Daniel Thelen
Houston,TX
Summary
In May 1998, I relocated from Freeport, MN (population 632) to Houston, TX to pursue a career in golf. My journey began at Baywood Country Club in Pasadena, TX, where I officially turned professional later that year after passing the PGA of America's Playing Ability Test and enrolling in the Golf Professional Training Program (GPTP).
Shortly after, I began working with Titleist, contributing to research and development efforts to refine equipment prior to mass production. In January 2000, I was honored to sign a Full Staff Contract with Titleist—a partnership that has continued to the present day, focused on product testing and innovation.
It has been a privilege to build my career in Pasadena, TX, the place where it all began and where it continues to grow.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Golf Professional
Galveston Country Club
06.2011 - 03.2024
- Guided and influenced others towards a shared goal, often through strong communication, decision-making, and relationship-building skills. It's about inspiring, motivating, and enabling a team to achieve success, while also developing their potential. Effective leadership also requires adaptability, strategic thinking, and a commitment to ethical practices.
- Head buyer for the golf pro shop and inventory control.
- Merchandising and organization in the pro shop. Presenting our merchandise to attract customers and enhance the shopping experience, ultimately leading to increased sales.
- Developed and delivered effective and engaging instructional sessions to improve performance.
- Promoted proper stretching, warmups and conditioning exercises to prevent sports injuries.
- Researched latest industry trends and developments to keep abreast of best practices.
- Offered constructive feedback to clients to help reach goals.
- Developed relationships with clients to provide ongoing support and encouragement.
- Encouraged clients to find creative solutions to problems and maintain motivation.
- Developed and maintained a network of professional resources to refer clients to.
- Facilitated group coaching sessions and provided individual coaching support.
- Facilitated team building activities and workshops to improve communication, collaboration and productivity.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Day-to-day golf course operations and activities focused managing tee sheets and ensuring a positive experience for golfers.
- Scheduling of all golf shop and outside service staff.
- Tournament contracting and all things involved in running tournaments.
- Planned, promoted and directed all golf activities including management responsibilities on a daily basis.
- Maintained an attractive and orderly appearance in the golf shop.
- Supervised maintenance of golf cart fleet.
- Provided golf lessons to facility patrons.
- Interpreted and imposed club policies, rules and regulations.
- Hired, traind, and supervised golf shop staff and outside services staff.
- Conducted staff meetings with pro shop staff and outside services staff to ensure facility goals, objectives and standards were being met.
- Created an annual budget plan for golf operations.
Assistant Golf Professional
Baywood Country Club
06.1998 - 11.2023
- Plans, promotes and directs all golf activities including management responsibilities on a daily basis
- Maintains an attractive and orderly appearance in the golf shop
- Supervises maintenance of golf cart fleet
- Provides golf lessons to facility patrons
- Interpreted and imposed club policies, rules and regulations.
- Trained and supervised golf shop staff and outside services staff.
- Conducted staff meetings with pro shop staff and outside services staff to ensure facility goals, objectives and standards are being met.
- Managed inventory of merchandise in the pro shop.
- Performed other duties as assigned.
- Set up manufacturer demo days and custom fitting days.
- Balanced my time between running the golf operations, tournament operations and golf instruction.
Vice President
CJO Enterprises Inc.
06.2005 - 12.2012
- Increased company growth through collaboration with sales and marketing departments.
- Identified opportunities to improve business process flows and productivity.
- Demonstrated proficient leadership skills to motivate employees and build competent teams.
- Collaborated with senior management to develop strategic initiatives and long term goals.
- Performed all field work as required by product licensing agreement.
Director of Instruction
Golfcrest Country Club
02.2004 - 06.2005
- Directed Instruction and Player Development Programs under the supervision of the Head Golf Professional.
- Creative and implemented of clinics, camps, and programs to increase engagement among the entire membership.
- Responsible for organizing, budgeting, developing, promoting, scheduling and conducting golf instructional programs that met member needs and ensure that the membership is was fully engaged and immersed in the game of golf.
- Day to day golf pro shop operations.
- Developed partnerships with parents, businesses and organizations to build awareness, increase support and share resources.
- Evaluated programs and monitored implementation and compliance with regulations to achieve objectives.
- Implemented program-level departmental policies and procedures and managed budgets to support educational program and curriculum.
- Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
- Participated in team projects, demonstrating an ability to work collaboratively and effectively.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Demonstrated creativity and resourcefulness through the development of innovative solutions.
- Organized professional with expertise in managing resources and optimizing performance. Proficient in providing valuable insights and supporting decision-making processes. Committed to enhancing productivity and contributing to overall success.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Learned and adapted quickly to new technology and software applications.
- Versatile professional with strong problem-solving skills and history of adapting to diverse challenges. Applies innovative solutions and technical expertise to deliver exceptional results. Committed to streamlining processes and advancing organizational objectives.
Education
No Degree - General Studies
St. Cloud State University
St. Cloud, MN05.1995
Skills
- Listening
- Empathy and fairness
- Problem solving
- Business acumen
- Leadership abilities
- Operations management
- Staff Leadership
- Customer service
- Financial management
- Marketing
- Innovation
- Creativity
- Social media promotion
- Group lesson planning
- Course management
- Merchandising strategies
- Food and beverage operations
- Staff training and development
- Networking and relationship building
- Public relations
- Conflict resolution techniques
- Group facilitation
- Player recruiting
- Team scheduling
- Game planning
- Facilities oversight
- Certified in CPR/AED
- Competitive analysis
- Coaching experience
- Relationship development
- Performance enhancement
- Community outreach
- Fundraising skills
- Task prioritization
- Instructional course leadership
- Human anatomy
- Conflict management
- Organizational skills
- Safety awareness
- Practice management
- Time management
- Motivational techniques
- Analytical skills
- Personal counseling
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Schedule coordination
- Interpersonal communication
- Rule enforcement
- Professionalism
- Player evaluation
- Attention to detail
- Continuous improvement
- Player mentoring
- Player evaluations
- Problem-solving aptitude
- Goal setting
- One-on-one instruction
- Positive reinforcement
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Performance review
- Written communication
- Tactical decision-making
- Critical thinking
- Decision-making
- Social media and promotions
- Self motivation
- Media relations
- Team building
Affiliations
- Pararescue Foundation
Certification
Titleist Professional Staff Member since 2000.
Continuing education required.
Timeline
Golf Professional
Galveston Country Club
06.2011 - 03.2024
Vice President
CJO Enterprises Inc.
06.2005 - 12.2012
Director of Instruction
Golfcrest Country Club
02.2004 - 06.2005
Assistant Golf Professional
Baywood Country Club
06.1998 - 11.2023
No Degree - General Studies
St. Cloud State University
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