After nearly 40 years as a golf professional, I have seen firsthand how dramatically the business has

changed. One of the biggest shifts has been in the way professionals communicate with members. There

was a time when communication was limited to the monthly club newsletter, phone calls, and face-to-

face conversations. That slower pace created a very different rhythm for both members and staff.

Today, communication happens through email, text messages, social media, cell phones, and voicemail.

As a result, golf professionals are now accessible almost 24 hours a day, seven days a week. While this

has made service more immediate and convenient, it has also changed expectations and increased the

demands placed on professional staff.

Technology has also made tournament operations far more efficient. Tasks such as preparing cart signs,

scorecards, rules sheets, and scoring can now be handled quickly through software. Once participants

are entered into an event, these materials can be generated and printed with only a few clicks. Until

about 20 years ago, nearly everything was done by hand. For example, a Member-Guest tournament

with 180 players required 90 handwritten cart signs and 90 handwritten scorecards. Staff also had to

mark handicap allowances for five nine-hole matches, resulting in 450 scorecards, while scoreboards

were completed neatly in calligraphy—an art that has nearly disappeared from the profession.

Online tee times and event sign-ups have eliminated thousands of phone calls each week. Members

now have the convenience of registering from home or from their phones at any time of day, without

needing to contact the professional staff directly. This has streamlined operations while giving members

greater flexibility.

Another major change is in the way golf clubs are purchased. Today, most players buy clubs only after

being professionally fitted to their body type, swing speed, and skill level. It is now far less common for

golfers to purchase clubs straight off the rack without any customization.

In the Columbus market, many country clubs are now operating with waiting lists for membership. The

days of moving into a new development and joining that club immediately are becoming increasingly

rare. In some cases, prospective members may wait 10 years or more for an opening.

Like many other industries, the golf business has had to adapt to changing times. At The Lakes, annual

rounds increased from 23,000 to nearly 30,000 following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. That growth

required adjustments in staffing, policies, pricing, and daily operations. In the long run, the pandemic

brought more people to the game, and in many ways, it has been a lasting positive for golf.

Looking back, the tools, pace, and expectations of the profession may have changed, but the heart of

the job remains the same: serving members, growing the game, and creating a great experience at the

club. That balance between tradition and progress is what has made this profession both challenging

and rewarding, and it is what will continue to shape the future of golf.