Iowa PGA Stroke Play #4 – September 28th, 2009

The 2009 Iowa PGA Stroke Play #4 was held at Veenker Memorial Golf Course in Ames, IA on Monday, September 28th.  Twenty-seven Iowa PGA Professional teed it up on Monday battling gusty winds and challenging conditions.  The format was simple, 18-hole stroke play with open and senior divisions.  Monday served as the fifth event of the season-long NB Golf Cars League Championship.  Special thanks to Barry Sebastian of NB Golf Cars for sponsoring this season-long competition which concludes at the Iowa PGA October Shoot-Out on October 5-6th at Spirit Hollow GC.  Also, special thanks to Chris Seaboch, Head PGA Professional and his staff for hosting.

Richard Specht Featured in PGA Magazine Best Practices: Travel

	Wednesday, September 23, 2009 Richard Specht is the PGA head professional and co-owner of Timberline Golf Course in Peosta, Iowa. This PGA Best Practices: Travel article originally appeared in the Pro to Pro Section of the February 2009 edition of PGA Magazine.
Use Reciprocal Playing Arrangements Richard Specht on the importance of using reciprocal playing arrangements: Timberline is a privately owned facility open to public play, though we do have seasonal members who play our course for just a golf car fee. However, I would estimate that during peak season at least half of our Saturdays are booked for outings, meaning that my 100 seasonal members are on the outside, looking in. To compensate for the lack of availability at Timberline, I have reached a reciprocal arrangement with three other courses in our region. Within 45 minutes of Timberline, there is Galena (Ill.) Golf Course, Platteville (Wis.) Golf & Country Club and Lancaster (Wis.) Country Club. If one of my seasonal members calls up for a Saturday tee time and I have to tell them “no” because there is an outing scheduled, they still get to play golf that weekend, because I can call up one of my fellow PGA Professionals at the other facilities and arrange to get my member on their course for the same golf car-only fee – and we extend the same courtesy to members of the other facilities. Richard Specht on the business impact of using reciprocal playing arrangements: By providing alternative courses for my golfers to play, I not only do right by my membership, but I am providing an added value to their seasonal membership, because now they can play courses that otherwise they may not have been able to get on. At the same time, my members are ambassadors of Timberline when they play at these regional courses in two other states and, as we all know, you can’t put a price on word of mouth. This arrangement is working well in 2009, with my hardcore golfers using it, and my non-frequent players starting to understand it more. My seasonal members use it, but not as much as I thought they would. On the other hand, I can tell when the reciprocal facilities are having events, because my traffic definitely picks up. We have had days where we get 8 to 10 groups on a weekend day, which amounts to $400–$500 we may never have gotten if these golfers weren’t from courses that we have the reciprocal arrangement with. PGAmagazine.com EXCLUSIVE CONTENT – PGAmagazine.com continues its Best Golf Shops feature with PGA Merchandisers of the Year for the month of September: Robert Doria (Public), Roger Cherico (Private) and Edward Kageyama (Resort). Click here to see in-depth interviews with Merchandisers of the Year and slideshows of their golf shop displays.
To read archived PGA Best Practices: Travel e-mail articles click here
Each week, PGA Professionals who have extensive travel experience with club members will be working with PGA Magazine to supply their colleagues with Best Practice Travel ideas that have helped them grow and achieve success in their travel business. We encourage any suggestions or comments that you may have about this program, which should be directed via e-mail to: pcherry@pgamagazine.com. If you do not wish to receive these weekly PGA Best Practices: Travel e-mails, please send an e-mail to: tgauss@pgamagazine.com. Please make sure to include your full name and facility affiliation. If you need to change your e-mail address, send an e-mail to: tgauss@pgamagazine.com. Please be sure to include your full name and facility affiliation.

Harris Golf Cars Pro-Am – September 21st, 2009

The Iowa PGA Harris Golf Cars Pro-Am was held on Monday, September 21st, 2009 at Emeis Golf Course in Davenport, Iowa.  Twenty-eight Iowa PGA Professionals teamed with an amateur golfer provided by Emeis Golf Course.  The team format for the event was 1 Best Ball of 2 Net.  There was also an individual open and senior division event for the Iowa PGA Professionals.

