Matt Kilgariff, PGA Director of Player Development at The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. follows a simple plan when beginning with a new student: Interviewing, assessing, communicating, planning, setting expectations and accountability.
Club Professional Takes on a New Challenge within the Golf Industry
Matthew Creech has been in the golf industry since he was 14 years old—much of the time working for the Mayfield Sand Ridge Club in Northeast Ohio. He is now transitioning away from his role as General Manager and taking a new position as Owner-Operator of the Golf Dome in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.
Top Ranked Fitness & Wellness Centers: 1-5
Ocean Reef Club Spa Fitness & Wellness Center in Key Largo, Fla.; Addison Reserve Country Club in Delray Beach, Fla.; Palo Alto Hills Golf and Country Club in Palo Alto, Calif.; Fountain Life / Fountain X in Naples, Fla.; and Desert Mountain Club in Scottsdale, Ariz. lead the way in the 2022 Top Ranked Fitness…
Top Ranked Private Club and Resort Fitness and Wellness Centers
The 2022 Top Ranked list reflects the judges’ scoring of submitted entries that included data on fitness and spa facility size, and the size of retail and/or food-and-beverage facilities related to fitness/wellness; average member usage, both on a monthly-visit basis and as a percentage of total membership; equipment value; classes and services offered; and staff…
Technology Allows Clubs to Generate Revenue on the Range
Arrowood Golf Course in Oceanside, Calif. installed 10 Toptracer suites, which it refers to as “The Flight Deck.” The suites have become so popular, they will be adding a full food and beverage facility, which will include a bar and lounge to support golfers enjoying the facility.
Open Communication Between Departments Benefits Golf Operations
Kevin Corn, Head Golf Professional at Innsbrook (Mo.) Resort Golf Course, shares his thoughts on the importance of the professional partnership he has with Golf Course Superintendent Matt Hovanec. “Having the knowledge of what and why work is being done, and having the ability to convey that message to golfers, is critical to the beginning…
Club Professionals Can Enhance Member Lessons by Utilizing Training Aids
Matt Kilgariff, Director of Player Development at The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe (Calif.), encourages his students to give training aids a try in order to speed up the learning curve and achieve more consistent ball striking.
Building a Successful Junior Golf Program
“When interviewing instructors for your junior program, look for enthusiastic, knowledgeable, experienced, and patient individuals,” says Matt Kilgariff, PGA Director of Player Development at The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe (Calif.). “Seek out instructors who are excellent communicators and are positive and encouraging.” Second in a two-part series. Read the first article HERE. HIRE THE…
Private Club Fitness Programs Can Ride the Golf Boom
The health and wellness industry is seeing massive gains come out of the pandemic. And as with golf, there is a unique opportunity for clubs to position themselves as the best solution for how and where to pursue these activities.
How Private Clubs Can Start Children on the Right Path in Athletics
Parents often miss the bigger picture when introducing their children to a sport at their club, which is to help develop athletic qualities that the kids can use and that can translate not just to golf or tennis, but any sport.
Building A Successful Junior Program at Your Club
Matt Kilgariff, Director of Player Development at The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe (Calif.), says we all learn better and faster when learning is made fun. “The best way to break the ice with children and their parents is to set an expectation and assure them that your program “guarantees fun…and results!” He says clubs should…
How Should Club Professionals Deal with Bad Behavior from Golfers?
If a golfer is clearly showing poor behavior, don’t follow them into the same trap, as this makes you wrong as well, advises Anthony T. Holder, PGA, Director of Golf at The Club at Horseshoe Bay (Texas) Resort. “I love a quote I once read that said, ‘Ships don’t sink because of the water AROUND them. Ships…
How Can Fitness Professionals Attract Reluctant Members?
“If it’s clear that spending time and effort at the gym will get the results that most of us want—a healthier body and a happier life—why do many still have a difficult time making that a priority?” asks Keke Lyles. “And how can we create programs and other incentives that will bring more members into…
Fitness Professionals Must Meet the New Realities of Staff Management
The times have changed from having an open position and filling that role, to first taking a step back and looking at the people you have, understanding their strengths and weaknesses, and then finding new employees with complementing strengths.
A Course in Teaching Course Management
Play-based golf lessons are much better than standing on the practice tee all day. Your students will gain a great appreciation of the course, your vision for them, and the game.