AJGA Blog

#RulesSchool: School's out!

On Saturday, 22 full-time AJGA staff members took the PGA/USGA Rules of Golf exam. The exam was the culmination of hundreds of hours of studying and #RulesSchool over the last few months.

During the exam (which is graded by a scan-tron... similar to what you'd see taking the SAT or ACT), attendees fill out an extra answer sheet so that they can self-grade following the test. After everyone has completed the test, the instructors go over the test and participants self-grade with their extra answer sheets so that they can immediately know their score. In 2-4 weeks the official scores are graded and confirmed by the USGA and mailed back to the participants. 

All that said -- while we won't know "officially" how all the AJGA staff did for a few more weeks, unofficially the average score of the AJGA staff was a 92.4! (That's .4 above the 92 required for the highest level of PGA/USGA Rules certification!)

Over the last month, I've introduced you to several of my friends in the Operations Department that were working toward the exam, and this morning I asked them to sum up their experiences for you...

"I am very proud of how well the tournament directors represented the AJGA at this year’s PGA-USGA Rules of Golf Workshop. It was a very successful three and a half days culminating in the operations team doing very well on the exam. This is only the beginning of the staff’s rules education, but we are off to a great start. We look forward to seeing everyone on the course as well-prepared rules officials."

        -Andrew Greenfield, AJGA Director of Rules and Competition, who gave us a run down of a typical day in "in-house" #RulesSchool. 

"Rules school was a huge success. It is a great feeling to watch those who have worked so hard to achieve their goals cross the finish line. Now, the operations department can officially switch gears and get ready for tournament season."

        -Chris White, AJGA Senior Tournament Director, who blogged about in-house #RulesSchool preparation, advice on taking the PGA/USGA Rules of Golf exam, and his own goals in taking the test another time. 

“Whew. After a long 3 days of school and a full morning of testing, Rules School 2013 is over! I’m happy to say, with the intense preparation of the AJGA before last week, the help of co-workers studying at night, and the knowledge of our fantastic instructors, I reached my goal for my first year! I’m excited I can now relax for a while…but I’m ready to get back in it and obtain the coveted 92% in 2014!”

        -Blair Thompson, AJGA Tournament Coordinator, who blogged about her experience as a first-year participant at "in-house" Rules School.

The AJGA staff weren't the only ones that had "in-house" #RulesSchool to help them prepare for success at the PGA/USGA Rules of Golf Exam. Scott Hipp, Tournament Chairman at the AJGA Girls Championship, has worked with the AJGA for many years, and through conversations with AJGA staff learned about the AJGA's study program. Hipp was sent a few of Andrew Greenfield's practice exams and used them to help her study the rules and decisions over the last few months.

"This is the seventh time I've taken the test," Hipp said when I asked her about her experience using the "in-house" #RulesSchool practice tests on her own. "But this is the first time that I feel like I know everything." 

In talking with Hipp, she also made a statement that I've heard mentioned over and over from the AJGA staff I've talked to about #RulesSchool, and something that could possibly be the best thing to remember as we end this series... 

"The rules school is good, but now you need to go on and apply them."

While the AJGA has already run three tournaments this year, and are running two this weekend in Texas and Florida, the full spring and summer schedules of #AJGA2013 are just around the corner. With #RulesSchool in the past, everyone is getting prepared and excited for the start of the season, and we all can't wait to see you when we're out there on the road! 

What tournament are you most looking forward to this year? What are some of your favorite events you have participated in over the last few years? I'd love to hear your answers -- give @AJGAGolf a shout on Twitter and use the hashtag #AJGA2013, and maybe you'll be able to find out a few our staff favorites too. 

 

Until next time --

Alexis (@AJGAWitman)

 

 

#RulesSchool: Almost done

For weeks, I've been telling all of my friends in the Operations Department that I was going to make it over to #RulesSchool to see what it was really like. Yesterday, that dream became a reality when Greg (one of my co-workers in the communications department) and I ventured over to Château Élan to sit in on the workshop for a little bit. 