The Iowa PGA would like to thank Terry Harris, Scott Harris, Steve Haldeman, and Eric Mueller of Harris Golf Cars for their continued support of this event and the Iowa PGA tournament program as a whole.  The Iowa PGA would also like to thank Ron Thrapp, Head PGA Professional at Emeis Golf Course, for hosting this tournament.

Six teams finished the round with a team score of 9-under-par, 63.  The team of Matt Erger and Dennis Napel won the scorecard playoff to receive the first place plaques for the tournament.  Also, congratulations to Steve Danielsen for scoring a hole-in-one on hole #5, the 149 yard, par 3.

From Left: Scott Harris, Dennis Napel, Matt Erger, Terry Harris

Click the leaderboards below to view complete results from this event.

Iowa Native, Mike Bender, Named Recipient of 2009 PGA Teacher of the Year Award

Contact: Shannon Boozman
561/624-7671
sboozman@pgahq.com
Michelle Kruchowski
732/469-5700
mkruchowski@mastrocomm.com

NORTHERN FLORIDA PGA PROFESSIONAL MIKE BENDER
NAMED RECIPIENT OF 2009 PGA TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Mike Bender, the owner and Master Instructor of the Mike Bender Golf Academy in Lake Mary, Fla., has been named the recipient of the 2009 PGA Teacher of the Year Award.

Bender, 53, is an 18-year member of The PGA of America and is the second member of the North Florida PGA Section and first native Iowan to be named recipient of the national PGA Teacher of the Year Award. The award was established in 1986, honoring outstanding teachers of golf among The PGA of America membership.

Bender will be recognized at The PGA of America Awards, Jan. 28, 2010, during the 57th PGA Merchandise Show at the Orange County Convention Center’s Linda W. Chapin Auditorium in Orlando, Fla. The program also will honor the following recipients:
•    Jack Barber of Indianapolis, Ind. – PGA Golf Professional of the Year
•    Derek Hardy of Santa Ana, Calif. – Horton Smith Award
•    Dennis Satyshur of Timonium, Md. – Bill Strausbaugh Award
•    Vikki Vanderpool of Murfreesboro, Tenn. – PGA Junior Golf Leader
•    Kyle Heyen of Arvada, Colo. – PGA President’s Plaque
•    PGA Merchandisers of the Year –
-Brian Morrison of Flossmoor, Ill. – Private Facilities
-Nevin Phillips of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands – Public Facilities
-Caroline Basarab-Dennison of Hilton Head Island, S.C. – Resort Facilities

The PGA of America also will honor the recipients of two additional national awards, Nov. 14, at the 93rd PGA Annual Meeting at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in New Orleans, La.

•    Andy Weissinger of Portsmouth, Va. – The Patriot Award
•    The Midwest PGA Section – Herb Graffis Award

Born in Waterloo, Iowa, Bender was the 1986 Iowa PGA Player of the Year, and later earned the 1995 North Florida PGA Player of the Year honor. He is a four-time North Florida PGA Teacher of the Year, being recognized in 1995, ’96, ’98, 2005 and ’07.

Since 1996, Bender has been recognized as one of GOLF Magazine’s Top 100 Teachers, and is currently ranked No. 9 on Golf Digest’s Top 50 Greatest Teachers. Over the past two years, GOLF Magazine has rated the Mike Bender Golf Academy one of the Top 25 Golf Schools in America.

“Our 2009 award winners reflect the best of our Association,” said PGA of America President Jim Remy. “The recipients have each left an impact upon the game long before they were designated for this past year’s accomplishments. By their example in benefiting the lives of others, working with their members and inspiring both juniors and young professionals they have made us very proud to say that PGA Professionals are experts in the game and the business of golf.”

Bender’s award-winning teaching style comes from a childhood as “tinkerer.” He would dismantle, then reassemble, radios, televisions, bicycles and anything that could be taken apart and put back together. It was this mechanical aptitude, an eye for detail and a passion for golf that have combined to allow him to become one of the top instructors in the game.

Today, Bender can efficiently assemble a better golf swing for golfers from beginners to the game’s top touring professionals. He has combined his knowledge of the golf swing with communicating the necessary fundamentals in a clear and concise manner.

“This honor has not sunk in yet,” said Bender. “It’s hard to imagine. It’s nothing that I have tried to accomplish. I want to be a good representative of the Association. We have been fortunate to have had a very high success rate for such a small golf academy and my staff and I are always striving to improve what we do.”

Bender began playing golf at age 12, having encouraged by his father.

