try to comfort another PGA professional that just lost his job.

Since I can't get you access to the PGA member's directory, I copied and pasted a post that I just entered on the PGA Employment Discussion Board.

The (true) story goes that a guy earns his PGA membership, just to lose his job shortly thereafter. He is understandably discouraged and just needs to vent a little bit. Then some other guys chime in that PGA professionals are out only for themselves and our industry is going completely downhill since guys are stealing jobs from each other, and employers are happy to take the "cheapest" - not the best - guys to fill a position.

Here's what I wrote:

When I read this post, I was genuinely saddened.

I lost a good job a few years back when my facility was sold, and it has proven to be more damaging to my life and career than I thought it would be at the time. After all, I worked for the same good employer for nine years and I was certified in three areas. Armed with that experience, education, and some good letters of recommendation from reputable people, I was prepared to see this work out for the best. Perhaps I overestimated my abilities, or perhaps its just a tough circumstance, but I'm still waiting to see this work out "for the best."

That said, I do have to mention that several "competing" PGA professionals in the Middle Atlantic section (Joe Burbee, Paul Michaelian, Dean Hurst, and Keith King specifically) ALL made it a point to call me, encourage me, and tell me how highly they thought of me. They all offered their facilities, equipment, and resources if I needed anything. For example, one of them let me use his office and equipment to prepare some resumes and interview materials. One even offered me a job, saying "I can't pay you what you're worth, but I could use your help as long as you can stay."

The reality is our business is tough and one wrong decision or one "bad break" can send your career spiraling in the wrong direction. That doesn't mean that nobody cares, nor does it mean we should give up. It does mean that should perhaps invest ourselves a bit more and diversify our skills and income so were not putting our entire futures in the hands of a few executives or members. (These folks are the ones who are often looking for the best value; not the best candidate. We ALL know that happens.)

I have found a few ways to deversify my income (in golf and away from golf) and although I can't say things have "recovered" completely, I have learned a lot and I know I am on my way to earning solid income from multiple sources while still working in our industry.

I hope somebody out there finds this helpful. And thanks again to my PGA friends in Virginia Beach! Your support has meant so much to me!

Keith Bless, PGA
Formerly A-1, TPC Virginia Beach
kbless@pga.com
www.website.ws/kbpga