The Middle Atlantic Professional
Newsletter Date: July 2015
The e-newsletter of the Middle Atlantic PGA Inside This Issue:
With Professional events, junior events, Drive Chip & Putt, and other fun golf clinics… the golf President’s Perspective: Managing the Business Side of season for MAPGA facilities is in full swing. We here at the MAPGA Section Office hope Section Direction: Busy everyone has had a very active season so far, Summer Continues for Section Staff and continued success into the fall! Eyes on Employment: Focused on Customers Player Development Discussion: Defining Player Chapter Chat Important Upcoming Dates: August 13-16 PGA Championship – Whistling Straits August 17-19 MAPGA Professional Champ – Congressional CC August 31 – Sept 1 Sr. Champ, Qtr Cent. Champ, Sr PC – Homestead Resort September 7 Labor Day – Office Closed September 8 Central Chap Fall Mtg & Pro Ast - GC at Lansdowne September 14 Northern Chap Fall Mtg & ProAst – Oake Creek GC September 14 Southern Chap Fall Mtg & ProPro – Richmond CC September 17 Senior Open of Virginia – CC of Virginia (Westhampton) September 21 Head Pro & Teaching Pro Champ. – Washington G&CC
President’s Perspective: Managing the Business Side of Operations MAPGA Members & Apprentices,
In this ever evolving industry, the PGA Professional is not only expected to play the game well, but also to manage the business side of the operation. Your future promotions, job opportunities and compensation will be directly related to how well you can accomplish goals and guidelines set forth by a Board of Directors or CEO of your club. Everyone that is currently part of or just entering into the PGA organization can play the game at a high level. I believe you need to set yourself apart from the average PGA Professional to get that promotion or bonus you want and deserve. Modern day leaders of industry, whether it be the Head Golf Professional of a club or CEO of a major corporation, need to have
some basic knowledge of marketing, leadership and finance. There are a number of ways to increase your knowledge base in any of these areas. Additional schooling is always a way to stay ahead of the game and gives you the insight to be able to ask the right questions to accomplish your goals. Remember, you do not have to be an expert in all fields but as a leader you must be able to ask enough questions to be confident in the results to make an accurate decision. Additionally, ask to sit in on Board meetings, committee meetings, financial meetings and Department Head meetings to gain experience in the areas that you are not completely proficient in. This also gives you some additional benefits. It gives you, as a professional, exposure to the business members of your club and the opportunity to understand how the “outside world” business mind works. The additional
knowledge that you gain will be invaluable in your current profession or any direction you decide to pursue in the future.
Remember, as a leader, before you make any decision regarding your business, ask yourself one question – “Is the decision I am going to make GOOD FOR THE BUSINESS?” You want your first decision thoughts to be made with your head and not your heart. It doesn’t mean that this is the decision you have to go with but at least you have thoroughly thought through that decision. (Cont. on page 2…)