“One day my dad asked me if I wanted to go fishing or play golf,” said Bender. “I said, ‘fishing,’ but we couldn’t find the fishing gear, but there was a set of golf clubs in the garage. So, my dad said, ‘We’re going to play golf.’

“We started playing out of one bag and the pro came out and told us that we each needed a set of clubs. So, we finished that day with my dad playing out of his bag and I had to watch. That was torture to me. I really wanted to try to play.”

Bender began playing in earnest at age 13 at the same nine-hole course where he and his father had visited earlier. This time he entered the Cedar Falls (Iowa) Junior Open. I finished with a 100 and watched the young boy who won the tournament and thought to myself, ‘Next year, that’s going to be me,’ ”said Bender. “I came back next year and won the tournament.”

Bender further developed his skills at California State-Stanislaus, a Division III program. During his three years competing for the school, he won back-to-back NCAA Division III national individual titles. In 1979, Bender’s Division III national champion status earned him a berth in the NCAA Division I Championship. He finished third, beating players including Fred Couples, Bob Tway and Joey Sindelar.

Bender turned professional later that year and played on the mini-tours for several years. In 1985, he worked for PGA Professional Ed Schumann at Sunnyside Country Club in Waterloo, Iowa, where he held his first teaching position.

At the 1986 PGA Tour Qualifying School, Bender earned his playing privileges and went on to play on the Tour for three consecutive seasons, 1987-89.

While he was competing, Bender spent significant time with teaching professionals Mike Adams, Ben Doyle, David Leadbetter and Mac O’Grady, all of whom have been ranked among the 50 Greatest Teachers in America by Golf Digest. It was while working with these teachers that Bender’s swing theories were refined.

“I got to see how these instructors communicated with their students, and at the same time I learned more about my own game,” said Bender. “Mac O’Grady, without a doubt, had the greatest influence on my career and in my opinion, has the best understanding of the golf swing.

“His research based on science and physiology as opposed to anecdotes and opinions was right in line with my type of thinking.”

After his PGA Tour career, Bender returned to Iowa for two seasons to pursue a teaching career as PGA Director of Instruction at Brooks Resort in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Bender ran the junior golf program, group clinics and golf schools. In 1992, he opened his own academy at Timacuan Golf and Country Club in Lake Mary, Fla.

In 2006, Bender opened the Mike Bender Elite Golf Academy at Sarabande Golf Club in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla., for competitive junior golfers from around the world. Earlier this year, he opened the second Mike Bender Elite Golf Academy in Korea’s largest practice facility, the Sky72 Dream Range, near Seoul, South Korea.

Bender also has taught nearly two dozen PGA, Champions and LPGA Tour professionals. Leading this list is his decade- long coaching relationship with Zach Johnson, the 2007 Masters Champion.

Other Tour professionals who have utilized Bender’s counsel include: two-time U.S. Open Champion Lee Janzen, Mark Hensby, Jonathan Byrd, Robert Damron, 2008 Futures Tour leading money-winner, Vicki Hurst; four-time LPGA Tour winner Seon Hwa Lee and Nationwide Tour standout D.J. Brigman. Bender’s expertise also has crossed into other professional arenas, attracting major league baseball greats Jim Kaat and Hal Morris; and NBA stars Matt Goukas, Brad Dougherty and Jason Williams.

“There are a million ways to hit a golf ball,” said Bender. “But some ways are more efficient than others and what I try to do is reduce the excess moving parts that make it harder to repeat the swing. As a teacher, my goal will always be to work towards giving each student the most efficient swing that they can attain.”

Bender and his wife, Mary Anne, live in Lake Mary, Fla., and are parents of Jason, Emily and Hannah.

About The PGA of America
Since 1916, The PGA of America’s mission has been twofold: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.

By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public’s interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.

2009 Iowa PGA Special Awards

Congratulations to the 2009 Iowa PGA Special Awards Recipients.  All the award winners listed below along with the 2009 Iowa Junior Tour Player Of the Year Award Winners will be honored at the Iowa PGA All Star Pro Golf Awards Luncheon held on Tuesday, October 27 at the Riverside Casino & Golf Resort starting at 11:00 a.m.  The Iowa PGA would again like to thank Dave Brostrom and All Star Pro Golf for their continue support and sponsorship of this great event.  The Iowa PGA would also like to thank John Dinnebier and his selection committee for their hard work and dedication.

