On a cold day in March 1973, my career in golf began. Although I had caddied for years, working full time, becoming a part of the business was a dream coming true. Now 50 years later, I have the chance to look back, while still planning ahead. My first employer was a Class A PGA professional who happened to have played in three United States Opens, taught a U.S. President how to play the game, and was on his way to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Talk about great beginnings! I never realized just how truly lucky I was until much later. This first employer created a strong foundation for all I was to become. The game became my 24/7 life. I not only wanted to become a solid player, I wanted to understand golf from the inside.
I understand that I am privileged to have worked in and served the game. I had the grand good fortune to work with smart, talented people, performing roles I loved, while serving some of the more successful organizations of their time. As I was planning this post, I was thinking about what the game provides those of us who draw a paycheck. It is a very special feeling. This In My Opinion post will give you three of my thoughts on some of the perks/ideals of working in the business of golf. Maybe one or more will ring true:
A broad education: Once I had settled into my job and the idea that this industry fit me like a glove, I moved on purpose over many years, acquiring the most information, the widest education possible. Takeaway: understand that no matter what you like doing, things change, and you may be forced to take on very different roles; losing a job can push you to acquire new skills. Think about learning operations, accounting, hospitality and leadership, in order to prepare for growth as well as those unforeseen detours lurking ahead. Growth you’ll want to experience. The other, time alone will tell.
Relationships: Over these 50 years I have held some wonderful roles. The best of these roles came to me through people I had gotten to know over time. Although this piece took me far too long, building friendships and nurturing relationships means a great deal to any career, especially when one stays in the same world for many years. Takeaway: build a plan to connect with as many industry leaders as you can over time. Building friendships, doing all you can to help others, can pay amazing dividends. Everything we gain in a career is through others. Besides the work you do, be certain to spend your remaining time connected to those relationships you once worked so hard to create.
Exercise the gratitude: The longer I am around the game, the more grateful I am. It isn’t good enough, however, just to feel gratitude. Instead, we should do all we can to support others. Over the past 18 years, I have worked to mentor young people who want to grow in this game. I am honored to be a mentor for several people I have worked with in the past. It is a great pleasure. Takeaway: be excited and grateful for your time in the game. It is a great game and an amazing industry. There are good people at every turn. Through the years, I have had the chance to meet so many kind and talented men and women. No doubt, this is the sport of gentlemen and gentlewomen, all who love the game.
One last opinion: step back as often as you can and drink it in. I never did that enough, certainly during the early years. Take a break, enjoy the view where you are, and appreciate what you get to do each day. No matter which parts of the game you serve, take a deep breath and know that you and I are some of the lucky ones, people who get to call golf our industry, our home. Here’s to the next 50…or maybe just a few more.
Jack Dillon writes the In My Opinion posts. He is an experienced speaker and author of two books. The latest title is The Grand Tug of War: buying and selling in the real world. Jack is a consultant, able to help your golf shop, your service strategy and your team succeed.. Contact Jack at jackd@careerdividends.com or 407-973-6136. Jack is happy to connect with a FREE Zoom answering your questions. Jack lives in Orlando.
1 Comment
50 years, unbelievable Jack!
Now get back to work.