Four game-changing people I’ve known in the golf industry

When a person works in one industry for more than 50 years, they get to know and work with a great variety of people. When that industry is golf, it becomes magical due to the creativity, kindness, and warm personal support. Having worked in this industry for a lifetime, serving more than a dozen organizations in several career-changing roles, I have known amazing numbers of extraordinary men and women. These people were different because they were authentic, unique in how they approached both work and life. Because this is a short read, normally offering three thoughts for investigation, I will only get to scratch the pages of my Rolodex to provide stories on just a few game-changers from my life in golf.

This post highlights four people I have worked with, worked for, or have done business with through the years. The point of this post is not only to present a few interesting tales but to suggest you too may have many unique, hard-working people within your community. People you may want to step back and acknowledge for what they mean to your business. It took me until the time I began writing books to recognize the four people described here. This post is hoping you may do it quicker. Here are four very impressive people who touched a part of my career:

My first boss: He was a PGA Golf Professional from the old school. He played in three U.S. Opens. He taught a President of the United States, the one who served during Camelot, how to play the game. For me, he was my encyclopedia of the business and the game. He had stories; man, did he have stories. For seven years he taught me club repair, how to fit equipment, how to sell, and how to play better golf. He was a tough, self-made man from Boston. He taught his entire team about taking care of customers. I saw him talk people out of purchasing golf clubs they did not need on many occasions. And he owned the business! He was the right person for my career coming out of school.

The woman in HR with the unforgettable accent: Twenty years later I found myself working for a great international brand of practice centers. Not the one we all know today. This woman was tough, direct, and always straight to the point. This was a different type of organization for me. By observing her methods, presentation, and sheer grit, I learned how to manage in this larger, very significant role. For me she opened up a way to appreciate people and how they worked. She taught me how to construct a good e-mail (not an easy thing). Through observation, I learned the personality of the corporate office. If I wanted the real story, if I needed the truth (minus the corporate speak), I went to her office. We were a fast-growing organization. She helped make sense of the mayhem and the amazing location growth brought on by an internal need to expand quickly. She was a true gift in a time of change.

In a world filled with white golf balls: This man couldn’t wait to wake up and add color to what was then a game without flavor. He was a young executive, a man the same age as my son. His enthusiasm was infectious. His desire to grow and grow fast was apparent in every meeting, including every one-on-one encounter. He would give us quarterly sales goals. Not the typical growth goals of 12, 15, or even 20%. He had far greater plans. He expected us to grow 300, 400, and even 600%! After the shock of being pressed against the walls by the size of these expectations, our team went to work and achieved…every one of them! He changed the industry twice within eight years. He brought great product, in color, to the tee box of the better golfer. He then brought the most unique golf ball ever made to the game in 2016. The work was hard. At the same time, it was fun and rewarding. This was an entrepreneur who truly loved his customers and his business. We loved him not only for his kindness but for helping us to see we all could think bigger and execute far beyond our expectations. He recently passed away, far too soon, far too young.

The most unique career story: He was the VP of Sales for one of the companies my organization purchased from during the 1990s. He was on the fast track to create success as a new brand in a crowded category. He was certainly on a mission, a plan executed in a way I had never witnessed before. When he wanted to meet with a buyer or other decision maker, even for 30 minutes, he called, asked for the very first available date and time, and then took it…every time. You may think that doesn’t sound extraordinary. OK, let me add: his office was in Western Canada, and he would see you the very next day if offered, no matter the distance or difficulty. His product: sunglasses, all with retail prices of less than $70! Fascinating and true. When he wanted to see you, he made it a point to grab the first available spot. It worked for him, as he grew the brand into an industry powerhouse at that time.

It is often good to step back and recognize people both in the room and in your community. Although we are each unique, some bring an extraordinary view of the business and the world. These folks can teach us. They can help us to see things we may otherwise miss. They add color, flavor, and a story worth telling. Take the time to look at those in your world who may just do the same for you.

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Jack Dillon writes the In My Opinion posts. He is also a speaker, consultant, and problem solver. Reach out to learn more at www.youdontknowjackd.com. Jack or his associates can help you, your team, and your operation grow. You can also call Jack at 407-973-6136.