2009 Iowa PGA Special Awards Recipients:

PGA Golf Professional of the Year:  Steve Hutton, Geneva G & CC

Assistant PGA Golf Professional of the Year:  Josh Carter, Davenport CC

Teacher of the Year:  Dean Capesius, Capesius Golf Academy, Spring Valley GC & North Iowa Golf

Bill Strausbaugh Award Winner:  Greg Mason, G3Golf, Waverly GC, Legends Trail GC, All Golf Center

Horton Smith Trophy:  Dave Schneider, Wakonda Club

Junior Golf Leader:  Gary Babcock, Lake Panorama National GC

Private Merchandiser of the Year:  Matt Lewis, Clinton CC

Public Merchandiser of the Year:  Kevin Beard, Otter Creek GC

Resort Merchandiser of the Year:  Bryan Haas,  Blue Top Ridge

Sales Representative of the Year:  Stan Sheffield

2009 Iowa PGA Junior Tour Player of the Year Award Winners:
Presented by Jeff Thornhill and Nike Golf

Girls 13 & Under:  Kelsy Shay, Urbandale, IA

Girls 14-15:  Victoria Grasso, Ankeny, IA

Girls 16-18:  Emily Allison, Marshalltown, IA

Collegiate Girls 18-21:  Christy Wittmer, Hampton, IA

Boys 11 & Under:  Caleb Peters, Johnson, IA

Boys 12-13:  Patrick Grasso, Ankeny, IA

Boys 14-15:  Eric Krull, Buffalo Center, IA

Boys 16-18:  Taylor Maas, Ottumwa, IA

Collegiate Boys 18-21:  Selleck Davis, Burlington, IA

GIVE Scramble at Blue Top Ridge on October 11th

Contact:  Troy Christensen
September 2, 2009
Iowa PGA Section
319-648-0026
tchristensen@pgahq.com

NATIONALLY-RECOGNIZED GOLF FOR INJURED VETERANS EVERYWHERE
PROGRAM TO HOST FIRST GIVE SCRAMBLE AT BLUE TOP RIDGE, OCT. 11

RIVERSIDE, Iowa – The GIVE Foundation, which achieved national recognition for its teamwork in bringing together injured veterans, their families and PGA Professionals, will host the first GIVE Scramble at Blue Top Ridge, Sunday, Oct. 11.

The tournament, presented by The Riverside Casino & Golf Resort, will have honorary chairpersons in Champions Tour standout Lonnie Nielsen and his wife, Mary Jo, each natives of Belle Plaine, Iowa.

Earlier this season, Nielsen became the first tour professional to serve as a lead contributor to the GIVE (Golf for Injured Veterans Everywhere) Foundation. Nielsen, 55, a 1976 graduate of the University of Iowa, heads the 2009 “Birdies for Heroes Challenge,” in which he donates $50 for each birdie and $500 for each eagle that he records to the GIVE Foundation. Nielsen’s initiative also received support for the GIVE Foundation from past major champions Larry Nelson and Jerry Pate.

The GIVE Scramble at Blue Top Ridge will feature 28 four-player teams composed of an Iowa PGA Section professional or apprentice along with three veterans who are being treated at the Iowa VA Medical Center in Iowa City, and whom have participated in GIVE program classes. The 18-hole, best-shot event is believed to the first team event of its kind in the country involving wounded veterans.

“What our veterans have given in sacrifice to ensure the freedoms of this country is immeasurable,” said Iowa PGA Section President Steve Hutton. “The GIVE program has been a wonderful sharing experience for our PGA Professionals with both veterans and their families. We are proud to be joining in this first GIVE Scramble at Blue Top Ridge and so pleased to have the support of Tour professional Lonnie Nielsen and his wife, who have set the bar high for supporting veterans everywhere.”

The GIVE Foundation achieved national recognition by The PGA of America and the Veterans Administration for its unique curriculum that blends PGA Professional-led golf instruction and accompanying life lesson support to enhance the mental, social, physical and emotional well-being of veterans.

Nielsen is a member of a GIVE Foundation Advisory Board that includes former Masters Champion Bob Goalby, Champions Tour star Jay Haas; along with former Iowa Governor Robert Ray, former University of Iowa football coach Hayden Fry, former Iowa basketball coach Tom Davis, Iowa wrestling legend Dan Gable; and former Iowa State University basketball coach Johnny Orr.

