Experts in the game and business of golf..
ASSISTANT’S
NEWSLETTER
AUGUST 2016
Congratulations
Upcoming Events
29-30
AUG
26-28
SEPT
STPGA Senior Professional Championship
We’d like to recognize the following individuals who
achieved new classifications, new jobs, completed their
Certified Professional Program (CPP), Professional Golf
Management (PGM) level requirements or won tournaments within the past month:
Pine Forest Country Club
STPGA Professional Championship
Golf Club of Houston
Level 2
Shaun McEwen (Sweetwater Country Club)
Class A Professionals: Register Today at PGATournaments.com!
Tournament Winners
National Car Rental STPGA Assistant Championship
Casey Russell (Lochinvar Golf Club)
Tor-Erik Knudsen (Lochinvar Golf Club)
Brett Callas (Riverbend Country Club)
Justin Engel (Royal Oaks Country Club)
Pine Forest Country Club, Houston, TX
These four will be representing the STPGA at the National
Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship this
fall!
2016 STPGA Assistants Committee
Chairman
Billy Holtz, Lakeside Country Club
Congratulations and continue the hard work!
([email protected])
Fundraising & Events
Todd Grassi, River Oaks Country Club
([email protected])
Christopher Pribyl, Houston Country Club
([email protected])
Education & Outreach
Trent Peddy, The Club at Carlton Woods
([email protected])
Communication & Promotions
Patrick Ascherl, Traditions Club
([email protected])
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Experts in the game and business of golf..
ASSISTANT’S
NEWSLETTER
AUGUST 2016
Assistant Spotlight
ur Assistant Spotlight
from working for them. Whenever I need advice on a situa-
for the month of Au-
tion, or just a fresh idea for an event, these are my first two
gust is relatively new to
calls.
the STPGA, having only been at TPC
In a few words, how would you describe your career path?
San Antonio for 9 months. PGA AssisThe TPC network provides immense professional develop-
tant Professional Wes Levanduski
ment, and encourages its Assistant’s to be involved in the
grew up on the central coast of Cali-
organization by helping at other PGA Tour Events and hold-
fornia where he caught the golf bug
ing leadership positions. I plan on experiencing other TPC
at an early age. Levanduski attended
Wes Levanduski, PGA
properties, becoming a Head Golf Professional and a General
the PGA Golf Management program
Manager in the future.
at the University of Colorado-
What has been the biggest challenge so far in your career?
Colorado Springs, where he was actively involved. “Through
this program I attended 3 internships at notable facilities,
Since I’m a new PGA member and still new to the TPC net-
held leadership positions and played in weekly events.”
work and procedures, it has taken some time to wrap my
Levanduski states that his favorite experience so far has
head around the organization and see how all of the moving
been hosting the Valero Texas Open back in April. Wes’ goals
parts connect. I’ve learned and studied different situations
are to work through the TPC system and ultimately become
at college regarding the golf business, leadership, and busi-
a TPC General Manager.
ness development, and now I actually get to do it myself.
TPC San Antonio is a very busy property with the JW Marriott
and our members, but this does provide a fun, fast paced
What drove you to become a PGA Professional?
work atmosphere.
I grew up playing golf on the central coast of California and
What advice would you give an apprentice working to-
developed a passion for the game at a young age. When I
wards PGA membership?
started thinking about my future and career, I couldn’t think
My advice would be to attend a Professional Golf Manage-
of a better professional than the golf business.
ment program during college. For me, it was the best way. I
Who is/are your mentor(s) and how did they influence you
was able to complete my college degree and obtain my PGA,
as a professional?
while experiencing different golf operations on internships,
Mark Lampe and Joey Pickavance are 2 of my biggest men-
and meeting lots of great people along the way.
tors in the golf industry. Both are very accomplished Professionals and I learned and observed valuable experiences
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Experts in the game and business of golf..
ASSISTANT’S
NEWSLETTER
AUGUST 2016
The Consummate Professional
he interactions golf
What drove you to become a PGA Professional?
professionals have with
At an early age playing golf weekly with my Father and
their members, guests,
Grandfather was very impactful and memorable time for me.
students and staff tend to have
Remember in 2nd or 3rd grade when you write a paper about
lasting effects not only on those
what you want to be when you grow up?
individuals, but also on themselves.
I wanted to be a Golf Professional.
As Kelly O’Donnell, PGA Director of
Kelly O’Donnell, PGA
Who is/are your mentor(s) and how did they influence you
Golf at Wolfdancer Golf Club
as a professional?
knows, these daily instances can provide great returns not
only for the professional but their facility as a whole. “My
I have had many through the years: Dale Morgan, Ronnie
favorite part of the job is engaging the people you come in
Glanton, Glenn Lee, Lindy Miller, and Mark Steinbauer. They
contact with through the game of golf.”
are all passionate about the game, growing the game, and
being PGA ambassadors to their members and colleagues.
In the 32 years O’Donnell has been in the industry he has
excelled in sales, marketing and instruction. Over that time,
In your own words, what has been the biggest contributing
he has realized the effect golf professionals can have. “We all
factor in your success as a PGA professional?
share the highs and lows of good and bad shots and there is
Having an understanding and loving support system at home
a kindred spirit to all golfers who share the passion to per-
in my family and surrounding myself with honest and caring
form and excel.” O’Donnell and his staff at Wolfdancer Golf
staff who want to succeed by providing genuine hospitality.
