ComplaintsforProfessional Golf Teachers Association of America

• Initial Complaint

  10/29/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  In 2011, I successfully paid, competed the written and playing requirements of the PGTAA(Professional Golf Teacher of America) to receive my Master of Teaching Professional certificate. (attached) This has stayed in status all of these years until October 25 of this year 2021. I received an email from ***** the President of the PGTAA stating that I was to be suspended for and removed from the membership rolls and to call or email if it was in error. I sent an email enquiring as to why and provided my certificate per ******* request and proof of payment. Concerning that they are suspended and don't have copy's of certificates and payments. He referred to something about yearly dues but could not provide any documentation I ever signed upon my completion that stated dues would be required. I emailed and tried to call several times trying to resolve this in some way and he eventually just became rude and ignorant and stopped returning my emails. For 10 years my status has stayed in tact no suspension or removal and then without cause they are trying to ransom me for more money to "stay within the membership". I consulted an attorney and they advised that this would be the best first step to take. I did not want things to go this way unfortunately here we are and hoping that the right thing will be done and that I am reinstated.

  Business response

  11/01/2021

  Dear ******,
  
  For the past 24+ years of the PGTAA's existence, association dues were payable by all members, graduates or associate/affiliate  members beginning one year after their initial enrollment into the PGTAA. Associate/Affiliate member are those who have not completed the Home Study course. Mr. ********* enrolled in 2011. Dues began in 2012.
  
  Furthermore, every year in October, a newsletter together with a dues invoice, is mailed out to all members. Thereafter up to 5 reminder notices are sent out. I am more than happy to send you, for your own personal use only, a few PGTAA member's names and addresses verifying that annual dues are part of their PGTAA membership.
  
  Mr. ********* was mailed invoices since 2012 but chose to ignore paying his dues. Not once during the past 9 years did he ever contact the PGTAA about his concerns or to discuss anything related to dues. Additionally, there is no "contract" that is signed by PGTAA members period.
  
  His accusatory statements that somehow the PGTAA "all of a sudden" changed it's website to include dues is blatantly untrue.  The PGTAA, as with every other golf teaching association, such as the PGA, the LPGA, and USGTF to name just a few similar associations, has yearly dues. To be sure, the "Wayback Machine" aka http://web.archive.org/, will show that the PGTAA has been active since 1998. 
  
  More specifically and on point, http://web.a*****************************************************ml shows that under the FAQ section, annual dues are a requirement of being a PGTAA member. 
  
  *********** statements about being rude and ignorant are slanderous and defamatory in the very least. He was told that I would not tolerate his behaviour and attitude or his blatant misrepresentation of the facts regarding PGTAA's dues. He then threatened legal action from his family attorney. I responded that he should have his family attorney contact me directly as I had nothing further to say on the issue of his dues being unpaid. 
  
  His PGTAA membership is terminated for lack of payment and late fees, and after his delusional and insulting statements and actions, he will be permanently removed from the PGTAA's membership roll unless both the PGTAA and myself receive an apology letter in writing, and his dues are brought current including late fees.
  
  Sincerely yours,
  
  ***** ****, J.D., Ph.D.
  President

  Customer response

  11/02/2021

  ******,

  
  

  As I asked ***** several times and still asking for is something in writing that was signed. Something stating that non payment of dues would lead to suspension and removal from the PGTAA.  Or something that I signed that says are you will agree to the terms of our website.  He has not and will not as nothing of that nature was ever signed by me.  Just like getting a college degree I successfully paid and completed the course curriculum, written and playing were also successfully completed to become a Master Teaching Professional.  (Both previously attached and attached again) Now after 10 years he is deciding to revoke me or take away my successful completion.  If these dues were truly due as he has stated why was I removed or suspended in 2012, 2013, 2014 etc..  This is a simple case of  trying to extort money, whatever reason that ***** and the PGTAA need it now, not my place to speculate. The fact that ***** can do this in good conscious is perplexing and if he has done this to me I am sure there are more.  He began to ignore my emails and I reached out to an attorney and again this was the first course of action he suggested. I am happy to attach our email conversation, and you can see that I gave ***** and the PGTAA every opportunity to resolve this before have move forward with this step.

  
  

  Sincerely,

  
  

  *****
  
  

  Business response

  11/03/2021

  Dear ******,
  In response:
  ********* is misinformed. We do not sign or enter into contracts with students of the PGTAA. We never have, and never will. The payment of dues is clearly shown on the link I sent you.
  This sentence is blatantly incorrect and without any merit or truth: “Now after 10 years he is deciding to revoke me or take away my successful completion.  If these dues were truly due as he has stated why was I removed or suspended in 2012, 2013, 2014 etc..”  Dues invoices and suspension notices, usually 3-4, , via email, were sent EVERY year to *********. He simply chose to ignore them. Not once did ********* even call regarding dues or suspension.
  As stated, I suggested he have his attorney contact. I will not deal with this issue directly with *********. He has threatened legal action. Let his attorney contact me to discuss this issue or even better, I will contact his attorney.
  Furthermore, I stated the PGTAA’s case in my previous response. His accusations are totally inaccurate in every statement.
  His membership is terminated and the conditions of reinstatement were clearly delineated in my previous communication.
  As an attachment, I have sent you a link (https://ww**********************************wal/) of how the USGTF, another teaching association, handles fees and reinstatements of delinquent members. Pay particular attention to:
  • 2022 Membership Renewal $245*
  Price: $245.00 Quantity:  
  • Membership Expired? If your license expired within the last 4 years - you currently have the option to reinstate below. If your membership expired prior to 2017 (+5 years), please contact USGTF Headquarters at ###-###-####.
  •   2021-2022 (2 years) - $490.00
  •   2020-2021 (3 years) - $735.00
  •   2019-2020 (4 years) - $980.00
  Lastly, this communication/email shall serve as a “Cease & Desist” notification that should you, ***** *********, continue maliciously spreading inaccurate and unfounded information that is damaging to both the PGTAA and myself, causing damage to both the reputations and characters of both the aforementioned parties, appropriate legal action will be commenced.
  If you do not comply with this cease and desist letter within 10 days then a lawsuit may be filed in proper jurisdiction seeking monetary damages as well as pursuing all available legal remedies for your defamation and tortuous interference of business practices.
  Sincerely yours,
  ***** **** – President 
  

  
  

  Customer response

  11/03/2021

  ******, I am not spreading incorrect information, I have provide you documentation to show what I am stating and nothing more really needs to be said. I received this one and only email this year I reached out and tried to resolve the situation. If something is expected to paid in an ongoing basis in order to stay in good standing, it should be in writing as part of this course, signed and acknowledged.

  
  

  Sincerely,

  
  

  ***** *********

  
  

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