Tournament Schedule Update – Events in May Cancelled
With continued uncertainty on the upcoming golf season and concerns on health and safety related to COVID-19, the PGA of Alberta has decided to cancel all tournaments in May unfortunately. The tournaments being cancelled will not be rescheduled to a later date in the season to prevent overloading the schedule in later months. The following list of tournaments have officially been cancelled:
Golf Supply House Series (1-day) @ Brooks GC on May 4th
Team Match Play Championship South @ Country Hills GC on May 11th
Team Match Play Championship North @ Sturgeon Valley G&CC on May 13th
Golf Supply House Series (2-day) @ Cardiff G&CC on May 19th & 20th
The Team Match Play Championship will be cancelled completely. We will not be doing a blind draw or any other format.
The PGA of Alberta will continue to evaluate tournaments in June and beyond to ensure we are making informed and responsible decisions with regards to everyone involved in the tournament program. More information will be released to the membership in the coming weeks as we continue to receive new updates regarding the golf season in Alberta.
Please note the important updates below:
Withdrawal - You will automatically be withdrawn from the tournaments mentioned above if you were registered. Refunds - If you paid for a tournament in May, your entry fee has already been refunded.
Payment Processing Date - The payment processing date for tournaments has been delayed to May 22nd. The office will not process any payments until that point pending we have an official start date.
Registration - Members are still able to register for future tournaments online. In the event a tournament gets postponed/cancelled, your registration will either transfer to the new date if postponed or you will be refunded if cancelled. Click here for the Tournament Eligibility Form.
Registration for the 2020 Play Ability Tests (PAT) are now open! Take note of the PAT schedule by clicking the button below. Please pass this information on to anyone interested in becoming a member of the PGA of Alberta at your facility! For more information on the steps to become a member, please refer to the PGA of Canada Membership Roadmap.
About the PAT… The PAT is standardized testing all Applicants must pass in order to be eligible to apply for membership. All prospective Applicants are required to register with the PGA of Canada prior to registering for a PAT in 2020. Once an application has been accepted, the PGA of Canada will notify the PGA of Alberta office that there is a new Applicant who will be attempting a PAT. The PAT’s are conducted by the Zones.
Prospective members must meet the following entrance requirements:
Be 18 years of age
Have a high school diploma or higher
Currently work in the golf industry
Complete a police check with Sterling BackCheck Online
Pass a sanctioned Playing Ability Test
PAT Target Score...
1 round PAT
No maximum number of attempts per year
All PAT’s are open to all Applicants
For Men, 49 years of age & under - the course rating plus 9
For Men, 50 years of age & older - the course rating plus 11
For Women, 49 years of age & under- the course rating plus 13
For Women, 50 years of age & older - the course rating plus 15
New PAT Process... Step 1 - Register online at pgaofcanada.com - The cost is $325 plus tax, which includes your 1st PAT attempt and is valid for one year from the date of the registration. After a year, you must re-register as an Applicant to register for and attempt a PAT.
Step 2 - Register online at pgaofcanada.com for all PAT’s - ($150 per each additional attempt)
If an Applicant is unsuccessful in each of their PAT attempts over the course of a season, those Applicants may try again the following season. Successful Applicants will pay membership dues for the upcoming season at that time.
Click herefor more information on the application process and the steps that need to be taken after becoming a member.
Education News
Open Forum Discussion #2
After last week’s success of our inaugural "Open Forum Discussion", the PGA of Alberta has decided to run a second “Open Forum Discussion” Webinar session on Zoom on Friday, May 1st at 11:00AM for up to 25 members . Furthermore, planning has begun to run an Assistants’ specific Zoom discussion next week, so, stay tuned for updates to come on this new initiative.
Lack of communication and socializing with your peers’ are just but a few of the side results of the ongoing COVID-19 situation. The PGA of Alberta would like to help with that by trying to incorporate a little more normalcy and socialization into our daily lives. This initiatives purpose is to share ideas and bring members together that are separated by social distancing, work closures, geography & other restrictions and organically generate some authentic conversation.
This second session will continue with the open discussion on "best practices on managing COVID-19 issues at your facility". After last week’s session, a follow up survey was sent out to participants to gather input on topics of value moving forward and this process will be repeated. The max capacity for this discussion will be 25 members to try and encourage an atmosphere of inclusivity that everyone is able to participate within comfortably.
PGA of Canada News
PGA of Canada Launches Deferred Education Payment Plan
The PGA of Canada has launched a flexible payment program to support Apprentices continuing their Training Academy requirements and Class "A" members looking to pursue further professional development.
“We recognize that many members are under immense financial pressure right now,” says Chief Innovation Officer Matt Allen. “Our goal is to alleviate the immediate financial barrier to education so that Apprentices and Class “A” members are able to continue their professional journeys in a flexible and customizable manner."
Here’s how the deferred payment plan works:
Members are asked to make a down payment of $25 for asynchronous courses and $50 for live-instructed courses. Payment of the remaining course fees will not be required until December 1, 2020, and can be done incrementally or in full at any time leading up that date.
When you register for a course, the total applicable fee will populate in the ’Amount’ field. You can edit the amount you would like to pay upfront within this field as long as it is equal to or above the listed minimum payment (see image below).
An invoice will be generated within your PGA of Canada member profile showing the outstanding amount, which can be paid in any frequency (e.g. weekly, biweekly, monthly, etc.) through the same process prior to December 1.
Please note:
The existing Training Academyrefund policystill applies
Deferred payment is available for all course registrations prior to July 1.
The PGA of Canada believes education lays the foundation for success and hope this solution offers you the opportunity to continue learning and growing as a PGA of Canada professional. If the aforementioned does not meet your needs, please contact the PGA of Canada Education team so they can try and find an alternative way to best support you.
