Copyright Athlon Sports
The Beginning of Forever I was five years old when I first felt the weight of a golf club in my hands. Like most love stories, I didn’t know then that this would become a lifelong affair, one that would shape my identity, define my career, and ultimately become the lens through which I’d view the world. Nearly 45 years later, that same feeling returns every time I step onto a course or help a young golfer discover their swing. Golf wasn’t just a hobby that captured my childhood imagination. It became my education, my profession, my passion, and my purpose. From those early days learning the fundamentals at Riverbend Golf Club in New Berlin, New York, and Canasawacta Country Club in my hometown of Norwich, New York, through my years competing in high school and college, to nearly three decades as a golf professional, this game has given me everything. The Path Less Traveled When most people think about a career in golf, their minds immediately jump to the PGA Tour. They envision Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, or the latest young phenom making millions on television every weekend. Yes, that’s one path. It’s also the narrowest, most treacherous road imaginable. The truth that every aspiring golfer needs to hear? Playing professional golf at the highest level is extraordinarily difficult. Even the most talented junior golfers, those who dominate their high school teams and excel in college, often find that the professional playing circuit remains frustratingly out of reach. The margins are razor-thin. The competition is relentless. The financial realities can be crushing. But there’s a secret that took me years to fully appreciate: the professional playing circuit is just one small corner of a vast and vibrant golf industry hungry for passionate, knowledgeable people who love the game. Building a Career, Not Just Chasing a Dream After graduating from Norwich High School in Norwich, NY (where I competed at various positions on a strong golf team despite battling through a broken hip and foot injury), I made a decision that changed everything. Instead of simply trying to play my way onto Tour, I enrolled at the State University of New York at Delhi to study golf course operations. This decision opened doors I never knew existed. I continued playing competitive golf as part of the men’s team, but I was simultaneously building a foundation of knowledge about the business of golf. How courses operate. How to teach. How to manage facilities. How to build programs that bring people into the game. That education became the bedrock of a nearly 30-year career more fulfilling than any fantasy I ever had about playing professionally. I spent thirteen years at Winter Park Country Club, eventually serving as both General Manager and Head Professional. I’ve taught thousands of young golfers through Little Linksters Golf Academy, a program I founded in 2008 to introduce children as young as three to the game. I’ve received more than 25 industry awards, including the 2017 PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award, the highest honor available for professionals dedicated to youth golf. I’ve appeared on the Golf Channel multiple times. Contribute regularly to PGA.com, GolfWRX, MyGolfSpy, R.org, right here on Athlon Sports, and many other outlets. Hosted livestreams. Co-hosted podcasts. Built multiple successful businesses within the golf industry. None of this would have been possible if I’d limited my vision to just playing the game professionally. The Industry You Don’t See For every player you see on television, there are thousands of professionals working behind the scenes to make golf happen. Teaching professionals who transform beginners into confident players. Course superintendents who create the beautiful conditions we play on. General managers who run successful golf facilities. Equipment representatives who help players find the right tools. Writers and content creators who share the game’s stories with millions. Tournament directors who organize competitions. Junior golf coordinators who introduce children to the sport. The opportunities are endless. What makes it even better is that most of these careers offer something professional playing rarely does: stability, work-life balance, and the ability to make a sustainable living while staying deeply connected to the game you love. Through my work with Little Linksters and now BE A GOLFER Academy, I’ve watched young golfers develop not just as players, but as people. I’ve seen the confidence that comes from mastering a difficult skill. I’ve witnessed the character built through competition and the resilience developed through setbacks. I’ve had the privilege of guiding some of them toward careers in golf that they never knew existed. For the Teenagers Reading This If you’re a teenager who loves golf, I want you to hear this clearly: your passion for this game is valuable, regardless of whether you ever make it to the PGA Tour. If you’re good enough to compete at high levels, pursue that dream with everything you have. But also be smart about building a backup plan within the industry. Study golf management. Learn about teaching. Understand the business side. Develop your communication skills. Build relationships with professionals in various aspects of the industry. The PGA of America offers numerous pathways into the profession. Many colleges have outstanding PGM (Professional Golf Management) programs that combine business education with golf expertise. There are apprenticeship programs, internships, and entry-level positions at courses and facilities across the country. Something most teenagers don’t realize: starting a career in golf doesn’t mean giving up on playing. Many successful teaching professionals compete regularly in Section events and even qualify for major championships. You can be both a golf professional and a competitive player. It’s Never Too Late This message isn’t just for teenagers. If you’re in your 40s, 50s, or even 60s and you’ve always loved golf, it’s not too late to pursue this game as a second career. I’ve seen career changers become successful teaching professionals, course managers, and industry leaders. The golf industry values the life experience, professional skills, and maturity that second-career professionals bring to the table. Your previous career in business, education, sales, or any other field has given you transferable skills that can make you exceptionally effective in golf. The PGA’s apprenticeship program is open to adults of all ages. Golf course management programs welcome non-traditional students. The industry needs passionate, dedicated professionals who can bring fresh perspectives to growing the game. The Gift That Keeps Giving As I enter my 45th year with this game, my love for golf has only deepened. Through my current work with BE A GOLFER Academy and One More Roll Golf Media, I’m finding new ways to share this passion with competitive teenagers and golf enthusiasts worldwide. Every article I write, every student I coach, every conversation I have about this game reinforces what I’ve always known. Golf is more than a sport. It teaches patience, perseverance, and humility. It connects generations and crosses all demographic boundaries. It challenges us to constantly improve while accepting that perfection is forever unattainable. It takes us to beautiful places and introduces us to remarkable people. It provides lifelong learning, endless challenges, and a competitive outlet that adapts as we age. Most importantly, golf can provide not just a career, but a calling. A way to make a living while making a difference. To work in an industry you love while helping others discover that same love. One More Roll In golf, we always tell ourselves we have just one more shot, one more round, one more chance to get it right. That eternal optimism, that belief that the next shot could be the best one you’ve ever hit, is what keeps us coming back. If you love golf (whether you’re a teenager dreaming about your future or someone contemplating a second career), I encourage you to take one more roll at building a life in this game. The industry needs passionate people who understand that golf is more than just a score on a card. It’s a vehicle for personal growth, a connector of communities, and a source of joy that can last a lifetime. My 45-year love affair with golf has given me a career, a purpose, and a life beyond anything I could have imagined as that young boy first gripping a club. The game is waiting to give you the same gift. All you have to do is take the first step.