In just the half an hour I had the opportunity to sit in on sessions about ground under repair and casual water, I learned quite a few things.  I can only imagine the amount of knowledge one can glean from taking part in three entire days dedicated to the Rules of Golf. 

Here are a few photos I grabbed during my visit: 

(Interested in seeing some more photos from #RulesSchool and a few from the reception the AJGA hosted on Wednesday night? Check out our Facebook album.)

And here's a quick video that Greg put together that does a GREAT job of showing you a little bit of what it's like at #RulesSchool--

 

In less than 24 hours it's time for the big Rules of Golf exam! Having the opportunity to talk to so many in the Operations Dept. about the exam over the last month leaves me feeling both very nervous and very excited for them. 

On Monday, I'll have a complete wrap up of all things #RulesSchool for you, including an interview with Scott Hipp, Tournament Co-Chairman of the AJGA Girls Championship, who used some of the AJGA's in-house Rules School preparation material to study prior to attending the workshop this week. 

As it's almost the end of our series on #RulesSchool, make sure you reach out to me on Twitter with any last questions you have about the Rules of Golf or the AJGA's preparations to take the Rules of Golf exam. 

 

 

Until then --

Alexis (@AJGAWitman)

#RulesSchool: From USMC to SRO

"#RulesSchool is Now in Session" is a series where you’ll get an opportunity to check out some of the things going on here at the AJGA as our Operations staff prepares for the PGA/USGA Workshop on the Rules of Golf and the USGA Rules Exam. In addition to a “behind the scenes” look at our preparations, you will also have the opportunity to reach out to us via social media to ask your own questions about the Rules of Golf.

At AJGA events, it’s easy to see the staff serving as Rules Officials all over the tournament course. You might find them helping a junior with relief options for a water hazard, answering questions about course marking, encouraging pace of play, and many other tasks. What you may not see is the Senior Rules Official supporting all of the AJGA staff Rules Officials out on the course. A Senior Rules Official is someone with a vast knowledge on the Rules of Golf that works to help the AJGA staff with any questions they might have. Having a Senior Rules Official, or “SRO” as you might hear them answer to, strengthens the AJGA’s on-site rules team, helping make it the best it possibly can be.

Last week, Morgan Seeley, a Partnership Coordinator here at the AJGA, had the opportunity to talk with one of the AJGA's Senior Rules Officials, Gary Albin. Last summer, Morgan worked as a Communications Intern on the West Coast, and worked with Gary quite a few times at events in California. Gary has a pretty interesting story of what he did before golf, and how he got into the game, and I’m excited to share with you a little of the Q&A that Morgan and Gary had… Enjoy!

How did you get into golf?

“As a marine pilot, I spent five years flying the presidential helicopter for Carter and Reagan.  While in the military, I never really felt like I had enough time to play golf, and where I grew up in Idaho, there weren’t many golf courses around and it wasn’t a big sport.  I started golf way to late in life to get very good, and right now I’m still right around a bogey golfer, but I am happy with that. I got into the rules of golf because I wasn’t ever going to be a very good player.  This way I could get out on some good courses and watch good players that could really play.”

What made you decide to be a Senior Rules Official?

“Being a Marine Corps pilot, we always had a lot of rules that we had to follow.  To be a good pilot, you had to know a lot of emergency procedures, FAA rules and all these different policies, so I was always a real straight-arrow type person and enjoyed knowing and following the rules.”

 “Golf is a game that is governed by the individual player, rather than someone coming up and jumping out the trees to call a rules violation on you.  You either have to call it on yourself or on your fellow competitor that you are playing.  It is always nice when you can help somebody before they make a mistake and explain and teach them what they need to do to avoid penalty.”

 How did you get involved with the AJGA?

