The Golf Guru Show

This was the start of a very strange week for me. For those who don’t know, I have been presented with the opportunity of a lifetime and will become the Director of Instruction at Carmel C.C. in Charlotte, N.C. starting in October. I am sad to be leaving such a great place like the Dana Rader Golf School which I have called home for the past 12 years. What a great place to hone your craft, learn and grow as a professional. I showed up at Ms. Raders’ a head professional that wanted to learn to teach better and over the past 12 years I received so much more. Ms. Rader taught me the value of teamwork, servant leadership and relationship building. She created an environment for me to explore different ways of teaching the game and the freedom to express those finding on the lesson tee every day. I feel that the only way to become a top teacher is to gather information, learn to communicate it in a way that the average golfer can understand it and not be afraid to try new ways of improving your students. This is the atmosphere that is created by all the great instructors at the golf school. I have learned so much from all that I have stood on the lesson tee ( in the hot sun or the cold wind and snow) beside every day. That is the great thing about teaching with a group of like-minded, goal setting coaches is the ability to share ideas, try to support each other in our quest to help each student. I leave the golf school in great hands. We have an outstanding staff that includes: Stan Roach (clubfitter)Julie Cole (DOI), Jay Reid (DOI @Statesville CC location) Senior Instructors: Nancy Harvey, Marc Lapointe (DOI at Uptown location) and Doug Breuer. Staff Instructors: Molly Tullar and Drew Kiger. These guys and girls get it done every day as they continue to deliver quality instruction and create raving fans in the process. You all have so much talent and passion for the game. Stay humble and hungry for knowledge and you will all go far.  I will miss you guys dearly. Special thanks to some of the past instructors that had a great impact on me: Scott Fossum, Cami Berher, Claude Brousseau and Derek Radley. In the past two weeks I have managed to spend time with each of you and I appreciate all of your well wishes in my new endeavour. I will not be far away if you ever need me 🙂 When I started with Dana 12 years ago, I had a few goals that I hope that I have achieved:1) to improve my skills as a coach and teacher, get better every year  2) gain the respect of my peers 3)mentor and share my knowledge with other staff members and coaches in order to improve the golf school.

Laslty to the BEST students in the world (there are too many to mention but you know who you are): In the many hours that I have spent with you on the lesson tee, I have learned so much more from you than you learned from me and I am eternally grateful. Your friendship and continued support of my teaching and the golf school is unparalleled and I am so blessed to have worked with you and will continue to work many of you in the future. Thank you for all the congratulations and well wishes that you have given me in the last couple of weeks.

I have prayed about this position and opportunity for so long,  that I about to embark on. God has a funny way of making us wait until we are completely ready. As I always say,”God is NEVER late, but he is never early either. It reminds me of one of my favorite quotes,”When the student is ready, the teacher will appear!” In the last 12 years, I have been Ms. Raders student, employee and friend. She will always be my mentor as I have learned so much about my craft and about life while being in her presence and under her tutelage. I will miss her as I will miss everyone at the golf school. Not to leave anyone out. Special thanks to Susan (marketing director), Brittany and Chrissy for running the inside and making us teachers look good. Jackie and Chuck holding down the outside staff……you guys are the best. (If I missed anyone I will make it up to you)

So as I depart. Look for my last GURU TV episode at the Dana Rader Golf School tomorrow. (yes, the show will continue!). I have a special show for you all.  I just hope that I left the Dana Rader Golf School a better place than I found it. Now it is up to me to make my mark at Carmel C.C. Here I come!…..are they ready for what I am about to bring, we will find out?

See you on the lesson tee,

Jason