“It has been a great experience for both me and Mary Jo to support the men and women of our military – patriots who have sacrificed so much for our country,” said Nielsen, a member of the Champions Tour since 2003 and who competed from 1978-83 on the PGA TOUR. “We are excited about the future of the GIVE program and we believe the first GIVE Scramble will be tremendous experience for all participants.

“The veterans competing in this event represent thousands around the country who have found value in the game of golf beyond its recreational and physical attributes. The game has actually played a role in rehabilitating the lives of those same veterans and in many cases restored families.”

The GIVE program is a partnership between the Iowa PGA Professional, the Iowa VA Medical Center and the Riverside Casino & Golf Resort.

Since its founding in 2007, the GIVE program has received more than 400 applications for new students to receive PGA instruction. Louis King of Cedar Rapids, president of the GIVE Foundation, said that the GIVE Scramble at Blue Top Ridge is an effort to provide new golf experiences for veterans.

“We are extremely honored and proud that Lonnie and Mary Jo Nielsen have given their support to this new event, recognizing that it is more than a single veteran who gains from the GIVE experience,” said King. “Lonnie unselfishly led the initiative on Tour to help our veterans and we believe this event – hosted by a great partner in Blue Top Ridge at Riverside and featuring Iowa PGA Professionals – may be the catalyst for future support and new playing opportunities.”

For more information about the GIVE Foundation and the GIVE Scramble at Blue Top Ridge, contact the Iowa PGA Section headquarters 319-648-0026, or e-mail tchristensen@pgahq.com.

The GIVE Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-for-profit organization, with all donations tax-deductible.

Iowa Section Callaway Golf PGA Assistant Championship – September 8-9th, 2009

The 2009 Iowa Section Callaway Golf PGA Assistant Championship was held at The Preserve on Rathbun Lake in Moravia, IA on September 8th and 9th.  Twenty-nine Iowa Section PGA Assistant Professionals competed in this 36-hole event.  The low two professionals will qualify for the 2009 Callaway Golf PGA Assistant Championship held October 1-4, 2009 at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida.   This event serves as a Major Point Event for the Apprentice Player of the Year.  Mike Goettsch and Callaway Golf provided a bonus pool for players who used a Callaway golf ball and/or club throughout the competition.  The low 3 eligible players won $500, $300, and $200 respectfully.  Tim Goranson and Barry Sebastian with Club Car provided a dinner for all players following Round 1.  The Iowa Section PGA would like to thank title sponsor Mike Goettsch with Callaway Golf, supporting sponsors Tim Goranson & Barry Sebastian with Club Car, Darin Fisher host PGA Professional, and the entire staff at The Preserve on Rathbun Lake for hosting.

Congratulations to Nathan Smith from Ottumwa Country Club for winning the 2009 Iowa Section Callaway Golf PGA Assistant Championship.  Nathan sprinted ahead of the field posting rounds of 69 and 68 for a 2-day total, 7-under-par, 137.  Ryan McClintock from Davenport CC and Heath Scott from TPC Deere Run tied for 2nd place after 36 holes.  Ryan made a 20-foot birdie putt on the 1st playoff hole to capture the 2nd qualifying spot for the National Tournament.

2009 Champion, Nathan Smith

Photo Gallery

Kevin Beard – September 2009 PROfile

Name: Kevin Beard, PGA
College/University: Washburn University
Year Turned Pro: 1985
Facility and Job Title: Otter Creek Golf Course, Director of Golf

What was your motivation to become a PGA Professional?
It was the business side of the profession. Later I moved into teaching and management.

What is your specialty in the golf business?
Teaching Juniors, Business Management, Tournament Management and Customer Service.

What are a few of your accomplishments in the golf industry?
Four time Iowa Junior Golf Leader; Top Scorer School One; Iowa Golf Association Professional of the Year.

What was your greatest moment in golf?
Nominated for National Junior Golf Leader.

What or who has had the greatest impact on your career?
Frank Jacobsen, PGA Master Professional and J.D. Turner, PGA Master Professional.

Besides golf, what else do you enjoy?
My family and gardening.

If you could play any golf course in the world, which one would it be and who would complete your foursome?
Augusta National with my golf buddies.

If you could give lessons to anyone in the world who would it be and what advice would you give?
Tiger Woods – no advice, just to watch!

What is your favorite golf instruction tip?
Anything Haney says.

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