“After six years with the SCGA [Southern California Golf Association], I started volunteering at other events. There was a request from the AJGA to the SCGA for an SRO that I volunteered for.  The first event I worked was probably eight to 10 years ago at Mission Hills with Tommy [Tangtiphibootana].  After that, Tommy kept asking me and adding a couple other tournaments in the area, and I just got more involved with the AJGA.”

Why is it so important to stress rules at the junior level? 

“You have to start somewhere and I think the junior program is the best place to do it because once they get to the collegiate or professional levels there are too many other things on their mind. There is no reason to be a great golfer and pick up a lot of penalty strokes while doing it.  Plus, the philosophy of the game of golf traditionally has been to follow the rules and if you don’t start using them at an early age, how can you really feel for the tradition of golf?”

 

Today is the day! It’s finally the start of the PGA/USGA Workshop on the Rules of Golf. It feels a little empty in the office with all of the operations staff away at the workshop, but after talking with so many of them these last couple of weeks about their preparations and studying, I’m excited to see how everything goes. Tomorrow afternoon a few members of the communications staff are heading over to check out the workshop for ourselves. Make sure you check back here, on Twitter, and on Facebook to see some photos and other coverage of #RulesSchool.

-Alexis (@AJGAWitman)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#RulesSchool: The "100 Club"

If you ever have the chance to visit the AJGA's headquarters, you'll find the operations department on the first floor. While you might get overwhelmed with working your way through the mazes of cubicles and get lost looking at the various golf paraphenalia that sits on desks through the department, there's a special plaque on the wall that I encourage you not to miss...

.... The One Hundred Club

The plaque reads: 

Hear ye hear ye

Be it known that an inscription on this resplendent plaque, 

yielded from the finest oak in the land,

is reserved for the man or woman who successfully

navigates the PGA/USGA rules exam with a faultless score of 100. 

Here we encounter an ever lasting celebration

of what so many have attempted but so few have achieved. 

Beneath those words are the names of the four AJGA Tournament Directors that are members of the "100 Club." 

Andrew Greenfield (L) and Jeremy Freyman take a moment to commemorate their 100s.

I asked Jeremy Freyman, who scored a 100 in 2011 what it meant to him to have achieved that score.

"The ultimate goal of attending the USGA/PGA Workshop on the Rules of Golf is to expand our Rules knowledge and prepare ourselves for the upcoming year. Achieving a score of 92 or better on the exam is an added bonus and achieving a perfect score is the icing on the cake."

On Saturday, all the hard work and dedication of the AJGA Operations staff will culminate in the taking of the PGA/USGA Rules of Golf Exam. Regardless of what score they achieve, the Rules knowledge that they acquired over the last few months of #RulesSchool will be invaluable on the road this year. However, when all the scores are tallied, maybe one or two more tournament directors will be able to have that "icing on the cake" perfect score. 

So from me here at the AJGA Blog, to everyone out there that's embarking on this #RulesSchool journey tomorrow -- GOOD LUCK! 

-Alexis (@AJGAWitman)

#RulesSchool: Study Break

"#RulesSchool is Now in Session" is a series where you’ll get an opportunity to check out some of the things going on here at the AJGA as our Operations staff prepares for the PGA/USGA Workshop on the Rules of Golf and the USGA Rules Exam. In addition to a “behind the scenes” look at our preparations, you will also have the opportunity to reach out to us via social media to ask your own questions about the Rules of Golf.

It’s finally the week of the USGA/PGA Workshop on the Rules of Golf! All the AJGA Operations Staff is working hard to get in many extra hours of studying before the big test on Saturday morning. Some even spent hours over the weekend studying for the big exam…

On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, AJGA Operations Staff, along with many other golf industry professionals from all over the US, will participate in sessions conducted by the USGA and PGA. After the day-long sessions, the AJGA staff continues to study and discuss the rules and decisions long into the evening. Needless to say, it’s going to be a big week for the operations staff here.

When I was in college and had a big exam to study for, I liked to take a quick “study break” every once and awhile to give my mind some time to relax before diving back into the material. I was thinking that perhaps a study break is just what a lot of my co-workers in the Operations Department might need today.

