Interview With Jason Hoelz General Manager Western Lakes Golf Club

Below is an interview with Jason Hoelz, the General Manager at Western Lakes Golf Club. The following are a few traditional and non traditional golf centric questions that I love to ask influential people in the golf industry.

Can you provide our readers a brief biography?
I worked on the grounds crew at Western Lakes in High School & College and thought I'd get to golf all the time. After starting at 5:00am and being filthy at the end of the day, the last thing I wanted to do was stick around and play golf.

Same thing now, I manage Western Lakes and you'd think I'd golf all the time - truth is I played less the last two years than ever before. Hoping to change that this year :)

When did you start golfing and who introduced you to the game?
I didn't really start golfing until after college. I was a software developer and needed to find something to do outdoors after work. My wife is a very good golfer and I wanted to get as good as her. Some of my best golfing memories are of the two of us playing twilight golf at Mississippi Dunes when we were living in St. Paul, MN. Beautiful golf course in the middle of nowhere and we always had the place to ourselves.

What is your current home course?
Western Lakes Golf Club of course!

To date, what is your proudest golf accomplishment?
I shot a 74 after double bogeying the first hole. It's such a life lesson about not giving up, I think about that often - for things both on and off the course.

What is your biggest golf pet peeve on or off the course?
Not being ready to hit when it is your turn.

What is your favorite club in your bag and why?
Driver, nothing feels better then a great drive

What is your favorite golf destination?
Anywhere with the guys

What course is on your bucket list that you have not played yet?
Augusta - too bad it's not gonna happen.

If you woke up tomorrow and could play one course you played before, where would you play?
Erin Hills - I just think the property is so tranquil, it's such a great golfing experience.

If you could change one aspect, rule or thing about golf, what would it be and why?
There are some rules that are obviously necessary for tournament golf - but during your typical weekend game we need to keep pace of play in mind. I say this not for the courses benefit, but I believe that the constraint on people's time is the biggest threat to the popularity of golf. For example, don't someone back to to the tee on a packed course for a lost ball. No need to ask everyone on the green to mark their ball before chipping up or putting out. When taking a penalty or relief, definitely measure out your one or two club lengths, but skip the whole tee/drop/place routine you see on TV. And lastly, ready golf!

Dream foursome (living)?
Phil Mickelson, Jordan Spieth & Jason Day

Dream foursome (living or dead)?
Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan & Bobby Jones

Favorite 19th hole drink?
Crown & Coke

18 Rapid Fire, Off The Cuff Questions

1) Hitting Long Drive OR Sinking Long Putt?
Long Drive - anyone can sink a long putt.

2) Having Round of Life OR Hole in One?
Round of Life - a hole in one doesn't even have to be a good shot.

3) Golfing at the crack of dawn OR twilight?
Twilight - you usually have the place to yourself

4) Hit a power fade OR power draw?
Draw

5) Beverage cart OR halfway house?
Beverage Cart

6) Bathroom OR bushes?
Whichever is closer

7) Hot dog OR wrap?
Wrap

8) Around the green, being in sand OR thick rough?
Thick Rough - I don't have a caddie to rake the bunker.

9) Walking OR riding?
Walking

10) Do you carry traditional 3 iron OR hybrid?
Hybrid

11) Do you prefer long par 3 OR long par 5?
Long Par 5

12) Pants OR Shorts?
Depends on the weather

13) Palmer OR Nicklaus?
Palmer

14) Beatles OR Elvis?
Beatles

15) Play for fun OR play for money?
Money - why not?

16) Bump and run OR flop shot?
Bump and run

17) Lay up OR gamble?
Gamble - if it doesn't work out, it's usually the same as a lay up anyhow.

18) 18 holes OR 36?
18 - I got two little kids, I can barely fit in 18.