Issue link: http://pgaofcanada.uberflip.com/i/118084
THE 19th HOLE THE 19th HOLE q&a Q&A 2012 PGA of Canada National Award Winners PRO:Files recently had a chance to catch up with some of the 2012 National Award Winners— Shaun Piercey, Pat Fletcher Retailer of the Year; Cam Martens, George Knudson Teacher of the Year; Doug Lawrie, Jack McLaughlin Junior Leader of the Year; Jon Roy, Ben Kern Coach of the Year; Trevor Goplin, Murray Tucker Golf Professional of the Year and Mike Kelly, Tex Noble Award for Professional Development—and pick their brains about what they've learned along the way as a PGA professional; what it means to be a national award winner and the skills they needed to rise to the top of the profession. What word of advice would you give your peers? Is there something you've learned along the way that you think would help others in the PGA? Piercey: Get to know your customer and build lasting relationships and always try to improve from season to season. Kelly: Collaborate – work with colleagues to share best practices, develop new programs. Leave nothing in the tank. Golpin: Treat every season like it's your first with respect to enthusiasm and not becoming complacent. As a Club Professional we are always "on-stage," so be cognizant of your actions and demeanor at all times at and away from the club. If you're your team is having fun and being professional at the same time, it excels. Martens: Identify the parts of the business that you like and strive to become an expert. Develop those specialized skills and find a team that needs your skill set. It doesn't mean you will never have to pick the range or clean a club, but I believe it will help you enjoy your job more and hopefully make more money. Roy: My advice would be to seek out model coaches and entertain as many ideas as you can. All the while, work to siphon through the material you gather in search of your own "voice." Always be yourself, because I believe that interesting people will always gravitate to people who are genuine. And try to learn from as many interesting people as you can. Lawrie: Don't stop working on being the very best role model, leader and inspiration for the professionals and staff who work with and around you. Find the exact job that you love as a member of the PGA. It was 38 PGA PRO:FILES only after my own career path took a turn in another direction (one that was always there and one that I enjoyed immensely, but didn't know it was what I should have been doing all along) that I was rewarded with days filled with satisfaction making a difference and really enjoying the work that I do. What did the award mean to you personally and your career? Piercey: It is the most significant accomplishment I have had in my career and is a validation that the things were are doing at our golf course are working. If we continue to think outside the box and strive for the ultimate experience for our customer, we will continue to have success for many seasons to come! Kelly: This my second national award and they both mean that you're having an impact in the work you're doing for others. After all, that's what matters. Golpin: To me, its validation and kudos to the mentors I have worked for and with in the past. I really enjoy working with my team and becoming more of mentor -- this award helps me with the confidence to continue do that and grow in a leadership role at our facility. Martens: Peer recognition is one of the best you can receive. Winning this award gives me confidence that I am on a productive track and to keep working hard to get better. Roy: This award was meaningful as it helped me acknowledge that I was on the right path - for me. I've spent so much of my recent life immersed in coaching and development, and it feels nice to be identified as a leader in this field. Lawrie: Receiving this award gave me the personal validation and satisfaction of my desire to grow Junior Golf and that the passion I have for kids and instruction did not go unnoticed. Career wise? It was an honor and a privilege to be recognized by my peers and to have been chosen as a leader in junior development programs in our association. Is there a key skill or personal attribute you think helped you rise to the top of the profession? Kelly: Passion Piercey: Always try to improve from season to season. Continually set the bar high and set annual goals for yourself and your team. Golpin: Loyal, willing to do any job, personable, and along the way feel I was a good team member with fellow assistants/colleagues/etc. Martens: I truly love what I do - probably to a fault. I think about ways to improve constantly and am not afraid to try new things. Roy: I've definitely benefited from great role models and peers over my ten years coaching golf. Perhaps most of all, and not unlike many in this profession, I have a passion for the joys of the game in all its colour, and a desire to share this experience with others. Lawrie: This is a great question because I believe it was a combination of being pointed in the right direction by a well known business coach who was the catalyst in seeing where my true attributes would be best suited. He helped me see the flag so to speak. This, combined with my deep desire to help people and inspire them to be better, is by far the reason I was able to rise and fly in some rarefied air. 2012 Murray Tucker Golf Professional of the Year, Trevor Goplin accepts his award at Canada Night. 39 SPRING