Build Bridges: Connecting with Fellow PGA Professionals Overseas
When visiting the legendary golf clubs of the UK and Ireland, it’s easy to focus solely on the courses themselves. But as PGA Professionals, we know that the heart of any great club is its people. Establishing connections with your counterparts overseas not only enriches your trip but also creates opportunities for shared experiences that your members will cherish and remember.
Private clubs overseas operate differently than those in the U.S. and, in many cases, they've been doing it a whole lot longer than we have. This creates a unique chance for you to build relationships with the PGA Professionals who help uphold their traditions and history. A quick introduction before your visit can unlock doors to enhanced hospitality, professional growth, and lasting friendships.
Why Connect with Overseas Pros?
- Strengthen the Welcome: Think about how you’d go the extra mile for a visiting Pro and their members at your own club. The same applies overseas. Reaching out in advance could lead to personalized touches like a private clubhouse tour or insights into the club’s history that you wouldn’t get otherwise.
- Enhance the Member Experience: A little effort can go a long way toward creating special moments for your group. Whether it’s a chance to pose with the Claret Jug or a sip of kümmel with the Club Secretary, these connections often translate into added value for your members.
- Forge Long-Term Relationships: The connections you make don’t end when the trip does. Building relationships with fellow PGA Professionals overseas could open doors to sharing ideas, exchanging best practices, and even creating reciprocal opportunities between your clubs.
Mark Bixler, PGA with his Kirtland Country Club members at Muirfield.
How to Build the Connection
- Reach Out in Advance: Contact the club’s PGA Professional before your visit. A simple email introducing yourself and your group is a great start. Share your itinerary, express your excitement to visit their club, and offer to meet for a quick hello during your round.
- Bring a Token of Appreciation: Consider taking a small gift as a gesture of thanks. A pin flag or other keepsake from your club is a thoughtful way to show your appreciation for their hospitality.
- Celebrate the Connection: Even if your outreach doesn’t lead to a special tour or interaction (these are very busy private clubs, after all), remember that they’ve already welcomed you and your members to their club. And perhaps you've made a new friend and colleague in the process. That alone is worth celebrating.
The Benefits Back Home
Connecting with your overseas counterparts isn’t just about the trip—it’s about professional growth. You might observe something unique about how they run their club or gain insights that could elevate your own. These relationships are a two-way street, and what you learn overseas could be invaluable at home.
In closing, as a PGA Professional, you’re part of a global community dedicated to growing and celebrating the game of golf. A trip across the pond is an opportunity to strengthen that bond, build relationships, and create meaningful experiences for your members and yourself.
So, don’t just visit these iconic clubs—connect with the people who make them special. Reach out, bring a token of appreciation, and take the time to build bridges that could last a lifetime.
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