sociations, unions and trusts worldwide.
IMPORTANT DATES
December 10, 2019 - Application Open
April 3, 2020 - Application Deadline
April 3, 2020 - Supporting Documents deadline
May 2020 - Notification of Selection Results
August 2020 - Funds Disbursed
August 2020 - Deadline date for photo submission
October 2020 - The PGA Financial Assistance Fund Scholarship recipients will be on PGA.org and in PGA Magazine
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David Schneider, PGA District 8 Director
In 2010, at the 94th PGA Annual Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts the theme was, “Your Future, Your PGA.” This was my first introduc- tion to the governance of our Association at the national level and the theme of this meeting resonated with me. At this meeting I was in- spired and compelled with a desire to give back to the association we all love. Using my inclusive leadership style as a national officer, I know we can effectively enhance and grow the PGA brand and fur- ther enrich the lives of our PGA Members. To do this, we must be great listeners and be able to tap into the talents and motivations of the PGA HQ staff, the 41 Sections and our 29,000 diverse and amazing members.
Why am I running for National Secretary in 2020 and why do I feel I am the right person for the job? I am an Experienced and Proven Leader -Over 25 years of participating and driving volunteer boards and committees locally and nationally within the PGA and with allied associations. -For the past 20 years, I have served in PGA roles as a Director of Golf, General Manager, and Chief Operating Officer at five different facilities trusted to “run and operate the entire operation”. I am Well-rounded and Relatable -I have worked in six different PGA of America sections experiencing the challenges of what my fellow PGA professionals are facing on the west coast, east coast and in the central United States. -I have held prominent positions in all three of our PGA Career Paths at many different types of facilities including private for-profit and equity country clubs, public, and resort. I am Educated and Believe Deeply in Lifelong Learning -Since graduating from the University of Northern Iowa in 1993, I have not stopped the endless pursuit of obtaining knowledge to increase my value to my employer, my team- mates, and the PGA of America. Throughout my travels in District 8, my parting tagline at all meetings is “Never stop learning! Never Stop Reading! Never stop certifying!”
With my 24 years as being a PGA member, I have thoughts and strong beliefs in my platform targeted to assist the PGA member, our association, and this great game. Thank you for all your kind words of support! “Let’s Do This Together!”
David Schneider, PGA, CCM District 8 Director
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Jeff "JD" Drimel, PGA
Dear District 8 PGA Members & Friends,
It is with mixed feelings that I write you this January Update…As you may already know, I have taken a new position as CEO of the Minnesota PGA. Our previous CEO, Mr. Jeff Hintz, came to our Section after his reign as 2016 Ryder Cup Championship Staff Leader and has moved on. Jeff set in motion some great ideas, programs and vision for our Section that I will now try to take on and move our Section forward. Most of you also know Jon Tollette, COO and I’m happy to report Jon will stay on to help us into the future. I have been very blessed to serve our amazing District as both a National Board of Director as well as Career Consultant. These days of service provided me life-long friendships as well as many new friends. I enjoyed ALL our times together and will be available at any time in the fu- ture…I love to serve and assist fellow PGA Members! It’s my WHY every day. Mr. Kmiec is working on a plan for our District regarding what may lie ahead to ensure our Members, and facilities, have the best possible service in the Career Services area. In the meantime, I will continue to assist as will other Career Services team members. Please do not hesitate to reach out at any time. Mr. Honnens and I will help Scott along the way to provide our input and guidance. Again, please reach out anytime if I can assist…I’m happy to do so.
Career Services Update – January 2020 JOBS - Our District has concluded many searches and still has some opportunities available. Many of you have utilized the PGA Job Board to post open positions at your facilities…please continue to do so. We will try to drive possible candidates to that site and hope many apply. EDUCATION – Please take advantage of online education that can be found on PGA.Org. There are also numerous opportunities for education at the PGA Merchandise Show. SELF-IMPROVEMENT – Now is a good time to investigate Certification as well as catching up on some good reads…Signing up for a weekly TED TALK can be entertaining as well.
Kudos to Mr. Dave Schneider, District Director, for throwing his hat into the ring for the next election of our PGA of America Secretary. Dave has always had our best interests in mind while in the Board Room and will continue to support us while hitting the election trail. Always active on Committees, meetings and discussions, Dave will “shake it up a bit” and ensure we are not just flown over…Good Luck Dave!
