Upcoming Events Congratulations 29-30 AUG 26-28 SEPT STPGA Senior Professional Championship Pine Forest Country Club STPGA Professional Championship Golf Club of Houston We d like to recognize the following individuals who achieved new classifications, new jobs, completed their Certified Professional Program (CPP), Professional Golf Management (PGM) level requirements or won tournaments within the past month: Level 2 Class A Professionals: Register Today at PGATournaments.com! Shaun McEwen (Sweetwater Country Club) Tournament Winners National Car Rental STPGA Assistant Championship Casey Russell (Lochinvar Golf Club) Tor-Erik Knudsen (Lochinvar Golf Club) Brett Callas (Riverbend Country Club) Pine Forest Country Club, Houston, TX 2016 STPGA Assistants Committee Chairman Billy Holtz, Lakeside Country Club (BHoltz@LakesideCC.com) Justin Engel (Royal Oaks Country Club) These four will be representing the STPGA at the National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship this fall! Congratulations and continue the hard work! Fundraising & Events Todd Grassi, River Oaks Country Club (Todd.Grassi@RiverOaksCC.net) Christopher Pribyl, Houston Country Club (CPribyl@HoustonCC.com) Education & Outreach Trent Peddy, The Club at Carlton Woods (Trent.Peddy@CarltonWoods.com) Communication & Promotions Patrick Ascherl, Traditions Club (PAscherl@TraditionsClub.com) 1
Assistant Spotlight ur Assistant Spotlight for the month of August is relatively new to the STPGA, having only been at TPC San Antonio for 9 months. PGA Assistant Professional Wes Levanduski grew up on the central coast of California where he caught the golf bug at an early age. Levanduski attended the PGA Golf Management program Wes Levanduski, PGA at the University of Colorado- Colorado Springs, where he was actively involved. Through this program I attended 3 internships at notable facilities, held leadership positions and played in weekly events. Levanduski states that his favorite experience so far has been hosting the Valero Texas Open back in April. Wes goals are to work through the TPC system and ultimately become a TPC General Manager. What drove you to become a PGA Professional? I grew up playing golf on the central coast of California and developed a passion for the game at a young age. When I started thinking about my future and career, I couldn t think of a better professional than the golf business. Who is/are your mentor(s) and how did they influence you as a professional? Mark Lampe and Joey Pickavance are 2 of my biggest mentors in the golf industry. Both are very accomplished Professionals and I learned and observed valuable experiences from working for them. Whenever I need advice on a situation, or just a fresh idea for an event, these are my first two calls. In a few words, how would you describe your career path? The TPC network provides immense professional development, and encourages its Assistant s to be involved in the organization by helping at other PGA Tour Events and holding leadership positions. I plan on experiencing other TPC properties, becoming a Head Golf Professional and a General Manager in the future. What has been the biggest challenge so far in your career? Since I m a new PGA member and still new to the TPC network and procedures, it has taken some time to wrap my head around the organization and see how all of the moving parts connect. I ve learned and studied different situations at college regarding the golf business, leadership, and business development, and now I actually get to do it myself. TPC San Antonio is a very busy property with the JW Marriott and our members, but this does provide a fun, fast paced work atmosphere. What advice would you give an apprentice working towards PGA membership? My advice would be to attend a Professional Golf Management program during college. For me, it was the best way. I was able to complete my college degree and obtain my PGA, while experiencing different golf operations on internships, and meeting lots of great people along the way. 2
The Consummate Professional he interactions golf professionals have with their members, guests, students and staff tend to have lasting effects not only on those individuals, but also on themselves. As Kelly O Donnell, PGA Director of Kelly O Donnell, PGA Golf at Wolfdancer Golf Club knows, these daily instances can provide great returns not only for the professional but their facility as a whole. My favorite part of the job is engaging the people you come in contact with through the game of golf. In the 32 years O Donnell has been in the industry he has excelled in sales, marketing and instruction. Over that time, he has realized the effect golf professionals can have. We all share the highs and lows of good and bad shots and there is a kindred spirit to all golfers who share the passion to perform and excel. O Donnell and his staff at Wolfdancer Golf Club recently received the PGA of America s award for 2016 Merchandiser of the Year for resort facilities. He credits this to having the desire to meet our members and guests needs everyday. We pride ourselves on being forward thinking in fashion and follow trends, but being mindful to not the mainstream market as well. O Donnell was part of the opening team at Wolfdancer Golf Club in 2006 as the Head Professional and is currently the Director of Golf. On what he