So, I’m in. I’m in the PGA PGM program. I’m committed. I decided late in my Level 1 to switch from the 3.0 program to the 3.1 program. The subtle differences in the program didn’t matter much to me, but the thought of being one of the first in the country to complete the new program was intriguing. The thought of being able to mentor some of those following behind me was very intriguing. One of the things I didn’t really consider was the length of time between when I finished my Level 1 portfolio and got it approved, and when the bookwork for Level 2 became available. In essence, I was ahead of the program.

Five months. I had to wait almost five months for the books to come out. I finally got the email in late June and I bought them immediately. When I say immediately, I mean within minutes. I stopped at an account where two of my guys were doing a fitting event, and I paid for the books right there. I knew from my Level 1 experience that I needed to get into a seminar as soon as possible, so I booked that at the same time. I couldn’t wait to start. My seminar was at the end of August, so I had two months to prepare.

The timing couldn’t have been much worse. Or better. On the one hand, I knew what I was doing over the Fourth of July weekend. My PAT, however was scheduled for July 7th. I probably should be practicing. Perhaps foolishly, I wasn’t too worried about the PAT, and I was very eager to get rolling on my bookwork. I decided I could do both. Practice a little bit when it’s light out, have some dinner while I finish my Callaway work, then read until sleepy time. I thought I’d chip away at it a little bit at a time. All good intentions seem to go by the wayside….

The reading was interesting to me. Working in Sales for Callaway, completing the coursework on the golf Operations section was on my radar. This section is about retail, buying and merchandising. There was a section on Turfgrass management, and focusing on the relationship with a Superintendent. Finally, the teaching and coaching sections. I wasn’t sure how I felt about reading about that part within days of my PAT. My thought was to read the other stuff and push the T&C readings off until after the PAT. There was a lot to read and I didn’t think it would matter anyway.

I read a few sections, then a few more. I had a practice round scheduled for July 2nd, and it got rained out after a nine holes. I read all day on July 3rd. Then more on July 4th. I finished the non-T&C reading. The thought of being done with my level 2 bookwork was intriguing. I stayed up late and got it done on July 6th. My bookwork took me eight days.

I passed the PAT on the 7th on my first try. I couldn’t wait for the seminar.

The Seminar was in Frisco, TX. Frisco is just outside of Dallas, and Texas was really hot in August, 2023. Temps above 110 were routine. Even the lows were in the mid 80’s. I was staying in a hotel in town. I flew in and out of Houston. Yep Houston, not Dallas. I wanted to go to an Astros/ Yankees game on Friday after the seminar, so I booked in and out of Houston. Fights were great, but it’s a 5+ hour drive to Frisco. I was slow getting bags and a car, so it was 10:00pm before I even got on the road. I made it to Frisco at 2:30am. I was exhausted. I had to be at PGA HQ by 7:30 am. 15 minute drive. I had to eat breakfast and Iron my clothes. This was going to be a short night. Note to self… NEVER fly in and out of Houston when you are going to Dallas.

The new Headquarters for the PGA of America are awesome. It is a spectacular place. It’s a state of the art Golf facility , instructional facility and workplace.

Greeted by the token Rolex clock when you walk towards the front door.

Scrolling names inside the building for all the guests in the building that day (this meant me and my class for the five days we were there).

A little night time golf on the par three course with some classmates. We played as fivesomes and had some crazy games going on. I played 20 holes in 3-under par. We had a GREAT time!!

We sat through a press conference where Zach Johnson announced his Ryder Cup picks.

Kinda cool that I got to pose for pictures with the Ryder Cup and the Wanamaker Trophy (for the PGA Championship) in the same calendar year.

My class… I’m third from the left in the second row. I met a lot great people – very high quality professionals.

The class was great. Instructors were great. The Golf Ops classes were informative, but easy for me, given my background. The Teaching and Coaching… The classes were easy, and super informative, but when we went outside to stand on the range in the 108 degree heat, I thought I was going down. There wasn’t a cloud in 1000 miles. Haha. I survived. The sessions really opened my eyes. I very much enjoyed the T&C sessions.

