HEALTH & LIFEST YLE
KNOW YOUR PGA
PRO
1. When did you qualify as a PGA Professional? 2012.
Justin Roux Director of Golf - St Francis Bay Golf Club
expectations that you need to manage on a Golf Estate as people’s expectations extend to their properties and surrounds as well as the golf course and club house.
2. What made you choose this career? I always enjoyed the rules of golf as a junior golfer and through that I wanted to get into 7. St Francis Bay GC has got a very “Links” feel tournament organization and refereeing. That to the golf course, how close is it to a true led me to do my studies in Golf Directorship Links? through Damelin and the PGA Apprentice St Francis Bay Golf Club is as close to a true Programme. After I started working at St Francis links as you will find in South Africa. The land Links, I found my passion for Club Management. the golf course is built on is next to the ocean with the 12th hole playing down to the sea 3. Has it always been golf for you? side and the 13th tee box looking across main No, when I left high school, I studied law. beach and the bay. The fairways are undulating and follow the natural land terrain and the 4. Did you ever play or did you ever want to bushes are all coastal fynbos. play on tour? No, I have never played on tour or had any 8. Describe a typical workday for you at St interest on playing on tour. Francis Bay GC? I start each day by having a coffee with our 5. You have been in the industry for a long greenkeeper so I know what is happening on time, who has been your biggest mentor? the course and if there is anything that needs My mentor and friend and someone who I still to be communicated to the staff and golfers bounce ideas off regularly is Jeff Clause. Jeff about what is happening on the course. gave me my first opportunity in the golf industry and I did my PGA Apprenticeship I then catch up with the staff and if it is a busy under him and Ryan Dodds at St Francis Links. day ensure we are all ready for the day and all 6. What are the biggest differences in the requirements are in place and equipment set management of a Golf Club as opposed to a up for the day ahead. Otherwise, Golf Estate? the administration side keeps me busy in The major difference comes in the what my office, I spend some time on the course the expectations are. There are wider set of during the week as well and have a
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July | August 2021
