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Resume & References • Golf Shop Operations • Merchandising • Tournaments Teaching • Ladies & Juniors
Ladies & Junior Programs It is important for all Golf Professionals to find new and exciting ways to grow the game. Often the biggest markets are for engaging new players lies within ladies and juniors. It is common for a club to offer various programs or clinics to help instill excitement for the game in these two categories. I have had great success with ladies programs that I have created both at Club Pelican Bay, Naples FL and Hamilton Farm Golf Club, Gladstone NJ. It has been exciting to work with the membership to find what best fits them and create a new and way for ladies to interact and learn golf. Nine & Nibbles This was one of my most successful programs that I have created. At Club Pelican Bay, there was a large need for a ladies program. When I started they had an official Ladies’ Day of golf with a format and an unofficial Ladies’ Day that most women would participate in. In addition they had a small clinic that was not very well attended and did not engage the membership with its lecture style. The clinics were averaging 5 participants and grew to 30-40 ladies on a given Wednesday between the two segments I offered. I always had another assistant helping to lead the clinics to ensure we could speak with everyone. Eventually we added a Saturday clinic that offered two segments as well and that averaged 20-30 women each Saturday. I started a clinic series on Wednesday afternoons (ensuring it would not overlap golf days). The first segment was for intermediate - advanced players (women with experience and knowledge of the game); they would participate in a clinic from 1:15-2:00 pm and then go play 9 holes of golf. Following them was the beginner - intermediate segment that would go from 2:00-2:45 pm and they would go play 4-5 holes. Everyone would come in at 4:00 pm for cocktails. This was an inviting way for new members to meet ladies and to get integrated into the membership and the game. The goal was for ladies to start in the beginners or intermediate and work up to the next level. It was fun to watch them grow and improve their game. The ladies loved it and soon we had to offer another clinic series due to demand. The additional clinic became specific to advanced players on Saturday mornings, followed by an intermediate segment as well. Both sets of ladies would book tee times in advance and play 18 holes after. The clinics schedule was posted at the beginning of each season and I would bring a note sheet to each segment for the members to take home with them. I was able to create interactive challenges that allowed members to try the techniques we were working on and instill the movement before trying to use the new skills on the course. I would begin each session with a quick 5 minute overview of the topic and goals for the session, then I would walk them through each station and what the technique was. From there they would break into groups and rotate through the stations. I would go around and speak with each participant for a minute or two to review what they were struggling with and assist them to master what we were working on. Once a month there would be a ladies 9 & nibbles (9 & dine) featuring a new theme and new format each time. I would pair the ladies specifically to create new friendships and to assist in integrating new members into the groupings of the club. This was a fun way for members to get to know each other and for beginners to learn formats and get better acquainted on course with new people. The Chef was always wonderful and would pair their food with the theme of the event. The ladies loved the overall experience; we averaged 55-65 players at each 9 and nibble. Couples Clinics At Club Pelican Bay, I had the opportunity to work with Chris Trout, a teaching professional from Club Pelican Bay and Winged Foot. Together we launched a couples clinic series, that grew quickly. Friday afternoons we would host 4 couples. We would meet and review the topic or goal for the day, everyone would get acquainted and then we would break off (ladies and men). I would take the ladies to various holes on course, working through situations that arose for them on a regular basis. (Chris and I would block out 2 tee times on the C side of the course to ensure we had space to take them on course. From there we would meet with the men for a couples challenge to review the skills worked on that day. Following the on-course portion, we would meet near the club house and discuss what the highlight was for everyone. What they found most valuable and where they learned the most. This became a great way for couples to meet each other and for new members to make friends and get integrated into the club. Often the couples would book a dinner reservation for following the clinic that would allow them to continue to get to know one another. This was a great way to get members on course to review everyday situations that they struggle with. We could discuss different approaches and what was the best and most efficient way to get back in play or to create the lowest score. Junior Programs Hamilton Farm Golf Club has a very active juniors program. For the 2020 season I was able to revamp somethings to help us work through a high demand. The clinics were selling out, leaving a few kids unable to attend. I wanted to create a more accessible program that allowed us to plan for the number of participants for each day. We offer a ‘Little Chippers’ portion that is for 3-5 year olds, a ‘Junior Series’ that is for 5-13 year olds, and a ‘Junior Camp’ that is for 8-16 year olds. Each is set to develop skill sets and create excitement. Our hope is that kids will start in our Little Chippers program and work their way up into our other programs. I think it is important to offer variety and to hit each age group. It is difficult for kids to learn and to remain engaged when their is a wide span of ages. We create fun challenges and activities giving them something to look forward to and steps to continue to grow into. I have found that the students get excited when they have goals to reach and grow towards. It is important to ensure the kids are having fun and learning.
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