April 2012

Fellow Members & Apprentices,

Thank you to all the Members and Apprentices that attended our Spring Meeting in Las Cruces at New Mexico State Golf

Course. If you were not there you missed a very informative and open meeting. Some very frank discussions about where we are financially as a Section, along with the challenges we face and the opportunities available to us. I believe the meeting marks a re-set for the section and sets straight the fact that to be successful we all have to participate in section programs and if we do, it will not only benefit the section but also golf in our area and us as individual members.

Along with the finances of the section, we covered programs that we currently have going. I ask each of you to look at ways to contribute through the Golf Marathon, the Golf Pass and the SC Junior Tour. If 100 of our 180 members and appren-tices participated in the Golf

Marathon, raising a minimum of $500, sold 10 Golf Passes from their facility and encourage 5 more junior to join the Junior Tour it would have a $127,500 impact on the bottom line of the Golf House. For those of you who attended the Spring Meeting you understand that this is quite significant. Addi-tionally, the funds can then be used for programs that will di-rectly effect golf in the Sun Country and bring more busi-ness to our individual courses. And yes, it can also help in-crease our tournament purses! Please help your section im-prove by getting involved. We are an association and any as-sociation is only as good as the members who support it!

The rest of this letter is dedi-cated to Matt Williams, our Ex-ecutive Director. As many of you have heard by now, Matt has accepted a position with the Kansas City Golf Associa-tion. Although we are disap-pointed with his departure, we are happy for him and his fam-ily, which by the way had a new addition on March 8th, a new daughter Reese Jilleann. I

From the Desk of the President would like to thank Matt for his hard work here in the Sun Country. In his short tenure he accomplished a great deal in helping purchase and create the Sun Country Golf House, became the first combined ED for the SCPGA & SCAGA, started new revenue programs that will create financial stabil-ity to the Golf House for years to come and has created a positive and progressive at-mosphere at the Golf House and between the two associa-tions.

Obviously Matt will be a busy man over the next several months but please give him a call and thank him for his work here in the section. Thanks Matt and good luck in your new position!

Until next time….Get out and PLAY!

Grant Dalpes, PGA Sun Country PGA President

Contact Us Sun Country Golf House * 2316 Southern Blvd SE, Suite C * Rio Rancho, NM 87124

505.897.0864 * Fax: 505.897.3494 * www.suncountrygolfhouse.com * info@suncountrygolfhouse.com

Sun Country PGA Newsletter Presented by Antigua Golf

Page 2

MATT LEAVES TOWN SUN COUNTRY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TAKES

NEW POSITION AT KANSAS CITY GOLF ASSOCIATION

Update Your Instruction Information!

Did you know we offer free advertising of your teaching services on our website? When

we get calls from beginners or parents wanted to get lessons for their children, we

send them to our Instructors page.

Click here to complete the survey. If you’re already on the page, take a quick look and

make sure your info is up-to-date. Fill out the form to make your changes or just email them to info@suncountrygolfhouse.com.

Have a Junior Golf program? Send us the info on those too!

Most of you have probably heard, but the Sun Country Golf House is losing its Executive Director, Matt Williams. Matt has accepted the Executive Director position with the Kan-sas City Golf Association, giving him the opportunity to get a little closer to home. Hav-ing grown up in Northeastern Kansas and attended Kansas State University, Matt will be able to get back to his roots, so to speak. The chance was too sweet for Matt to pass up as he will not only be asked to lead the KCGA, but also the Watson Challenge for Hall of Famer Tom Watson. He’ll also explore the possibility of combining other area golf associations with the KCGA. Under Matt’s direction, the Sun Country Golf House not only came into existence, but also revolutionized the way the Sun Country golf world does business with the programs that were or are being rolled out under his watch. The Golf Pass, Golf Marathon, Golf in Schools and SCAGA incentive program are just a few that, while in their infancy, will be introduced to Sun Country before Matt departs. The SCGH staff, the SCAGA and the Sun Country PGA thank him for laying a solid foundation for success during his short time in our midst, and wish him great success in his new role. Congratulations, Matt!

April is Free Fitting & Trade Up Month

Sign up to participate at

playgolfamerica.com. 2 MSR upon completing the

follow-up survey

Page 3 Sun Country PGA Newsletter Presented by Antigua Golf

2012 SUN COUNTRY GOLF MARATHON UPDATE FROM MATT MOLLOY

Ever play 100 holes in a day? Maybe 36 or even 45, but probably not 100 holes in one day…

Well 2012 is your year!! The Sun Country PGA Section is looking for PGA Professionals to play 100 holes in one day to raise money for the Sun Country Junior Golf Foundation. The Junior Golf Foundation is set up to promote Junior Golf in New Mexico and El Paso, TX and with these funds will help our new golf in schools program for 2012. We raised over $25,000 in our inaugural year in 2011 and have set $50,000 as our goal for 2012.

I played 100 holes last year in just under 9 hours and was even able to play golf the next day. I actually learned that doing vs. thinking is a good thing (i.e. pick a spot and hit to it). We had a great time playing that day and are looking forward to raising more money in 2012. Here is what you need to do.

