PGA of Canada

1. ENHANCE YOUR BRAND: BE A PLAYER Your personal brand ma ers, and a good brand does not just happen. To be a successful Teaching Professional who can a ract and retain students, as well as charge a compe ve hourly rate, you need to establish a posi ve reputa on or brand and one that sets you apart from other Teaching Professionals. Being able to 'play the game', shoot low scores, win tournaments, and competently demonstrate various golf shots are key elements of a strong, personal brand. Your students will be comforted in know- ing they are paying for a lesson from a skilled golfer, as well as a good teacher. Whether or not you have played on one of the profes- sional tours, you are strongly encourage to constantly improve your shot-making skills by compe ng in local, regional and na onal events. Not only will a strong brand generate referrals from those you cur- rently teach, it will provide direc on and mo va on to younger Teaching Professionals to commit the me needed to improve the technical aspect of their personal brand. Remember, everyone has a brand whether they are conscious of it or not. As an Assistant Teaching Professional aspiring to become Head Teaching Professionals, your playing ability says a lot about what you are going to be able to deliver to your students. And don't forget, your brand will also have an impact on the club's / facility's overall brand; therefore, hiring managers will be a racted to those Teaching Profes- sionals that have a strong brand appeal within the local marketplace. 2. FOLLOW YOUR PASSION If you inherited $10 million and didn't have to earn an income for the rest of your life, would you pursue a career as a Teaching Professional? Those interviewed for this research were unanimous in their love for the game of golf, and especially, in working with and seeing others improve. Everyone acknowledged that pursuing a career as a Teaching Pro- fessional was not the safest route to a steady income; in fact, all had experienced lean years where they struggled financially and had to overcome significant challenges to achieve their career goal. You need to follow your ins ncts as well as your goals…you've got to love golf and love teaching…and if you do…then go for it! -- Sylvie Schetagne Being a former tour pro does provide you with a stronger brand as a teaching pro… but you need to keep up your playing ability…clients like to know that they are taking lessons from someone who has achieved a high level of success. -- Jamie Kureluk Play golf…work at your game always…enter tournaments… get to the highest level you can as this will help you understand compe ve golf more and what top players go through… how they train, compete, deal with success or failure. It will also make you more confident as a teacher out on the lesson tee... most clients expect you to be able to play well and have experience at a high level, ul mately this is what they are paying for. -- John McCann I just love teaching…and I've developed a passion for seeing juniors improve…this has driven me to be the best teacher in the game. -- Ryan Anderson DECODING CAREER SUCCESS: AN INVESTIGATIVE LOOK AT THE CAREER TRANSITIONS OF PGA OF CANADA HEAD TEACHING PROFESSIONALS

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