SA Golf Trader, May/June 2022 - Know your PGA Pro; Steve Basson

Know your PGA Pro - Steve Basson - General Manager, Mossel Bay GC.

1. When did you qualify as a PGA Professional?

I started my apprenticeship under the guidance of Johan Engelbrecht at Parow Golf Club in 1997. I qualified in March 2000. I also joined the Namibian PGA in 2013 and am currently still a member of that PGA.

2. What made you choose this career?

My family has ties with professional golf and the sport. I have a golfing family that represented the game at every level, and I believe that I was forged and destined to follow suit.

3. Has it always been golf for you?

Golf, Golf, Golf, and Golf, is there anything else that matters? hahaha

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

I played tour golf for many years. I was very fortunate to win some events on the Sunshine Tour, and for me winning the Zambian Open twice and back to back in 2006 and 2007 was one of the highlights.

Another event that stood out (Vodacom Origins Final 2005) was incredibly tough because of the names that played and the conditions we had to bear. The cut came at +17 that week… I was the only player that finished under par around the Links at Fancourt.

5. You have been in the golf industry since leaving school, who has been your mentor?

I have only ever been in the golfing industry. Since the day I left school, this was all I wanted to do and have done. I had so many mentors.

The golf industry is so broad and covers so many aspects that it would be very unfair of me to pick just one. I still have people that I constantly learn from throughout my career and even today.

I have always been inquisitive about how every aspect of the golfing industry works and operates. I made it my priority to work with as many leaders as possible. I am truly blessed to have met so many mentors.

6. You were based in Windhoek for over 10 years, what has been your biggest challenge at Mosselbay GC?

Yes, I spent the last ten years in Namibia and learned and made lifelong friends. Mossel Bay Golf Club is in total contrast to what I dealt with daily in Namibia.

Here they play 48 000 rounds a year compared to the 18 000 in Windhoek. Here I have the opportunity to bring the experiences during my touring years to the members and guests.

At Mossel Bay Golf Club we have experienced record monthly rounds. We have also seen a dramatic increase in memberships in the last three months.

7. Describe a typical workday for you at Mosselbay GC?

I strive daily to improve the experience our members and guests receive when they come to play golf. My day is filled with meetings and discussions with all the different line managers to see what else we can do to improve and provide an environment where they can come to enjoy the game we all love so much.

8. Has golf grown in your opinion over the last 18 months?

Absolutely, at Mossel Bay Golf Club we have experienced record monthly rounds. We have also seen a dramatic increase in memberships in the last three months. This is an excellent sign that the industry is doing well.

9. With consumers already being careful on how they spend their money these days, what is your plan to attract people to the club?

Service delivery. Golfers need to be a part of a facility where they can experience all the nice stuff they see on TV. Television and social media sell the game on our behalf, and we need to keep track of what is available and affordable for golfers.

If you keep working on the right stuff and your members and visitors feel appreciated, the result is more feet. I believe that if your product is up to standard, people want to be a part of that.

10. Slow play is one of the biggest problems in golf today, how do you manage slow play at Mosselbay GC?

We currently average about 160 rounds per day, seven days a week. We have marshalls on the course assisting with the pace of play. We also found that this problem is alleviated when we are efficient with the starting of the round on the first tee.

When golfers don’t arrive on time or are late on the tee, this causes a backlog early in the round. So we try to make sure that from the first hole, the pace of play is monitored.

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

We have so many members at the club that come from such a wide variety of industries. Most of them, if not all, were involved in some structure in their business life. Here at the club, it is no different. The club has set rules and regulations, and as members, we try to abide by our code of conduct. Also, we all have different opinions.

If the communication line in your club is on par, then the members know how every department in their club operates. If they have opinions, I love to listen to them and give this my full attention, but I believe that if we respect each other’s views and discuss this correctly, this “quote” is never an issue.

12. 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, I must be available at other “normal” office times. The industry lends itself to this norm. However, I think any working environment affects a person’s personal life. The key for me is to leave the club at the club, and when I am home, I spend this time a100% with my family.

13. After spending so much time in Namibia? What has been the biggest adjustment for you?

I am born South African, and will always be. Although, I think one of the nicer adjustments is to experience rain again….

I want to give back and continue to give back to members and golfers all that I experienced when I still played tour golf.

14. What are your short & long term goals?

Most of us try, especially in this industry, to leave a lasting legacy. So I want to give back and continue to give back to members and golfers all that I experienced when I still played tour golf.

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

Both my boys play hockey and squash. I must admit that I prefer watching hockey as I find it challenging to keep up with boys inside a little room playing with a piece of prestic that refuses to bounce high enough for my speed levels, haha. Spending time with my wife is one of my favourite past times.

16. Do you still get time to play?

Ever since we moved to Mossel Bay, I get time to play some more with the boys and love the game. The golf course is in absolutely great shape, and I also enjoy the opportunity to experience the service that we strive to deliver by playing more.