Game Of Your Life Experience
Joshua
Experience Information
Employer: Game Of Your Life Foundation
Job Title: Tour Assistant/Shop Manager
Major: Sport Management
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
The Game Of Your Life Foundation is a non-profit organization that runs junior and college golf tournaments all over the midwest. Also, we have a shop in Coldwater, MI that we sell golf equipment out of and teach golf lessons. Rolla Frisinger is the owner of the Foundation and he owns the Foundation Golf Center, Golf Club of Coldwater, Adams Junior Tour, Meijer Junior Tour, and the TaylorMade-Adidas Collegiate Series. My internship required me to take part in every aspect of the Game Of Your Life Foundation.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
I worked at a tour assistant for every TaylorMade-Adidas Collegiate Series events. My job was to set up the golf course, be a rules official and do the scoring once players are done with their rounds. While working at the shop, I became an excellent salesperson by selling golf equipment and I also had the opportunity to teach junior golfers of all ages during the camps and clinics that I ran. At the Golf Club of Coldwater, I was in charge of running the junior golf leagues. Which consisted of a 30-minute lesson then help the kids on the golf course. One task for the college tour that I did, was answer phone calls at the tour office, register players, explain rules and processes, and put together packets to send out to members of our tour. As well as keep the web page up to date at all time.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
My communication skills and my golf tournament knowledge has grown tremendously over the past few months. I have become much more comfortable talking in front of groups of crowds. I have learned how to run a golf tournament and what it takes to make it run smoothly. I have become a salesperson, a person who is very sociable but yet professional. I have learned a great deal about how to teach junior golfers and how to keep their attention for the whole 3 hours. While working in the shop, I learned how to repair golf clubs, regrip, reshaft, and how to fit people into certain clubs. I have learned what it takes to succeed in this industry and I look forward to taking my internship experience and running with it.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part of this internship was working the college tour events. It felt good knowing that you are putting on a great event. I get to watch some great golf and I was able to learn about a lot of rules and rulings that I did not know in the past. Ones that I can pass on to the players in if ever comes up. Working hand in hand with the courses and their employees always went well and courses loved having us. That felt good especially when the players were enjoying it. On top of that, teaching the junior golfers is a lot of fun. You show them the basics on what they need to do to get better and you turn it into a game to keep them interested. I received many compliments for the way I ran my camps and the way I kept the kids under control and many of the parents would like me to work with their kids 1 on 1 when my internship is over. That is a great feeling and something I feel I am very good at.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
This experience has showed me that there are many aspects to the golf industry. The tournament side, the sales side, and the customer service side. Before I started this internship I just wanted to be a golf instructor, now I would love to be involved with tournament coordination on top of teaching. This experience has already started to pay off for me since I just received an offer to be the Holt Girls Golf Teams Assistant Coach and work for the Greg Webber Golf Academy setting up camps and clinics as well as teaching and helping students with their recruiting. Couldn't have asked for a better internship experience, this is exactly what I needed before I take the next step into the golf industry and becoming a leader on the golf course.