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The PGA of America Statement from Ted Bishop

Over the past few months The PGA of America has taken a vocal and active position which reflected the strong viewpoint of our PGA Professionals in opposing the USGA and R&A’s proposed Rule 14-1b that would ban the anchored stroke. Today, the governing bodies indicated that they will proceed with the formal adoption of the rule.

We are disappointed with this outcome. As we have said publicly and repeatedly during the comment period, we do not believe 14-1b is in the best interest of recreational golfers and we are concerned about the negative impact it may have on both the enjoyment and growth of the game. Growing the game is one of the fundamental purposes of The PGA of America.

Although we do not agree with the decision, we applaud the USGA for its willingness to listen to our concerns and engage in meaningful discussions. In our opinion and based on our experience, the USGA treated the comment period for what it was intended to be — a time to exchange opinions, concerns and potential solutions.

We should also note that our difference of opinion regarding 14-1b should not in any way detract from the healthy relationship we have had with the USGA for nearly a century.  Together, we have taken tremendous steps for the benefit of the game we both love and serve and we will continue to work together through the ongoing mutual support of Get Golf Ready; Tee It Forward; the Boys & Girls Clubs of America; the First Tee, Drive, Chip and Putt Championship; 9 is Fine; and critical pace of play issues. Let us not lose sight of the fact that The PGA and the USGA agree far more than we disagree.

We also want to note that our conversations and meetings with the USGA over these last few months have resulted in our mutual agreement to engage in a leadership conference no less than once a year to discuss our strategies and concerns and see where and how we can continue to improve the game together.  In addition, we look forward to working openly with the USGA in order to ensure that on an ongoing basis, our inclusion in the Rules-making process is as meaningful as possible.

At this point in time, The PGA will digest the USGA and R&A’s decision to proceed with Rule 14-1b and discuss this matter with our Board of Directors, PGA Sections and, of course, our 27,000 PGA Professionals throughout the country. Our Board will convene in late June during our PGA Professional National Championship and at that time, we will decide how best to proceed. In addition, we will continue to confer with the PGA Tour as they similarly digest this information.

In the meantime, we will immediately do what we do best — teach the game.  Since the end of November, The PGA Instruction Committee has been working on a process whereby our PGA Professionals can help with the transition from anchored putters to a non-anchored stroke in anticipation of this decision. Our PGA Professionals have always embraced our role as problem solvers when it comes to making the game better and more enjoyable for those who play it.

Ted Bishop, PGA

38^th President

The PGA of America

Join us Monday May 13 from 9:00AM – 12:00PM at Ko Olina Golf Club for an Educational Teaching Seminar with 2011 PGA TEACHER OF THE YEAR – Mike Malaska.

Mike Malaska’s passion for sports scopes his entire life. His love of the “game”, his competitive nature accompanied by his born ability for athletics set the cornerstones for the many accolades received by him and Malaska Golf. Before the rest of the instruction world started to take note, Mikes’ worldwide reputation of excellence based itself on the commitment of understanding all the physical aspects of the body and the golf swing. This ongoing pursuit has lead to an unsurpassed level where athletes improve swing mechanics and sequencing of the body by stretching, strengthening and conditioning programs backed by cutting edge analytics provided thru leading edge technologies.

 
Mike Malaska’s knowledge of the golf swing, as well as his philosophy and expertise at incorporating physical fitness and nutrition programs into his golf instruction, has made him a leader in the teaching profession since 1976. This nutrition/fitness combination became Jack Nicklaus’ personal regiment and in 1991 Mike began his career with the Nicklaus/Flick Golf Schools. The culmination of Mikes physical aspects of the game and the Nicklaus Flick teaching philosophy successfully united and evolved into what is today the world renoun Nicklaus Academies.

 
During 2003 he was the lead instructor with the TaylorMade/ESPN and Jim Flick Golf Schools. Presently, Mike has taken golf to another level with his teaching programs and lessons under the Malaska Golf title which was originally organized in 1995. Today Mike works with beginners, juniors, women, golfers of all levels, and tour players. Mike also continues to serve as a corporate consultant for TaylorMade/Adidas Golf.

 
As Director of Instruction for the Jack Nicklaus Golf Centers in Japan from 1992 – 1995, Mike was featured in Golf Digest Japan and was nominated for “Teacher of the Year in 1993″. He is currently the Director of Instruction for Nicklaus Academies Worldwide and instructs the teachers at each center the fine art of golf instruction. Mike’s desire to understand and perfect the golf swing has made him an outstanding player as well. Mike competed in a number of PGA and Champions tour events, including the 1988, 2009, and 2010 PGA Championships, and the 1982 and 1986 U.S. Opens. He has also won numerous Championships. In 1996 he was named “Utah Section Teacher of the Year” and was just named “South West PGA Section “Teacher of the Year “in 2010. Mike has been a guest lecturer for corporate functions throughout the U.S. as well for the “PGA National Coaching and Teaching Summits” and has appeared a number of times on The Golf Channel as a guest instructor. In 2004, Mike completed a year-long production effort and produced his own DVD, “You Are Your Own Swing”, featuring 2 hours of both golf and fitness instruction.

For more information about this upcoming event please contact the Section Office.

 
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Congratulations to TJ Kua for winning the 55^th MID-PACIFIC OPEN. Results from today’s tournament are listed below.

PROFESSIONAL 

SENIOR-PRO 

CHAMPIONSHIP 

SENIOR-AMATEUR 

A-FLIGHT 

B-FLIGHT

1366522374 503.679104478 665 441.679104478 665

Pairings for the final round of the 55^th MID-PACIFIC OPEN have been set by the committee with the leaders teeing off at 9:00AM. After smashing the course record yesterday with 62-swings TJ Kua retained his lead over Dean Wilson by four shots. Both players posted another exceptional round today finishing the course in 67-swings. Wilson started the back nine this morning with a bogey on #11 and #13 while Kua got busy with birdies on both holes. Their battle would continue on the front nine as one player made birdie, the other would respond. 

Wilson and Kua will be joined tomorrow with Championship flight leaders, John Oda and Kalena Preus. Oda and Preus both shot 71 today but Preus remains in the lead of Championship flight by two shots. Their 9:00AM foursome will be the crown pairing for the final round of the 55^th MID-PACIFIC OPEN.   
  In the Senior-Professional Casey Nakama and Billy Bomar are still tied at 227 and will continue their play-off tomorrow with another 18-holes tomorrow. The two are schedule in a foursome at 7:50AM off the 1^st tee.

Our A-Flight leader David Long is 8-shots ahead of Layne Tanaka, Paul Glen and David Ishikawa who are all tied at 245. While Wendell Kop will match-off with Jon Ichimura tomorrow at 7:50AM. Kop is only one swing a head of Ichimura at 245.

The preparations for the final round are under way as we anticipate another gorgeous day in Lanikai tomorrow. Spectators are welcome to follow our leaders but must walk. The committee will have LIVE HOLE-BY-HOLE scoring for the leader groups listed below so stay tuned for highlights of the final round. 

TOURNAMENT REPORTS — CLICK ON LINKS BELOW  

LIVE HOLE-BY-HOLE SCORING – Leaders ONLY

FINAL PAIRINGS FOR ROUND #4 

FULL FIELD SCORING – ALL FLIGHTS

OFFICIAL CUT NUMBERS

MID-PACIFIC OPEN  - FINAL ROUND

ROUND #4  — PAIRINGS