Club recently received the PGA of America’s award for 2016
Merchandiser of the Year for resort facilities. He credits this
Congratulations are due as your facility (Wolfdancer Golf
to “having the desire to meet our members and guests
Club) has been recognized as the PGA of America’s 2016
needs everyday.” “We pride ourselves on being forward
Merchandiser of the Year for resort facilities. What do you
thinking in fashion and follow trends, but being mindful to
credit this accomplishment to?
not the mainstream market as well.”
Having the desire to meet our members and guests needs
O’Donnell was part of the opening team at Wolfdancer Golf
every day. We pride ourselves on being forward thinking in
Club in 2006 as the Head Professional and is currently the
fashion and follow trends, but being mindful to not forget
Director of Golf. On what he says is the “back nine of his ca-
the mainstream market as well. Collectively, we target all
reer”, O’Donnell’s ambitions are to “mentor the next wave
the demographics in golf today. There is no greater satisfac-
of golf professionals and mold them into the future care-
tion than to hear a guest say, “you carry this (brand)?! I’ve
givers of our game.”
been looking for this!”
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Experts in the game and business of golf..
ASSISTANT’S
NEWSLETTER
AUGUST 2016
The Consummate Professional
How do you drive merchandise sales and what steps have led to your success?
Our success as a resort shop is contributed mainly to our guests being members at other clubs. We strive to offer what they
might not find at their club or their home town. We offer monthly sales promotions, discounts on multiple purchases and will
ship anywhere.
Aside from merchandising, what other areas of the business are you most passionate about?
I love working with beginning golfers and helping struggling golfers find their way back on the fairway.
Our game is so difficult and can be self-defeating; we have all been there. I take pride in being a coach and a counselor as
well as a PGA Golf Professional.
When managing the operations at a facility such as Lost Pines and Wolfdancer, what challenges do you face and how do
you overcome those challenges?
Like many operations, you are challenged by the staff that you have on board. I have 8 generations that work at Wolfdancer
and blending the expectations and work ethic together has to be a daily focus for our goals to be met.
What advice would you give aspiring professionals and apprentices?
1) Make a new friend in golf every day.
2) Make sure you have a trusting friend or two that you can count on.
3) Hospitality is a difficult and challenging industry but there is no greater reward than providing a member or guest exactly
what they want and seeing and receiving their appreciation in return.
Talk of the Shop
Do you have an eye for golf fashion? Think you’ve got a knack for creating displays? Then submit your best display to the Talk of
the Shop for a chance to be in the Assistant’s Newsletter.
Winners also receive merchandise from select vendors!
Please submit pictures with your name, facility and display vendor by September 15th to [email protected].
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Experts in the game and business of golf..
ASSISTANT’S
NEWSLETTER
AUGUST 2016
Employment Opportunities
PGAjobfinder is the PGA of America’s complimentary job board for Job Seekers interested in pursuing non-management positions at
golf courses and in the golf industry such as Assistant Golf Professional, Golf Shop Staff, Starter, Ranger, Food & Beverage, Sales,
Marketing, Clerical, etc.
The most valuable part of PGAjobfinder is the team of regional PGA Career Consultants whose goal is to
serve as the official hiring resource for industry employers. The PGA Career Consultant for the Southern Texas PGA is Doug Turner.
If you are a PGA Professional and need more information about PGAjobfinder, log-in to PGA.org here.
As an STPGA professional or apprentice you can find more information about Employment Services here.
Look Who’s Hiring!
Doug Turner
[email protected]
P: 972.977.2746
Assistant Golf Professional, Cedar Crest Golf Course. $22,000-33,000 per Year. Deadline Sept. 2, 2016.
Assistant Golf Professional, Teravista Golf Club. $12.00-14.00 per Hour. Deadline Aug. 25, 2016.
Golf Professional, Duck Creek Golf Club. $30,000-40,000 per Year. Deadline Aug. 25, 2016.
First Assistant Golf Professional, Willow Fork Country Club. $13.00-15.00 per Hour. Deadline Aug. 31, 2016.
Lead Instructor, Swanson Golf Center. $20,000-42,000 per Year. Deadline Sept. 1, 2016
Assistant Golf Professional, Stonebridge Ranch Country Club. $10.00-14.00 per Hour. Deadline Sept. 12, 2016.
Entry Level Assistant Golf Professional, River Place Country Club. $9.00 per Hour. Deadline Aug. 25, 2016.
Assistant-In-Training, Lakewood Country Club. $10.00-13.00 per Hour. Deadline Oct. 1, 2016.
First Assistant Golf Professional, Berry Creek Country Club. $26,000-40,000 per Year. Deadline Sept. 1, 2016.
Assistant Golf Professional, Ridgewood Country Club. $24,000-35,000 per Year. Deadline Sept. 1, 2016.
Assistant General Manager, The Village Golf Club. $30,000-40,000 per Year. Deadline Aug. 27, 2016.
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