says is the back nine of his career, O Donnell s ambitions are to mentor the next wave of golf professionals and mold them into the future caregivers of our game. What drove you to become a PGA Professional? At an early age playing golf weekly with my Father and Grandfather was very impactful and memorable time for me. Remember in 2 nd or 3 rd grade when you write a paper about what you want to be when you grow up? I wanted to be a Golf Professional. Who is/are your mentor(s) and how did they influence you as a professional? I have had many through the years: Dale Morgan, Ronnie Glanton, Glenn Lee, Lindy Miller, and Mark Steinbauer. They are all passionate about the game, growing the game, and being PGA ambassadors to their members and colleagues. In your own words, what has been the biggest contributing factor in your success as a PGA professional? Having an understanding and loving support system at home in my family and surrounding myself with honest and caring staff who want to succeed by providing genuine hospitality. Congratulations are due as your facility (Wolfdancer Golf Club) has been recognized as the PGA of America s 2016 Merchandiser of the Year for resort facilities. What do you credit this accomplishment to? Having the desire to meet our members and guests needs every day. We pride ourselves on being forward thinking in fashion and follow trends, but being mindful to not forget the mainstream market as well. Collectively, we target all the demographics in golf today. There is no greater satisfaction than to hear a guest say, you carry this (brand)?! I ve been looking for this! 3
The Consummate Professional How do you drive merchandise sales and what steps have led to your success? Our success as a resort shop is contributed mainly to our guests being members at other clubs. We strive to offer what they might not find at their club or their home town. We offer monthly sales promotions, discounts on multiple purchases and will ship anywhere. Aside from merchandising, what other areas of the business are you most passionate about? I love working with beginning golfers and helping struggling golfers find their way back on the fairway. Our game is so difficult and can be self-defeating; we have all been there. I take pride in being a coach and a counselor as well as a PGA Golf Professional. When managing the operations at a facility such as Lost Pines and Wolfdancer, what challenges do you face and how do you overcome those challenges? Like many operations, you are challenged by the staff that you have on board. I have 8 generations that work at Wolfdancer and blending the expectations and work ethic together has to be a daily focus for our goals to be met. What advice would you give aspiring professionals and apprentices? 1) Make a new friend in golf every day. 2) Make sure you have a trusting friend or two that you can count on. 3) Hospitality is a difficult and challenging industry but there is no greater reward than providing a member or guest exactly what they want and seeing and receiving their appreciation in return. Talk of the Shop Do you have an eye for golf fashion? Think you ve got a knack for creating displays? Then submit your best display to the Talk of the Shop for a chance to be in the Assistant s Newsletter. Winners also receive merchandise from select vendors! Please submit pictures with your name, facility and display vendor by September 15th to pascherl@traditionsclub.com. 4
Employment Opportunities PGAjobfinder is the PGA of America s complimentary job board for Job Seekers interested in pursuing non-management positions at golf courses and in the golf industry such as Assistant Golf Professional, Golf Shop Staff, Starter, Ranger, Food & Beverage, Sales, Marketing, Clerical, etc. The most valuable part of PGAjobfinder is the team of regional PGA Career Consultants whose goal is to serve as the official hiring resource for industry employers. The PGA Career Consultant for the Southern Texas PGA is Doug Turner. If you are a PGA Professional and need more information about PGAjobfinder, log-in to PGA.org here. As an STPGA professional or apprentice you can find more information about Employment Services here. Look Who s Hiring! Doug Turner dturner@pgahq.com P: 972.977.2746 Assistant Golf Professional, Cedar Crest Golf Course. $22,000-33,000 per Year. Deadline Sept. 2, 2016. Assistant Golf Professional, Teravista Golf Club. $12.00-14.00 per Hour. Deadline Aug. 25, 2016. Golf Professional, Duck Creek Golf Club. $30,000-40,000 per Year. Deadline Aug. 25, 2016. First Assistant Golf Professional, Willow Fork Country Club. $13.00-15.00 per Hour. Deadline Aug. 31, 2016. Lead Instructor, Swanson Golf Center. $20,000-42,000 per Year. Deadline Sept. 1, 2016 Assistant Golf Professional, Stonebridge Ranch Country Club. $10.00-14.00 per Hour. Deadline Sept. 12, 2016. Entry Level Assistant Golf Professional, River Place Country Club. $9.00 per Hour. Deadline Aug. 25, 2016. Assistant-In-Training, Lakewood Country Club. $10.00-13.00 per Hour. Deadline Oct. 1, 2016. First Assistant Golf Professional, Berry Creek Country Club. $26,000-40,000 per Year. Deadline Sept. 1, 2016. Assistant Golf Professional, Ridgewood Country Club. $24,000-35,000 per Year. Deadline Sept. 1, 2016. Assistant General Manager, The Village Golf Club. $30,000-40,000 per Year. Deadline Aug. 27, 2016. 5