It is really hard to believe that 10 years have gone by already since my last year at UNL. The PGM program came along in a time of my life (I was 25 years old) where it just made perfect sense. I was proud to be a part of the first class to go through the program, serving as the PGM Student Club President the first two years.
I spent my first internship at Wilderness Ridge working for Jim White, who happened to be my childhood hero growing up. Jim was the Head Pro at Firethorn where my family had a membership when I was 8 years old. I’ve learned so much from Jim, not only while working for him, but still to this day!
I spent the rest of my internship time in Aspen, CO at the Maroon Creek Club, where I was promoted to the first assistant a month into my first season there. I spent a total of 4 years working for Mark Lampe and the club was kind enough to keep me on during the off season, finding me hours working in accounting and the front desk. Working at The Maroon Creek Club I learned what true customer service was, being all of our members were multi-millionaires and some very famous actors, yet you treated everyone the same no matter what.
After my fourth season there as the first assistant I moved back to the Midwest, taking the first assistant position at Dakota Dunes Country Club. A lot of people asked why I’d want to leave Aspen for North Sioux City, SD, and it was simply because I had learned all I could in Colorado and wanted to become a Head Professional, which I did one year later at Landsmeer Golf Club in Orange City, IA. I spent four amazing years in Iowa before meeting my wife Jackie, who lived in Mankato, MN. I decided to propose to her and give a year’s notice I was leaving Orange City and also leaving the golf business. It was the toughest decision I’ve ever made, but as it turned out a job opened up in October for the General Manager/Head Golf Professional here at Shoreland Country Club in Saint Peter, MN; where I’ve been the last three years. With my wife Jackie, I have two wonderful step-children Tatum-14 and Bennet-10. I can’t thank the University enough for giving me my start in the golf business. I look forward to getting back to Lincoln and seeing all the new facilities and meeting as many of you as possible.
More details at: http://pgm.unl.edu