PGA Apprentice

[bschmedindeed]

suggestions on where to go for winter?

Hey guys I just recently got into the PGA program and I'm looking for some suggestions on where to go once winter hits. I currently work up in New England and i've had thoughts on Florida, Texas, Arizona, and Nevada. I'd like to head somewhere south or west so I can keep getting my PGA credits and also play some golf and enjoy the off season. Anybody have any expieriences or suggestions on locations or towns? Thanks!

[DRGJR72]

Well as a former golf pro from New England, I can tell you that I spent my winters in Sunny South Florida(West Palm Beach)....Pretty cool place to go especially if you single (some good eye candy) and like the night life. It is good because you can go there with some buddies, or drive down solo that way you have a car for the winter....I eventually moved there to play more tournaments over the summer instead of working in the summer and then heading right back down and working in the winter...was too much for me.

 

Golf courses are plentiful, and so are the jobs...but get on it early. The good ones go fairly quickly.....If you are looking for places to go, etc...hit me up with a PM and I can give you some suggestions....

 

You can play some golf....although it is a little busy down there in the winter, as are most good winter spots...If you are a good player, there is the winter tournament series in Port St. Lucie as well, so then you can get your tournament fix if need be.....

 

Dan

[freddiec]

I know a lot of guys in the business and most of them have gone to either W.Palm Beach, Orlando, or Naples. Personally if I was in the business I'd head to Naples, where there are more upscale private courses than most areas. Phoenix, AZ is also a good area, but I'd guess a lot of the staff at those courses are year round guys.

[bschmedindeed]

Thanks guys I appreciate the insight

[DRGJR72]

Freddie,

 

Just an FYI...In west palm/jupiter here are some of the following upscale private clubs:

 

Seminole

Jupiter Hills

Old Palm

Bear's Club

Jupiter Island

Loxahatchee Club

Palm Beach Polo

Dye Preserve

Trump International

Old Marsh

Lost Tree Club

Pine Tree

The Medalist

McArthur Golf Club........

 

Pretty good list there I think....I have been to Naples many times and they have a great list of tracks....that is a tough one to beat though IMO....

 

DG

[MBuckler]

palm springs/palm desert in So.Cal is a hot spring of winter golf also...ZILLIONS of jobs down there.

 

suggestion also...

 

dont be afraid to take an outside service job as well...$ is most likely gonna be better /hr. than any asst. job you can find just getting into the business.

 

just my $.02 speaking from experience

[mhccap]

as a former pga professional that was a snowbird for 15 years...i would tell you that yes there is opportunity in palm springs and phoenix...but the pay is the lowest in the country in these two parts of the country...youre probably better off heading to west palm area, that way if you are close to having your books done you can cut some expenses by going to your tests living out of your apartment...and you can get a little more of a tax break that way. and truthfully after having spent the last 4 years in the palm springs area, there are only about 10 clubs or so that are worth working at...and good luck getting into them...lots of lifers in the desert. plus...and a big plus, the social scene in west palm beach is waaaay better.

[BILL12x]

Freddie,

 

Just an FYI...In west palm/jupiter here are some of the following upscale private clubs:

 

Seminole

Jupiter Hills

Old Palm

Bear's Club

Jupiter Island

Loxahatchee Club

Palm Beach Polo

Dye Preserve

Trump International

Old Marsh

Lost Tree Club

Pine Tree

The Medalist

McArthur Golf Club........

 

Pretty good list there I think....I have been to Naples many times and they have a great list of tracks....that is a tough one to beat though IMO....

 

DG

 

There are many, many others as well.

Ballen Isles CC - site of '72 PGA - was called PGA National back then.

PGA National - Ryder Cup, PGA Championship, SR PGA, Honda Classic, World class JR Tourn's.

Mirasol CC - Former Honda Classic

Old Palm - Raymond Floyd's new course

Frenchman's Reserve

Frenchman's Creek

 

Many others.

[FreakinA]

Come over to AZ. Wonderful golf crazy state.

[DRGJR72]

Freddie,

 

Just an FYI...In west palm/jupiter here are some of the following upscale private clubs:

 

Seminole

Jupiter Hills

Old Palm

Bear's Club

Jupiter Island

Loxahatchee Club

Palm Beach Polo

Dye Preserve

Trump International

Old Marsh

Lost Tree Club

Pine Tree

The Medalist

McArthur Golf Club........

 

Pretty good list there I think....I have been to Naples many times and they have a great list of tracks....that is a tough one to beat though IMO....

 

DG

 

There are many, many others as well.

Ballen Isles CC - site of '72 PGA - was called PGA National back then.

PGA National - Ryder Cup, PGA Championship, SR PGA, Honda Classic, World class JR Tourn's.

Mirasol CC - Former Honda Classic

Old Palm - Raymond Floyd's new course

Frenchman's Reserve

Frenchman's Creek

 

Many others.

Bill,

 

I am fully aware....I was a pro at PGA National for 8 years....all of those that you mentioned are great....the comment was about "Upscale Private" I was not taking away from any of the clubs you mentioned which I failed to mention (although I did include Old Palm), I have played all of the ones that you have listed many times....and they are all fantastic facilities and to be honest I was not going to list every good course in WPB/Jupiter....I was more making a point of all of that great facilities that are in that area and wanted to point out the cream of the crop, upscale private clubs in the area (which in my opinion is second to none!!!)

 

Dan

[bschmedindeed]

You guys are awesome thanks for all of your responses!

[BILL12x]

Dan -

 

You certainly listed some great ones. I would say that the most "visible money" of those would be Trump and Pine Tree.

 

I played Trump when my brand new loaded Maxima was 3 days old. I felt like I might as well have been driving a '64 Beetle with peace signs painted on it compared to the other cars in the lot! Pine Tree is the same.

 

Many of the other courses you listed are just as prestigious, but without the "showing off" of money. More down to earth people. All fine courses, as well, although some are only open for a short season.

[freddiec]

I've been to West Palm Beach a few times. Been to PGA National and am aware of the number of great courses in the area. Its a great place to work. Its probably a toss up between Naples and West Palm on the number of courses. My comment was Naples has more courses than most areas. You listed about 18 courses (I'm sure you didn't list all of them), Naples has somewhere around 40 private courses if not more, so as you can see, you can't go wrong with either place. Its golf heaven. It all depends on landing the right job.

[blahoo]

And make sure to include High Ridge in Lantana!