In the Rough - March 4, 2009

Hey Great News!

In the April issue of Golf Magazine, True Blue Golf Plantation, the place where I call work, received an  excellent write-up in one of their travel sections in a variety of categories; including pace of play, service, course conditioning and value. I would like to thank the entire staff of True Blue for their daily efforts. I have no idea when these writers came to our golf course, or even what time of year it was, which makes the recognition even more gratifying.

Because we are who we are, we didn't "class it up" because we knew a magazine was coming. We provided the service that we are trained to do every day, and we were recognized for it. Nice feather in the cap for the staff and a great reminder that even on your worst day, you "have to show up for the customer".

Now, I know no one wants to hear someone toot their own horn, and I won't. The reality of the situation for those who work in management positions is that they are "only as good as the people they work with." By the way, I believe in the "team approach."  I could have easily have said the people that work for me, but I am rarely comfortable being introduced as "this is my boss" or this is my "head pro" as a matter of fact, I don't like being called "pro" all that much either. I believe it is meant with respect most of the time. The folks who generally call you pro are stuck in some kind of time warp and are a little past their prime to be "bustin' your balls."

But in some instances from the wannabes and the younger set, I always catch a little hint of " can you believe this guy is the 'pro' of a place like this?" He never even qualified for the U.S. Open or played the Mini-Tour. Who cares? The owners don't pay me to shoot 68 with the members twice a week.  As a matter of fact, I don't ever recall any of our owners asking me about my golf game. Suits me not much to talk about the last few years anyway......

Who am I?

I just  happen to be the clubhouse manager here at True Blue and a member of the PGA of America, which because of that membership status and my position, would also make me the Head Golf Professional. I am proud of my rise from the bag drop to where I am today. Because I did it the only way I know how, through hard work, common sense, honesty and a management style that may be "firm" but never unfair. I have never asked a staff member to do something that I haven't done or would be willing to do. So you want to be called pro, eh?

Check out some of the required duties of your "club pro" if you're not tour quality.

Plunge a toilet............
Dig through trash looking for a customer's jewelry.....
Check on alarm system at clubhouse in middle of night...
Clean tables in the grillroom........
Wash dishes in the kitchen..........
Change spikes on shoes so nasty they made me gag.....
Be on call 7 days a week - 24 hours a day.....
Take out the trash.......
Ranger the golf course......
Pick the driving range.........
Clean range balls..............
Load golf bags...............
Do computer work for 8 to 10 hours day......
Volunteer for any and every committee associated with your business....
Put little labels on little merchandise tags.......
Attend after-hours rules seminars............
Have 2 meetings and a lunch in February with a 16-member charity committee for a 80-player shotgun event in August.
Attempt to remember over 1000 names daily of people you have a good chance of running into the clubhouse on a daily basis.....

These are all things that happened in the last month!

Maybe all this writing about me is my inner-self, yearning to be recognized.  Maybe, but what it really is, is a shout-out to my fellow PGA professionals who, for whatever reason(s), didn't have the stuff to make is as a "playing pro," and maybe provide a little glimpse for our customers  into the world of those of us who make our living in the golf industry.

Thanks again to Golf Magazine and the great write-up!

And if you want to put us to the test on your next golf vacation. Please visit us at www.caledoniagolfvacations.com to plan your next golf vacation, featuring custom-built golf vacations by PGA Professionals!

Respectfully submitted,

Bob Seganti, PGA