Fall 2017 FROM THE DIRECTOR

by Jerry Hogge Wow!! We are now officially in the fall season of the year when courses are in the greatest shape, mornings are cool, and evenings come earlier. Why is it that so many golfers stop playing until spring? As golf professionals normally say, with the turning of the leaves, state fairs, and fall festivals, another season is in the books. Can you believe it is only 86 days from October 1 until Christmas? To me it just seems like I put all the tree decorations away.

I hope each of you have had a great golf season and can now enjoy a little rest, with exception of our southern friends who are gearing up. Please PRAY for our friends in Florida, Texas, and the Islands who face enormous challenges with the massive destruction of multiple major hurricanes.

The school year is off and running at full speed and so are the students. After a summer of internships, they cannot wait to share their stories and what they have learned. To all the PGA professionals that mentored them – a big THANK YOU! Thanks to the generosity of several donors, the Professional Management Program has moved out of the Player Center and into the new Gene Clayton Tennis Center. With this move, a space has opened up for us to provide a brand new putting studio and golf library for the students. I am grateful for the generosity of Bob Koshman, who donated 50 years of magazines. In addition, through donations and years of collecting, our students can now utilize a rich library of golf books and video resources. Special thanks to Bettinardi for their donation of the lie/loft putting machine. Check out the article in this newsletter highlighting the new SAM PuttLab. Many thanks to Bob Bruns and Brock White for spearheading this effort.

We are blessed by many who have invested in our program over the years and provided an even better experience for our students, and this year is no exception. We recently received a generous donation of lumber and Quikrete from Greg Parks from Parks Lumber & Supply to replace all the water cooler enclosures the course. If you are in a position to help us expand our golf program, I welcome your input and ideas – give me a call.

After 30 years we are finally hosting a golf tournament Downback on Sunday as part of the Homecoming festivities for our alumni with !! The tournament will follow a Saturday evening alumni reunion banquet that should be a blast. So many things have changed since you were on campus and I hope many of you will make Homecoming weekend a priority.

Again, I want each of you to say a prayer of thanksgiving for the many blessings the great game of golf has given you. Currently, many of you have gone into other careers but the one catalyst each of you have is the bond of Methodist University and Downback. I hope to see you at Homecoming October 28 and 29 for a fun filled weekend! You can find a complete schedule of events here http://www.methodist.edu/pgm-alumni. INTRODUCING SAM PuttLab & Library

By Brock White As we continue to strive for the best facilities for our students, we recently converted one of our offices into a Putting Lab and Library. Within this new facility, we have a library of every Golf Digest from 1956-current, many books, videos, and other reading material for our students to use. These books are everything from mental game, to repair/design, teaching, and everything in between.

Along with the library, we created a full putting lab with both left and right hand stations for our SAM PuttLab. Hung on the wall are two new 42” monitors to display both SAM PuttLab reports and video analysis of each putting stroke. Bettinardi and Scotty Cameron demo are on shelf displays for students to use for fitting and to test. Bettinardi also graciously donated a digital lie/loft putting machine for the lab. I feel this is a great addition to our already ranked Top 50 Private Ranges in America and another way we are continuing to improve our facilities for our students. MU Homecoming OCTOBER 28-29 Join us for our special alumni reunion event to honor Jerry Hogge’s 30-year career at MU.

The reunion and dinner will be in the Versailles Room at the Ramada Plaza in Fayetteville, N.C. For your convenience, a block of hotel rooms have been reserved for Methodist University PGM alumni at $82/night. Call 910.323.0111 to make reservations and ask for the Methodist University rate. The address for the Ramada is 1707-A Owen , Fayetteville, N.C. 28304. PGM Homecoming Events Saturday, October 28 Sunday, October 29 Ceremonial Shot and Breakfast | 8 a.m. MU PGM Alumni Golf Tournament | 9 a.m. MU Alumni Association Awards | 10 a.m. Candlelight Memorial Service | 11:30 a.m. Tailgate Luncheon | Noon Homecoming Football Game | 1 p.m. MU PGM Reunion & Dinner | 6 p.m. For tickets visit www.methodist.edu/pgm-alumni

methodist.edu/homecoming For more information, call 910.630.7148 or email [email protected]. 2017 Internship Experiences

