4 minute read
SA Golf Trader, Jan Feb 2022 - Know your PGA Pro; Alet de Langen
1. When did you qualify as a PGA Professional?
I qualified in 2012.
2. What made you choose this career?
Definitely my love for the sport made me choose this career.
3. Has it always been golf for you?
No, funnily enough not, I actually wanted to be a nurse in my younger days.
4. Did you ever play or did you ever want to play on tour?
Yes I played on tour when I started out, but not anymore.
5. Who has been you mentor in the golfing industry?
I never really had a mentor, I try to learn something from every person I meet.
6. As the administrational operations manager, what are your biggest challenges at Waterkloof Golf Club?
Finding a middle ground for supply and demand needs, and ensuring we do not over stock.
7. Describe a typical work day for yourself as a PGA Club Professional?
Each day is filled with a variety of tasks from admin duties, stock control and meetings to lessons. Its a great combination of duties which I thoroughly enjoy.
8. From a golf club point of view, were there any lessons learned from the original lockdown last year, and if so, are you doing anything differently?
Yes there were a lot of lessons learnt, primarily not to over stock. It is a business that despite everything can grow and succeed.
9. How is the golfing public, members and your staff responding to the new rules and regulations?
We try our best to enforce safety regulations for everyone for their own safety as well as others.
10. With consumers already being careful on how they spend their money these days (pre covid 19), what would your plan be to attract people to the club after lockdown?
Good pricing, friendly service to make it a great experience, competitive pricing for stock items.
11. Slow play is one of the biggest problems in golf today, how do you manage slow play at Waterkloof Golf Club?
We have a Marshall on coure at all times, encouraging people to stick to a 4 hour round of golf.
12. The members of a golf club always come first. Do you agree with the phrase “The member is always right”?
No, they don’t always have sufficient background information, but we always strive to inform them in the best possible manner.
13. Does your position require you to be available on weekends, evenings, and holidays, and if so, does this place demands on your personal life?
Yes, flexibility makes everything possible, I try to keep a good work – life balance.
14. What are your short- & long-term goals?
My long term goal is to become a Club Manager and in the short term to learn as much as possible while growing to the best of my capabilities to improve myself.
15. Covid 19 aside, what is your opinion on the state of golf in South Africa?
It is a fast-growing industry, people realised that everyone could compete against each other, regardless of their age, gender, or capabilities.
16. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and I also love reading.
17. Do you still get time to play?
Yes, I make time to play at least once a week.
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