Questions for new golf pro Cancel The title field is required!

1. James Hesselbrock

   

   0 posts
   
   1/25/2012 6:01 AM

   Our club is looking for a new golf pro and I have been asked to submit some questions that will be used in a phone interview. I have a few ideas but would like to hear some suggestions. Thanks, Jim Hesselbrock, CGCS

   
   
   
   
2. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   1/25/2012 7:01 AM

   Jim,
   
   We will get some fun questions to ask and some pretty darn good ones, but the one thing I wonder or would ask, is what is their thoughts on how they think the course should be prepared daily for players and what are their proposed first tee times. I think it might answer the question as to is their expectations unrealistic, or what's more important revenue or player satisfaction. I guess it also depends on your type of facility as to how important that question is. Maybe tie your questions into your facilities mission statement.
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
3. Neidhardt John J

   
   1/25/2012 9:01 AM

   What is your shirt folding technique?

   
   
   
   
4. Peter Bowman

   

   11 posts
   
   1/25/2012 9:01 AM

   Here's my maintenance program. Take a look at it and get back to me by the day after tomorrow with questions, comments, feedback, possible changes, etc., because I need am ally here and I'd rather get your opinion now than later.

   
   
   
   
5. Kevin Girt

   

   0 posts
   
   1/25/2012 10:01 AM

   Ask him his feelings on frost delays, having to deal with members on days when you're cart path only. May want to find out if he knows anything of the agronomic requirements your particular course faces, ai verticutting and topdressing or of he only knows that he likes his greens to roll at 12'. Ask him on average per week he will start play on the back when your guys are still on the front finishing it up. Ask him if he knows that the reason golfers are there to play is because of the work you and your guys do and not because of his smiling face. Ask him if he's in it for the money or for the love of the game. Ask him if the two of you have anything in common.

   
   
   
   
6. McCallum David K

   
   1/25/2012 12:01 PM

   What your discount will be in the shop.

   
   
   
   
7. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   1/25/2012 3:01 PM

   Attached are some questions we asked our new Director of Golf during the interview process. It's good to have a set of questions to go by, although you'll surely find another question to ask once you start talking. Ask each candidate the same questions as much as possible, and record the answer to see how each response differs. If you can record the interview, that's even better. After doing 2-3 interviews a day, you'll forget who was who, and having the responses and recording to go back to is a plus.
   
   Also, I always offered the candidate a tour of the facility. Some accepted, some declined. This one on one time between me and him was very valuable, and took some pressure off with their potential immediate superior not present. It was also a way to find out if you are going to be comfortable working with the individual and vice versa.

   
   
   
   
8. Fleegel Timothy

   
   1/25/2012 4:01 PM

   I'd actually ask some of the crazier questions on this thread, like what will the discount be, among others. Getting responses to these types of off the wall questions really lets you into how the person thinks.

   
   
   
   
9. Wallace Jeffrey V

   
   1/25/2012 6:01 PM

   "Have you ever, do you now, and will you in the future keep the till slightly open so that you can accept cash for range balls without ringing up a sale?"
   
   I'm not implying that happens. I'm saying that happens.

   
   
   
   
10. Douglas Eggert

    

    1 posts
    
    1/25/2012 9:01 PM

    Ask him how he might handle the volunteer ranger staff and their round of golf 35 minutes before the first tee time?
    
    Ask him how many times he'll push singles out at 5:30 Friday morning before the volunteer rangers?
    
    Ask him how he keeps track of the volunteer rangers who work 1-2 times per week but, golf 180 rounds a year?

    
    
    
    
11. David Brandenburg

    

    3 posts
    
    1/25/2012 9:01 PM

    Explain your most difficult customer relations problem and how you handled it.

    
    
    
    
12. Andy Jorgensen

    

    1 posts
    
    1/26/2012 5:01 AM

    Douglas Eggert said: Ask him how he might handle the volunteer ranger staff and their round of golf 35 minutes before the first tee time?
    
    Ask him how many times he'll push singles out at 5:30 Friday morning before the volunteer rangers?
    
    Ask him how he keeps track of the volunteer rangers who work 1-2 times per week but, golf 180 rounds a year?

    
    
    In other words.....ask him about an employee golf policy and what he feels it should be. Our policy has been changed so many times in the past few years its unbelievable.

    
    
    
    
13. Ronald Conard

    

    4 posts
    
    1/26/2012 7:01 AM

    "Why, if you have never won a penny via tournament golf, do you call yourself a "Pro"? " "Is it to confuse the young ladies at the bar?"
    
    "Ummm, yes"
    
    "Hat's off to you, lad"

    
    
    
    
14. Peter Bowman

    

    11 posts
    
    1/26/2012 7:01 AM

    Ronald Conard, CGCS said: "Why, if you have never won a penny via tournament golf, do you call yourself a "Pro"? " "Is it to confuse the young ladies at the bar?"
    
    "Ummm, yes"
    
    "Hat's off to you, lad"

    
    
    He sounds honest, at least. Hire him.

    
    
    
    
15. Fauble Christopher

    
    1/26/2012 7:01 AM

    How many rounds of golf do you typically play? How many golf buddies do you have? How many additional comp. rounds can we expect based on the amount you play and the number of your golf buddies?
    
    ...a few serious ones...
    
    What are your ideas for the growth of the game? What can you do to improve our Junior Golf Program?

    
    
    
    
16. Trevor Monreal

    

    5 posts
    
    1/27/2012 6:01 AM

    Do you expect the superintendent to "think outside of the box" and waste time and money taking care of things that very few (if any) individuals care about while neglecting some all important items...the stuff inside the BLASTED box?

    
    
    
    
17. Keith Lamb

    

    3 posts
    
    1/27/2012 8:01 AM

    Ask him to set aside time to help out with aeration. My boss has always helped and I informed the new Head Pro that I will expect the same. I always give them easy jobs.....dragging greens, verticutting, etc... Gives them a whole new appreciation to the working of the golf course.

    
    
    
    
18. Kenneth Ingram

    

    18 posts
    
    1/27/2012 3:01 PM

    Put him in a cart, see if he stays on the path and how close to the green and tee he parks. Kenneth Ingram, UMD

    
    
    
    
19. Kevin Fateley

    

    5 posts
    
    1/29/2012 8:01 AM

    Do Lobotomies hurt?

    
    
    
    
20. James Prucnal

    

    0 posts
    
    10/3/2012 5:10 PM

    Ask him if he knows how to use a paint gun?