March 2016
MU Mentors
by Jerry Hogge
To the world of golf, the clocks have changed to daylight savings time, spring flowers are
blooming, and many have long ago broken their New Year resolutions to get back in shape,
eat healthier, and spend more family or me time. But, that’s life.
It was a real pleasure to see so many alumni at the PGA Merchandise Show. One of the
highlights for me and the entire PGA Golf Management staff is spending time at the
show reconnecting with alumni, their families and friends, and hearing about the career
opportunities of each. I am often amazed and proud to hear of the great clubs and facilities you all are working!
For many, I remember your first day on campus as a student, and now you are PGA colleagues or business men
and women making a difference in the world.
I would like to thank many of you who have agreed to be mentors to our current students, especially the
freshmen class that will arrive in August. Please remember NOT to tell them all of the things you did and got
away with, as they will be sure to try it.
Bob Bruns and Brock White are working to assign each new freshman a mentor. We would like for you to
reach out to them regarding the college experience. Over the years we seem to get some things right and this
will be one more for the list, with your help. We continue to ask for your referrals to our program. On a weekly
basis, I/we receive calls saying how great our students are and what we do differently than all of the other
programs. If you agree, send us the next you. I promise we will care, work hard, and continue to produce the
next generation of great PGA professionals.
I hope you have a great season and let’s continue to develop MU PGM chapters of alumni. Play well!!
Inspiring the Professionals
of Tomorrow
On Monday, February 22, 2016, Paul Levy, Vice
President of the PGA, came to campus to speak to
the Methodist University PGA Golf Management
students about the plans of the PGA centennial
celebration and some important life lessons.
“Mr. Levy inspired me to stay passionate about my job in
the golf industry. I realized that as long as I have a passion
for the game of golf, I will be able to help the industry that
I love continue to grow and flourish.”
“Mr. Levy’s seminar with our program was extremely
motivating due to many of his thoughts focusing on
taking charge of our destiny and being a leader at all
times possible. It is clear our industry is in great
hands with Mr. Levy set to be the next
president of the PGA of America.”
-Nick Hallowell, Sophomore from Montvale, NJ
(pictured above right, 2nd from left). Summer
Internship: Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, PA
-Isabel Gonzalez, Freshman from Bloomfield, NJ (pictured
on left, 4th from left). Summer Internship: Oyster Harbors
Club in Osterville, MA
“Having Mr. Levy on campus shows what the
University Programs mean to the PGA of America. We
are the future and he took time out of his day to
better each of us individually.”
-Liam Mulligan, Junior from Mickleton, NJ (pictured above
on left). Summer Internship: Shooting Star Golf Club in
Teton Village, WY
“As a graduating senior moving into the corporate
side of the golf industry, I found it encouraging
hearing from someone like Mr. Levy about the high
demand for PGA Professionals in our generation
and also the major role we will play in advancing
the game of golf into the future.”
-Connor McKeen, Senior from Braintree, MA
(pictured on left with green tie). Final Internship:
Acushnet Company in Fairhaven, MA.
Paying it Forward with
America’s Heroes
by Brock White
In the Fall of 2015, Methodist University paired up with
the Salute Military Golf Association (SMGA) and the Fort
Bragg Warrior Transition Battalion (WTB) to provide golf
clinics for wounded war veterans. The Salute Military Golf
Association (SMGA) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation
whose mission is to provide rehabilitative golf experiences
and family-inclusive golf opportunities for post-9/11
wounded war veterans in an effort to improve the quality
of life for these American heroes. The SMGA believes the
rehabilitative benefits of golf can improve the mental and
physical condition of each and every post-9/11 wounded
warrior. The SMGA provides golf instruction, equipment,
and playing opportunities for post-9/11 wounded veterans.
In conjunction with these two organizations, our adaptive
golf program at Methodist brings the game of golf to
even the most severely injured. The clinics form a true
community, with each affiliate expressing their own unique
personality and feel. These clinics promote camaraderie
among warriors and encourage family centered activities.
On occasion, clinics extend beyond the mechanics of the
golf swing to include related topics such as golf-specific
exercise training, nutrition, and community service.
Ryan Zetterholm, Junior, teaching chipping during an
SMGA clinic.
Jamey Magas, Senior, providing hands-on instruction
on the basics of golf.
This clinic program is structured to challenge any golfer,
whether beginner or single-digit handicap. The social
interaction and networking opportunities that exist through
the game of golf are unmatched in any other sport, and
provide a vehicle for integration back into the civilian
community. The clinics held at Methodist were instructed by
two PGA Professionals, Robbie Fritz and Brock White, with
the help of Methodist University PGA Golf Management
Students Ryan Zetterholm, Noah Miller, Jamey Magas, Zach
Phillips, Philip Krause, and Chad Adams. The clinics met
every Monday, for eight weeks, starting in September.
