Giving Back

by Sean Saunders

I was on the move this week working with Phys. Ed. programs at two private schools in Springfield. It reminded me of why I love my profession and enjoy helping the youth. The best reward of being a PGA Professional is teaching a game to juniors that soak up the information you give them and gain an interest in golf. The classes I helped teach were only 30 to 45 minutes long so I was only able to teach the students the basics, such as grip, aim, set-up, and the difference between the baseball/softball swing and the golf swing. Going to the schools and getting to know the students is an effective way to promote Swing Right. Many of the students don’t want to play on a golf course yet, but they enjoy playing a round of miniature golf or hitting balls on our driving range. Swing Right offers the youth a fun place to learn and enjoy different areas of golf with their family.

I also want to get the youth involved in a game they can enjoy playing for the rest of their lives and possibly receive a college scholarship. I was fortunate to work with the state champion in Iowa and see him go to college on a golf scholarship. He was a sponge and worked diligently on the techniques and mental approaches to the game. It gave me confidence to know my teaching philosophy and style helped him excel.

Many kids aren’t introduced to golf because it is expensive to play or they just don’t get the opportunity to play so they pick up another sport that is more convenient. I haven’t touched a basketball, baseball, or football since college when I played intramurals because they are team sports and you have to get everyone together to play. With golf, all I have to do is fire up the simulators at Swing Right and play a quick nine at Pebble Beach or Torrey Pines. I don’t have to worry about not being able to walk because I blew out my knee from trying to fake out my buddy on the basketball court. I love sports as much as the next guy, but I like getting out of bed without feeling like I got in a fight. I also see the majority of our youth spending the majority of their time on the computer or playing video games. Educating parents to invest in golf for their kids is a great way to help their children be more active and not get hurt like in other physical sports. Carrying your clubs for a round of golf is a workout. It is also a lot of fun being outside and enjoying the outdoors. An organization called the First Tee helps inner city youth get the opportunity to learn how to play golf and also teaches them about life lessons. A website that would be of interest to youth in southwest Missouri that would benefit from the First tee is http://www.thefirsttee.org/club/scripts/section/section.asp?NS=FL.

Introduction: Sean Saunders - Golf Instructor "On the Move"

by Sean Saunders

My name is Sean Saunders and I’m the Manager / Golf Instructor at Swing Right Golf Learning Facility. I also own a teaching business called SWS GOLF, LLC. I have had the opportunity to work at many different golf facilities such as private country clubs, resorts, golf stores, and driving ranges. I have also been fortunate to learn from some of the top Golf / Teaching Professionals in the country. I have seen the best and worst parts of being a PGA Professional. My goal for writing these articles is to educate the general public about golf and the life of a PGA Professional. I want to give insight on my life in balancing my teaching business, managing Swing Right, and starting a new family all while having fun in the process.

I started my golf career at Sioux City Country Club. I worked for a Master PGA Professional, Mitch Merrill. Mitch taught me many valuable lessons. I started as a bag room attendant and worked my way through the ranks to become an Assistant Golf Professional. The most valuable lesson I learned from Mitch is to write everything down. I learned quickly that when multi tasking it is important to make a to-do list and notes throughout the day. When answering the phones, taking tee times, receiving inventory, club repair, teaching lessons, delegating tasks to bag attendants, developing junior golf programs, organizing merchandise, and getting ready for the next big tournament or outing, it is easy to get overwhelmed and miss an important task that needs to be done. Not a lot of people realize how much work and responsibilities there are for a PGA Professional.

The Professional Golfer’s Association of America (PGA) is the largest golf organization in the world and has set the standard for being mentors of the game. The mission of the PGA is to grow the game through professional instruction and management. A PGA Professional is not a Tour Professional like Tiger Woods. A PGA Professional manages a PGA golf facility such as a driving range, learning facility, golf store, golf course, or country club. A golf facility becomes PGA Recognized based on a number of factors such as size, location and business plan. In order to become a PGA Professional, you have to pass a 36 hole playing ability test, three checkpoints (tests), give a presentation to the education staff, interview with a professional portfolio, and have 36 credits (months) of work experience at a PGA Recognized Facility. I am planning on taking my 3rd checkpoint and finish my work experience credits in November. It takes dedication, determination, and good study habits to pass the PGA Professional Golf Management program.

Becoming a PGA Professional has been a goal of mine since I started working in the golf industry nine years ago. It is similar to receiving your master’s degree in the golf business. I have a new found respect for PGA Professionals because they are a select few. The majority of PGA Professionals work 50-60 hour weeks during the season and rarely get the chance to play unless it is a playing lesson or Section tournament. They are dedicated to their profession. The PGA Professionals that stay in the industry do it because they are passionate about golf and enjoy helping others learn and improve their game. There are many sacrifices that are made, but their also many opportunities and benefits of being a PGA member. They are similar to the sacrifices, opportunities and benefits of anyone who is “on the move”!