December 2015
Happy Holidays
by Jerry Hogge
As we enter the Christmas season I hope all of you take time to reflect on the recent
Thanksgiving holiday and what we ALL have to be thankful for in family, employment, and
being born in America. It seems to me that I was just taking
down the Christmas tree and all the decorations and now it is
time to get them back out of storage and start again. I cannot
believe another year has passed and we are preparing for the
26th class of PGM graduates. I still remember the first three
graduates, Holly Anderson, Joy Bonhurst, and Tracey Thorpe (Groove). We have
started another tradition with a dinner for the graduates and families on Friday
evening before graduation and what a great event! This year we will be giving
all of the graduates a special token to remember their time at Methodist. If you
would like one of the special gifts please contact klee@methodist.edu and she will
send you a link to purchase one.
I am still amazed at how well our graduates and students are doing in the
industry and their chosen career paths. I had the privilege to attend an MU on the Move in New York City
hosted by Trustee Charles Holmes and meet up with several of our graduates both young and old. What a great
event. Maybe it is time to start PGM chapters all over the country. If YOU are interested in getting involved in
such an endeavor please let me know. I know that President Ben Hancock would welcome the opportunity to
meet you, your family, and hear the success stories of your career and what Methodist PGM meant to you.
As a staff we are all planning to attend the PGA Merchandise Show and each of you will be receiving an
invitation to attend our PGM MU on the Move. We will gather on Wednesday evening, January 27, 2016
at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. The Show is always a great time to reconnect with
our graduates and families. Personally, it is one of the highlights of my year as we all get to hear of your
successes.
I was deeply saddened to hear that on Saturday, November 22, 2015 Head Professional Randy Shaw’ 90 of
Orchard Park Country Club died. Randy was a great husband and father, and professional for 20 years at
Orchard Park. Randy marks the first graduate who has died who has not been involved in a tragic accident.
At this time it allows me to reflect on how precious life is and how many people Randy touched and impacted.
Please keep Celeste and the family in your prayers in the days, weeks, months and years ahead. Randy was
proud of his MU education and he probably referred more students to MU that any graduate as well as having
interns every year. He will be missed by all, but it is at times like this I have to trust that God is in control and
His wisdom is far superior to my limited mind.
As 2015 comes to an end, it is my wish for you and your family that each of you will remember the true
meaning of the Christmas season and 2016 will bring each of you health and happiness.
2015
Jones Cup
by Brock White
The PGA Jones Cup is named for the first PGA Golf
Management University Program Director at Mississippi
State University, Dr. S. Roland Jones, who held the
position from 1985 until his passing in 1997. The event
serves to provide a platform where participants can display
professionalism, integrity, character and camaraderie;
all characteristics Dr. Jones instilled in PGA Golf
Management University students.
Pictured above:
Chris Boyle,
Sophomore
Pictured right:
Grant Gardiner,
Junior
All participating universities in the PGA Jones Cup are
schools accredited by The PGA of America who offer the
four-and-one half to five-year PGA Golf Management
University Program degree for aspiring PGA Professionals.
The 36-hole Championship featured all 19 schools in
the PGA Golf Management University program and
showcased the top five players from each University.
The event brought together teams from 15 states, who
competed at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla. for the
seventh consecutive year.
The Methodist University Jones Cup team shot a secondround 301 en route to tie for a fifth place finish, 598 (297
-301) at the PGA Jones Cup. The Monarchs, who trailed
by 10 strokes after round one and in 6th place, tried their
hardest to make their way back to the top. It was a difficult
chase, but the other competitors held tough.
The Monarchs were led by junior Nick DeFalco, who
finished with a one over par total of 145 (72-73). Senior
Sean Gervais, following the charge by DeFalco, finished
just one shot back with a 146 (72-74) and junior Grant
Gardiner finished with a five over-par round of 77 on the
final day, which gave him a two-day total of 151 (74-77).
Rounding out the rest of the Monarch team was junior Josh
Leddy, with a two day total of 156 (79-77) and sophomore
Chris Boyle with a 179 (90-89).