JD Drimel, PGA PGA Career Consultant Serving the Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska Sections 561-386 -7715 Cell [email protected]
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Golf Professional of the Year: Don Graham, PGA, Wild Horse Golf Club, Gothenburg, NE
Teacher of the Year: Mike Shuchart, PGA, Wilderness Ridge Golf Club, Lincoln, NE
Horton Smith-Education: Brad Goetsch, PGA, UNL PGA Golf Management
Bill Strausbaugh-Club Relations: Greg Neujahr, PGA, Champions Run, Omaha, NE
Youth Player Development: Alex Janssen, PGA, The Ridge Golf Club, Sioux Center, IA
Merchandiser of the Year-Public: Drew VanErt, PGA, Ashland Golf Club, Ashland, NE
Player Development: Jonathan Beaver, PGA, Landsmeer Golf Club, Orange City, IA
Merchandiser of the Year-Private: Adam Coates, PGA, Spencer Golf & Country Club, Spencer, IA
Facility of the Year: Miracle Hill Golf & Tennis, Omaha, NE
Sales Representative of the Year: David Durham, PGA, Titleist
Assistant Professional of the Year: Alphonse Peterson III, PGA, Country Club of Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
Patriot Award: Chris Thomson, PGA, Wilderness Ridge Golf Club, Lincoln, NE 14
In addition to these awards the Nebraska Section PGA would also like to recognize the Players of the Year for 2019:
OMEGA Nebraska PGA Player of the Year: Ryan Vermeer, PGA, Happy Hollow Club, Omaha, NE
OMEGA Nebraska PGA Senior Player of the Year: Ted DiGiacomo, PGA, Golf USA, Omaha, NE
OMEGA Nebraska Section Apprentice Professional Player of the Year: Justin Herron, Pacific Springs, Omaha, NE
All of the winners will be recognized at the Nebraska Section PGA Spring Meeting to be held Monday, March 9, 2020 at Hillcrest Country Club, Lincoln, NE.
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By Peter Morrice
See for yourself why the 84-year-old was the inaugural winner of the PGA of America's new photojournalism honor
During a round at the Jackie Gleason Inverrary Classic in the mid-1970s, Leonard Kamsler, the renowned golf photographer, was trying to get a shot of the famously irritable tour pro Bruce Crampton. Things weren’t going well. “Crampton hated photographers,” Kamsler recalls, “and he was onto me.” So Kamsler went a few holes ahead and found a tee box with a clean background—the perfect spot. “Problem was, I had to make myself invisible. I spotted one of those cardboard garbage cans, cut a hole in it with my keys, put it over my head and waited. Crampton came through, and I got the picture. It ran in Golf World.”
Just another day in the life of the “Dean of Golf Pho- tographers,” as Kamsler has come to be known. From his first assignment for Golf Magazine in 1959 (shooting a caddie camp) to 40 straight years covering the Masters to sessions with the top players and per- sonalities in the game over the past five decades, Kamsler always got the picture. On Tuesday, the PGA of America announced that Kamsler, 84, will receive its inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award in Photo- journalism.
A native of Raleigh, N.C., Kamsler had two main in- terests when he graduated from Duke in 1957: magic and photography. He moved to New York City, and two days later got a job with Marilyn Monroe Produc- tions, assisting a well-known photographer named Milton H. Green. “I worked for Milton for about a year, then went into the Army for six months—I was not a great soldier. After that, I started freelancing, and very quickly got that first job for Golf Magazine. Funny how that happened, because I was not a golfer. Forty-five years later, I was still shooting golf, but I never played a single round.”
Kamsler took assignments in other fields as well, working for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Disney on Ice and the Harlem Globetrotters. He even shot for country-music labels and medical journals. But golf was the constant. Known for his innovative techniques, he brought high-speed stroboscopic photography to golf in the 1970s using a Hulcher camera, developed to analyze football plays. Kamsler retooled his Hulcher to shoot 100 frames per second, more than 200 images for a single swing, and the frame-by-frame swing sequence was born. “Leonard would see a new technology and find a way to apply it to golf,” says Dom Furore, senior photographer for Golf Digest. “And he always shared what he learned, always helped the other guys. Leonard got to the top without sharp elbows.” Some highlights from Kamsler’s remarkable career, in his words. Continue Reading…. 16
Top 100 Golf Businesses List Released Ahead Of PGA Show
Heading into the week of the PGA Show, the National Golf Foundation released its latest list of the Top 100 businesses in golf, a deep dive into a diverse group of leading compa- nies, organizations and associations that span a multitude of verticals within the $84 bil- lion golf industry.
The annual PGA Merchandise Show is the annual gathering when more than 1,200 ex- hibitors and over 40,000 industry professionals gather at Orlando’s Orange County Con- vention Center for an event that’s called the major of golf business.
Among those new to this year’s list are an online retailer that made $33 million last year primarily on the sales of customized golf balls (Golfballs.com), an industry leader in course branded mobile golf app software (Gallus Golf), a pioneer in lightning prediction and warning systems (Thor Guard), and an international media company that started the on-demand global video streaming service GolfTV and has established partnerships with the PGA TOUR and Tiger Woods (Discovery Golf).
Continue Reading and view the Top 100 List
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PREV EMPLOYEE CLASS CURRENT FACILITY PREVIOUS FACILITY CLASS Grant Campbell B-8 The Bluffs
Name Birth Date
Robert Brown, PGA 2/1 Jesse Schellen, PGA 2/1 Michael Ten Eyck, PGA 2/3 Bentley Benson, PGA 2/8 Sid Holtmeier, PGA 2/12 Nickolas Muller, PGA 2/20 Scott Holly, PGA 2/25 Ron Gunia, PGA 2/26 Robert Saffer, PGA 2/26
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