1. Pick a date (after June 1st)

2. Pick a golf course (Mondays work well for a lot of courses)

3. Get someone to play with - preferably another PGA Pro-fessional in the Golf Marathon

4. Call Dana Lehner at the Section office – 505-897-0864

5. Start advertising and marketing yourself and the fund-raising effort.

Visit www.suncountrygolfmarathon.com to see the new web-site launched this year to maximize your donations. Call Matt Molloy at 505-798-3990 if you have any questions.

Want to see who’s stepping up to the challenge?

Go to the Board of Directors’ blog to see a complete list of marathon participants.

Log into the Sun Country website and click on the “Board Blog” icon at the bottom of the page

Page 5 Sun Country PGA Newsletter Presented by Antigua Golf

April 1 Lance McMillan, PGA Herb Wimberly, PGA

April 2 Jill Trujillo, PGA

April 3 Mark England

April 4 Luke Thompson, PGA

April 5 Dick McGuire, PGA

April 7 Craig Tabet, PGA

April 9 Crae Fields, PGA

April 11 Dave Brown, PGA

April 13 George Brazil

April 14 George Inman, PGA

April 15 Shane Crabtree, PGA

April 19 Mark Zapach, PGA

April 21 Al Forrester, PGA

April 23 Chris Thomas

April 26 Dan Koesters, PGA

April 28 Dominic Curran, PGA Donnie Torres, PGA

April 29 Kent Beatty, PGA

April 30 Bob Lowry, PGA

Sun Country Birthdays

Members on the Move

Transfers Out of the Section Name New Section

Jack Sommers Colorado

Newly Elected Members Name Class Facility

Jason Montoya A-8 Twin Warriors GC

Transfers Into Section Name Class Facility

Steve Ledonne A-4 Pendaries GC

Jeffrey Olisar A-15 Dick’s Sporting Goods

William Woods A-15 Dick’s Sporting Goods New Apprentices

Name Class Facility

Ryan Franklin B-8 San Juan CC

A.J. Keipp B-1 Coronado CC

Tiger Montano B-8 Isleta Eagle GC

Manuel Torres B-8 Coronado CC

Section Events & Pro-Ams

Date Event Location To Enter

April 16 Los Altos Spring Pro-Am Los Altos GC, Albuquerque Pro Shop: (505) 298-1897

April 19-20 Club Car Pro-President El Paso CC, El Paso Pro Shop: (915) 584-0511

April 30 Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Pro-Am Isleta Eagle GC, Albuquerque Pro Shop: (505) 848-1900

May 1-3 The Nike Matches Isleta Eagle GC, Albuquerque www.suncountry.pga.com

May 7 Rainmakers Pro-Am Rainmakers GC, Alto Pro Shop: (575)-257-4653

May 14 Spring River Pro-Am Spring River GC, Roswell Pro Shop: (575) 622-9506

May 21-22 IMG Pro-Scratch Inn of Mntn Gods, Mescalero Pro Shop: (575) 464-7941

Other Events

Date Event Location To Enter May 15 Playing Ability Test Isleta Eagle GC, Albuquerque PGALinks.com (Deadline May 1)

The current 2012 event schedule is available on the website: www.suncountry.pga.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sun Country PGA Newsletter Presented by Antigua Golf

Page 6

TIRED OF WAITING FOR YOUR CHECK? SIGN UP FOR DIRECT DEPOSIT

Did you know that the PGA provides free direct deposit of all your purse winnings (or any other payment) to your bank account? Payments are securely deposited to your account the same day they are issued, so you get your money faster and don’t have to worry about a check lost in the mail.

It’s easy to sign up: just fill out the ACH Direct Deposit form and send it in with a voided check. Forms are available on the member only side of the website and by clicking here.

Any fees related to stopping payment on a lost check will be deducted from the payment be-fore it is reissued. Save time and money by signing up for direct deposit!

Direct deposit payments are also available for your facility. To enroll log on to www.bankofamerica.com/paymode/pgaofamerica today. Should you require personal assistance or have any questions, please contact Bank of America's PayMode service toll free at 1-866-252-7366.

“Doing the right thing is more important than doing the thing right. “ ~Peter F. Drucker

Pro-President April 19-20

El Paso Country

Entry forms available online.

Sign up through El Paso Country Club

Page 7 Sun Country PGA Newsletter Presented by Antigua Golf

REGISTRATION NOW AVAILABLE FOR 2012

SOCORRO OPEN

ENTER ONLINE WWW.SOCORROOPEN.COM

2012 NIKE MATCHES

Championship Bracket— 32 players Senior Championship Bracket—16 players

Deadline: April 27

Register online www.suncountry.pga.com

May 1-3 Isleta Eagle Golf Club

Albuquerque, NM

Lodging Information: Hard Rock Hotel Group code is NIK0412, all rooms and rates are $89.00 per night. Cutoff date of April 27, 2012. Call 1.877.475.3827 or visit hardrockcasinoabq.com.

When you travel, check in at our partner hotel, La Quinta

Inns & Suites. Use the promo code PGASUN and receive