AMERICAN GOLF

5 QUESTIONS WITH… > C L I C K H E R E T O L E A R N A B O U T C A R E E R S A N D J O B O P P O R T U N I T I E S W I T H A M E R I C A N G O L F R obin Shelton began his career in the golf course industry as a teenager washing carts in exchange for free golf. After college he was recruited to work for American Golf at Marbella Country Club in south Orange County, and later went on to become the general manager at Mountain Meadows Golf Course in Pomona. Following 18 months there, he just accepted a position at SeaCliff Country Club in Huntington Beach, where he'll also serve as the GM. Here's what we learned about the longtime golf aficionado during a recent interview: What is your favorite part of your job? Being able to create a culture by influencing people and helping them, and in turn the club, achieve their potential. Has it always been your dream to work in the golf course industry? I loved the sport of golf from a very young age. My parents tell a story about me using my dad's golf clubs as hockey sticks in the street when I was about 10. My dad said, "If you're going to use them, let me show you how to use them in the right way." I've been playing golf ever since. I didn't always know that I would be working in the golf industry though. In fact, I worked at golf courses through high school and college because it was a fun way to make money while I figured out what to do with the rest of my life. But one thing led to another, and all of a sudden I was in the industry full-time. Looking back, it has always been the perfect fit – I just didn't realize it was what I wanted to do as a career until it became a career. What do you love about golf? Now that I've been playing golf for most of my life and have been in the industry for several years, I have a better understanding of what golf can do for relationships. Golf allows you to spend time with your friends and family – regardless of the age and athletic ability of everyone involved – in a way that most other sports just can't. In fact, some of my most treasured times with my wife have been playing golf. How often do you get out on the golf course to play? I try to play at least twice a week – once with my wife, and once with my staff. We play every Thursday, and it gives us a chance to both experience the course as our customers do and get to know each other better. What's the craziest thing that's ever happened on the job? Everyone's favorite story is the time I officiated a wedding at Mountain Meadows. The original officiant didn't show up, so I spent 10 minutes with the bride, whipped up a ceremony, and led it in the golf clothes I wore to work that day! ROBIN SHELTON From washing carts to managing clubs, the avid golfer has forged a career in the industry

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