Interview With Jason Roos - Director of Golf The Golf Club at Camelot

Below is an interview with Jason Roos, Director of Golf The Golf Club at Camelot. Jason attended the Golf Academy of the Carolinas in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and earned a degree in Golf course operations and management with emphasis in teaching and club repair.

The following are a few traditional and non traditional golf centric questions that I love to ask influential people in the golf industry.

When did you start golfing and who introduced you do the game?
Started around 1993. My Grandpa lived in Surfside Beach, SC with about 90 golf courses within a 90 minute drive. I went to South Carolina every summer for 22 years and then decided to attend College there as well. My first set of clubs and first round of golf was with my Grandpa.

What is your current home course?
The Golf Club at Camelot

To date, what is your proudest golf accomplishment?
First time I beat my grandpa for 18 holes. It took years for that accomplishment and it was a very quiet ride home. My grandma thought it was great. He is still golfing today at age 82.

What is your biggest golf pet peeve on or off the course?
Etiquette and Attire. Golf used to be a gentleman's game and now it is a game for the masses. People should respect the course, respect pace of play, understand the unwritten rule of letting people play through, and dress the part. Tank tops and jeans are unprofessional.

What is your favorite club in your bag and why?
It was my 2 Hybrid this past season. My favorite club tends to change each year.

What is your favorite golf destination?
Myrtle Beach - Golf Capital of the World. 90+ courses and all in great condition to what we are used to in the Midwest. Check out Tidewater and Grand Dunes if you make it down there.

What course is on your bucket list that you have not played yet?
Augusta National - just waiting for the invitation.

If you woke up tomorrow and could play one course you played before, where would you play?
Tidwater in South Carolina. Great scenery with views of Ocean, Intracoastal Waterway, and Marsh.

If you could change one aspect, rule or thing about golf, what would it be and why?
For the amateur would be the OB loss of stroke and distance rule. Most golfers don't understand or play by the rules anyway.

Dream foursome (living)?
Greg Norman, Arnold Palmer, Dustin Johnson, and myself.

Dream foursome (living or dead)?
Arnold Palmer, Bobby Jones, Walter Hagan, and myself.

18 Rapid Fire, Off The Cuff Questions

1) Hitting Long Drive OR Sinking Long Putt?
Long Drive if it's straight, it puts you in great position for the rest of the hole. You don't need to make a long putt if your approach is in the hole for eagle. :)

2) Having Round of Life OR Hole in One?
Round of Life is a mental test and you need to have all around skills to perform for all 18 holes. Anyone can get a hole in one. How many hole in one were great shots, got to get lucky for those.

3) Golfing at the crack of dawn OR twilight?
Twilight. Finishing at the end of the day just in time for a cold beer. (however, did you know you make more putts at the beginning of the day. Ask me about the Dave Pelz lumpy donut theory)

4) Hit a power fade OR power draw?
Power Draw, if controlled, will give you more distance.

5) Beverage cart OR halfway house?
Halfway House - Grab some energy for the back nine. Beverage carts interfere with your mental game.

6) Bathroom OR bushes?
Bathroom - bushes are for people who don't respect the game.

7) Hot dog OR wrap?
Wrap if those were my only two choices.

8) Around the green, being in sand OR thick rough?
Thick Rough, just drop the club head down watch the ball pop up.

9) Walking OR riding?
If I don't work 70 hours a week I would walk a lot more. More time to think between shots.

10) Do you carry traditional 3 iron OR hybrid?
I carry a 2,3, and 4 hybrid. Put it off for years thinking hybrids were for old guys. They are just too forgiving and to versatile to not have one in your bag.

11) Do you prefer long par 3 OR long par 5?
Long Par 5 - Two great shots will get you there, but three ok shots and you should still have a chance at birdie. A long par 3 you need to perfect that first shot. The long par 5 you have some room for error.

12) Pants OR Shorts?
Depends on weather I guess.

13) Palmer OR Nicklaus?
Palmer - He flew his own plane, come on, that's cool.

14) Beatles OR Elvis?
Beatles

15) Play for fun OR play for money?
Play for Fun - People who play for money better be on Tour. If there not Tour players it's funny how the rules change throughout your round when playing for money. Also, if your playing for money it better be stroke play by the USGA rules of golf.

16) Bump and run OR flop shot?
Bump and Run is safer, yet, I always seem to grab for my Lob Wedge.

17) Lay up OR gamble?
Gamble - look back at all your lay ups. How many times has that actually worked in your favor?

18) 18 holes OR 36?
18