KNOW YOUR PGA PRO Jeff Clause - St Francis Links

Jeff Clause CEO/PGA Director of Golf St Francis Links

1. When did you qualify as a PGA Professional?

Before you were born, Pards! 1985 Texas, 1991 SA.

2. What made you choose this career?

Being a PGA Professional is really working in the hospitality business in the domain you love the most. I am a teacher, a psychologist, a club fitter, a rules expert, a babysitter, a motivator, a stockiest, a player (with a great future behind me) every day!

3. Has it always been golf for you?

Before I was four, I also played with “matchbox” cars, climbed trees and got bounced off trampolines. For the last 60 years, it’s been mostly golf.

4. Did you ever play or did you ever want to play on tour?

I generally peaked on a Wednesday. No, from the beginning, it was more about teaching the great game of golf to others.

5. You have been in the industry for a long time, who has been your biggest mentor?

I am blessed to have had several mentors/ influencers in golf and like. All my professionals were gifted in different ways – I learned from all of them. Off the course, its often people I have met through golf who have helped to mould me into who I am.

6. In 1991 you left the USA for a 3 year stint at Fancourt, how did this become 30 years ?

What most people don’t remember, is that a month to the day, Fancourt went into provisional liquidation because their bank was Masterbond. Marina Martinique and Club Mykonos on the west coast failed, bringing down Masterbond and Fancourt with them.

My 3-year plan became 7 at Fancourt as we kept the standards high, the course moved from No.7 to No.3 in that period. The liquidators became better golfers as well!

7. What are the biggest differences in the management of a Links Golf Course ?

High standards remain high standards. However, St Francis Links is natural combined with nature – a great balance. We are maintaining the lie of the land and the natural terrain. Bunkers are a continuation of the dunes around us – scratched out. The result is a visual and a playable 4 hours and change.

8. Describe a typical workday for you at the club?

My day has changed over the years. It still starts with golf, the day, the set-up, who’s playing and… It’s always a start with TK, my Head PGA Professional, it involves F&B and their interaction with the day and always includes time with Charl my SUP.

Then I shift to Estate solutions for water, sewerage, Wi-Fi, electricity, and security. I love the financial side of the business and my FM is the best in the business! Then, I mostly look at what we offer more than I play it.

9. With the golf courses open now, were there any lessons learned from the lockdown and if so, are you doing anything differently?

Do not start me on this. Lockdown took its toll on everyone. Today, we promote our course to our members and neighbours without many of our international friends.

We have modified our business model, closing on a Monday, except to members, only open at night for profitable functions and doing it all with less staff, lower expenditure, and more profit from less turnover. It works if we don’t compromise our service delivery.

10. How is the golfing public, members and your staff responding to the new rules and regulations?

I (we) took a good bit of flack for adhering to the letter of the law (gazette) and still today, operate golf as directed with pins in and rakes out. Others don’t.

11. With consumers already being careful on how they spend their money these days (pre covid 19), what is your plan to attract people to the club now that we are on level 1 of the lockdown?

Golf around the world is on the up, especially with younger people who cannot participate in contact sports. We have attracted new investment primarily from younger families who can work from home.

Member rounds are up nearly double in the last two years. Spend is conservative, clubhouse times are shorter, but improving. Golfing groups, who I love hosting, are on the rise.

12. Slow play is one of the biggest problems in golf today, how do you manage slow play at St Francis Links?

Ready Golf! You can’t eliminate 1/2way but you can streamline it. We have phones at 9 and 18 tees where you call your order in and have it your way as well – eggs over easy on the bacon and on the buttered brown toast!

13. The members of a golf club always come first. Do you agree with the phrase “The member is always right”?

I bend to that theory without being inconsistent. Anticipate their needs and wants as best you can.

14. Does your position require you to be available on weekends, evenings, and holidays, and if so, does this place demands on your personal life?

That’s the business we chose – your off time is our work time. For years I was off on a Monday and had no one to “play with”! Now, Liezl and I cherish our Sundays, most of them.

15. Last year November you won the PGA Professional of the year award for the 4th time, what is your secret to your success?

Keep learning, stay current with life, hire skilled and energetic people around you!

16. What are your short & long term goals?

Make this, St Francis Links, the most desirable place to come for golf and LIFE! I want to host the best players in tournament play and start new golfers on a sporting path that lasts a lifetime!

17. Covid 19 aside, what is your opinion on the state of golf in South Africa?

Now is the time to seize the moment!

18. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Escaping somewhere with Liezl.

19. Do you still get time to play?

I love a quick nine on Friday mornings – Dawn patrol! For some reason, and as positive as I am, my shot visualization and execution don’t always align themselves! It’s all good because GOLF has been very, very good to me!