Below is an interview with Andy Mears, Sales & Marketing Director, at Swan Lake Resort. Andy began working in the golf industry at age 13. Head Golf Professional at age 22. Executive of a golf company at age 30. President of a golf company at age 40. He is happy to be where he is today. He summed up his career with one simple word... priceless.
The following are a few traditional and non traditional golf centric questions that I love to ask influential people in the golf industry.
When did you start golfing and who introduced you do the game? Began love affair with golf at age 13. The Manager of the local golf course was a friend of the family and asked my mother if I needed a summer job. Of course, she said "Yes." The gentleman had been a WWII tank sergnant, so you can image the lessons I learned. Lessons still with me today.
What is your current home course? Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth, IN
To date, what is your proudest golf accomplishment? Being elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Michgian PGA and Executive Committee of the International Network of Golf.
What is your biggest golf pet peeve on or off the course? Cell phone use on the course.
What is your favorite club in your bag and why? Putter.
What is your favorite golf destination? Pinehurst
What course is on your bucket list that you have not played yet? Any that I have not yet played.
If you woke up tomorrow and could play one course you played before, where would you play? Point O' Woods, Benton Harbor, MI
If you could change one aspect, rule or thing about golf, what would it be and why? Stroke and distance. Drop a ball, take two and move on.
Dream foursome (living)? Jack Nicklaus, Matt Baughman (nephew), Nicklaus Mears (son) and me.
Dream foursome (living or dead)? Payne Stewart, Hoddy Middaugh (mentor), Bobby Jones and me.
18 Rapid Fire, Off The Cuff Questions
1) Hitting Long Drive OR Sinking Long Putt? Long Drive2) Having Round of Life OR Hole in One? Round of life
3) Golfing at the crack of dawn OR twilight? Twilight
4) Hit a power fade OR power draw? Draw
5) Beverage cart OR halfway house? Beverage Cart
6) Bathroom OR bushes? Bathroom
7) Hot dog OR wrap? Dog
8) Around the green, being in sand OR thick rough? Sand
9) Walking OR riding? Walking with a caddy
10) Do you carry traditional 3 iron OR hybrid? Hybrid
11) Do you prefer long par 3 OR long par 5? Par 5
12) Pants OR Shorts? Shorts
13) Palmer OR Nicklaus? Nicklaus
14) Beatles OR Elvis? Neither
15) Play for fun OR play for money? Money
16) Bump and run OR flop shot? Bump and run
17) Lay up OR gamble? Gamble
18) 18 holes OR 36? 18
