TPGF: Jay – could you tell us a bit about where you grew up/went to school and got started in the golf business?

I grew up in Fargo, North Dakota. My father was an avid golfer, and like many people in North Dakota, we were forced to play as much golf as possible in our short window of summer.  Fargo has produced a lot of talented players and I was fortunate to grow up with friends that went on to play college golf.  I began working at Moorhead Country Club in high school under PGA Professional Larry Murphy.  Larry was a great mentor and peaked my interest about making golf my career.  I attended New Mexico State University and enrolled in their Professional Golf Management Program.  It’s been a fun journey traveling the country and meeting great people.  I have now worked for the PGA Tour and the TPC Network for 15 years.

TPGF: As the Head Golf Professional at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm how do you spend a typical day?

No day is typical.  The neat part of this job is variety of what my days brings.  The consistent part of my day is managing staff and executing our strategic plan for the next day/week/month.  I have become more involved in my PGA Section and with The First Tee of Montgomery County so my time management has become heightened so I don’t miss a beat with my members and staff.

TPGF: What is the most rewarding part of your job?

The relationships I have developed with staff, members, and people within the golf industry.  My passion is developing staff and it is great to watch people that have been a part of your team become successful.

TPGF: You are a Board Member of The First Tee – tell us about The First Tee and the great work it does?

The First Tee is a great platform using golf to teach essential core values to our young people.  The values of golf are very transcendent to life.  It’s also very important that we make golf accessible and exciting for kids.  The First Tee has made stride in many communities through the hard work of volunteers and people dedicated to its mission.

TPGF: In addition to a love of golf what other sports do you follow? Do you have a favorite team and a favorite athlete?

I am a fan of many sports and many teams.  Anyone who knows me knows that I am waiting patiently for my Chicago Cubs to become World Champions, or at least relevant.  In Theo Epstein I trust!  Greg Maddux was my favorite player.  Now, I love watching the Stanley Cup finals.

TPGF:  What is in your golf bag (what equipment do you use?)

I have been on Callaway staff for 5 years.  Callaway received new leadership approximately a year ago and I am very pleased with their new product offerings and quality of the equipment.

TPGF:  Given the sports business responsibilities you have how do you balance family and work?

It’s a challenge.  My wife is 3 times more successful than I am and works just as hard.  Raising two kids under the age of 6 is challenging.  I ask a lot of my wife because of my job and the time required. (I work 6 days a week in the summer)  She understands the passion I have for my job which makes it tolerable.  Like any successful man, I have a great wife who runs our household with expertise.

TPGF: What was your very best round of golf and where did you play?

I shot 64 at a course where I was previously a Head Professional in Minnesota called Blueberry Pines Golf Club.  I shot 30 on the back 9.

TPGF:  Do you have any advice for those who would like a career working in golf?

Yes.  I always suggest speaking with a PGA Professional or someone in the industry to get a better understanding of the golf business. It’s just important to understand the expectation required. It is a fantastic industry, composed of wonderful people, but I think the general sense is that I am playing golf every day which is clearly not the case.  Like any profession, it’s hard work and very competitive, but also very rewarding.