Just over two years ago, I started my new career as an assistant golf professional in coastal Mississippi. I knew absolutely nothing about the golf industry, but I am a curious guy and quick learner, so what the heck?
The second half of July at our course, I quickly learned, is very busy with tournaments, so I got thrown right into the fire. I helped where I could, observed and asked lots of questions, but I really didn’t feel like I was of much assistance.
At one point, while our general manager, head professional at the time, and other assistant professional were busy in the weeds of the event, they asked me to handle the very simple task of preparing the scoreboard for the tournament.
I didn’t know that such a seemingly simple duty could be done so wrong by such a seemingly competent individual…me. I did everything wrong. The markers I used were wrong. The font was wrong. The spacing was wrong. The size was wrong. Two plus years later, I laugh and laugh. But at the time, I remember feeling a tad defeated. I can’t even get a scoreboard right.
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We host this same tournament at the same time every year, so this year was my third time around the block. It’s a two day event with 128 players each day and involves lots of moving parts, but it’s similar in its operation year over year. However, there is one major difference over the past three years. Year 1, I screwed up a scoreboard. Year 3, I’m in charge of running the whole damn thing.
In the ten days leading up to the tournament, I have lots of responsibilities. Some days, I show up in street clothes to paint hazards and boundaries on the course. Other days I meet with our general manager to ensure that all parties are on the same page with how all of the food and drink will be served. Some days I need to understand and communicate the other particulars. It’s not rocket science, but there are a lot of moving parts.
On the days of the event, the checklist is long, but it’s no different than loan closing day from my past career in banking. Make sure the golf course is set up correctly, the driving range is ready, the carts are ready, the food and beverage operation is ready, create a festive vibe, on and on. This is slightly more difficult when my right hand tournament man is down with Covid, as was the case this past weekend, but the rest of the crew stepped up.
Again, none of this is brain surgery, but they are all things that had to be learned. 25 months on, I am no expert, but I have learned so much by just jumping in the deep end.
It’s a fine line when pursuing something so new and foreign. On the one hand, you just dive in, get a few things wrong, learn so much from it, and improve immensely. On the other hand, you get so many things wrong that it kills your confidence before you really get started. I’ve experienced this feeling with becoming a golf professional, becoming a teacher and coach, and becoming a tournament player. It’s a fine line.
In industries where getting things wrong isn’t life or death, I’m a big believer in getting the reps. Lucky for me, I did not pursue rocket science. Only golf.
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When people ask me what my favorite and least favorite things about becoming a golf professional are, I answer very quickly. I don’t love marking the golf course in 100 degree heat, and I hate making scoreboards. I hate it.
So I am thankful to my team that did the tough work this year. The tough work of writing peoples’ names in a reasonable size in a reasonable font that I just can’t seem to get right.
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Have a great week.-Benj
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