Hi, everyone.
Throughout the past year I have been working towards regaining my status as a PGA golf professional. My friends here at Titleist have been extremely supportive throughout this process and I’m very grateful for their encouragement. I’m also indebted to a number of PGA Professionals here in the New England Section who generously passed along their knowledge and gave of their time to help me along the way.
Thanks in very large part to this support, I’m happy to report that as of August 1st I’ve been reinstated as a Class A member of the PGA.
It’s a great honor to be counted again among the more than 28,000 men and women golf professionals in the PGA. I’m looking forward to working even closer to the game, expanding my own knowledge and expertise and sharing some new experiences with the Team Titleist community.
And looking back, I do have a quick story from the journey that I’d like to tell…
As part of reinstatement, I needed to make up a number of Member Service Requirement (MSR) credits. PGA professionals fulfill these requirements in 3-year cycles by taking part in continuing education and service activities that build professional skills, grow the game and serve our local communities.
As I started looking into MSR opportunities, I was very fortunate to meet Bob Beach, the Head Golf Professional at Braintree Municipal Golf Course in Braintree, Massachusetts. Bob and his wife, Cathleen are legends here in New England for their dedication to helping people with mental and physical challenges through the game of golf. (In 2013, Bob received the Patriot Award, an national honor presented by The PGA of America to PGA Professionals who personify patriotism through the game of golf and demonstrate unwavering commitment and dedication to the men and women who have served and protected the United States of America.)
Bob invited me to serve as a volunteer at the clinics he runs at Braintree Municipal for Golf For All, an organization he co-founded. GFA (http://www.golfforall.org) is dedicated to providing free accessible golf programs for children and adults with Autism and Autism-spectrum disorders, and others facing physical, emotional, or cognitive challenges, including our U.S. Military Veterans.
(Above: Bob Beach (left) at last year’s season-ending Special Olympics tournament. That's me on the far right with medal-winner Tim, the unofficial Mayor of Braintree, MA.)
Joining this group was a humbling and rewarding experience. My duties were very simple — I’d tee golf balls up for the participants, help them address the ball and encourage them as they hit shots on the range or putted balls on the practice green. But the joy they felt and gave back to me was an eye-opener and it reminded that golf can be much more than just a game. It was a privilege to spend time with these new friends and I certainly received much more than I ever gave.
The experience has inspired me to continue volunteering. Bob also runs some clinics for U.S. veterans on Wednesday nights at Granite Links GC, a great facility built around an old quarry just outside of Boston. I’m looking forward to lending a hand at some of these clinics, too.
I’d love to hear from others out there in Team Titleist. Has golf made you aware a cause that’s now close to your heart? How has getting involved made a difference in your life? Thanks for any thoughts.
In closing, there are many people I need to thank, but I’d like to extend special thank-yous to Mike DePaolo, Liz Valicenti, Abby Liebenthal, Karen Gray, Chris O’Rourke and Alex Stimpson of Titleist. I’m also very grateful to PGA professionals Bob Beach, Bill Safrin, Mark Ashton, Mike Bemis and J.P. Connelly, as well as Joan Stuart of the New England PGA.
All the best,
Rick