By Julieta Stack, LPGA
Golf culture is fascinating. How we, as industry professionals, influence it can have tiny repercussions or big effects in our communities. Thinking of how you will leave your mark can help you make decisions along the way.
Find Your Place
The first time I played Pine Ridge Golf Course, it was true love! I knew I would find a way to make it my home. When the Baltimore Municipal Golf Corporation management team approached me to become their Director of Instruction (I was an independent contractor prior), some said it was because I was a woman. But I have proven to them I could grow a base of students. Junior camps have led the way and showed them I could generate a profit and long-term clients.
Once our academy took off, I gained the trust of our management team, board members and local organizations such as McCormick Spices. I learned how to write grants (we are a non-profit) and was able to help spark fundraising on our own behalf to make some capital improvements to our facility, such as a ramp to access our clubhouse and the Kickstarter for our teaching academy.
Initially, getting something as small as a butterfly garden approved was quite challenging. But we finally got the green light, and the garden that our LPGA Junior Girls and their parents planted 10 years ago was just the beginning. Since then, we have teamed up with numerous environmental groups in the area, and now all five of our courses are playing a part in protecting the Baltimore Watershed. The Baltimore Golf Academy teaching area is surrounded by native trees, grasses, plants and flowers, and it is a welcoming place where people can escape and enjoy a few hours of recreation. They keep coming back and building friendships.
Changing Course, So To Speak
I was playing in the Women’s French Open in 1997 and arrived in Paris the day Princess Diana died in the tunnel. The trip changed my life in many ways. I missed the cut, but took the opportunity to tour Paris and Versailles, and then on a whim, took my clubs to Scotland as I had never played there. I was so moved by the Scottish experience that I decided to stop competing and start a golf travel company. I wanted to share true links golf and Scottish pride in the game with my clients. So, for the past 25 years, I have arranged golf trips for my clients. The time I used to spend preparing for competition or going to tournaments now goes towards dreaming up trips and going on amazing adventures. Don’t be afraid to change course. When you find something that inspires you, you will likely inspire others.
What Is Your Leadership Index Rating?
Whatever your role, you were likely hired for many reasons; but most of us are hired because we fit the bill at the place where we applied. We were what management was looking for. If I had been hired way back when because I was a woman, then I have made the best of that. Maybe you set up your own shingle – you probably did it in a place you felt you could grow and prosper.
I do my best to keep my finger on the pulse to ensure I am still fulfilling the role they hired me for. Is our academy growing the base of golfers in the Baltimore area? Is our team cohesive and growing together? Am I helping them grow? If I can keep evolving, our team will get stronger, and our organization and our clients will benefit from that.
If leadership had a swing index, I’d say I’m a five. My goal is to get to scratch. My weakness? I’m the opposite of a micromanager. I need to give more guidance and specific direction. My strength? I will do everything I can to help you fulfill your potential if you allow me.
What Leadership Index Rating do you give yourself?
Build Community
Almost every coach I have ever known loves to organize people and make a game of something. When I grew up, we enjoyed organized sports; but there was more unorganized time to play than kids have today. That is likely where many of us began our coaching careers. We organized games and teams, made up rules and figured out ways to make things fun so our friends would stay longer and come back the next day. Fifty-something years later, I don’t think I’ve changed much when it comes to that formula.
It takes time to build community. You start by building your reputation and gaining the trust of those around you. Then as it grows and you bring others into the fold, you have to rely upon them to continue those efforts. Choose wisely and trust your gut. Our clients and staff know each other – we care about each other. If I didn’t have that, I’d look for another job where I could create it. It’s invaluable and a true gift.
Helping Others
The ability to help those less fortunate or support causes that are meaningful to us is a privilege. Many of these are natural fits for golf. One of my favorite December fundraisers is our Putt for Pups to support the local SPCA. My faithful companion AJ is a fixture at our course and is my inspiration behind this event. Even if you start small, you never know how many people (or pups) you might help along the way.
Julieta Stack, a Golf Range Association of America (GRAA) Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional, is the LPGA Director of Instruction at Baltimore Golf Academy in Timonium, Maryland.