Final Results
1. New Mexico State 289 – 286 = 575
2. Campbell 287 – 297 = 584
3. Ferris State 292 – 298 = 590
4. Clemson 292 – 302 = 294
T-5. Florida Gulf Coast 304 – 294 = 598
T-5. Methodist 297 – 301 = 598
T-7. Maryland-Eastern Shore 299 – 300 = 599
T-7. Nevada-Las Vegas 294 – 305 = 599
9. North Carolina State 299 – 309 = 608
10. Coastal Carolina 299 – 310 = 609
T-11. Eastern Kentucky 315 – 295 = 610
T-11. Mississippi State 305 – 305 = 610
13. Penn State 311 – 300 = 611
T-14. Nebraska 311 – 308 = 619
T-14. Sam Houston 309 – 310 = 619
16. Florida State 307 – 314 = 621
17. Central Oklahoma 310 – 317 = 627
18. Idaho 323 – 314 = 637
19. Colorado-Colorado Springs 319 – 322 = 641
The Monarchs will be preparing a team for next year by
hosting 24 on-campus golf tournaments. The Monarch
Points list will provide the top five players with a trip to
participate in the Jones Cup in 2016.
Top 20 Monarch Points
List for 2016
1. Jack Ramsett, Algonquin IL
2. Grant Gardiner, Mickleton NJ
3. Hunter Caler, Dorset VT
4. Drew Billard, Narrowsburg NY
5. Larkin Gross, Center Cross VT
6. Paloma Santiago, Trenton NJ
7. Kerry Connors, Moscow PA
8. Grant Strawoet, Mercersburg PA
T-9. Josh Leddy, St. James NY
T-9. Justin Schwab, Beach Park IL
11. Gunnar Riley, Charleroi PA
12. Chris Boyle, West Dundee IL
13 Anthony Fagone, Naples, ME
14. Trevor King, Huntington NY
T-15. Dan Hemme, North Reading ME
T-15. Ty Dupuis, Longs SC
17. Mason Stutler, Fredericksburg VA
T-18. Ryan Tracy, Greensburg PA
T-18. Sean Gervais, Chelmsford MA
20. James Bruns, Fayetteville NC
505
314
299
254
245
239
230
204
178
178
170
150
148
145
139
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133
133
128
Top Right: Coach Brock White and Nick DeFalco, Junior
Middle Right: Josh Leddy, Junior
Bottom: Sean Gervais, Senior
Photo credit to Montana, PGA Photographer
Field Goal Kick and Golf Swing
by Sara Dickson, Class of 2009
It is that time of year when the PGA Tour takes a short break and football games are
the highlights on Sunday afternoons. With that in mind, I thought I’d share some
similarities between the golf swing and a field goal kicker’s motion. We hear different
sports analogies all the time when it comes to golf. As I see it, a field goal kicker’s
motion has a few key similarities due to the fact that both the golf ball and football are
stationary (we hope!) before being struck. While you can find more detailed information
and research from
biomechanics specialists,
here are some basic moves
exemplified by both expert golfers and football
kickers alike that can help your game.
Here we go:
1) Arc Motion
There is power in rotation. The inclined arc
type motion (or typical swing plane) in a golf
backswing is similar to the evolved kicking
motion of field goal kickers.
Continue reading by going to: http://www.methodist.edu/sites/default/files/ctools/pgm_kicker.pdf
MUPGM Students Show They Care
by Alec Brown, Junior
On October 14 and 15 the Methodist Golf Association
(MUGA), in conjunction with Methodist University
Golf Club, conducted its annual “Show You Care
Day”. During this event the students come together as
a group to complete specific tasks for the improvement
of our facilities. This year’s tasks included the filling
of divots, fixing of ball marks and collection of
pinecones throughout the entire golf course. This
event is something all students look forward to each
semester.
“It helps better the conditions of the golf course
to make golf more enjoyable for the program,”
said Daniel Shepherd, a freshmen in the program.
Participating in this event allows us as students to
build a relationship with Golf Course Superintendent
Steve Dockery and his staff. In addition, it allows us
to learn a different aspect of the golf industry, one we
are not frequently exposed to. “Show You Care Day”
means equally as much, if not more, to Mr. Dockery as
it does to the students.
“I enjoy spending time with the students while
completing tasks that will help improve and better our
facility” said Dockery. Show you Care Day is one of
the MUGA’s most well received events. This years
event was wildly successful, with 50 students working
together as a team to better our facilities for year’s to
come.