Taylor Woods and Ben Wescott at the

Taylor Woods and Ben Wescott were the first PGA Golf Management students from Methodist University to intern with Golf Channel. Before the summer of 2017,Taylor Taylor and Ben with fellow interns and Ben became interested in learning more about the corporate side of the golf industry. Although they very much enjoyed and learned from their previous internship experiences they felt expanding their horizons beyond green grass facilities would enhance their skills as future golf professionals. They both worked alongside multiple departments at Golf Channel and grew an understanding of how the top rated single sport network operates. Together, they worked on a project called the world time guide, which is used by the president of Golf Channel to determine what tournaments around the world will air on the network. They had a wide variety of tasks such as clipping assets for promotions, updating databases, generating competitive landscapes, and working on live shows with the Japanese production team. Taylor and Ben learned a lot more than they expected and are very glad to have had the opportunity to intern at Golf Channel. If you speak with them, you will be able to see the excitement on their faces as they describe their summer living at the intersection of golf and technology. by Nicole Triano, Class of 2020 This summer I completed my first three-month Internship at Sunset Ridge Country Club. Sunset Ridge CC is a private 18-hole club located in Northfield, IL., a North Shore suburb of . I had a great time! What I loved most about working there were the people. Everyone, from the staff to the members, was extremely welcoming. It was a family oriented atmosphere, which is why I looked forward to going to work each and every day.

Not only did I feel welcomed, but I learned a lot. I was exposed to many parts of the golf operation. My boss, PGA Professional Bill Reid, always asked me if there was anything I was interested in getting involved in that he had not yet assigned to me. Because of him, I had the experience of working in the golf shop performing daily tasks and merchandising, controlling the bag room and range, carrying out tournament operations, re-gripping clubs, preparing score boards using calligraphy, coaching the PGA Junior League, teaching Junior Golf Camp, assisting with Women’s Clinics, conducting Monday outings, and even giving private lessons. In doing these tasks, I was guided by one of Methodist’s Alumni, 1st Assistant PGA Professional Ryan McGinnis ’10, along with Assistant PGA Professional Anthony Salerno and Assistant Professional Ian Rakowski.

In addition to all the work experiences, I had the opportunity to caddy for the first time. While Sunset Ridge has golf cars available, it is predominately a walking club. The major success of this caddy program is due to their outstanding Master, Greg Kunkel. Kunkel was a PGA tour caddy who was inducted into the Caddie Hall of Fame in 2015. He uses his knowledge and expertise to train young people and mold them into the professional caddies they are today. He serves as a mentor and a friend to every caddy and member that walks through the caddy shack. He’s kind of a big deal in the North Shore!

While I worked a lot of hours, 40+ hours a week, I was able to find time to work on my game. When I wasn’t working, I had access to the range, short game practice facilities and the course. In addition to playing at Sunset Ridge, there were a lot of other great courses in the area I had the opportunity to play. The caddies would always include me on trips to different courses L to R: PGA Head Professional Bill when we had the day off. My favorite trip was when we went to Hawk’s View Reid, Nicole Triano, and Caddie Golf Club in Lake Geneva, WI. We played the regular 18-hole course in the morning followed by the 3, 18-hole course in the afternoon. The caddies at Master Greg Kunkel Sunset Ridge are very fun and competitive!

