Notes of importance today regarding the PGA of America and PGA professionals and that everyone should know:
PGA PROFESSIONALS, THEIR FACILITIES AND THE GOLF INDUSTRY
PGA HQ staff will be operating remotely effective Monday; while Valhalla and PGA Golf Club remain open to the public. We also provided a set of common-sense recommendations for consideration by operators. We have committed to keeping PGA Professionals up-to-date through “Five Things to Know” and PGA.org on a regular basis. From an MSR and education perspective, please note the following:
- 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.
- 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 uncertainty of testing sites remaining open, this provides flexibility with regard to Associates meeting their deadlines.
- PGA Golf Management University Students – 14 of our 18 GMU’s have currently cancelled classes and have moved to online delivery. PGA Education Staff will work with the universities directly in regard to needed accommodations within the Criteria and Standards.
- PGA Associates – We have cancelled pending seminars at Port St. Lucie through April. 81 individuals were impacted and we are refunding everyone’s registration fee and charging them back at a discounted rate. The team is looking into online options that could be adopted in the future. Teaching & coaching and Executive Management is offered on a quarterly basis and therefore have not been impacted.
CHAMPIONSHIPS & EVENTS
At this time, we are working closely with state and local public health and government officials in Texas, California and Michigan regarding the playing of our three upcoming events: The PPC, PGA Championship and KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship. With the PGA Tour canceling The Players Championship and its next three events; the LPGA cancelling four events; and Augusta National postponing the Masters, we will be asked many questions about the status of our events.
We will continue to evaluate the status of each event every two weeks and provide further updates when available. Our hope is that the situation will improve, and once cleared by public health authorities, our events could be a welcome “return to normal.” That said, the health and well-being of all involved is our first priority and mandates from public health authorities will guide our decisions.
ASSOCIATION/SECTION BUSINESS
As noted above, we have asked all PGA HQ staff to work remotely for the foreseeable future in an attempt to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among our team. We would recommend that all PGA Sections follow our lead in this area. The SCPGA has begun provding the option for staff to work remotely. We have stressed to our staff how important it is that we continue to operate at an extremely high level to serve our Members and Sections during this period. The SCPGA will remain in daily contact with the PGA of America and Section Business Operations for any updates and changes.
In addition, we have put a travel ban in effect both internationally and domestically. As has the SCPGA. For at least the next four weeks, we also recommend that you postpone any group gatherings you are planning to host. At this time we have cancelled, or postponed, Section activities through April 17th. We will review on a daily basis if a change is needed.
And most importantly, stay close to what your state and local officials advise for your area. In addition, with the PGA Tour event cancelations, the corresponding qualifying events are also cancelled.
PGA Member Assistance Program
People are understandably concerned about their health, jobs and future. During these unprecedented times, the PGA Member Assistance Program provides confidential, professional counseling and online services for a wide array of personal and well-being concerns. We encourage you to remind your fellow Members they can seek help at resources.pga.org. In addition, online guidance on preventive health and safety measures we can all take are available from the CDC.
This situation is evolving in real-time and we all need to help be a part of the solution and then a big part of the recovery. Our sport is incredibly well positioned to do that as we have in our society in many other times of need. Let’s keep very open lines of communication as this situation continues to evolve.
Don’t hesitate to contact any one of us at the Section. Our direct phone line numbers are posted with our staff photo on scpga.com. If we are not in the office at the time of your call, leave a voice message and that message will be transferred through our email system.