PGA Golf Professional to Missionary
by Alex Jones, Class of 2014
It was in my hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio where I developed a passion for the game of
golf. After graduating high school, I attended Methodist University from 2010-2014. Here
I spent four years studying business with a concentration in professional golf management
to become a Class A PGA golf professional. While at Methodist, I completed internships
at The Vineyard Club in Edgartown, Mass., Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, N.Y.,
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., and Hidden Creek Golf Club in
Egg Harbor Township, N.J. In addition to completing four prestigious internships, I
also walked onto the Methodist University Men’s Golf Team for the 2012-2013 season.
Attending Methodist University was by far some of the best four years of my life and I
wouldn’t trade my time there for anything in the world.
After graduation, I was very blessed to have obtained Class A status as a PGA Golf
Professional. I accepted a position to be one of the assistant PGA professionals at The
Chevy Chase Club in Chevy Chase, M.D. and it was there I began to hone in on my talents
as a golf professional, instructor, and player. More importantly, I began to understand
who I was as a human being. I began to implement God into my life and started to listen
and hear His calling for me, which didn’t involve golf at all. In fact, God’s calling for me
involved being a full-time missionary for Adventures in Missions on The World Race. At
first I thought, “How in the world can I go from being a PGA Golf Professional to being
a full-time missionary?” I had just obtained what I thought was my dream. I quickly
realized that golf was my passion, but it wasn’t my purpose. God’s plan and our plan are
two completely different entities. Sometimes, God gives us talents that we didn’t even
know we had and I believe he is using me and my talents right now. This is an opportunity
for me to find out more about who I am and who I’m meant to be, but more importantly it
is a time in my life for me to spread the word of Christ across the world.
The World Race is an 11-month mission trip to 11 different countries. The countries I
will be traveling to are Morocco, Turkey, Greece, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Georgia,
Bangladesh, India, Nepal, China, and Indonesia. Ministry will look different from month
to month. My team of 33 and I will be working with local churches and local orphanages
to meet the needs of each community while spreading the gospel. We will be preaching in
churches, doing construction work, door-to-door ministries, ministering to sex trafficking
victims, and much more. My team and I launch on our 11-month mission trip this
upcoming January!
God has blessed me in more ways than I could ever imagine in the first 24 years of my
life and I owe everything to all He has done for me. My passion is spreading His love and
His light to the darkest places around the world. I ask that you all keep both my team and
I in your prayers and I also ask for your partnership in my journey. In order for me to go
on this mission I must raise $17,562. If you would like to or feel called to donate, you can
do so by visiting my blog http://alexjones.theworldrace.org/ and clicking on the “support
me” button. I would like to thank all who have supported me thus far in my journey and
I’m forever grateful to have you all in my life. My time at Methodist University helped me
obtain multiple dreams by graduating college, becoming a Class A PGA golf professional,
and becoming the human being not only who I wanted to be, but who God intended me to
be. May God bless you all!
How Traveling the
World Makes You a
Better Golf Professional
by Ryan Kowalski, Senior
At the edge of the Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
Riding a camel in the
Sahara Desert, Morocco
Before returning from winter break my sophomore year, I knew I needed a change
in my life. I was about to enter the second half of my sophomore year as a
Professional Golf Management student, and like any other college student across the
country, I was going through a very typical schedule of classes every day, talking to
the same people, seeing the same things, and basically living my life on auto-pilot.
The change I decided on was to study abroad during the upcoming fall semester. I
never, even in my wildest dreams, suspected how that decision would turn out to be
the most important semester of my college education, and quite possibly, the most
significant three months of my life. That fall semester, I embarked on Semester at
Sea, the greatest journey of my life, a 108-day, 40-city, 17-country study abroad
program, which would change my life forever.
In brief, Semester at Sea is a study abroad program unlike anything else. The voyage consisted of 655 college
students from across the country as well as internationally. Our ship was a floating campus, offering nine
classrooms, two dining halls, a pool, workout area, basketball court, and everything else one would find on
a college campus. Our voyage began in Southampton, England on August 23 and ended in Ft. Lauderdale
on December 8, but not before visiting countries like Russia, Poland, Germany, Belgium, France, Ireland,
Portugal, Morocco, Italy, Spain, Brazil, and Cuba, just to name a few. While we were sailing from port to port,
my class schedule consisted of music, art history, literature, and modern evolutionary theory.
