Powell River’s newest golf professional is settling into his job at Myrtle Point Golf Club.
“I’m loving it here,” said Steve Phillips, who brings more than 30 years’ experience on the greens and 25 years’ general manager experience to his current position. “The transition was pretty easy.”
Phillips’ last post was on Quadra Island, but he has worked at courses in Alberta and BC throughout his career. He started at Myrtle Point at the beginning of March. He is a member of Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) of Canada.
He said the golf professionals, especially those who are part of PGA of Canada, are well-versed in the game, are good players and have the business and management skills to head up golf courses.
“My big thing is being sincere and making sure that people experience great customer service,” he said.
Phillips sees the day-to-day operations of Myrtle Point to be the largest part of his job. “It’s the biggest thing for me that everything is running smoothly,” he said.
Phillips said he has not encountered any surprises coming to Myrtle Point. “We have a great facility here,” he said. Both he and his wife Wendy “are thrilled about how friendly people in the community are and how beautiful it is.”
Phillips has started the junior program and is going to introduce family golf on one Friday night a month. He wouldn’t disclose the price, but said that it would be very affordable. “It’s to introduce families to the game again and let them know that there’s a great facility here,” he said. As a golf professional, he is also available to help anyone choose which golf clubs are right for them.
Phillips said that in Vancouver players would be paying $125 green fee for a comparable golf course to Myrtle Point. “We’ve got one heck of a product here,” he added. Players pay $50 in green fees for the Powell River golf course. “A lot of these holes, if they were on other courses, would be signature holes,” he added.
While the children are playing junior golf, Phillips plans on creating competitions, like putting contests, for the parents to engage in as well, he said.
“A lot of the coach trends these days is that they don’t want the parents involved, but I’m going to have something for the parents to do,” he said.
He is setting up a Learn to Golf program that includes five one-hour lessons to get new players comfortable with the game, added Phillips. “I keep it fun and I want you to feel welcome at the golf course.”
Myrtle Point Golf Club is owned by a non-profit society and Phillips hopes more people will understand there are affordable memberships available. “It is here truly for the community,” he said. “It’s a big part of the community that should be bigger.”
