PGA Presidents Message – Jonathan Garron, Abercrombie CC
PGA Presidents Message – Jonathan Garron, Abercrombie CC
On behalf of the 175 PGA Professionals employed at over 70 facilities throughout Atlantic Canada, the PGA Atlantic wishes all golfers and operators a great beginning to their 2020 golf season.
Entering my second year as the President of the PGA of Canada Atlantic Zone, I am extremely honored and very proud to work with a dedicated Board of Directors as we advance many programs and services for the benefit of PGA Professionals and the golfers that they interact with.
Needles to say, this is a unique season. As the usual beginning to the golf season rolled around there was much uncertainty as golf courses remained closed.
The Atlantic Allied Golf Associations including the PGA Atlantic, Atlantic Golf Superintendents Association, NGCOA Atlantic Chapter, Golf Canada Regional and the four Atlantic Provincial Golf Associations combined efforts to prepare for a safe opening of our golf courses. Their work with governments and health officials throughout Atlantic Canada ensured that proper guidelines were in place and approved thereby allowing facilities to re-open. Their tireless efforts were monumental to our return to activity. Thank you.
Once our doors reopened there seems to be a real buzz around the industry. Many facilities are seeing a spike in participation which will bold well for the game moving forward. With increased participation this is a great opportunity for those who are new or are returning to golf to reach out to your local PGA Professional for help on improving your game. Your PGA Professional is there to not only help with your game but to also ensure that you have the proper equipment or to simply just talk about the game.
In addition to hosting a number of great events for PGA Professionals, the PGA of Canada Atlantic continues its commitment to offering events supporting junior and amateur golfers including the Sunice Pro-Junior held at Abercrombie, the PING Junior Tournament of Championships held at Amherst and the Callaway Team Championship also hosted at Abercrombie.
Unfortunately, it was necessary to cancel the Cobra Puma Spring Pro-Am at Cabot. This great event is typically the launch to our season with the social aspects and camaraderie being second to none.
The remainder of the season still poses a great deal of uncertainty. It is the intention of our association to offer as many of our regularly scheduled events as possible. This will be dependent on the current regulations and protocols at the time ensuring the safety of all who participate.
The PGA Professionals in Atlantic Canada are committed to supporting Prostate Cancer initiatives through PGA Day with over $75,000 raised in the past. Usually held in June, this year’s events will be scheduled later in the season.
In addition to the PGA Atlantic Partners noted above, I thank all of our additional partners including Dormie Workshop, Sysco, Golf Supply House, TaylorMade, Chronogolf, Adidas Golf, Veseys Equipment, and Golf Trends.
For more information on PGA Atlantic activities, events and programming, please visit the PGA of Canada Atlantic Zone website (www.pgaofcanadaatlantic.com).
Although there will still be some challenges moving forward this season with everything that has gone on in the world, please remember to support the game you love and be patient as we all get through this together.
I would like to close by wishing my fellow PGA Professionals and all golfers throughout the region a very fun and exciting 2020 season! I encourage all of you to enjoy our game a little more this year.
Cheers,
Jonathan Garron
President, PGA Atlantic
Director of Golf, Abercrombie Country Club