Golf course management is a career than many golf industry professionals would like to get into. But what do you need to get there?
Whether you currently work in the golf industry or just enjoy golf, golf course management is a dream career for many people. However, like any other type of management, there are far fewer management positions than other jobs in the golf industry. In other words, in order to get the job, you need to first be sure that you have all your ducks in a row. Here are a few things you will need to acquire in order to score a golf course management job.
Training and/or experience playing golf
Like with any business, it is important for those working in the golf industry, especially in a position as important as golf course management, to know and understand the game of golf. Prospective employers want to see that you know how to play, either because you have received specialized training or from your own experience.
Training and/or experience working in the golf industry
Prospective employers will want to verify that you not only know the game of golf, you also know how the industry operates. Although an education from a reputable golf school can replace actual work experience, a combination of both training and experience is best. This is particularly important if you are seeking a position in golf course management, as employers will especially want a manager to know golf.
Business management training and/or experience
Running a golf course requires the same knowledge and skills as any other management position. A prospective employer will most likely want to see that you have either worked as a manager in another industry, or that you have had enough business training that you know how to do a manager's job.
A genuine passion for the game
Although prospective employers will expect applicants for a golf course management position to enjoy the game themselves, this is also a requirement that you should expect of yourself. As a golf course manager, your job will revolve around golf; you will live and breathe the sport. If you don't have a sincere love of golf, you are going to get tired of your job very quickly.
If you have all four of these points, you should be qualified for most golf course management jobs that you find. However, it is important to remember that getting the job only partially depends upon your qualifications. It is also important to show prospective employers that you have style, class, and ambition, as your presentation can put you head and shoulders above the competition, or bury you in a pile of unanswered applications.
