Facility: Meridian Valley CC
Hometown: Boise, ID
PGA Member Since: 2017 (PGA Apprentice 2012-2017)
Tell us a little bit about your career before this point. Who or what inspired you to become a PGA Professional?
I grew up around the game of golf and started playing at the age of 4. I played competitively throughout my junior golf years and went on to play in college at the University of Montana. After graduation, I worked as a marketing coordinator and realized I missed being around golf. I explored the idea of becoming a PGA member and the impact I could have as a woman in the industry. I began my apprenticeship in Boise, Idaho before moving to the Seattle area. Working at multiple facilities has helped me navigate through where I best “fit” into this business and where my passion lies. I have made strides to increase junior and female participation through player development programs and look forward to carrying that momentum into 2018!
What benefits have you seen from PGA Junior League Golf? Do you have any tips for professionals new to PGAJLG as the PGA looks to expand the number of teams in 2018?
The benefits from PGAJLG are tremendous! This year we were able to have 4 teams and create our own league. We saw increases in food and beverage revenue, cart rentals, lesson revenue, and were able to generate 4 memberships! This was my first year as “Captain” and it can be a very intimidating undertaking. Luckily for me, Monte Koch was there to help every step of the way! We now even have our very own PGALJG Regional Manager Branden Thompson. I will continue to use these professionals as resources as well as other PGA professionals around the section. We can all learn so much from each other. We have so many great golf professionals making amazing strides to grow the game within our section!
Congratulations on your Assistant Professional of the Year Award! What are your goals for the New Year?
This year I will be taking on a new role at Meridian Valley as Director of Player Development and Member Engagement. My goal this year is to introduce and attract as many people to the game as possible. I enjoy the challenge of “creating golfers.” In order to do this, I will continue to use programs such as PGAJLG and run my very own version of Get Golf Ready titled “Hit & Giggle” as I have in past years. I also look forward to putting together a calendar of programs for all the other types of golfers within our facility and utilizing the other PGA professionals on staff to assist me. Our goal remains the same as the PNWPGA “Serve our members and grow the game.” I look forward to the 2018 season more than ever and am excited for my new role!
Thank you, Carissa Simmons!