By Vinnie Manginelli, PGA
Ralph Landrum is a PGA of America Master Professional, one of fewer than 500 PGA Members to attain this prestigious status, and the PGA of America General Manager at World of Golf, a city-owned golf practice facility and family entertainment center in Florence, Kentucky.
Landrum is an 11-time Kentucky PGA Section special awards winner, a Past President of the Kentucky PGA Section, a Quarter Century PGA Member and an Elite Golf Range Association of America (GRAA) Growth of the Game Teaching Professional.
Here’s our Five Questions feature for December highlighting one of the best golf professionals in the game.
Golf Range Magazine: When did you get your start in golf, and who got you into the game?
Landrum: I grew up here in Northern Kentucky in the suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio. My parents enjoyed playing golf, and I began caddying for them when I was 10 or 11 years old. I was pretty good at the game from the start and, being a competitive kid, enjoyed the success. We were members of Summit Hills Country Club in Crestview Hills, Kentucky, which had a small group of us who enjoyed playing and beating each other.
Golf Range Magazine: Can you tell us about playing golf in high school and college and a little about your road to becoming a PGA of America Golf Professional?
Landrum: I actually played basketball and golf in high school. I had my summer friends who I would play golf with all day, but once we were back in school it was time for basketball. After all, basketball had cheerleaders, one of whom I eventually married. I enjoyed hoops more than golf at the time, but my body was not built for basketball past high school.
I started working at World of Golf when I was 15 years old and am still here at 67. I started hitting golf balls at World of Golf, which I still love to do today, and played the game at the University of Kentucky. In fact, I am still buddies with a couple of my teammates from back then. While at the University of Kentucky, I got lucky and played well in the U.S. Amateur and made it to the semi-finals which qualified me to play in the 1978 Masters, the first of two Masters I would play in. Once I played in the Masters as an amateur I knew I wanted to play golf professionally. I married my beautiful bride right before the U.S. Amateur in 1977, and had to support us by working at World of Golf and playing in every small tournament I could find. Working in the golf business is all I have ever done.
Golf Range Magazine: What’s trending in programming and instruction at your facility?
Landrum: The World of Golf has always been a place for those looking to enter the game. We have a great practice range and an 18-hole executive golf course. We just completed a second renovation of the facility, putting in a new range shelter with heaters, Toptracer ball-tracking technology and five Golfzon simulators. We also upgraded our F&B to include a full-service sports bar. Our side patio has live bands each Wednesday, Friday and Saturday in the summer, which could attract several hundred patrons when the more popular bands play.
As a result of this investment in our facility, our business model has changed from a family golf center to an expansive family entertainment complex based around the game of golf. Range revenues have tripled and mini golf rounds and rounds of golf on our executive course are up 25 percent. In addition, F&B has become a large part of our revenue.
With all this success, I am proud to say we have not forgotten our roots and still maintain a thriving golf instruction business. While our PGA Jr. League numbers remain steady, our LPGA*USGA Girls Golf program has grown to approximately 150 young ladies. Also, our women’s instructional league had a record number of participants this year, with our Women’s Golf Day hosting approximately 125 ladies. With several stellar golf coaches and instructors on hand, I still personally conduct over 1,200 private lessons per year.
Golf Range Magazine: What is your favorite part of the game of golf? The business of golf?
Landrum: At one point the thrill of competition and the preparation it took to compete drove my love of the game. Now, I enjoy playing with my sons, grandkids and friends. Spending time with them and having a beer afterward is very enjoyable for me.
On the business side, the challenge of growing the bottom line has always been exciting for me. Helping my young staff develop good work habits and improving the self-image of my golf students are the things that keep me working. I believe we are blessed to work in a business where guests come to see us to have fun!
Golf Range Magazine: What does the future hold in golf, and what’s on the horizon in teaching and mentorship for you as a proven leader in golf coaching and instruction?
Landrum: I hope to work one more year like I am now, managing World of Golf for the City of Florence and helping folks have more fun playing golf. After that, I hope to spend part of the winter at the PGA Golf Club in Florida and play a little more golf.
In the meantime, I would still like to manage World of Golf for a couple of years to give my staff the time and direction to improve on what we have done at the facility under my management. I want to continue to help folks have more fun when they play golf. I also want to stay connected with PGA HOPE, as I love working with our veterans. As PGA of America Golf Professionals, we need to continue to grow the business, as well as the income of PGA Members by making it easier for those who wish to get involved in the game.
