Martin takes over as head pro at The Pines

BY CONRAD ENGSTROM Brainerd Dispatch

NISSWA — Golf wasn’t always Eric Martin’s No. 1 sport.

The 23-year-old was named the new head professional at The Pines at Grand View Lodge this year, but he spent most of his springs on the baseball diamond in high school and college.

Martin was a standout pitcher for Brainerd High School and also started on the basketball team. He played a season at Central Lakes College before wanting to make a career change into golf.

“I started working at Grand View about nine years ago as an outside service staff,” Martin said. “After about four years of outside service, I ended up going into the pro shop. When the staff kind of left in 2020, I started taking more responsibility and became an assistant golf professional. Two years ago, I became a lead assistant and when this opportunity came about this winter I was happy to take in something that I always thought I was going to end up doing four years ago. It’s pretty exciting, actually.”

It was during 2020 when Martin decided he was going to try to be a head golf professional.

“When I started taking more responsibilities and got more involved with leagues, events and junior golf that’s where the passion stemmed from,” Martin said. “Beforehand, I played golf on the side, but baseball and basketball were things and I didn’t really focus on golf.”

Martin played three seasons of college baseball, but made the decision prior to his senior season to focus on his career in the golf industry.

“I just fell in love with the golf industry more than I loved baseball,” Martin said. “I decided to commit full time to Grand View because it’s what I love to do.”

Martin comes from a golfing family. His mom was the girls’ golf coach at Brainerd for many years including coaching the 1999 girls’ golf state title and his dad is the clubhouse manager at The Pines.

“It’s very fun to work alongside my dad and see him,” Martin said. “My mom was a golf coach for a long time. My uncle and aunt are golfers and stay at Grand View. It’s something that’s been built for the past four or five years being a family that’s been a part of Grand View.”

Adam Haugen, who is the director of golf at Grand View Lodge was one mentor for Martin as he transitioned from outside service to head professional. He also learned a lot from former Grand View Lodge director of golf Jack Wawro, who is the current director of golf at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.

“Adam and Jack both have been a big piece of me growing,” Martin said. “Jack has been someone who has molded me into the person I am today. I’ve had a lot of great influences along the way and I’m going to keep learning from those people as not only a head golf professional, but as a person too.”

Martin knows relationships are key as he begins his career as a head golf professional.

“You have to create a relationship with everybody because relationships create a good environment,” Martin said. “I stress that to myself and to our staff on a daily basis. Once you develop those relationships you can go anywhere from that.”

Martin hopes to stay at Grand View Lodge for a long time.

“I see myself working here for the indefinite future,” he said. “It’s a great place to work and it’s a place I’ve grown up not only literally, but mentally. I am the person I am today because of the experiences I’ve had at Grand View.”

CONRAD ENGSTROM may be reached at 218-855-5861 or conrad.engstrom@brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/the_rad34.