The Philadelphia Assistants Organization (PAO) is off to a great start in 2021! The organization has hosted two terrific events to start off the year with many more to come. The PAO Spring Meeting Golf Event at Whitford C.C. and the PAO Virtual Spring Meeting with special guest speaker Michael Breed. Our main goal is to support our mission statement of engaging assistants professionals with rewarding experiences through networking, education, and tournament competition. To do this, we need your help! Get involved, participate in our scheduled events, and sign up for PAO membership today.

PAO Spring Meeting Golf Event

The PAO kicked off their tournament season on a cool, overcast day with their PAO Spring Meeting Golf Event at Whitford Country Club on April 12th. The event’s format was a two-person scramble, and the team of Ashley Grier, Overbrook G.C, and Andrew Turner, Berkshire C.C., finished on top with a team score of 65, 7-under-par. Special thanks to Whitford C.C., its membership, Mike Ladden, PGA, and his staff for hosting the event. In addition, the PAO extends a sincere thank you to Conrad Radcliffe for being the title sponsor of the PAO this season.

PAO Virtual Meeting

The PAO held their annual Spring Meeting in the all too common virtual format on April 13th. During the meeting the PAO introduced the new committee members and reviewed the goals and events for the 2021 season. The committee for this year’s organization is as follows:

• Co-Chair: Michael Congdon, PGA, mcongdon@aronimink.org
• Tournaments: Ashley Grier, PGA agrier@overbrookgolfclub.com
• Education: Steve Frederick, PGA, sfrederick@overbrookgolfclub.com
• Mentorship / Communication: Keith Clawson, PGA, keithclawson@meriongolfclub.com
• Finance / Charity / Junior Golf: Tony Shields. PGA, anthonyshields1813@gmail.com

Committee member names and contact information is provided because you are encouraged to reach out and engage if you have any questions, concerns, suggestions. The committee is  here to help!

Virtual Meeting Special Guest Speaker

The 2012 PGA Teacher of the Year, Michael Breed was generous to join the virtual meeting, spending an hour sharing his passion and wisdom with the intimate group of PAO members. Breed spoke about how to “build your brand”, how to be passionate about yourself and our job, and of course he shared some of his golf instruction knowledge. Michael brought tremendous energy to the meeting and was very engaging to the entire group even given the virtual format. Some tremendous advice from Michael Breed included:

• Say yes more often
• Never be afraid to show your face and be known
• Check your personal ego and have awareness of other people

The PAO would like to extend a sincere thank you to Michael Breed for generously sharing his time and passion with the members of the PAO!

PGA Patron Program

As we head into the golf season, please consider sponsoring your Assistant Professional’s membership in the Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization through our PAO Patron Program.

The program allows ranking PGA Professionals to sponsor their eligible staff members for PAO membership. By simply paying the annual PAO membership fee of $75 for your Assistant Professionals, they will be able to take advantage of all the PAO has to offer, including networking, tournament competition, education offerings, volunteer opportunities, and more. The program is perfect for PGA General Managers, Directors of Golf, Head Professionals, and the like who put a premium on the self-improvement of their staff.

In the spirit of professional growth, and a “pay it forward” mentality, we hope you will consider supporting the PAO Patron Program. Click the button below to sponsor your Assistant Professional(s).

Click here for Patron Program Registration

PGM Intern Contact Information Survey

This year, it is the goal of the PAO to reach out and engage with PGM Intern’s who are working within the Philadelphia Section. We encourage you to share the contact information of your PGM intern(s) so that our committee can reach out and invite them to participate in the PAO’s offerings. Interns who are visiting the section are welcome to attend PAO educational events and even participate in PAO tournaments. Please help in our efforts by providing contact information so we can make them feel welcomed and they can make the most of their time within our section.

Click here for the PGM Contact Survey