So I have to hire the Pro Cancel The title field is required!

1. Darren Graf

   

   0 posts
   
   10/11/2016 10:10 AM

   Part of my job is to hire the pro and it is getting difficult dealing with the personal feelings to the old pro and the business decisions to benefit the course. Does anyone have some good data on what exactly should be expected from your head pro?
   We are a municipal course with a contracted pro whose contract is up at the end of the year.
   The pro gets the pro shop and has 2 vending machines in front of the shop that generate about 10k a year.
   The pro can have some of his own carts in case we get so busy that we run out of our own carts.
   Currently the pro gets an additional $170 per shotgun start for "services" ie. scoring, games and announcement
   We also have an assistant pro
   The pro at this time does not take tee times nor does he use the golf gopher system, we have cashiers for that.
   We have a starter who gets the golfers on the carts and off the 1st tee.
   Any help thanks

   
   
   
   
2. Max Lamas

   

   0 posts
   
   10/11/2016 2:10 PM

   What benefits do you get from having a pro? Is the pro position an employee or a sub contractor?

   
   
   
   
3. Darren Graf

   

   0 posts
   
   10/11/2016 2:10 PM

   Currently he is a contracted employee but I am considering making it a position with benefits in order to maintain control and get better results.

   
   
   
   
4. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   10/11/2016 4:10 PM

   I know there have been a few clubs that have done away with the typical golf pro position. Afterall, 95% of it is basically retail. The remainder could be taught to the right person.... I could see this working in a public facility scenario where customers aren't frequently returning like in a private club where a member/Pro relationship has it's values.
   
   That being said, I see a lot of lost revenue to the club. Who is paying for the electricity for those vending machines that are putting $10k into his pocket annually? Electricity for HIS carts, profit from goods sold in the pro shop, etc....wouldn't this be better as a salaried position based on goals and objectives you all agree on?

   
   
   
   
5. Max Lamas

   

   0 posts
   
   10/12/2016 6:10 AM

   Andy Jorgensen said: I know there have been a few clubs that have done away with the typical golf pro position. Afterall, 95% of it is basically retail. The remainder could be taught to the right person.... I could see this working in a public facility scenario where customers aren't frequently returning like in a private club where a member/Pro relationship has it's values.
   
   That being said, I see a lot of lost revenue to the club. Who is paying for the electricity for those vending machines that are putting $10k into his pocket annually? Electricity for HIS carts, profit from goods sold in the pro shop, etc....wouldn't this be better as a salaried position based on goals and objectives you all agree on?

   
   
   I agree. Unless you are a high end course the typical pro model does not benefit the course. Like Andy said there is a lot of lost revenue. You loose merchandise and lesson fees with the typical model. IMO you are better off making the position a regular employee.

   
   
   
   
6. Clay Putnam

   

   33 posts
   
   10/12/2016 5:10 PM

   I can agree with Andy and Max but only to a point. No doubt the role of the golf pro has changed in the public sector, however, a pro does bring value beyond strictly merchandising, I.e., golf lessons, running leagues, setting up/structuring outings, organizing a local tourney, youth golf camps, The First Tee, etc. As for the pop machine, golf cart, and merchandise, those are revenue streams generally offered when the salary is on the low end. I know it can be popular to pounce on golf pros but they can be a valuable colleague in our business.

   
   
   
   
7. Max Lamas

   

   0 posts
   
   10/13/2016 8:10 AM

   Clay Putnam, CGCS said: I can agree with Andy and Max but only to a point. No doubt the role of the golf pro has changed in the public sector, however, a pro does bring value beyond strictly merchandising, I.e., golf lessons, running leagues, setting up/structuring outings, organizing a local tourney, youth golf camps, The First Tee, etc. As for the pop machine, golf cart, and merchandise, those are revenue streams generally offered when the salary is on the low end. I know it can be popular to pounce on golf pros but they can be a valuable colleague in our business.

   
   
   Its all about location. If you are in a city or just outside of a highly populated area; then yes i can see value. If your course is in a blue collar area with low population then the pro does not offer much.

   
   
   
   
8. David Brandenburg

   

   3 posts
   
   10/16/2016 6:10 AM

   Good data may be hard to come by but in my opinion the golf professional needs to not only be the merchandiser and teacher of the swing but also the marketing person keeping the courses social media platforms active. (facebook, twitter, instagram, emails) He should reach out to prospective outside events while keeping current events happy and organized.
   
   He/she should also be the manager of the clubhouse staff and train / supervise the range, cart and counter personal. They are the natural face of the course as they have the most contact with the customers. They need to carry the message and mission of the facility, not their independent contractor business. At the same time in the daily fee world they need to take hours in the golf shop and manage on the fly as many of us do every day.
   
   We switched from a long time contractor to a employee golf professional 6 years ago to not only bring carts and range revenue to the course but also have a accountable manager for the golf shop. For me it was easier as our contractor was going to retire, turned out he did not but at the time I thought he was. He did a good job and customers liked him but as a non employee it was hard to be a true team all working towards one goal. It has not been perfect but it is a better relationship and fit for us.
   
   We are a 1/4 permit holder, 1/4 daily fee, 1/4 league and 1/4 outing course so for us a golf professional is a good investment. If we did not have the outings, I would say we could get by with a seasonal clubhouse manager that may or may not be PGA affiliated and contract out lessons. But since we do have the outings and a active base of permit holders the PGA Professional is a good investment.