• Behind the scenes with Paul Leahy
Golf and resorts go hand-in-hand. Today more than ever, golf courses are situated on resorts to offer business professionals time to relax and unwind after a long day of meetings. You may even be surprised to know that many resorts have golf specialists who are there to ensure that all of your golf needs are met.
Paul Leahy is one of those golf specialists and serves as the Director of Golf at the Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, Missouri. Leahy has worked at the Tan-Tar-A Resort for over 20 years and oversees 27 holes of golf, 2 golf shops and a staff of 30 in all aspects of the golf operation at the resort. Those tasks range from marketing, accounting, merchandising and teaching. Midwest Meetings interviewed Leahy to get his insight on the impact golf has on resorts.
Midwest Meetings: What led you to working at a resort and becoming the Director of Golf?
Golf and resorts go hand-in-hand. Today more than ever, golf courses are situated on resorts to offer business professionals time to relax and unwind after a long day of meetings. You may even be surprised to know that many resorts have golf specialists who are there to ensure that all of your golf needs are met.
Paul Leahy is one of those golf specialists and serves as the Director of Golf at the Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, Missouri. Leahy has worked at the Tan-Tar-A Resort for over 20 years and oversees 27 holes of golf, 2 golf shops and a staff of 30 in all aspects of the golf operation at the resort. Those tasks range from marketing, accounting, merchandising and teaching. Midwest Meetings interviewed Leahy to get his insight on the impact golf has on resorts.
Midwest Meetings: What led you to working at a resort and becoming the Director of Golf?
Paul Leahy: I did an Internship in 1986 while attending Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan at Tan-Tar-A and fell in love with the place. After graduation in 1989 I applied for a position as an Assistant Golf Professional and I haven’t left; it has been a great 21 years. I grew up in Iowa playing golf and working at the local Country Club and decided very early that I wanted to make my career in the golf industry.
MM: Why should meeting planners consider hosting a golf outing at a resort?
PL: When meeting planners are planning their conference, it is important to build in some time for their attendees to socialize and network with others. Golf has always been a great tool that organizations use to get their clients or associates to bond in a social setting. As they say, a lot of business deals have been done on the golf course because you can really get to know people by watching them handle the pressures and situations that occur during 18 holes of golf. Planning an organized event is a great way to get to know others in your organization in a relaxed fun atmosphere, as mentioned, you can learn a lot about a person after spending five hours on the golf course with them. Golf can be challenging but fun for all skill levels.
MM: What special golf services can meeting planners expect at a resort, such as the Tan-Tar-A?
PL: We offer full tournament organization such as scoring, pre-event planning for golf pairings and cart assignments and help with special events on the course, Hole-In-One insurance for the tournament, tee gift recommendations and prize recommendations. Golf Clinics and Instruction for the tournament participants or non-participants.
MM: What are some common requests you receive from meeting planners?
PL: Some meeting planners are very knowledgeable and know exactly what they need and want. Others need some guidance in regards to how long meetings should last, the best rooms to host these events; themes that we offer to entertain their attendees. From a golf standpoint they ask for ideas on tee gifts, prizes, different formats, how to entice people to play, auction ideas to raise money for their organizations all the way down to who should I pair with whom. Again some golf planners are very knowledgeable others don’t know how to drive a golf cart, so we cater to the most knowledgeable and the inexperienced to try and give them the most hassle free experience.
MM: For meeting planners in need of various activities, what are some other options that meeting planners should consider?
PL: The Tan-Tar-A Resort also has a wide range of activities such as Billiards, Bowling, Children’s Programs, Excursion Boat Cruises, Fishing, fitness center, Horseback rising, Massages and a Full Spa, Miniature Golf, a full service marina with paddle boat, ski boat, pontoon boat, and wave runner rentals, shopping, Indoor and outdoor pools, tanning beds, tennis, touring carts, parasailing and the Timber Falls Indoor Waterpark.
MM: Why should meeting planners consider hosting a golf outing at a resort?
PL: When meeting planners are planning their conference, it is important to build in some time for their attendees to socialize and network with others. Golf has always been a great tool that organizations use to get their clients or associates to bond in a social setting. As they say, a lot of business deals have been done on the golf course because you can really get to know people by watching them handle the pressures and situations that occur during 18 holes of golf. Planning an organized event is a great way to get to know others in your organization in a relaxed fun atmosphere, as mentioned, you can learn a lot about a person after spending five hours on the golf course with them. Golf can be challenging but fun for all skill levels.
MM: What special golf services can meeting planners expect at a resort, such as the Tan-Tar-A?
PL: We offer full tournament organization such as scoring, pre-event planning for golf pairings and cart assignments and help with special events on the course, Hole-In-One insurance for the tournament, tee gift recommendations and prize recommendations. Golf Clinics and Instruction for the tournament participants or non-participants.
MM: What are some common requests you receive from meeting planners?
PL: Some meeting planners are very knowledgeable and know exactly what they need and want. Others need some guidance in regards to how long meetings should last, the best rooms to host these events; themes that we offer to entertain their attendees. From a golf standpoint they ask for ideas on tee gifts, prizes, different formats, how to entice people to play, auction ideas to raise money for their organizations all the way down to who should I pair with whom. Again some golf planners are very knowledgeable others don’t know how to drive a golf cart, so we cater to the most knowledgeable and the inexperienced to try and give them the most hassle free experience.
MM: For meeting planners in need of various activities, what are some other options that meeting planners should consider?
PL: The Tan-Tar-A Resort also has a wide range of activities such as Billiards, Bowling, Children’s Programs, Excursion Boat Cruises, Fishing, fitness center, Horseback rising, Massages and a Full Spa, Miniature Golf, a full service marina with paddle boat, ski boat, pontoon boat, and wave runner rentals, shopping, Indoor and outdoor pools, tanning beds, tennis, touring carts, parasailing and the Timber Falls Indoor Waterpark.
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