Alumni
Sp tlight:
Jon Crane
Interviewed by: Daniel Soehren, PGA
Q. What is your fondest memory from your time at Mississippi State?
Spending evenings at various establishments in the Cotton District after an afternoon of playing golf at the State course.
Q. When and how did you identify what career path in the golf industry you were passionate about?
I thought that I wanted to pursue the private club business when I started at State. After an incredible internship experience at Long Cove Club on Hilton Head, I knew that was the direction I wanted to go.
Q. What aspect of being Director of Golf at The Club at Porto Cima do you enjoy most?
I really enjoy the diversity of the job. I am fortunate to be able to fill many rolls within the club which keeps things interesting day to day.
Q. What is the coolest experience that your career in golf has provided you?
The coolest experiences that I have had are the number of golf trips that I have been able to take with my membership. I have had the opportunity to travel to many great locations domestically as well as internationally.
Q. Describe your proudest moment as a PGA Professional.
My proudest moments have come from the successes of my students. I have been fortunate to coach a number of very good junior players and seeing them reach their goals is very rewarding. I am also very proud to have been the recipient of the Gateway PGA Private Merchandiser of the Year award in 2010 & 2015.
Q. What do you hope to achieve in 2017?
Personal achievements: My daughter, Olivia, is graduating high school this year and she has decided to become a Bulldog. Gwen and I look forward to taking her to Mississippi State in the Fall and visiting often. I will consider it a success if my
Freshman son Eli manages to finish his high school wrestling season with no major injuries and gets his drivers license this Summer, also with no major injuries. I hope to survive another year as the coach of my 5th grade son, Jack's football and basketball teams. So far we have managed to beat our very own "School Up North" so I have managed to hold on to my volunteer duties.
Professional achievements: Our club is going through some transitional changes and I look forward to taking a more active roll within the management of the club and the company.
Q. In 2016, thePGA initiated #THXPGAPRO campaign; is there a PGA Professional that you would like to say “THX“ to that impacted your career or life? How did they do so?
I have a few. Lee Hollworth gave me my first golf lessons when I was 14. His passion for the game got me hooked. Bill Vaughn was the first assistant at Long Cove Club when I did my internship. He allowed me the opportunity to touch every aspect of the golf operation and trusted me with those opportunities. Richard Taylor was a great mentor and taught me much about the business of golf. I continue to implement policies and procedures I learned from Richard to this day.
Q. Who would be your dream foursome and why, and where would you play?
My dream foursome would be a Four Ball match playing with my dad against Old and Young Tom Morris at St. Andrews. My dad introduced me to the game and passed along a passion for links golf. We have never had the opportunity to play in Scotland together. I couldn't think of a better father/son match or better tour guides.
Jon Crane, PGA and his family