Keith Foster became enamored with the game of golf at the age of 15 when a friend invited him to hit balls in a field after a football game. Foster later went on to play golf one year at the University of Miami before he was paired with Hal Sutton at the Dixie Amateur. "I realized then that I didn’t have the game," said Foster.

Foster knew he wanted to stay in golf because he loved the game and soon he decided to become an architect. Reflecting back, Foster believes being paired with Sutton was the best thing for him.

"Most kids see golf pros as the only vehicle for the business when in reality the industry is so huge with so many opportunities. It isn’t just playing," says Foster. "Love What You Do, Do What You Love" ... Harvey Mackay Foster believes youngsters that love golf can tie in what they like and are good at with the many different employment opportunities. "If you like grass, you can become involved with turf grass. If you like operations, you can become involved with the business avenues. If you like building things, you can become a golf course builder; drawing, a golf course architect."

Engineering, marketing, retailing, administration, even broadcasting and writing are other areas of possible employment.

For those wishing to become golf course architects, Foster says most are landscape architect majors in college. There are about 40 national colleges offering this degree. Texas Tech has an outstanding program, while Texas A&M has a top turf grass program. Besides the degree, Foster looks for those that love golf and the outdoors.

Normally the graduate wishing to become a designer then goes to work at a small firm for several years to learn all they can in a position similar to the traditional apprenticeship.

As the golf industry continues to explode there will be many new opportunities to enter the industry. As with any career decision it is important to try to match your individual strengths, skills, and experiences with what you like to do. Internships and informational interviews within the industry are often great avenues to explore and help determine what specific career path for you to pursue.

Good Luck!

Don Dowell, Editor/Publisher, Golf in the SouthWest
(May 12, 1997)©