Matt Weinberger, Author at PGA Club Championship

PGA’s 2021 National Club Championship Heads to Palm Springs

August 3, 2021December 3, 2021
by Matt Weinberger

PGA’s 2021 National Club Championship will play host to the country’s top amateur club champions this December in Palm Springs, CA. All amateur champions who win their 2021 club championship, at a course with a PGA Professional, will earn a coveted invitation to the year-end championship. Competition rounds will be held on PGA WEST Stadium Course, Indian Wells Celebrity Course, and Desert Willow Firecliff Course.

“The Southern California Section is excited to play host to the PGA’s 2021 National Club Championship in Palm Springs. We are thrilled to welcome over 600 of the best amateur 2021 club champions from across the country. These courses will be a true test,” said SCPGA President, Robin Shelton.

Do you know a club champion? You can now submit 2021 Club Champions to ensure they receive the invitation to the PGA’s 2021 National Club Championship.

If you have questions about the championship contact Matt Weinberger at mweinberger@pgahq.co

Championship Stories

Nextgengolf opportunities for Club Champions

April 7, 2021April 7, 2021
by Matt Weinberger

The first ever PGA National Club Championship was an amazing event at Pinehurst Resort hosted by Nextgengolf, a subsidiary of the PGA of America. Nextgengolf was acquired by the PGA in April of 2019 and has three business lines that help grow the game of golf in different areas providing a path for amateur golfers to compete from high school to college and beyond.

City Tour

Did you know that you can play Whistling Straits 3 weeks before the Ryder Cup? The City Tour hosts weekend golf tournaments for amateur golfers 21+ in 28 major cities throughout the country. These co-ed, team based events give the opportunity to choose between scramble and best ball formats making it inviting for all skill levels. This year there will be approximately 100 local tournaments, all of which act as a qualifier for the City Tour Championship which will be held at Whistling Straits, 3 weeks prior to the Ryder Cup. There are no handicaps required and you can sign up as a team (4-6 players) or a free agent and we will pair you up. Most teams are groups of friends, co-workers, or club members who team up to represent their golf facility. Check out the local schedule to find tournaments near you to get a chance to be one of the last groups to play Whistling Straits before the pro’s.

NCCGA

The NCCGA (National Collegiate Club Golf Association) provides the opportunity for anyone to play college golf. Whether you attend your dream school or a small local university, over 400 schools have club golf teams that compete in both the spring and fall. Over 93% of high school golfers will not play varsity college golf at any level. Club golf provides every student at any school the opportunity to play and compete. Each season has local tournaments that teams and individuals can compete in leading up to each semester’s National Championship. All swings are welcome in club golf regardless of skill, location or gender. Even if your school does not have a club golf team, students can play as individuals.

NHSGA

There are over 220,000 high school golfers who play nationally each year. The NHSGA (National High School Golf Association) provides national high school golf rankings, showcases tournament results, playing opportunities and provides access to unbiased information on college recruiting, junior golf, coaching, and equipment discounts. The NHSGA also hosts the annual High School Golf National Invitational which showcases the top high school golfers from across the country – Public or private. Small or large. All high school state championship teams, individuals, and their families are welcome at the Invitational. Beyond help for high school golfers and their parents, the NHSGA provides education, events, and conference for high school golf coaches too.

To learn more about what Nextgengolf has to offer for amateur golfers, please visit nextgengolf.org, highschoolgolf.org or reach out to Matt Weinberger at matt@nextgengolf.org.

Championship Stories

What to expect – 2021 PGA National Club Championship

January 13, 2021March 9, 2021
by Matt Weinberger

We are excited for the 2021 PGA National Club Championship at Pinehurst Resort. In preparation for the event, we felt it would be important to explain how the event will be operated given the unique nature of Covid-19. Below you will find the Event Plan as well as the Operational Guidelines with Covid-19 considerations. The PGA team is looking forward to a great event and we are here to help you prepare. Reach out to Matt Weinberger at mweinberger@pgahq.com with any questions.

PGA National Club Championship Event Plan

We are working with Pinehurst in prepartion for the event to follow all guidelines outlined on the Pinehurst Promise page. Additionally, the event will follow Back2Golf, North Carolina state, and Moore County local guidelines. Players, parents, and spectators should consult their state and local guidelines as well as the RDU Airport guidelines for those flying to Raleigh.

Operational Guidelines with Covid-19 Considerations

PGA Staff will be wearing mandated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and will practice social distancing
PPE will be available to participants (hand sanitizer, wipes, and masks). It is encouraged that players bring additional PPE
Social distancing will be a priority for everything done on-site. Gatherings will not be permitted.
Players are asked to use masks/coverings when they are unable to socially distance
Practice rounds will be conducted similar to tee times at a local course. Players may choose to walk if they wish to not share a cart
Registration will be conducted on a rolling basis with no gatherings
All tee gifts will be handed out by a staff member wearing proper PPE
Temperature screenings will be taken prior to each competition round. Players must record a 100.4 degree temperature or lower to be able to compete that day. If players subsequently screen under the required temperature on the same day they will be permitted to compete in a different pairing or with a marker
The event will be paperless with the exception of scorecards. Each player will receive a scorecard of another player in the group and scores will be verbally attested adhering to USGA guidelines. Verbal score verification will take place outside with players standing 6 feet apart from one another in designated standing areas. All rules sheets and other documents will be sent to players electronically prior to tee off.
Players will be receiving lunch gift cards daily instead of prepared food
Scoring will be conducted socially distanced
Spectators must adhere to all social distancing guidelines
- Spectators should not arrive at the course until their player’s tee time.
- Spectators must not congregate before or after their player’s round.
- Spectators are not permitted in any practice areas.
- Spectators are permitted to rent carts (subject to availability) by paying in $35 in the golf shop
- The PGA will not tolerate players or spectators who do not adhere to guidelines put in place. We reserve the right to penalize and/or disqualify players who knowingly, willingly and or repeatedly disregard our policies to promote social distance. Players are also responsible for the actions of their family members or spectators