So, I present to you, your Monday afternoon #RulesSchool study break, featuring a few of my favorite golf videos from the last couple of months.

We’ve all seen the “Golf Boys” video from last spring featuring Bubba Watson, Hunter Mahan, Ben Crane, and Rickie Fowler, but have you seen their “opposite-hand” quarterback competition?

 

Speaking of the “Golf Boys,” a few years ago, five of our members, Cheyenne Knight, Courtney Dow, Taylor Coleman, Emily Gillman, and Kristen Gillman, joined forces in Texas to create their own “Golf Girls” video.

 

This last weekend's Waste Management Phoenix Open featured a lot of great study break worthy moments. In the first round, we got to see a few caddie races out on the 16^th hole...

 

And if the caddie races on No. 16 weren’t enough for the fans, yesterday, after birdying the hole, James Hahn celebrated “Gangnam Style.”

 

I hope you enjoyed this #RulesSchool study break, but for many here at the AJGA, it’s already time to get back to the hitting the books. This week, we’ll have lots of #RulesSchool coverage for you on our Twitter and Facebook pages and here on the blog, so be sure to keep an eye out for that.

Did you make your own “Golf Boys” spoof? Do you prefer to celebrate your birdies with another popular dance move? Send your favorite funny golf videos to me on Twitter – I’d love to take a look!

Alexis (@AJGAWitman)

 

#RulesSchool: The work is just beginning

"#RulesSchool is Now in Session" is a series where you’ll get an opportunity to check out some of the things going on here at the AJGA as our Operations staff prepares for the PGA/USGA Workshop on the Rules of Golf and the USGA Rules Exam. In addition to a “behind the scenes” look at our preparations, you will also have the opportunity to reach out to us via social media to ask your own questions about the Rules of Golf.

As the last of our special guest blogs before the week of #RulesSchool is here, we have a post from Andrew Greenfield, the AJGA's Director of Rules and Competitions. In his guest blog, Andrew breaks down in-house #RulesSchool, and gives us all a sneak peak of exactly what goes on in the boardroom every morning. Enjoy! 

It is crazy to think that I am in my ninth year of conducting the AJGA’s in-house rules school for the tournament operations staff. Every year the AJGA’s tournament directors get together immediately following the Polo Golf Junior Classic and spend six to eight weeks reading, discussing, analyzing, testing and studying the Rules of Golf. This is a very important time for the AJGA as these weeks are crucial in the staff’s preparation for the upcoming tournament season. While the short term goal might be to make a certain score on the Rules Exam, the true reason for the hours and hours of work on the Rules of Golf is to become better rules officials.  

A typical day in-house rules school session is as follows:

8 – 8:30 a.m.: 10 question quiz on the rule(s) of the day. The quiz entails multiple choice and true/false questions along with the need to write out the definitions for the day. It is so important to learn all the definitions as they are the foundation of the Rules of Golf.

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.: Reading the Rule(s) of the day, discussing and highlighting key points within each Rule and relating the Rules to rules officiating techniques and tournament administration. I will quiz tournament directors on the decisions relating to the day’s Rule(s) to test their knowledge and listen to their thought process.

9:30 – 10 a.m.: Complete index exercises. These five-question exercises focus on training the staff on how to use the Decisions Book and how to find Rules and Decisions quickly. This is helpful for the exam and for on-course rules officiating.

After each in-house rules school session, the tournament directors will spend between 1-2 hours during the day studying the Rules of Golf and probably the same amount of time studying after work hours.

Once the PGA-USGA Rules of Golf Workshop is complete and the last question on the Rules exam is bubbled in on the scantron, the AJGA staff will get a day or two to relax, but the work is not over. The tournament directors will review the Rules of Golf daily in preparation for the tournament season and their roles as rules officials. Daily meetings will take place to discuss unique Rules situations and how to prepare the new intern class for the spring and summer tournaments. The AJGA prides itself in the service it provides on the course to its members by having as many qualified rules officials as possible.  

