Danny Watters’ career as a PGA of America professional is a testament to the mentoring that’s prevalent in the association.
Watters grew up in Waterloo, Iowa, playing on a public course. For $5 for the entire summer, he played every day until dark at Irv Warren Memorial Golf Course and became proficient at the game.
He eventually enrolled at Arizona State University, not to play competitive golf but to study in the school’s Professional Golf Management program. Right away, he began working in outside operations at what was then called the Golf Club at Johnson Ranch. That led to summer employment at Sunnyside Golf & Country Club back home in Waterloo.
When Watters returned to school in the fall of 2003 he began caddying and working in outside operations at the Estancia Club, one Arizona’s top courses. There he met PGA professional Terry Carlson, who took a liking to Watters. One day, Carlson asked Watters what his plan was. Watters didn’t have much of an answer other than he wanted to be like Carlson. Carlson introduced Watters to Bill Reid, the PGA professional who had just been appointed the head pro at Sunset Ridge Country Club in suburban Chicago, and Reid hired Watters as an assistant pro.
After Watters spent three years in that role, Reid introduced him to Gary Groh, the head professional at the prestigious Bob O’Link Golf Club in nearby Highland Park. Watters worked as an assistant under Groh for six years until Groh retired in 2015. After an extensive search, the club hired Watters to succeed Groh, giving him a three-year “trial” contract. He is now starting his 11th season as Bob O’Link’s head pro and is one of the most respected club professionals in the Chicago area.
Watters’ Best Practice
In an effort to mentor assistant pros and give them more responsibility, Watters turns the entire apparel merchandising operation over to them each year, once they have earned his trust and respect. The assistants are responsible for everything, from understanding trends, developing an open-to-buy strategy, selecting vendors, placing orders, managing payment and displaying the merchandise in an attractive way. The goal is to finish the season with little if any apparel inventory. Watters keeps an eye on things but does not intervene too much. It’s the assistants’ show to run.
Watters’ mentoring is clearly working. Of the five assistants who have worked for him and remain in the golf business, four have moved on to head professional positions.