b'on attracting and recruiting theThe PNGA mission remains more committed than regions elite amateurs to participateever: Dedicated to preserving the true spirit of golf by in our PNGA championships, whilesupporting its member associations, conducting quality retiring the net events and leaving the administration of those types ofchampionships, and promoting activities beneficial to competitions to the state and provincialgolfers in the Pacific Northwest region of North America.golf associations. This shift not only eliminated redundancy and oversaturation but also aligned with our commitment togolfing community. Volunteer opportunities continue maintaining high-caliber regional amateur championships.to abound at our championships. And by design, PNGA By prioritizing the participation of top players bothchampionships are drawing more elite-level amateurs from regionally and nationally, we provide them with anhome and abroad.additional avenue to accrue significant points for the WorldWhen we embarked on the journey to reshape our Amateur Golf Rankings or to qualify for national, regional,organization, and though we did so with great care to respect or state competitions. the traditions and history of the PNGA, none of us were The decision to contemplate change was significantlyimmune to the trepidation that was inevitable to the job. So influenced by the championship initiative, but otherit is with great optimism that we can report all indications to important factors also necessitated a reassessment of thedate are that weve done the right thing. PNGAs governance model. This included evaluating whetherThe most exciting evidence of that is the recent the PNGA should remain an association primarily of golf clubsannouncement of the Montana State Golf Association in the Pacific Northwest or whether it should forge strongerjoining the PNGA family. Montana has already played a role connections with state and provincial golf associations.in the history of the PNGA. In 1899, Butte Country Club was This consideration raised the possibility of creating aextended an invitation to attend the inaugural meeting of the new governance structure where these associations played aPNGA, while in 1913 the PNGA Championship for both men more central role.and women was held there. Extensive discussions took place both at the GovernanceIt is tempting to assume that the organizational changes Committees meetings and through frequent, ongoingthat were made have enabled this happy turn of events, communications involving all stakeholders, including statealbeit 125 years later.and provincial golf associations, the PNGA Board, and itsThe PNGA mission remains more committed than ever: executive leadership.Dedicated to preserving the true spirit of golf by supporting Over a year of thorough deliberation made it evident thatits member associations, conducting quality championships, the optimal solution involved a transformation of the PNGAsand promoting activities beneficial to golfers in the Pacific framework. The focus shifted from being an associationNorthwest region of North America.of golf clubs and their representatives to a collective ofThis narrative would be incomplete without recognizing associations, namely British Columbia Golf, Idaho Golfthe other members of the Governance Committee whose Association, Oregon Golf Association, and Washington Golf.talents, experience, and wisdom guided the process. They This restructured PNGA would have a Board of Directorsare, in no particular order, Dr. Jack Lamey (PNGA past consisting of each associations President, Executive Director,president), Cliff Shahbaz (PNGA past president), Mary and a specially appointed member. ODonnell (PNGA past president), George Jonson (PNGA Board This significant organizational change was ratified by themember and treasurer), Jeanne Link (PNGA Board member), outgoing PNGA Board of Directors towards the end of 2020,Shari Jacobson (PNGA director of membership and club leading to the formation of the new Board we have today.relations), and Troy Andrew (PNGA executive director).While these moves are significant from an internal standpoint, theyve had little noticeable impact on thePeter Fibiger filled in for this issues Publishers Essay. He average PNGA member and the benefits we enjoy. Theserved as PNGA president during the process of transforming the Pacific Northwest Golfer magazine continues to deliver qualityassociation, guiding the committee to move the association into content to the doorsteps and electronic devices of overthe future. For 12 years he also served as the chairman of the 120,000 members four times a year. Electronic newslettersPNGA Communications Committee, which included overseeing continue to keep us informed on items of interest to ourthe success of this Pacific Northwest Golfer magazine. MAR 2024|PACIFIC NORTHWEST GOLFER9'