Career?

Question
Eddie,
    I am currently at a crossroads in my professional life.  I would love to get into a golf career.  My background is in sales and management.  I am 35 years old with a 14 handicap. Only this past year did I have the time to play a lot of golf.  I've never had a golf lesson. I don't think I'm good enough to become an instructor. I think a job in management or sales would be a good fit for me.  I've looked into the golf career schools. I'm looking for the best way to get a good paying golf career.  Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Greg

Answer
Greg:
Best advice I can give you is to contact the big management companies in golf.  Troon Management is one of the biggest.  OB Sports Management.  I don't know off hand all the bigger management companies, but that would be a good place to start.  Do an online search for golf management companies.  Get caught on with them, start at the bottom and let them know what you are willing to do on your way to wanting to becoming a manager with them.  I would not waste time or money on the career schools.  You might as well get hooked up with a company and get started.  I am sure if they like you and you do an outstanding job for them, they will consider your every request.  Learn the golf business from them, their way.  Makes sense to me.  You can learn all of that "on the job".  If you go to a career school, you then have to still go get a job and guess where you'll start?  Your right.......at the bottom.  So save the $20K and a couple of years, get started at the bottom, learn all you can, be a great leader and let them know what you want, tell them your strengths and what you can do for them.  Main thing is get started.  While your working your way through their system, you can also enroll in the PGA Program.  That takes about 3 years and is almost a must if you wish to succeed to where you want to go.  But get started.  Do some homework and check out a few companies.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member