At the completion of the clinic, each warrior that completed
6 or more sessions is awarded a free set of custom fitted
golf clubs. Each one of these warriors is fitted for their own
personal set which is comprised of 11 clubs (Driver, Fairway
Wood, Hybrid, 5 iron through pitching wedge, sand wedge,
and a putter) with a bag. These clubs are given to them by
the SMGA in conjunction with Taylormade Golf.
The Methodist University PGA Program is excited to
continue working with the Salute Military Golf Association
(SMGA) and the Fort Bragg Warrior Transition Battalion
(WTB) to provide golf clinics for wounded war veterans.
Our next session has already begun with 10-15 new war
heroes!
Creating a Successful Travel Program
for Your Members
by Michael Picciano, Class of 2001
Enniscrone Golf Club, Ireland
Ever since I began at Bull Valley Golf Club, playing golf with the members is an integral part of our member
programming. While we enjoy playing our own club, it is refreshing to travel to other fine courses in the area.
Our annual overnight trips with our membership to destination facilities in the area have been very successful
and full of camaraderie. The program grew from two foursomes to four or five groups, based upon the course
and time of year. It was a great way for the professional staff to spend quality time away from Bull Valley
with the membership. The trips always start with a group dinner on arrival night, which is a wonderful way
for our staff to interact with the members in a relaxed environment. We make sure that a member of the golf
staff is included in each group and a friendly game was created.
With the success of the overnight trips, we started working on domestic trips with groups of members.
Most of these trips were built around Section and National Pro-Am competitions. We traveled to Las Vegas,
Kiawah Island, Bandon Dunes, and Pinehurst. These domestic trips gave our staff more face time with our
members and helped us to develop personal relationships with them. On these domestic trips I began to lay
the groundwork for international trips. I created a relationship with fellow Methodist Alumni, Julie Welage, at
Haversham & Baker Golfing Expeditions, and sent a survey to our membership on international travel. About
two-thirds of our membership filled out a survey, providing great insight into what they wanted. Scotland
was a popular choice, so a trip to Scotland for myself and seven of the members was set up. The trip gave me
unprecedented access to our members for an extended period of time. Before the trip, we set up an evening
with a couple of reps to look at travel gear, rain wear, and sample the local beverages. It was a wonderful
kickoff to the trip and a nice boost to golf shop sales. Based off of that first trip, we have developed multiple
members-only trips overseas, as well as had two other trips to Ireland and England.
For those who have not yet worked on traveling with members, I would highly recommend starting out slow
with regional overnight trips to find out who your core base of traveling golfers are. Based upon that, you
can branch out to domestic trips and finally to international expeditions. Lean upon your fellow alumni as
well as experts such as Haversham & Baker when looking at travel destinations. While it can seem to be an
overwhelming task, it’s amazing how simple it can be if you have a captive audience who is ready to travel!
April 2014: PGA Head Professional Mike Picciano and Members
from Bull Valley GC on the 18th Green at Royal Lytham & St Annes,
host site of 11 Open Championships.
April 2014: PGA
Head Professional
Mike Picciano &
Members from Bull
Valley GC standing
outside the iconic
Royal Birkdale Golf
Club clubhouse.
A NEW WAY OF SELLING WEDGES
by Greg Ciavarelli, PGA, Class of 2008
I graduated Methodist University in 2008 as one of the rare PGM-ers who did not want to
be a head professional or an instructor. Instead, my career path lead me to Haggin Oaks
in Sacramento, CA where I would go on to learn an incredible lesson about selling, club
fitting, relationship building, and customer service. This experience led me to my current
job as the Bay Area rep for Srixon/Cleveland Golf.
2016 SPRING BREAK HIGHLIGHTS
Day 1
A great start to the 17th annual Freshmen Spring Break Trip in Orlando,
FL. Started with a spring training baseball game between the Astros and
Blue Jays, then on to night golf!
Day 2
A long but very informative day...
it started out with visiting Ryan at
Southy Custom Golf Shop, a family owned and operated custom club
fitting and repair shop. We then had a clinic and lunch with Mark
Rummings, Head Pro, and played the Ritz Carlton Members Club. Then
to finish we stopped by to see Greg Lewandrowski at GolfTec.
As a new rep, I quickly decided to apply the skills I had in order to grow my brand, service
my accounts, and provide a unique experience for their membership and customers. I
would go on to perfect the Cleveland Scoring Clinic.
A Cleveland Scoring Clinic is a 1.5 hour event in which customers sign up at a particular facility for anywhere
between $129.99 and $149.99. An instructor from that facility will provide a clinic on both pitching and bunker
play, while I take each participant aside for a personalized wedge fitting. Everyone who attends receives his or
her very own custom fit Cleveland wedge!