Next Wednesday, the PGA/USGA Workshop on the Rules of Golf officially begins! With the end of our rules related guest blog posts, I wanted to give another quick thank you to Chris, Rob, Blair, and Andrew for giving us this inside look at in-house rules school. Even though we don't have any more guest blogs on the topic, we still have a lot of great rules content for you during next week's festivities.  To start, if you follow along with the #RulesSchool hashtag on Twitter, you'll be able to catch up with a few of our tournament directors, and others involved, as they tweet and talk about the experience. 

Until next week! 

Alexis (@AJGAWitman)

 

#RulesSchool: There's a first time for everything

"#RulesSchool is Now in Session" is a series where you’ll get an opportunity to check out some of the things going on here at the AJGA as our Operations staff prepares for the PGA/USGA Workshop on the Rules of Golf and the USGA Rules Exam. In addition to a “behind the scenes” look at our preparations, you will also have the opportunity to reach out to us via social media to ask your own questions about the Rules of Golf.

Every January, the AJGA welcomes new tournament coordinators. All of have worked as summer operations interns, and many have worked second summers as tournament assistants, giving them a good grasp on what it takes to succeed in their new position prior to their start. However, when these new tournament coordinators begin their first weeks of full-time work at the AJGA, they experience something that they’ve never done before at the AJGA – in-house Rules School. In today’s guest blog, Tournament Coordinator Blair Thompson gives us a little insight on what it’s like to be attending in-house Rules School for the first time.

It’s 7:59am and all the members of the AJGA Operations Department are seated in the board room with pencils in hand. At 8:00 a.m. sharp (don’t be late unless you want to provide breakfast for everyone the next day), our daily quiz begins on the rule that we covered the previous day. For months leading up to the PGA/USGA Rules of Golf Workshop and exam, the Operations staff meets from 8:00-10:00 a.m. to go over the 600+ pages of rules and decisions. This is all in preparation to score the coveted 92% on the Rules of Golf Exam and have the honor of being the highest level of certified rules official by the PGA and the USGA.

Last summer, as a tournament assistant, I attended the Rules of Golf Workshop and took the exam, but this is my first year as a full-time staff member and attending the in-house “Rules School” at the AJGA. The AJGA’s preparations for the Rules of Golf Exam are unlike any other golf organization. Andrew Greenfield, our Director of Rules and Competition, leads class each day, covering a different rule, the decisions that follow, and one or two definitions.  It is our hope, that by the beginning of February, we are prepared for the 3.5 hour, 100 question exam. And even if we don’t achieve the 92%, we are still prepared to serve as rules officials this spring and summer on the road. 

While I’ve only been in rules school a few weeks now, I can already see how much this helps on the way to that passing score. The ability to talk thru rules and questions with others, and breaking up the rules day by day, instead of cramming, gives the AJGA representatives an edge when it comes to taking the test. The test however won’t be easy. Last year, as I walked out of the exam room, I remember thinking, “That was the hardest test I’ve ever taken. College exams have nothing on the Rules of Golf Exam!” 

When I walked across the stage at my college graduation last May, I didn’t foresee any more tests and scan-trons in my future…but I stand corrected. I have officially studied more and harder for this, than many tests in college. While I’m nervous for the big day in three short weeks, I’m excited to be expanding my golf knowledge and spend time interacting with others who love the game as much as I do. Be sure to check back on the blog for more updates on Rules School and how the AJGA Staff is making progress to reaching a 92%! 

 

One week from today is the start of the PGA/USGA Rules of Golf Workshop here at Château Élan. Here in the AJGA Communications department we’ve got a few more cool #RulesSchool things up our sleeves, so be sure to stay tuned for those. Until next time…

 

Alexis Witman (@AJGAWitman)

 

#RulesSchool: One More Week

"#RulesSchool is Now in Session" is a series where you’ll get an opportunity to check out some of the things going on here at the AJGA as our Operations staff prepares for the PGA/USGA Workshop on the Rules of Golf and the USGA Rules Exam. In addition to a “behind the scenes” look at our preparations, you will also have the opportunity to reach out to us via social media to ask your own questions about the Rules of Golf.

