PROFILE
Title: Paul Milholland, General Manager / Director of Golf, Currie Golf Courses, Midland, Michigan.
Years as a PGA Professional: 39 years.
Top achievements / honors: Pro-Am of the Year, Midland Country Club (1986); General Manager of the Year (Sectional), Billy Casper Golf (2019).
SOCIAL MEDIA / ONLINE
Website: CurrieGolf.com
RELATED: PGA Professional Spotlight archive
TAP-INS
Who is your favorite golfer? Fred Couples.
What is your most memorable round of golf? Final round of the North Carolina High School state championship. Shot 72 in front of my parents.
What app is a must-have on your phone? ESPN, PGA Tour and Fox News.
What books would you recommend? "The Greatest Beer Run Ever: A Memoir of Friendship, Loyalty, and War" by John "Chick" Donohue and J.T. Molloy; "The Book of Signs: 31 Undeniable Prophecies of the Apocalypse" by Dr. David Jeremiah.
What podcasts would you recommend? "Unashamed with Phil and Jase Robertson"; "Golf's Subpar".
Q&A
The First Call: What made you want to pursue a career in golf?
Paul Milholland: Love of golf and the customer service rendered in the business.
TFC: What is your favorite instructional tip to share with a golfer?
PM: Finish with your weight on the front foot and with the belly button facing the target.
TFC: What advice do you have for someone considering a career in golf?
PM: Love the game, listen to and be willing to communicate and talk with guests. Understand the golf business. Understand customer service. Learn agronomy. Play and teach the game. I guess I could go on and on ...
TFC: What is the best advice you have received on your career path?
PM: Be who you are. Listen and learn. Be involved. Customer service goes a long long way.
TFC: Is there a particular area of your job that you find most rewarding?
PM: Again, customer service and teaching the game. I enjoy making people feel appreciated and watching them have fun. Love helping people improve their golf swing.
TFC: What is one challenge you currently see in the industry? Thoughts on how to address it?
PM: Staffing, inflation. Just try to find people who fit the image and passion that can help you and your club / course achieve the goals. Look for ways to minimize without customers noticing.
TFC: Do you have a preferred style or philosophy for teaching golf?
PM: I always start with the basic fundamentals. From there I'm big on proper weight transfer and hip rotation.
TFC: Where is there room for growth within the industry?
PM: Women, young adults and youth.
TFC: When you look at your career, in what area(s) do you believe you have evolved for the better? And how so?
PM: Being a GM. With the help of Billy Casper Golf and Troon, I have a better understanding of the overall golf business and the difference of success and failure.
TFC: How does being a PGA Professional add value to your brand?
PM: A PGA Professional is recognized as someone who understands golf, the golf swing and the business of golf. People gravitate to someone who is a certified PGA Professional.