Practice makes partners
Tim O'Connor - president, O'Connor Golf Communications
Our University of Guelph turf management communications class recently had a special visit from Tim O’Connor, president of O’Connor Golf Communications. Tim delivered an excellent talk about his experience in the golf communications business. He passed on a lot of good tips on how to be better communicators in the industry and outlined how each one could help turf managers be more successful. One issue he emphasised was that people like us should be playing more golf.
Playing the game on a regular basis allows you to interact with members and connect with golfers on a more casual level. It gives them a chance to ask you questions in a relaxed atmosphere while giving you an opportunity to show your expertise and become a stronger authority. A golf course is a great platform to create potential connections in the industry because of its laid back setting and obvious association with the job.
It’s amazing to me how differently I see the course when I’m not working on it. I’m normally not even thinking about work while I’m hacking up the grass I was trying to maintain just hours earlier. This year I took the advice of my past superintendant Angelo Toto, who suggested I try to play once per week. He too believed that I would be doing myself a favour if I improved my game, understanding that there will be times when I go to events, representing my home course. My golf game has shown small signs of improvement (just in time for winter), but more practice really does have a positive affect, both on and off the course.