AJGA Senior Tournament Director Chris White has one last guest blog for us today. Two weeks ago, Chris talked to us about what the AJGA's "in-house" rules school program look like, and last week, he gave us some tips for studying for the exam. Chris wraps up his guest blogging duties with some final thoughts as tournament directors begin their last full week of in-house rules school preparations.

We only have one more full week of preparation before we’re at the actual workshop and preparing for the real test. As one of the teachers in our in-house Rules School, I’ve got multiple things going through my mind at this point.

On one hand, I’m excited for all of the AJGA staff who are preparing relentlessly and are striving to achieve 92 or higher. Being a part of their journey, their learning, their questions, their understanding; it makes me that much more vested in each and every person’s score when they do take the test.  It makes me almost more anxious to hear what each of them scored at the end of the day, then my own personal score.

On the other hand, I have my own goals and my own scores to achieve. After years of 98s and 99s, there is only one number remaining that eludes me. I want the renowned, legendary, celebrated, (insert superfluous adjective of your choice here) “100”. While I have zero doubt in my understanding or education of the rules after years of studying, listening, learning and asking questions; the “100” puts a sort of exclamation point on your career, preparation and reputation.

So, as the workshop approaches, and with it the test itself, know that while everyone is getting ready, everyone has different goals and different things they’re hoping for. Some numbers higher, some the highest; some lower and some just excited to be taking the test for the first time and get a better understanding of what is to come in their very young career. No matter what, everyone is there to better themselves and learn and better the great game of golf.

If you didn't have a chance to check it out on Friday afternoon, make sure you take a look at this awesome video - which gives you just a little taste of what it's like to be at the AJGA's in-house rules school that Chris mentioned in his posts.

 

Coming up this week we have guest posts from Blair Thompson, a first year tournament coordinator, and the AJGA's Director of Rules and Competitions Andrew Greenfield (that's him explaining a few rules in the video).

All this talk about #RulesSchool prompted me to pull out my Decisions on the Rules of Golf book this morning and take a few minutes to flip through the pages, and in the process I gained even MORE respect for everyone studying for this exam.

Do you have a "favorite" rule or one that always perplexes you? Reach out to us on Twitter and tell us about it, and don't forget to use the #RulesSchool hashtag. 

-Alexis W. (@AJGAWitman)

#RulesSchool: Here's some Advice

"#RulesSchool is Now in Session" is a series where you’ll get an opportunity to check out some of the things going on here at the AJGA as our Operations staff prepares for the PGA/USGA Workshop on the Rules of Golf and the USGA Rules Exam. In addition to a “behind the scenes” look at our preparations, you will also have the opportunity to reach out to us via social media to ask your own questions about the Rules of Golf.

Last week, in our first guest #RulesSchool post, we heard from AJGA Senior Tournament Director Chris White. Chris told us a little bit about what it's like to be at the AJGA studying for the USGA Rules Exam. Today, Chris passes along some valuable advice to those who might be getting ready to take the USGA Rules Exam for the first time. Even if, like me, you're not currently studying for the exam, reading Chris' blog gives me even more respect for my co-workers who are working really hard to try and ace this test. Enjoy! 

This year at the PGA/USGA Rules Workshop I’m sure there will be countless “first-timers” taking the test (including almost 10 from the AJGA). As the assistant professor to our in-house rules school, I have a few words of wisdom to pass along. Hopefully these will help prevent an overwhelming feeling that is very easy to come by:

Prepare, prepare, prepare

- If you come into the workshop and open a brand new, never-been-opened Rules Book – that is a perfect recipe for that overwhelming feeling I mentioned in the first paragraph. The workshop is very thorough and intense, but if you don’t have a “foundation” already laid – a general understand so to speak – then 80% of what is taught is going to fly right over your head.

