Ridgewood Country Club

27-Hole Private Facility

Positions

PGA Intern
Driving Range Attendant
Bag Room Attendant
Junior Golf Camp Instructor

PGA Professionals I Worked With

May 2011 - August 2011

Head Golf Professional

David Reasoner

Assistant Golf Professionals

Michael Harger

Anthony Vitale

Brad Sumenek

CLAMBAKE MEMBER-GUEST

The Clambake was a one day member-guest and a busy day for the Professional Staff. Therefore, the Professional Staff used the PGA Interns to assist in tasks they could not possibly complete themselves. Some responsibilities included, but were not limited to, tee gift displays, beat the pro, tee gift distribution, raffle prize giveaway, putting course design, glow in the dark putting course design and any other miscellaneous tasks.

TEE GIFTS DISPLAY

My first responsibility was setting up the displays for the tee gifts. This was important because we had different package options and we needed to make sure members and their guests could decipher the differences between packages. Some pictures below show the tee gift displays that I had designed and organized. I was also responsible for explaining the different packages that guests and members were entitled to choose from. Keeping organized records of who did and did not receive their gifts was important. This helped us know who to track down.

BEAT THE PRO

Another responsibility of mine was "Beat the Pro". I was sent to Hole #8 of the Center where participants would gamble money to hit their tee shot closer than mine. Hitting it closer than me would double their money in Golf Shop credit. Even if the member did not put it closer than me their money was then simply turned into Golf Shop credit. This was a great experience as I interacted and networked with numerous groups playing in this event.

RAFFLE & AWARDS

At the dinner function, raffle prizes were given out. We sold raffle tickets before the event took place and at the dinner we raffled off prizes out of the Golf Shop. My duty was to locate the members or guests who won the raffle and be sure to deliver the prize to them.

PUTTING COURSE DESIGN

Another event that we integrated into this day was a "Beat the Pro" putting contest. We set up the putting green into a nine hole miniature golf course. Some holes are visible in the slideshow below. During the cocktail hour we set up glow sticks on the course so that individuals could putt after dinner in the dark.

This tournament was great experience for me because I was able to oversee the tasks that the Professional Staff were responsible for on days like this, and also noticed the hard work that is required in order to provide a successful member-guest. Coordination and communication between departments of the club is vital to the success of the event.

MEN'S CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

As a PGA Intern, I oversaw all the tasks that were necessary in administrating the Men's Club Championship. Noticing the ways that the Professional Staff advertised the event, set up the event, and scored the event with such great organization was a learning experience in itself. I was able to get an understanding of what needs to take place to properly facilitate an event of this caliber. Even though I did not actually create the documentation, I was able to see the Professional Staff design the necessary tools for the event and that allowed me to acquire experience and get an understanding of tournament operations.

Flyer

Sunday Flyer

Notice To Competitors

OUTSIDE OPERATIONS DUTIES

BAG ROOM

Working in the bag room was beneficial for multiple reasons. I learned member's names, worked within a team to make sure all our duties were completed, and improved my customer service skills with the membership.

BAG DROP

The bag drop is an important if not the most important part of our operation. It was necessary that one member of our Outside Operation Staff was available at the bag drop to greet members and guests at all times. This was good for my career as I learned to greet and interact with the members. Being the first point of contact, the bag drop plays a key role in the overall player's experience at the club.

DRIVING RANGE

The driving range was a cart ride away from the clubhouse and bag room. It was important that individuals on the Outside Operation Staff took initiative to clean the range of range balls, clean the range balls, set up the teaching area for the Professional Staff, and provide balls for both the practice area and driving range. Being detail-oriented was a skill I learned to have when making sure the driving range was set. Bag stands were perfectly in line, evenly spaced and baskets were in the same spot at each station. Cleaning the chipping greens of balls was important because we did not want our members to sweep balls off the green because they should not have to.

CLUB REPAIR

The four PGA Interns were responsible for re-gripping and club repair. This is where my club repair experience really began.

TEACHING AREA

In the slideshow above you will see the teaching area that the Outside Operation Staff was responsible for organizing and setting up every day. I got some experience shadowing PGA Professionals giving lessons as well as experimenting with different training aids, and launch monitors. Organizing the demo clubs helped me understand what was new to the market and how the new technology was developing over time.

JUNIOR CAMPS

Junior camps were Monday through Thursday, 9:00am to 12pm for eight straight weeks during the middle of the summer. The PGA Interns were responsible for the organization of all the junior camps. Every week a different PGA Intern led the camp for the week, organized staff, chose drills and managed the junior campers. My lesson plan and staff scheduling is provided below. It was important that the junior golfers had fun.

Miniature golf courses
Games that included golf moves, e.g. ultimate frisbee, kickball and football
Snag Golf
Rules of Golf tests to get kids familiar with them

These activities allowed the junior golfers to have fun and learn more about golf. This was very beneficial for my career as I acquired teaching experience and management experience. I needed to plan the activities, schedule the staff and direct the juniors to their respective activities. Having this responsibility forced me to public speak, and delegate tasks to the other PGA Interns. Without their help we would not have been able to create a fun and successful junior camp experience for the member's children.

Weekly Lesson Plan

Staff Scheduling