Newark Academy Golf Coach Officiating PGA Championship
When Tiger Woods and the rest of the PGA Tour tee off for the PGA Championship May 16-19, Newark Academy Golf Coach and PGA Golf Pro Robin Curtis will be officiating the Major event.
In her fourth year on the PGA of America Rules Committee, she is assigned two to five assignments each year depending on her work schedule, with about 13-16 events a year to choose from, ranging from the collegiate level up to the Ryder Cup and PGA Championship.
“Typically you work your way up the ladder each year, to the prominent events and keep climbing, if you do a good job. They also take into account being involved with teaching and education at the local level such as the New Jersey PGA Section and nationally, like if you signed up for an actual USGA /PGA Rules of Golf Workshop. I have taught at both levels and now with all the new changes that took effect this year will likely be doing much more of that in the years to come.” Robin said. “I have never contemplated working a Championship at this level, let alone this soon, but I guess it means that I am pulling my weight and have shown that I am ready for the next step.”
Which will be to monitor the seventh and 14th hole of Bethpage Black in Long Island. “Our job is to know every inch of those holes and come up with any and every possible scenario we may run into and be ready.”
A teacher of the game, Robin is excited to acquire more knowledge about the game herself.
“I am looking forward to learning so many new things. Listening in at meetings. Listening to those who have done these countless times share their knowledge on how to handle certain areas or things, such as volunteers and spectators. How to navigate relief for the grandstands and things that only happen at a tour event. I don’t really know what to expect yet. It is a Major and at Bethpage…[It’s] going to be totally nuts!”
An independent school for students in grades 6-12