After I finished my reading, I started on the Teaching and Coaching part of my portfolio. I had it done when I got there, but I had visions of having to re-do it once I sat through the classes. I made an effort to work on my Portfolio each night. I was secretly hoping to have my portfolio done when I left Frisco. I realized that my T&C sections were fine. I also realized that there was waaaay too much to do to finish in the evenings while I was there. I did manage to get five of the eleven activities done, but I still had six to go.

I spent six weeks of not getting too much time to work on my portfolio. My goal was to get one activity done each week. it took six more weeks to be able to submit it, but it didn’t work out quite like that. I did a couple in one week, then nothing for a couple weeks. Two in a weekend, then one on a weeknight, then another. Holy smokes, I’m done!! I spent another week reading, re-reading and proofreading. Make a few tweaks and changes. Add a detail here or there. finally, on October 18th, I thought it’s as good as it’s going to get. Send it!! So, I did. And the waiting game begins…

Ironically, I submitted my Level 1 portfolio on January 18th. I was notified of its approval on February 2nd. I remember refreshing the grades section on my education portal over and over again while waiting to hear about my Level 1 portfolio… A watched pot never boils, young man.

I knew Level two was going to take some time as well. I was confident that I had done a good job, and I told myself to be patient I checked often in the first few days, then I looked at the schedule to see what seminars were coming up to try to give myself a hint at when I might see some grades. It didn’t help or matter. LOL. I thought November 2nd would be cool (like the last time). That day came and went. So did the 9th. Finally, as I got to November 13th, I knew it had to be this week, since there is a 30 day window. Monday, nothing… Tuesday, nothing, until… I was on my way to a Sabres with my son. I get a ding on my email. Activity 1… 20/20. Activity 2… 14/15. 3… 14/15. Three grades in 7 minutes. It was 257 pages long. I seriously did too much work, but I didn’t want to leave anything to chance. 4… 18/20. 5… 30/30. Feeling good. 6… 25/25. Activity 7… 28/30. I’m doing the math. How many points have I lost? 6? It only takes one dud to not pass. 8. Superintendent interview… Big one. 45/45. 9. Merchandising. Easy one for me. 35/ 35. Nine grades in about a half hour. It was pretty clear that the instructor liked my Golf Ops work. My mind is fast forwarding to the T&C section. I’m not a teacher, so if there was a chance to have to do a re-do, it was there. 10… 18/20. 11… 29/30. I lost 9 points on the Golf Ops side. Out of 275 possible points.

T&C Activity 1 comes in. 10/10. I wasn’t surprised. This is on Technology. I use technology every day, this was a lay up for me. T&C Activity 3 comes in. What happened to #2? That was the one I was most worried about. 22/25 on Activity 3. Still going strong. If I bombed Activity 2, I could still have to re-do it. That would be a problem since it’s an outdoor lesson, and it’s mid-November. The grades stop. I need one more. I’m wearing a hole in the refresh button. Finally about an hour later, T&C Activity 2 comes in… 48/50. I passed. 346/360. Portfolio approved. On to Level 3!!

I got a very nice note from the Instructor who graded my portfolio:

Your portfolio has been approved and all of your requirements for Level 2 are met. Please contact membership in your portal to register for Level 3. Your portfolio was extremely well done and a true example of your expertise. We look forward to seeing you at a Level 3 seminar soon.

This was rewarding to receive this feedback along with the grades. I can’t wait to get started on Level 3.

This level was easier than Level 1. The work was enjoyable in both, but more so in Level 2. I loved going to the seminar and learning in person, meeting my classmates, and being in and around the PGA of America HQ. I have kept in touch with several classmates, and I hope to see some at the Level 3 seminar in the end of January. Upon completion of Level 2, the Level 3 bookwork was not yet available. And so, the process begins again.

jy