March 20th, 2020

STAY CONNECTED

NENY.PGA.COM

*NY State - Governor Order for All Non-Essential Business Closing*

Please take note that as of the time of this writing (Friday 3/20), with Governor Cuomo's order this afternoon for the closing of all non-essential services/business and staff to close as of Sunday evening (3/22) - please know that the NENY PGA Section is attempting to learn all it can as to what this means for golf course/facilities, as the much bigger picture is now not of operating but of the clarification of how to maintain golf properties/agronomy. while we go through this "stay at home" order.

The NYSTA (NY State Turf Grass Association) sent a letter to Gov. Cuomo today asking that landscapers be considered essential services. It seems that the State of Califfornia has this *exception in place already and would be the best case scenario if NY State follows suit with the precendent that golf courses could fall into that and proper arrangements could be made to maintain courses so as not to jeapordize them when a state of some "normalcy" returns for operations.

As we learn more, we will continue to keep you aprised and communciate such.

Members on the Move & Employment Updates

An official welcome goes out to Jeffrey Massa, PGA. Jeffrey is the new Head Professional at The Lazy Swan Golf & CC in Saugerties NY. He transfers in from the Philadelphia PGA Section where he was the Assistant Professional at White Manor CC in Malvern, PA but isn't a stranger to the NENY PGA Section as he has previous work experience at Wiltwyck CC where he worked as an Assistant when he first started. Please take a moment and welcome Jeff to the NENY PGA Setion! jeffmassa4@gmail.com

PGA Employment Change Forms
Please don't forget to peform your change of employment as it is important for the Section and the PGA of America to have accurate information. You can perform all changes online at PGA.org profile or simply contact a section staff member for assistance.

NENY PGA Section Coronavirus (COVID-19) Town Hall Video Conference

Monday, March 23rd
3pm-4pm

Dear NENY PGA Members & Associates,

You should have all receied a direct invitation for this Town Hall video conference. We believe this will be a great source of connection with your fellow members as well as a valuable sharing of information as we all attempt to navigate in these uncertain times.

REMINDERS:
*Google Hangouts Meet does require a Google/G-mail account. Simply set one up if you don't have one. The video conference can be done via a computer or other hand held device (phone, tablet, IPAD, etc.) but needs a camera. If you are using a hand held device, you are asked to download the "Hangouts Meet" App - as the video conferencing works far better in the app.

*PLEASE be sure to mute your microphone or speaker (if on a phone) as it will be a necessity with a large group to have ZERO background noise

*Please contact any staff member for assistance if you need it to get connected to with the Hangout Meets resource

NENY PGA Section Education - WEBINAR!

WHAT A GREAT OPPORTUNIY FOR SOME ONLINE LEARNING!

Take advantage of this great opportunity to learn how to grow your instruction programs and make more revenue for you and your facility with Operation36 coaching program. The same webinar is offered in the morning or in the afternoon so select the best one for you!

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) PGA EVENT CANCELLATION UPDATES

2020 PGA CHAMPIONSHIP POSTPONED

Event to be rescheduled for later this summer at TPC Harding Park

Earlier this week the PGA of America announced that the 2020 PGA Championship, scheduled for TPC Harding Park in San Francisco from May 11-17, has been postponed.

“Throughout our evaluation process, we have been committed to following the guidance of public health authorities and given the coronavirus shelter-in-place order in effect in San Francisco, postponement is the best decision for all involved,” said PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh.

“This is a reflection of a thoughtful process,” Waugh added. “We are and have been working in concert with Commissioner Jay Monahan and our partners and friends at the PGA TOUR to find an alternative date that works for all. We are all very hopeful for a great outcome.

“We are also in dialogue with Mayor Breed and her team at the City of San Francisco and look forward to hopefully bringing the 2020 PGA Championship to TPC Harding Park at a date this summer when it is once again safe and responsible to do so.”

2020 DRIVE, CHIP & PUTT CHAMPIONSHIPS POSTPONED

In very early March near the on-set of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Drivve, Chip and Putt National Finals were postponed along with The Masters Tournament and the Augusta National Women's Championship.

2020 PGA PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POSTPONED

The Professional Championship has been and was set to take place at Barton Creek. Full refunds will be given automatically to those who have entered the PPC, according to each individual’s method of payment. Disappointing news for our NENY PGA Section professionals who had qualified: Eric Mabee (CC of Pittsfield); Scott Berliner (Saratoga Spa GC) and John Neet (The Edison Club),

As the situation regarding the coronavirus continues to evolve in real-time, we will communicate if, when and where the PPC may be rescheduled at a later date.

PGA HOPE POSTPONEMENTS

All PGA HOPE Chapters and programming and training has been postponed until at least May 10th.

PGA TOUR EVENT CANCELLATIONS CURRENTLY RUNNING THROUGH MAY 10

The PGA Tour has announced cancellations of events through May 10th and as the situations continues to evolve the TOUR will be working with other tournament organizations and title sponsors, in collaboration with golf’s governing bodies, to build a PGA TOUR schedule for 2020 that ensures the health and safety for all associated with our sport and a meaningful conclusion to the season.

Click HERE for latest article

PGA JUNIOR LEAGUE START SUSPENDED UNTIL MAY 10TH

PGA of American announced officially on Wednesday to all Captains, Coaches and the past 2 years of league participants/familes an official suspension of the start of the PGA Junior League season until May 10th.

To view the official announceent please Click HERE

NENY PGA Section Membership COVID-19 RESOURCE PAGE

In addition to the NENY PGA Section Town Hall Video Conference (that will be done weekly on Monday's) with varying topics and presentations the NENY PGA Section staff has loaded a private-professional only webpage for all NENY PGA Members & Associates to view. Please be sure to check it out and it will be updated as new information and resources become available. If there is something additional you feel would be helpful, please contact a NENY PGA team staff member and we will be happy to update.

Links include
* Facility opeations survey results and best practices
* Economic and finacial resource links
* Allied Golf Association links relevant to your business
* NENY PGA Hangouts Meet video conference recordings

PGA MSR CYCLE EXTENDED 1 YEAR
MSR Cycle - Extend the MSR cycle deadline from June 15, 2021 to June 15, 2022, for all Members. This is due to a number of MSR activity opportunities – meetings, education, tournaments, player development – that could be postponed or canceled. Additionally, this relieves pressure on Sections and Members to conduct or take part in these activities during this unprecedented time of uncertainty.

PGA ACCEPTABLE PROGRESS EXTENDED 1 YEAR
Acceptable Progress - Extend the Acceptable Progress deadlines of all PGA Associates by one year. As travel to the PGA Education Center is currently curtailed, PGA Education staff is exploring online opportunities. With the uncertainty of testing sites remaining open, this provides flexibility with regard to Associates meeting their deadlines.

PGA PGM SEMINAR SCHEDULE - is now available for seminars from March - December - Click HERE To Downloaod & View

PGA Financial Assistance Fund Scholarship Program

Help put your kids on the fast-track to success with scholarship money from the PGA of America

*Eligible to college age and H.S. Seniors who are children or grandchildren of PGA Members

NENY PGA Section Staff Remote Contacts:

Tracie Warner, Executive Director, twarner@pgahq.com, Cell: 518-470-7033

Doug Evans, Tournament Director/Asst. ED, devans@pgahq.com; Cell 518-248-1973

Christian Torres, Director of Player Development, ctorres@pgahq.com, 518-791-6548