By Robin Curtis, PGA
It is safe to say that we all got into the golf industry because we love this game! Be it playing or teaching, we learn early on that there is more to being a PGA of America Golf Professional.
There is also an old adage that says we “wear a lot of hats.” This is very true—being a PGA of America Golf Professional requires passion, enthusiasm and knowledge in many unique areas within the game and the business.
With that being said, we as PGA of America Golf Professionals can be versed in many of these areas, but we may not much different than the golf pro down the street. He or she is likely wearing the same hats that we are.
The challenge is doing something that helps you stand out among your peers in this business. That something could be anything! Governance, merchandising, club fitting, teaching, fitness, education, coaching, tournament administration or even the Rules of Golf. The list is virtually endless.
Try something a little different or out of your comfort zone. Branch into an area that you can perhaps learn from the beginning—learn it from A to Z. We all know there is “something” we could do to improve within our business.
Give it some thought and you might surprise yourself. In fact, you might keep getting better, gain more knowledge or become known for this expertise, and you may be sought after to help others along the way.
I have been lucky to find two such areas in my 30 years as a PGA of America Golf Professional—coaching and refereeing. I didn’t know much about either area at the start, and both areas made me uncomfortable because I didn’t have much background, other than playing as part of high school and collegiate teams.
The coaching opportunity arose when a local high school was caught short-handed and needed a golf coach at the last minute. My head professional encouraged me to help out for the spring season. We agreed that we’d figure out the details and make it work. One year turned into 10, and the team kept growing, succeeding and bringing back more championship trophies. Well, 10 years has turned into 20, and now we have three full golf programs and a good number of state championships!
A couple of years into this endeavor, parents started seeking me out for guidance and direction when considering what is best for their junior golfer. What is the best school to go to? Who can I have my player work with? What tournaments should they play in?
Sometimes the answers were right there with me and my golf programs, but many times I just found myself doing my best to connect them with the right PGA of America Golf Professionals in their local area. I’m proud of the impact I’ve had on my players over the years.
The refereeing opportunity started as a way of satisfying my PGA of America PDRs. However, this turned into a passion that I truly never expected. As I continually increased my knowledge of the USGA Rules of Golf, I was asked to be part of a team that runs tournaments down south during my winter off-season.
Suddenly, after a few years and many Rules of Golf courses, my rules exam scores were getting better, and my experience was growing. Then came an opportunity I never would have imagined if not for a random winter helping run golf tournaments—being appointed to the PGA of America Rules of Golf Committee. Being one of 35 qualified PGA members has been the most rewarding experience I could wish for. Being the first female PGA member appointed is also something I am extremely proud of.
Our club members love to know what events I am working, and they ask if they will see me on TV. My answer is I hope not, but I do my best to represent them every step of the way. They know I have some travel time away from the club, which at times makes me a little uneasy, but they are proud of me being out there, and they like to brag a little bit about their “Pro”.
They also know I am there for them every day at the club when they have rules questions or see something on TV that they’re curious about. I love fielding these questions and helping them understand the rules a little better in the long run!
If I hadn’t had a little push at the right time, I am not sure where I would be today. I would like to give you a little push. Sign up for a workshop, a class or a seminar. Volunteer to help with a local program, any type of program. Find something that’s new to you, and that makes you nervous, but also maybe a little excited at the same time. I dare you to become not a new you, but perhaps a better YOU!
Robin Curtis, the 2014 New Jersey PGA Section Assistant Golf Professional of the Year and 2023 Section Golf Professional of the Year, is a Quarter Century PGA Member and a PGA of America Golf Professional at Spring Brook Country Club in Morristown, New Jersey.