I would highly recommend an internship at Sunset Ridge CC to anyone that is willing to work hard and is eager to learn about the many aspects of the golf profession. Living on the property was convenient, and you’ll never get bored visiting the city of Chicago, which is only a 30-minute train ride away! From the Internship Director by Brock White

Wow, how this summer flew by. As my first year as Internship Director has come to an end, I back at how many wonderful facilities our students were able to work this past summer. Many of them enjoyed having the opportunity to intern at some of the best known golfing facilities in the country. This included , , (Brookline, Mass.), , Old Elm Club, , , The Broadmoor, Trump National, and several TPC Tournament courses. We even placed our first interns at the Golf Channel and PGA Magazine. We had students placed from Maine to Miami, from the Outer Banks to Pebble Beach, and just about everywhere in between. The list of requests are already rolling in and include hundreds more that our students get to choose from each year.

This summer, I had the pleasure of visiting the majority of our students in , , , , Connecticut, Colorado, and Utah. If only I could put into words the amazing facilities on which I was able to step foot. Courses such as Siwanoy Country Club, where the first PGA Championship was held; to Essex County Club, where started his career as the Golf Professional; over to ; ; Country Club of the Rockies; and so many more.

I am completely overwhelmed at the many great opportunities our students have each summer to follow their dreams of becoming a PGA Professional. Currently, our first-year students are busy designing their resumes and learning more about how to write cover letters as they begin the search for their entry-level internships. Sophomores and juniors have also been busy updating their resumes with recent work experiences and evaluating where they would like to go during the upcoming summer.

The seniors realize that the best four years of their life (four years on a college campus) will come to an end in a few short months. They will then head out on their 7-month internships and prepare for graduation next December. Beyond that, a rewarding career as a PGA member awaits. Many will likely return to a previous work site to become an assistant golf professional or venture into other aspects of the golfing industry. Again, it is such a pleasure to work with each one of these amazing young men and women, I just happen to be the lucky one to help place them on internships and watch their dreams come true. Once in a Lifetime Opportunity

“My experience at the 99th PGA Championship was a once in a lifetime opportunity. As one of the two PGA Rules Competition winners, I was invited to attend the 99th PGA Championship and shadow the PGA Rules Committee. During my time at the Championship, I attended rules meetings, on-course rules clinics, and shadowed L to R: Vincent Bachteler (Senior at the Hole Officials on #17 and University of Nebraska -Lincoln), Ryan #18. One of the highlights of Palmer (Class of 2017), and David McAtee the week was when we had (Vice Chair - PGA Rules Committee) the opportunity to tour the course from inside the ropes. During our course tours we reviewed hole by hole notes, supplementary rules, and explored possible rules situations that could occur during the week. Attending the 99th PGA Championship and shadowing the PGA Rules Committee is one experience that I will never forget!”

Ryan Palmer, Class of 2017

Decato returns to instruct at MU by Roxana Ross The program welcomed Class of 2016 alumnus Craig Decato this year as the new Head Golf Professional and Director of Instruction. Originally from York, Maine, Decato graduated with his undergraduate business administration degree and is currently pursuing his Master of Business Administration at Methodist. When he was an undergrad, Decato was a two-time All-American golfer for the Monarchs. He also brings his experience as the former Assistant Golf Professional at York Golf and Tennis and at Ballyhack Golf Club.

Looking forward, Decato said his goal is for all of the students to pass their Playing Ability Test by the time they leave for their 7-month internship. His teaching philosophy emphasizes the decision making and mental aspects of the game as well as the technical skills. “A theory that I believe in is from Dr. Bob Rotella, ‘Play to play great, rather than play to not play bad.’” he said.

He also credits his most influential mentor in the golf business, Kyle Page, the Head Golf Professional at Decato’s home course in Maine. “He empowered me and gave me responsibility at a young age, which has helped me grow as a person and golfer,” he said.