Only after returning to the States, did I fully realized all the amazing opportunities I had been just offered and
experienced, and the impact it all had on me personally and as a student of the PGM program. Other than
having a chance to play golf all over the world, which I took advantage of in Ireland and Barbados, Semester
at Sea has left a lasting impression that I can use in my future as a golf professional. Most importantly, the
program allowed me to grow and discover myself, which many people take for granted, and many times are
afraid to do. But truly, finding out who you are is an exhilarating journey that only very few experience. It also
allowed me to strengthen my interpersonal skills, which are so important in today’s environment. Through
living on the ship, I learned that people of my generation can actually survive and function without looking at
their cell phone or computer constantly. Without Internet access, we were forced out of our comfort zones to
interact with each other, helping us become better listeners, observers, and ultimately closer with each other.
Through all that, I was given an opportunity to meet some amazing people that normally would go unnoticed.
This skill can easily transition into the golf industry, which is based on personal interaction. As many club
members travel internationally, or come from very diverse backgrounds, I’m so much more confident in my
ability to be able to interact with them and connect on some mutual ground, that extends past simply playing
golf. This also adds another layer to the relationships I can build at the clubs of my employment. The members
notice you as not just another employee but someone that is well rounded and knowledgeable, not just through
college studying, but personal experiences.
Besides becoming a more open and socially confident person, another important trait I learned from Semester
at Sea was the ability to solve problems. Every day presented a different challenge. As I found myself in
foreign countries and unusual situations, the ability to think on my feet became invaluable. I had to learn how
to communicate with strangers without knowing their native language in order to get around or get needed
information. The ability to plan and foresee possible problems is something I learned quickly as resources were
not always available like they are here in the States, so planning for anything was imperative.
Semester at Sea also allowed me to expand my network to 655 more people from around the U.S., with whom
I have a very special bond and can count on for possible future job opportunities or references. This experience
also allows me to differentiate myself from others on my resume. Other PGM students will simply follow the
routine college schedule, never really stretching themselves or venturing outside their comfort zone.
Before this voyage, I had never been outside the United States, never been on a cruise ship, and don’t know
any foreign languages, but I decided to take a leap and find my wings on the way down. This leap of faith
presented me with the opportunity to see and experience in three months what most people only dream about. It
taught me invaluable skills that extend through daily life, relationships, and future employment opportunities.
Methodist offers amazing opportunities for their PGM students; through their unbelievable facilities, the
amazing golf staff, and wonderful internships that span across the country. I was fortunate enough to be able to
supplement that with a semester of sailing the world, something very few people can do, but I strongly believe it
is something that should be taken advantage of to grow as future golf professionals and as individuals.
To view my YouTube Semester at Sea video go here: https://youtu.be/KBLZ0_ORAhE
Watching a soccer game in Barcelona, Spain
Walking out into the coliseum in Rome, Italy
2015 PGA Golf Management Leadership Conference
by Ryan Zetterholm, Junior
My experience at the 2015 PGA Golf Management Leadership Session — held
in conjunction with the 99th PGA Annual Meeting down in Palm Beach Gardens,
Fla. at the wonderful PGA National Resort and Spa — was certainly one to
remember. I learned an incredible amount about our association, not the least
of which that there are a lot of caring PGA Professionals out there. I learned
that there are thousands of fantastic PGA Professionals working hard every day
to increase the value of the PGA Professional. I learned that the best way to
predict the future is to create it yourself by getting involved and making changes
yourself.
“I can proudly say
that I look forward
to graduating
Methodist and
becoming a
leader in my
future section.”
Before my experience at the annual meeting, I didn’t have any intentions
of getting involved in a section, but after my experience, I can proudly
say that I look forward to graduating from Methodist and becoming a
leader in my future section. I learned that even though the game of golf is
based on tradition, the golf business is constantly evolving and changing,
and for the PGA Professional, when the music changes, so does the dance.
We must keep up and be advocates for change and remember to always
be moving forward. I especially learned the value of creating memorable
moments for your customers and the importance of reaching into people’s
hearts, through a short story about running a limo service out of a yellow
cab. More important than anything else, I learned that the PGA is a
brotherhood with individuals who genuinely care about each other. I have
a greater appreciation for the PGA and am excited to join the association
in a few short years. The PGA has extraordinary leaders who are going to
take this association to new levels. I’ll leave you with a fantastic quote from the PGA of America’s CEO, Pete
Bevacqua: “If what you did yesterday still seems impressive, then you’ve done nothing yet today.”
From one Monarch
to another
Merry Christmas
and
Happy New Year!
Methodist University PGA Staff
Jerry, Coach Conley, Charles, Steve, Tom,
Kelsie, Brock, Bob, Robbie, and Krista