Determination key to overseas success
12/11/2014
Paul McLoughlin, PGA Advanced Professional and director of golf at Lake Malaren Golf Resort in Shanghai, China (right), beat the odds to land the position but it wasn’t luck that got him the role.
As he reveals to PGA.info, a combination of hard work, imagination and a never say die attitude were key components in his successful career to date which has taken him from his native Ireland to the United States, eastern Europe and now the far east.
“The recession provided a huge challenge for all our golf livelihoods which is why over the past decade I travelled half the world to adapt to market conditions to accumulate more international expertise and gain a competitive advantage,” he said.
“Recessions bring opportunity because all clubs need to make money which is where the skill and expertise of the PGA Professional can reap rewards. If your pro shop is not busy I would suggest being pro active, whether attending more marketing classes or developing ideas to grow memberships and business at the golf facility.
“Being decisive and taking action is important as we control our own destinies.
“One thing I’ve always tried to go is get to know positive people in the golf business and find out what has made them successful. It’s also important to try to create a position for yourself at a golf complex, and keep an eye out for gaps in the market where you know you can add value for a club.
“With or without the financial crisis, all golf clubs and resorts need staff that can drive revenues that cover the cost of salaries and all golf operations’ fixed overheads which is where PGA Professionals can play an important role.”
When it came to working overseas in China, McLoughlin took bold steps to ensure he gave himself the best chance of landing employment.
“I decided to fly to China at my own expense and without knowing anybody. I decided no matter what, that if I didn’t get this job I would get a similar job in China, and either way I was going to learn the language and spend the next few years in China, no matter what.
“The initial role I went for had a delayed start and in the meantime a new role was advertised in Lake Malaren which I targeted. I visited the facility and came up with a plan of how I could add value and support the facility, with all of the PGA schooling I had received, and highlighted the benefits of the PGA.
“We had several meetings, and while in Shanghai, I identified a gap in the market and decided to add more value, so I set up the Shanghai International Golf Society which is now a large group of expat and Chinese golfers.
“They are mixture of all golfing abilities that play regular tournaments while accessing different courses, usually impossible, if you are just a single player.
“The Shanghai International Golf Society was a perfect milestone in forging quickly many relationships with golfers and professionals/managers in the area.
