Interview With Darin Key Program Director, PGA Professional The First Tee of South Central

Below is an interview with Darin Key, the Program Director, PGA Professional at The First Tee of South Central Wisconsin. 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 have worked in nearly all facets and areas of the golf business - bag room, range, caddie, food and beverage, teacher, club fitter, Head Professional - for nearly 20 years. I was drawn to the business side by my desire to work with children and their families and Golf Professionals dedicated to providing a total golf experience through junior golf programming. The First Tee of South Central Wisconsin and my position as Program Director allows me this wonderful opportunity.

I have been fortunate to forge relationships in golf with people that wanted to see me learn, improve and grow as a person and Golf Professional. My family, wife Jamie and son Payton, have been supportive of the demands of the long hours and travel of golf. My favorite times during the golf season are when we play as a family.

When did you start golfing and who introduced you to the game?
I truly became a student of the game during my freshman year of high school. Golf was a competitive challenge with my friends on the course but a fun social setting, as well. We were members at Hartford Golf Club in Hartford, WI for the great sum of $75 for the summer.

What is your current home course?
The First Tee of South Central Wisconsin has eight site partners and growing. In Madison, we provide programming at Monona, Glenway, Odana Hills and Yahara Hills Golf Courses. Our site in Fitchburg is Nine Springs Golf Course. In Janesville, The First Tee can be found at Riverside and Blackhawk Golf Courses. Edelweiss Chalet Country Club is our site in New Glarus. I can honestly say that I consider all these great facilities my home course.

To date, what is your proudest golf accomplishment?
Professionally, I'm very proud of the growth and impact The First Tee of South Central Wisconsin in just three years as a Chapter. It has been a pleasure to work with our Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, participants and their families on this project.

Personally, becoming a member of the PGA of America and receiving a scholarship from the Acushnet Company recognizing my achievements during my apprenticeship were highlights, as well.

What is your biggest golf pet peeve on or off the course?
There is a small but vocal group in golf that believes that quality instruction from a qualified instructor will not improve their games. The best players in the world need help with their games and so does a 25 handicap.

What is your favorite club in your bag and why?
The strength of my game is inside 150 yards and, for whatever reason, the 9 iron has produced some memorable shots at key times.

What is your favorite golf destination?
The First Tee of South Central Wisconsin's annual golf outing is the third Monday in June each year at the Legend at Bergamont in Oregon, WI. It is one of the highlights of the year for me. I get to see great friends and we are lucky to have a great committee of Board members, volunteers and contributors that put on a wonderful event. www.thefirstteescwouting.com

What course is on your bucket list that you have not played yet?
I want to make the trek to Scotland one day. It would be a great pleasure to play any of the courses on the Open Championship rotation - St. Andrews, Muirfield, Turnberry.

If you woke up tomorrow and could play one course you played before, where would you play?
Having grown up in Hartford, I have a love of the Erin Hills property and always enjoy the total experience of playing there. I can't wait to see our Nation's Open there in '17.

If you could change one aspect, rule or thing about golf, what would it be and why?
I'd encourage more folks at their home course to play one another straight up in their "games." It would eliminate disagreements about handicaps and motivate higher handicap players to get better.

Dream foursome (living)?
To play with Jack and Tiger would be an unbelievable piece of history. I have a genuine affection for Lee Trevino - his wit, work ethic - I'd ask him to join us, as well.

Dream foursome (living or dead)?
Ben Hogan: just to see that ball flight and compression. Would he be social?
Harry Vardon: show me this grip you're working on.
Payne Stewart: was a favorite of mine growing up and he left us way too soon

18 Rapid Fire, Off The Cuff Questions

1) Hitting Long Drive OR Sinking Long Putt?
Sinking Long Putt! It is a game of score.

2) Having Round of Life OR Hole in One?
Having Round of Life, I've got my hole in one, #17 at Edelweiss!

3) Golfing at the crack of dawn OR twilight?
Twilight, remove cap, handshake on 18 green, thanks for the game.

4) Hit a power fade OR power draw?
I play mostly right to left but those fades do sit down a little safer than duck hooks.

5) Beverage cart OR halfway house? Beverage cart and my wallet in the car.

6) Bathroom OR bushes?
Bathroom, respect for your playing partners, fellow golfers and facility owners.

7) Hot dog OR wrap?
Wrap at the 19th hole and my wallet in the car.

8) Around the green, being in sand OR thick rough?
Being in sand, improvements in wedge design have made greenside bunker play easier for most players.

9) Walking OR riding?
Walking but golf cars certainly have a place in the game. It is fun to ride in style some days.

10) Do you carry traditional 3 iron OR hybrid?
I have a hybrid for its forgiveness and carry but if we could carry more than 14 clubs, I'd have a 3 iron, as well. A 3 iron is effective in the wind and doesn't tend to tug left like hybrids.

11) Do you prefer long par 3 OR long par 5?
Long par 5 provides more options and varieties of shots.

12) Pants OR Shorts?
Pants, there are enough OB stakes on a golf course without my white legs out there.

13) Palmer OR Nicklaus?
Both have been great supporters of the game and The First Tee. We are truly blessed to have both champions in our sport.

14) Beatles OR Elvis?
Beatles, Come Together!

15) Play for fun OR play for money?
Playing for a modest sum of money is fun!

16) Bump and run OR flop shot?
Flop shot, again, improved wedge designs.

17) Lay up OR gamble?
I lay up. A better player gambles more often and is usually rewarded.

18) 18 holes OR 36?
18 + 36 = 54! I want to play as much as I can of this maddening but wonderful stick and ball game.