- Blue pages and definitions. When you look at the Decisions Book, it can be somewhat intimidating; it a large book with endless decisions, exceptions and very minute details. Just starting out, you want to walk before you run, and that is where the “blue pages” come into play. The “blue pages” are the actual Rules of Golf, and you should learn those inside and out the best you can. Further, the definitions go hand-in-hand with that. If you can get a good understanding of those two areas before the workshop, you’re setting yourself up for success.

During the workshop

- Listen and absorb as much as you can, but don’t go in thinking you are going to understand/learn/even hear everything that the instructors say. They cover a lot and answer a lot of questions, so don’t worry if you miss a point here or there. Sometimes it even helps if you cancel out the questions – sometimes they might confuse you more.

- Don’t be the “what-if” guy: During the workshop, after each rule there is an opportunity to ask questions in case individuals need further clarification. However, this is not a time to come up with the most crazy, hypothetical ruling you’ve ever heard of/encountered/or can think of. Trust me when I say others in the class aren’t going to be excited. Referring to my preparation segment, don’t worry about the “what-ifs” – focus on the blue pages.

During the test

- Prioritize your time. Know ahead of time that the open book is going to take you longer than the closed book portion of the test, for the simple reason that looking up questions takes time. Thus have a game plan of how long you MUST have the closed book done by and train yourself to be able to meet that time, so that you don’t feel rushed.

- Don’t get hung up on any single question. The longer you spend on one question the less time you have for the rest of the questions. Also, the longer you spend on it, the more it is going to linger in your mind, even after you move to the next question and beyond – which is bad. Each and every question needs your full attention. If you aren’t sure of an answer and can’t figure it out, put your best guess and then mark it to come back and look at once you’ve finished the rest of the questions.

GOOD LUCK! 

The PGA/USGA Workshop on the Rules of Golf is just around the corner, and here on the AJGA Blog we still have lots of great #RulesSchool content coming your way. Next week, we'll have a final post from Chris White as he takes us through the last full week of studying, and we'll also hear from Blair Thompson, a first-year AJGA Tournament Coordinator. As always, we'd love to have your feedback via Twitter, so don't be afraid to reach out to @AJGADittmer and I with any questions or comments you might have. 

-Alexis Witman (@AJGAWitman)

 

Crisp Service: AJGA board member honored

By Amanda Herrington, AJGA Communications

At any given AJGA event, you can find professional golfers, experienced rules officials, national golf journalists and executives from top golf manufacturers. The AJGA serves as a leader in the game, bringing together experts from all facets of the golf industry.

On the AJGA Board of Directors alone, there is an assortment of industry leaders including Emily “Missy” Crisp, a former USGA Executive Committee member. Crisp joined the AJGA Board of Directors in 2005 while still serving on the Executive Committee at the USGA. A lifelong golfer since the age of five, Crisp jumped at the opportunity to bring a USGA perspective to the AJGA.

“The USGA talked about how we could be more engaged, more proactive, more supportive of the AJGA’s endeavors,” Crisp said. “By joining the board of directors at the AJGA, we could partner more productively than we had previously.”

Crisp’s presence at the AJGA has not been limited to the board room. A nationally accredited rules official, Crisp has offered her services as senior rules official at AJGA Invitationals. She has officiated at the ANNIKA Invitational three times, and the 2012 Polo Golf Junior Classic marked her fourth visit to PGA National Resort & Spa.

“This group of youngsters is very encouraging to the future of golf,” Crisp said. “They are extremely well-trained, thanks to the AJGA, and are versed on the guidelines, rules and regulations. It is delightful to watch the tremendously high level of sportsmanship, camaraderie and their respect; respect for one another, respect for the rules and respect for the game.”

Crisp is being honored with the Metropolitan Golf Association’s Distinguished Service Award for her impressive record of volunteer service that spans 25 years. With her unfailing support of the AJGA and her unrivaled love for the game, there is no one more deserving of this prestigious honor.