April Issue of PGA of Alberta Magazine Highlights Industry Messages
The April issue of the PGA of Alberta digital magazine the “Golf Report” is now live! The magazine features many stories including a message from PGA of Alberta Executive Director & NAGA - Alberta’s President Robert Rousselle who makes a convincing case of why golf may be just what everyone needs right now.
Other topics include a look at a potential "new normal" where golf courses opening would be more than possible and a review of recent events and interviews with stakeholders on potential consequences.
PGA of Alberta Mentorship Program – Become a Mentee
With everything currently transpiring in the golf industry due to COVID-19, we would like to offer additional support to members by opening the PGA of AlbertaMentorship Program(separate from the PGA of Canada Mentorship Program) to all interested Apprentice Professionals in the Association as well as any Class A members that would like to be assigned a Mentor with more experience within the industry.
About the Mentorship Program… The PGA of Alberta Mentorship Program provides guidance and direction to new members of the Association. Developed in conjunction with the Assistants’ Board of Directors, the objective of the Mentorship Program is to create a group of Members who are passionate about their careers, the industry and Association, leading to long-term commitment to the golf industry.
Expectations of our Mentors…
Commit to the Mentor/Mentee relationship for a minimum of 2-years
Be accountable for their Mentee and provide continuous support to you on an ongoing basis as needed
Set parameters of the relationship with you and create a plan for goals/objectives on what both parties want achieved
Top 100 Points… All Mentees will receive 3 Top 100 points for their involvement in the Mentorship Program. These points are awarded annually in September. All Mentees must attempt to be involved in the program and submit an evaluation form at the end of the season before receiving points.
Contact... If interested in being assigned a Mentor, please contact [email protected] at the PGA office for more information. Mentors are assigned based on several factors including geographical location to the Mentee. Please ignore this message if you have already been assigned a Mentor this year.
PGA of Canada News
New PGA of Canada Partnership Provides Retail E-Commerce Solutions for Members
Amid the growing economic impact of COVID-19, the PGA of Canada is pleased to partner with Matchplay Golf Marketing to offer a professional, affordable and fast solution for members looking to take their retail operation online.
“Golf courses are facing many unique challenges right now, including the inability to reach their customers through traditional means,” says PGA of Canada CEO Kevin Thistle. “We are proud to offer a timely, cost-effective opportunity for our members through Matchplay Golf Marketing, a great Canadian company that has a proven track record of providing innovative business solutions to facilities across our country and abroad. To supplement this initiative, the PGA of Canada will also conduct an online campaign encouraging golfers to support their local clubs."
Matchplay, known for their industry-leading marketing and communications efforts, has developed a fully responsive, golf-specific e-commerce platform that is customizable for both private and public golf shops.
At a time when golf courses are struggling with inventory, a digital pro shop allows clubs to engage customers immediately and offers long-term flexibility as facilities navigate beyond the effects of COVID-19. It also provides clubs with the opportunity to employ PGA of Canada professionals to assist in merchandising through this difficult employment period.
Education Committee - Dissolution & Reapplication Process
After another strong & successful year, the Education Committee would like to announce that the Committee has officially been dissolved and is commencing a new application process. If you wish to be considered for the 2020/2021 Education Committee, please submit a brief cover letter stating why you wish to be involved and a summary of your contributions to the Education Committee (or other Committees’) in recent years.
An active wait-list of members interested in joining the Education Committee will also be invited to submit a cover letter outlining their motivations for joining the group. All submissions should be sent to Aaron McKay ([email protected]) before the deadline of April 20, 2020. The new Committee will be announced by May 4.
Responsibilities The Education Committee shall meet as a Committee up to 4-times per year and at the call of the Chairs for:
Spring Seminar
PD Series
Buying Show Education
Further education development that works within the scope of the PGA of Canada curriculum
The Chairs will provide a report on Committee activity at each Board of Directors meeting even if no formal Committee Meetings have taken place.
Top 100 Points - Each member will receive 5 Top 100 points for being a part of the Committee (see more information here).
With the first year of the Top 100 Program presented by Foresight Sports Canadain the history books, the Association looks forward to building on the successes to further recognize members for their dedication and commitment while continuing to advance their careers through professional development.
New for 2020, the Top 100 Program will now reward points for attending education seminars/sessions or volunteerism within the golf industry at non-PGA of Alberta administered initiatives. For example, if a member attends an education event or volunteers with another golf organization, they will be eligible to receive Top 100 points for this.
All requests for points for non-PGA of Alberta administered initiatives must be submitted through the Extracurricular Approval form on the website. Some examples of outside education/volunteerism acceptable for Top 100 points will include (but not limited to):
Education Workshops must be administered by golf related organization OR if run by non-golf related organization, must be relevant to the golf industry
PGA of Canada Training Academy courses not eligible for points
Industry Volunteer at non-PGA of Alberta administered initiatives (Golf Clinic, Tournament Support, Junior Programs, etc.)
Must not be compensated in order to be eligible for Top 100 points
*Please note that PGA of Canada education (Tee Talks Live, CDC, CNC, Webinars, etc.) is already eligible for Top 100 points with submission of form (required education through PGA of Canada Training Academy courses not eligible for points).
Any submissions made using the Extracurricular Approval form may be accompanied by supporting documentation that verifies your participation in the activity described.
Please note that Top 100 points earned from PGA of Alberta events/initiatives are automatically added to member totals and do not require a submission using this form.
Cash Prizes We are excited to expand our program this year by adding a new Presenting Sponsor mentioned above. With this new partnership, the PGA of Alberta will now be offering 3 additional cash prizes for a total of 10 at a value of over $5,200! The annual award will be given out at the Awards Banquet during the PGA of Alberta Buying Show to the member who accumulates the most points.