The PGA staff asks that you take the following precautions:

Please avoid handshakes or physical contact of any kind
Wash hands and use sanitizer frequently
Stay outside as much as possible
Refrain from touching your face, eyes, nose, lips or mouth
Please monitor CDC guidelines for best practices
Please do your best to act in a healthy and responsible manner
If you feel sick please stay home and report any illness to our staff on-site immediately
In the past 14 days if you tested positive for COVID-19 or have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 contact Matt at mweinberger@pgahq.com or (617) 453-8732
If you “test positive” for the COVID-19 virus at any point within 14 days of being at the golf course please contact the PGA Staff

Pinehurst Daily Guidelines

Daily Check-in and Pre-Round

Players are asked to arrive no earlier than 60 minutes prior to their tee time
Upon arrival players must proceed directly to the PGA tent for a temperature screening. Players will receive their competitors scorecard at the check-in tent and competition announcements
Players are asked to be at their starting hole 15 minutes prior to their tee time

During the Round

Rules sheets and pace of play policy will be provided electronically
Players are encouraged to bring their own snacks and water for the course. However, water will be available for players at Pinehurst water stations

After the Round

After scoring is complete, no gatherings will be allowed
Scoring will take place in the official designated scoring area at the PGA tent
Players will verbally confirm scores with their marker and all scoring discrepancies will be handled at scoring
Results will be posted online and the official scoreboard will be utilized at the main resort near Pinehurst No. 2
Once scoring is complete, players will be encouraged to limit any post-round practice.
After the final round awards will be provided in a socially distanced manner

Severe Weather and Evacuation Plan

In the event play must be stopped for a short delay, players will be notified to move to the designated shelter area. In the event of a longer suspension of play, players will be asked to proceed back to the their cars or socially distance in the clubhouse
Emails will be sent out when it is safe to return to the golf course
Due to social distancing guidelines and likely time constraints, practice may not be allowed before the resumption of play

Competitor Travel Guidelines

To protect yourself and others during your trip, you should clean your hands often. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub your hands together until they feel dry
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
Avoid close contact with others (Keep at least 6 feet of physical distance from others).
Avoiding close contact is especially important if you are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19
Wear a cloth face covering in public
Cover coughs and sneezes
Pick up food at drive-throughs, curbside restaurant service, or stores. Do not dine in restaurants if that is prohibited by state or local guidance
Consider traveling with a protective face covering, alcohol-based sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, tissues and a personal thermometer
In the event any player requests a refund due to Covid travel or quarantine restrictions, he or she will be required to submit official documentation to the PGA

Championship Stories

Simple golf tips from PGA coaches create champions

July 23, 2020July 23, 2020
by Matt Weinberger

Bob Harrison, PGA Professional at Clovernook Country Club in Cincinnati for over 40 years, played a very large role in my first and most prized club championship victory. If you walk around Clovernook and talk to members there, they would have nothing but great things to say about Bob. Bob like many PGA Professionals help create champions by offering simple golf tips. This story highlights how Bob made a major impact on my life and helped me to win the club championship.

The night before the semi-final match is something I will never forget. While practicing at the course the day before the event, I “forgot” how to hit my normal draw. We have all been there to one extent or another, but it was a panicked 20 year old version of myself that went to Bob after the round and told him I was lost. Bob, in his normal calm demeanor, said “Matt, let’s walk out to the 7^th hole and hit a few balls.” As I think about this story it makes me think of the Harvey Penick books with simple golf tips I used to listen to on tape with my grandpa as I learned about the game of golf.

We got out to the 7^th hole. At that time, there wasn’t much of a range at Clovernook. Most people taking lessons would hit shots from next to 7 tee down to along the 1^st fairway – I had taken several lessons at this very spot with Bob the past couple years. This time, Bob had something different in mind. We walked up to the 7^th tee instead. The 7^th hole is a hard dog leg left – Bob told me to hit my 3 wood and hit my normal draw. I struggled and continued to block my shots out. He said try something, make yourself feel like you are taking your normal backswing but when you come down, hit the ball at 7pm on a clock and finish coming through the ball at 11pm…something like this:

A close up of a clock

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All of a sudden, I could hit my normal ball flight. As the sun went down and I prepped for the final rounds, I felt prepared. I won the semi-final match a couple up and during the final 36 hole match, I was able to think about the simple golf tip “7 to 11 o’clock” time and time again (no pun intended). On the final hole I won the Club Championship 1 up.

After winning the club championship, I asked Bob where he came up with the 7 to 11 method. He told me something to the effect of “the 7 to 11 didn’t mean anything, it just gave you something to think about so you could play your game.” Bob was such a thoughtful PGA coach and it shows through his ability to think outside of the box to help his players and offer a simple golf tip when they need it the most. PGA Coach Stories like this are plentiful and to this day I cherish the time I had to spend with Bob Harrison.

After writing this article I received the news that Bob passed away on June 4^th, 2020 at the age of 79. I cannot say how great of a man Bob was and how he will be missed by many. It makes me proud to share this story as I know Bob impacted many more in similar ways. RIP Bob