Monte Koch Named Pacific Northwest PGA Career Consultant

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The PGA of America announced today the repositioning and strengthening of its PGA Career Services department. To better serve employers, PGA Members and individuals seeking to gain employment within the golf industry, PGA Career Services has increased the size of its professional staff, while adding innovative new resources and tools designed to promote jobs in golf nationwide.

The renaming of PGA Career Services—formerly known as the PGA’s Employment Department—reflects a shift in emphasis to help golf industry professionals over the entire span of their careers. To accomplish this new objective, the number of PGA Career Consultants was expanded from 10 to 18—and their individual territories are now more focused. This affords the career consultants an opportunity to spend more time in their respective coverage areas. PGA Member Monte Koch will serve as the PGA Career Consultant for the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain PGA Sections.

These changes were inspired by the PGA’s Long-Term Strategic Plan and the importance the Association is placing on increasing resources at the Section level. The PGA is committed to making sure that PGA Members and golf industry professionals are prepared and equipped to advance their career path to the highest level.

“Having 18 PGA Career Consultants in the field, all with great experiences in different parts of the golf business, gives them a chance to spend more time building relationships with golf course owners and operators, and better understand their hiring needs in all facets of the industry,” said John Easterbrook Jr., PGA Chief Membership Officer. “We know that the best work is done at the local level, where our Consultants can really understand the needs of an area then communicate what they’ve learned back to us at the national level.”

The new-look PGA Career Services Department also has added a wealth of resources and innovative job-finding tools designed both for individuals seeking employment in the golf industry and for employers looking to find the most qualified candidates. This is highlighted by the launch of a newly enhanced job board. Intended for positions at golf facilities and within the industry at all levels, the web-based employment portal offers increased ease of use for both employers and applicants.

Additional resources available through PGA Career Services include career consulting, resume review and job placement outreach, among others. Leading the repositioned Career Services Department is Scott Kmiec, Senior Director of Career Services for the PGA of America. Don Sweeting, PGA will serve as the Director of Career Services for the East Region; and Tim Marks, PGA will serve as the Director of Career Services for the West Region.

With more than 25 years in golf, Koch got his start as a greenskeeper at the City of Portland’s Heron Lakes Golf Course. After graduating from the PGA Golf Management University Program at New Mexico State University, Koch moved to the Northern California PGA Section (NCPGA) where he worked at several facilities, serving in several roles, including General Manager, Director of Golf and Head Golf Professional.

While in the NCPGA, Koch served as a Director for the Section, including two years each as Secretary, Vice President and President. Koch was honored with the Section’s Bill Strausbaugh award in 2008, followed by its Golf Professional of the Year Award in 2011.

Below are the 18 Career Consultants, with the PGA Sections in their coverage areas:

· Jason Boaz, PGA – Illinois; Wisconsin

· Jeff Drimel, PGA – Iowa; Minnesota; Nebraska

· Monte Koch, PGA – Pacific Northwest; Rocky Mountain

· Ken Ferrell, PGA – Aloha; Southern California

· Keith Fisher, PGA – Kentucky; Northern Ohio; Southern Ohio; Western NY

· Kelly Gilley, PGA – Northern Texas; Southern Texas

· Jonathan Gold, PGA – Metropolitan; New Jersey; Philadelphia

· Kathy Grayson – South Florida

· Bruce Lubach, PGA – Southwest; Sun Country

· Mike McCollum, PGA – Georgia; North Florida

· Michael Mueller, PGA – Carolinas

· Michael Packard, PGA – Central NY; Connecticut; New England; Northeastern NY

· Carol Pence, PGA – Northern California

· Todd Smith, PGA - Michigan; Indiana

· Keith Soriano, PGA – Colorado; Utah

· Greg Stenzel, PGA – Middle Atlantic; Tri-State

· Doug Turner, PGA – Gateway; Midwest; South Central

· Kevin Walls, PGA – Alabama-NW Florida; Gulf States; Tennessee

For more information on the PGA of America, please visit www.PGAMediaCenter.com.

Contact:

Michael Abramowitz PGA of America (mabramowitz@pgahq.com) 561/624-8458

Jared Minski Mastro Communications (jared@mastrocomm.com) 732/469-5700

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