Strengthen Your Travel Program By Including Your Team
A successful club-hosted travel program often starts with a single trip led by a solo PGA Professional. That first trip lays the foundation for what could become one of the most anticipated traditions at your club. But as your program grows, so do the opportunities and the challenges that come with it. More members may want to join future trips, and expectations for an unforgettable annual retreat will only increase.
One of the best ways to ensure your travel program continues to thrive is to involve other members of your golf staff. Whether you’re a Director of Golf including your Head Professional or a Head Professional bringing in an Assistant, expanding your team’s involvement not only lightens the workload but also creates opportunities for professional growth within your staff. It’s a strategy that benefits your program, your members, and your team in equal measure.
The Benefits of Involving Your Team
- Shared Responsibilities: Even with H&B managing most of the logistics, there’s still a lot that goes into a successful trip. Recruiting members, answering questions, and handling the finer details take time and effort. By involving another member of your staff, you have a trusted partner to help lighten the load and ensure every aspect of the trip runs smoothly.
- Continuity for the Program: Life happens, and you might not always be able to travel. But once your program gets rolling, it will quickly become a fixture on the calendar for some of your members. While they'll empathize with your new baby at home or pending surgery, the disappointment of missing the annual trip will still be there.
By bringing another professional into the program, you ensure it can carry on seamlessly, even if you’re unavailable. Many of the Professionals I work with have already made this transition. Some have handed off their travel duties to another team member entirely, while others now run multiple trips each year—one led by the Director of Golf and another by the Head Professional.
- Career Development: Including your Assistant Professionals or other staff members provides an invaluable opportunity for their growth. Leading a group of members overseas helps them become more well-rounded professionals and prepares them for future leadership roles at your club and beyond.
Scott Howe, PGA and Don Winker, PGA with their Des Moines Golf & Country Club members at The Slieve Donard.
Enhanced Value Without Added Cost
Adding another professional to the trip doesn’t have to strain your club’s budget. With 14 traveling members, the second Professional can enjoy the same complimentary land package that you receive as the lead Professional for the group.
In addition, if you're currently traveling with 7 members, expanding to 14 will also increase your annual Honorarium, which can help cover the 2nd Professional's flight and other expenses. All of which provides an affordable way to include another team member while enhancing the overall experience for your members.
In closing, getting other members of your golf staff involved in your travel program is a win-win. It eases the workload, ensures continuity, and provides valuable career development opportunities for your team. Plus, you can enhance the experience for your members with little to no additional cost to you or the club.
Whether you’re preparing for your next trip or planning to expand your program to multiple trips a year, consider bringing another member of your team along for the journey. It’s an investment in their future and the long-term success of your travel program.
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