Chris Rowe, a two-time Southern Texas PGA Harvey Penick Award winner and 2013 Section Merchandiser of the Year for Private Facilities, is the PGA head professional at Whispering Pines Golf Club in Trinity, Texas.

Chris Rowe on the importance of dreaming big and working harder:
For several years I wrote for two local magazines here in Texas, Houston Links and DFW Links Magazine.  Over the decade or so writing for both publications I have complied 100-plus articles.  During a lesson with a member who has mentored me over the years, I asked him if I should take my articles and create a book.  This member asked, “How many instructors have written a book?”  In pondering his question I realized few books have been published for the amount of PGA Professionals and instructors in our community.  I began to research publishing and editing companies in addition to connecting with folks who had previously written books.  The process led to an eight-month operation, which yielded a back-to-front book entailing life experiences on and off the course and to how they relate back to golf.  When I received my first copy of “He Who Looks Up Shall See a Bad Shot” there was without question a magical feeling I felt that I will remember for a lifetime!

Chris Rowe on the business impact of dreaming big and working harder:
While creating a book might seem as a daunting task its rewarding none-the-less.  The truth behind the evolution of “He Who Looks Up Shall See A Bad Shot” is that I wanted to leave a remembrance behind, something for my kids as well as the entire golfing globe to relive.  The content that I produced was written over time and not compressed, so that helped greatly in the process.  The publisher I used charged between $4,000-$5,000 and additionally the editing team I hired charged approximately $1,000.  The cost to bring the book to fruition was roughly $6,000.   Since the book was released we’ve sold thousands of copies at $19.99 through Amazon and here at Whispering Pines.  My investment has been recouped, though that was never the premise, but receiving a monthly check from Amazon isn’t bad either.

If you would like to email the author of this Best Practice directly, please email crowe@whisperingpinesgolfclub.com