Comprised of 267 PGA Golf Professionals dedicated to growing the game of golf and using the sport’s resources to positively impact the surrounding community, the Northern Chapter PGA is one of four PGA Chapters in the North Florida Section.
The mission of the chapter is to provide “world class” professional golf events to its members and guests on the chapter’s premier golf courses, promote competition among chapter professionals and to provide an atmosphere that helps build camaraderie among amateur guests and sponsors.
“Basically, the goal is to promote the game of golf amongst members of all the clubs, and to develop relationships so we can keep this great game going,” said Jack Aschenbach, Secretary of the Northern Chapter. “That’s pretty much our goal in life.”
In the coming months the Northern Chapter intends to heighten its efforts to promote community pride within the Chapter’s geographic area through new initiatives such as Habitat for Humanity. This spring dozens of volunteers from the organization will lend their time to build new homes. The chapter will also continue its work with children at the Wolfson Hospital through its “Putting on Smiles” campaign where chapter members pay a visit and put on a light-hearted golf tournament with plastic putters and balls.
The chapter also works as a liaison between players, sponsors and companies that live, work and do business in the territories it’s a part of.
PGA Professionals from the Chapter take part in a year-long series of programs such as PGA Free Lesson Month which takes place in May. The Northern Chapter makes a concerted effort to properly educate its professionals so they can carry out the mission of the PGA of America.
On the competitive side, the Chapter is the driving force behind a competitive tournament schedule that consists of Pro-Am events and strictly professional tournaments contested on some of the Chapters’ best layouts, including the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. Throughout the year, PGA Professionals and amateurs compete in various events with differing formats including stroke play, match play and even a tournament utilizing the stableford scoring system.
The organization’s Web site has recently been retooled, and anyone interested in reading about the Northern Chapter can visit www.nfpga.com. Online resources include a listing of the chapter’s officers, a tournament schedule and the most recent news.
ABOUT THE NORTH FLORIDA SECTION
A non-profit organization founded in 1979 and one of the 41 sections that makes up the PGA of America. The North Florida section is the fourth largest in the PGA, geographically comprised of the 41 counties from Tallahassee to Jacksonville in the north and North Port Charlotte to Melbourne in the south.
2009 PGA North Florida Section Northern Chapter Pro Am / Major Events Schedule
January
WGV King & Bear Pro Am / January 14, 2009
February
Amelia National Pro Am / February 9, 2009
Underwood Cup / February 2009
March
San Jose Pro Am / March 30, 2009
April
Pablo Creek Pro – Pro / April 6, 2009
May
Palencia Pro Am / May 1, 2009
June
Windy Harbor Pro Lady / June 3, 2009
July
Chapter Championship TPC / July 6 and 7, 2009
August
Stableford Ponte Vedra Inn / August 12, 2009
Gate Open / August 23 – 25, 2009
September
Chapter Shootout Eagle Landing / September 28, 2009
Amelia Invitational / September 13 – 15, 2009
October
Amelia River Pro – Pro / October 14, 2009
November
Sawgrass Pro Am / November 2, 2009
December
End of Year Pro Am / TBA (Awarded to Professional of the Year)