Shayla Strickland
If it were not for golf, my dad would have never met my mom and our family would have never been started. Now we live where it began. It’s me, my mom, my dad, my younger brother named Colby, our two dogs named Birdie and Tippy and our cat named OJ. I am going to ask my parents a few questions to see how it all got started. Question: Dad, how did you get into golf? Answer: When I was 11 years old my friend and I joined a summer program at Roger’s Park Golf Course in Tampa, Florida. I immediately fell in love with the game of golf. There was a field near my house where I cut a green and a tee with my dad’s lawn mower. I hit balls there all the time. As I got better and a little older, my mom would drop me off at Baba Zaharias Golf Course. I would practice there and play on the weekends and during the summer. 50
Love on the Links Question: Dad, how did you end up working at Miami Shores Country Club? Answer: After high school I worked at Temple Terrace Golf Course, working for Doug Hughes. This is where my love for golf course maintenance began. After a couple of years at Temple, I took a break from golf and studied to become an electrician. I worked for IBEW for a few months, but never loved it like I love golf. I quit working as an electrician and got a job at U.S.F. Golf Course where I worked for Jim Torba. After a few years at U.S.F. I went to work for Chip Lewision at Plant City Golf Course. While I was working in Plant City, I stayed in touch with Torba. In 2001, Torba was working for Miami Shores Country Club. One day I
called Torba out of the blue, during the conversation he mentioned he was going to Miami Beach Golf Course to do a grow-in and asked if I would be interested in coming to Miami Shores. I think he was shocked when I said “I was interested.” After a visit to Miami Shores Country Club and an interview with Alberto Pozzi (General Manager of Miami Shores Country Club) in May of 2002, I started working at Miami Shores Country Club. Question: Dad, Tell me about your GCSAA National Championships. Answer: I have played in the championship almost every year in my 18 year career at MSCC. I have won three times (2005, 2008, and 2009) and I have had 4 second place finishes. I have been honored to meet Jack Nicklaus, Paul Azinger and Greg Norman, who presented me with the trophies at the National Conference. Other than my Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 5