The results in my first year were nothing short of amazing. While only working with 23 facilities in the Bay
Area I sold through 1,130 wedges for the year through Cleveland Scoring Clinics! This was an average of 29
wedges per day and 1.55 wedges per participant.
Day 3
Another great day with Mickey Mouse...well kinda...we first met with Jamie Miller,
Director of Operations at Disney golf. He spoke with us about the importance of
building networks and your personal brand. After that we played the Disney Magnolia
Course, one of the courses they used in the PGA Tour event that ran for 42 straight
years at Disney with the Children’s Miracle Network.
There are many ways to add value to your facility and grow the game. Golfers with new equipment are far
more likely to play rounds of golf and even come back to make additional purchases.
Day 4
We started the day with a round of golf at Tranquilo Golf Club, which is
a Four Seasons Resort property and was in great shape. To end the night
we had a blast at Blue Man Group.
ATTENTION ALL ALUMNI!
Methodist University is compiling a list of all alumni who have received one or more of the following awards:
PGA of America, Club Managers association (CMAA), corporate national, sectional, or regional awards. If you
have received one or more of the above awards, please email klee@methodist.edu to be included in the listing.
The full listing of alumni golf awards is on the Methodist University website below.
http://www.methodist.edu/alumni-golf-awards
Day 5
Spent on the “links.” First we met with Director of Golf Patrick
Dill, to discuss his career and the resort side of the industry. Next
we played the Champions Gate National Golf Course. Then to
finish the day we went to Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature
Golf Course. It is a par 72, 18 hole mini putt course...so intense
CONGRATULATIONS!
to Ryan Hull, Class of 2011 and Methodist
University Assistant Golf Course Superintendent,
on his win at the Carolinas GCSA assistant
superintendent golf championship in January!
This win also qualifies him for a spot on the
Carolina’s “Virlinia” Cup team which is a Ryder
Cup format against the Virginia GCSA.
by Brock White
Day 6
We really hit the links...we played Champions Gate International
Golf course which is a Greg Norman Links course...was a great
finishing round for the week.
Day 7
On the last day of the trip and we just made it back to Fayetteville, but
we had a fun stop at the World Golf Hall of Fame on our way home...
Are we Shifting or Rotating to Create Speed?
by Daniel Gray, Class of 2004
Players trying to improve clubhead speed, ability to flatten the shaft in the downswing, and face control, will
benefit from a deeper understanding of how to use the ground and their lower body. Your lower body creates a
large proportion of your clubhead speed, so learning to use the lower body correctly will certainly help you pick
up distance.
Some amateurs have read or heard about shifting their weight and this can complicate the matter for them and
cause some undesired effects to their ball striking. Over-shifting laterally towards the target and lack of proper
lower body rotation can force your hips to thrust towards the ball and target during the hitting zone. The issue
with this is the body stops rotating and the handle of the club rises and becomes less stable through impact.
When the lower body is turning and your spine stays in posture, the handle can stay lower through impact, and
due to the rotation, the face will stabilize.
When a player initiates their downswing there is a specific way most great ball strikers will do this. BodiTrak is
a pressure mapping system that has helped us understand the way players use their lower body, specifically their
feet, to create speed and initiate the downswing. When players load their weight in their early downswing there
is a squatting motion where the players target side knee starts to bend and rotate towards the target, which starts
to rotate the players’ hips towards the target. This is also aiding in the shifting of the weight forward toward
the target by pulling the weight towards the lead foot, more specifically the lead heel. By the time the club gets
waist high there is finally a lifting or jumping motion to help maintain the speed at the bottom of the swing.
Watch the following video to get a better understanding of the lower body motion and sequence we are
discussing. Also, how the BodiTrak system monitors the pressure through impact. In the next two videos there
are also two drills that will help you obtain some of this lower body rotation that is needed to create more speed
and stay in posture through impact.
Bucket Drill: Lead knee rotation
Chair Drill: Squat
To continue reading and view videos go to http://danielrgray.com/are-we-shifting-or-rotating-to-create-speed/
Women’s Golf Spring Schedule
April 4-5 - Agnes McAmiis Memorial
Invitational, Greenville, TN
April 9-10 - Methodist University Invitational,
Fayetteville, NC
May 10-13 - NCAA Division III National
Championships, Houston TX
Men’s Golf Spring Schedule
April 1-3 - Camp Lejeune Intercollegiate,
Jacksonville, NC
April 15-17 - USA South Conference
Championship, Wilson NC
April 23-24 Navy Spring Invitational,
Annapolis, MD
May 10-13 - NCAA Division III Championship,
Rochester, NY