Decato said he’s happy to be back at MU, a place he first chose because of the program and its tradition. It’s a tradition he is now continuing with the next generation. “The golf program, in my mind, is the best program in the country,” he said. “The level of students that come out of our program each year separates us from other programs. That is why I chose MU.” Peyton Durham WGCA Honors Named WGCA Johnna Beehner

All-American by Tom Inczauskis Scholar The Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) announced All-American and All- by Tom Inczauskis Region teams at the NCAA Women’s Golf The Women’s Golf Coaches Association Championships in May. Methodist’s Johnna (WGCA) All-American Scholars were Beehner collected a pair of awards. A announced recently, and Methodist’s Peyton freshman from Monroeville, Pa., Johnna was Durham was among those honored. The an Honorable Mention All-American selection WGCA honored a total 952 women’s golfers and was named to the All-Region 1/East across NCAA Divisions I, II and III. This is the Region squad in her debut season. second season in which Durham has been an All-American Scholar. Johnna had an outstanding year for the Monarchs, winning three events and ending the The Dinwiddie, Va., native completed her season with a 75.92 scoring average over 25 sophomore season competing for the rounds. In 10 events, she placed in the top-10 Monarchs, compiling a stroke average of on eight occasions, had six top-five finishes, 79.86 over 21 rounds. She had a pair of top- and four rounds of even par or better. five finishes and five top-20 finishes this past season, including a tournament-best tie for third Johnna also received an individual bid to place at the SUNY Cortland Martin & Wallace the 2017 NCAA Division III Women’s Golf Invitational, shooting 156 (79-77). She had a Championship in Houston, Texas. She picked season-low round of 74 in the second round of up one of six individual invitations to the the Fall Invitational, an event she tied National Championship held at the Bay Oaks for sixth place with a score of 229 (75-74-80). Country Club. She wrapped up her exciting experience at the NCAAs in a tie for ninth place and posted a four-day score of 303 (79-72-75- 77).

Women’s Golf Fall Schedule Men’s Golf Fall Schedule Oct 2-3 - General’s Invitational, Oct 1-2 - Gordin Classic Lexington, VA Greensboro, NC Oct 15-17 - Golfweek Fall Invitational, Oct 15-17 - Golfweek Fall Invitational Destin, FL Destin, FL Oct 23-24 - Chick-fil-A Collegiate Oct 23-24 O’Briant-jensen Memorial, Rome, GA Greensboro, NC Welcome to the PGA! Congratulations to our newest grads who have been elected into the PGA of America Membership as of May 2017. Carolinas Section New Section Craig Decato, PGA ’16 Michael R. Bouchard, PGA ’15 Methodist University, Fayetteville, NC, A-14 Belgrade Lakes Golf Club, ME, A-8 Aaron T. Stevens, PGA ’16 Christopher M. Kopelcheck, PGA ’16 Mountaintop Golf & Lake Club, Cashiers, NC, A-8 , RI, A-8

Illinois Section Section Sean J. Gervais, PGA ’16 Brandon R. Kuzmich, PGA ’16 , Wheaton, IL, A-8 Merion Golf Club, Ardmore, PA, A-8

Metropolitan Section Tri-State Section Peter Mariani, Jr., PGA’16 Mason A. Stutler, PGA ’16 Fishers Island Club, NY, A-8 Pikewood National Golf Club, Morgantown, WV, A-1 Middle Atlantic Section Ryan D. Tracy, PGA’16 Andrew J. Azzarello, PGA ’14 Oakmont Country Club, PA, A-8 Ballyhack Golf Club, Roanoke, VA, A-8 Travis J. Johnson, PGA ’17 Kinloch Golf Club, Manakin Sabot, VA, A-8

Ian Killen ’00 Head Professional, Indian River Club, Vero Beach, FL Matt Klein ’02 General Manager, Austin Golf Club, Spicewood, TX Kevin Muldoon ’03 Head Professional, Jupiter Hills, Tequesta, FL John Provost ’07 Head Professional, Athletic Club, Johns Creek, GA Scott Peneau ’09 Head Professional, The River Club, Suwanee, GA Mike Riddle ’93 General Manager, Charlotte, NC Ryan Sharp ’10 Head Professional, Redstick, Vero Beach, FL Zach Street ’06 Head Professional, Montour Heights, Coraopolis, PA Micah Vugrinec ’07 Director of Golf, Highland Country Club, Fayetteville, NC