Interview With Mike James, Director of Golf at Resort at Glade Springs

Below is an interview with Mike James, Director of Golf & Recreation for the Resort at Glade Springs and Black Knight Country Club. The following are a few traditional and non traditional golf centric questions that I love to ask influential people in the golf industry.

When did you start golfing and who introduced you do the game?
I was a late bloomer to golf. I played everything but golf growing up. After high school worked at Sentry World Golf Course in Stevens Point, WV just for a job between my senior year in HS and freshman year in college. That is when the golf bug bit me...HARD!

What is your current home course?
The Resort at Glade Springs - Cobb Course, Stonehaven, Woodhaven courses

To date, what is your proudest golf accomplishment?
Would love to say my US Open victory (which would be a lie), however this may sound hokie but I am very proud of my Assistant Golf Professionals who have gone on to Head Professional or Director of Golf positions.

What is your biggest golf pet peeve on or off the course?
The thing that drives me most crazy are those players who play slow. You know the ones who shake and wiggle for 5 minutes to only duff the ball 20 yards THEN start the process over again! I don't mind playing with players of all handicaps... players just need to hit the ball and then hit it again.

What is your favorite golf destination?
I like to play in Hilton Head - not so much for the golf courses (although there are very nice courses) but I have an AWESOME group of members/friends that travel to Hilton Head each year and have a ball! For the few of you who know Marsh Side Mama's on Daufuskie Island...you know what I am talking about! Talk about in the sticks with great food, great fun, and down to earth people.

What course is on your bucket list that you have not played yet?
The obvious ones...Augusta National, Pebble Beach, Pine Valley. Can you hook me up???

If you woke up tomorrow and could play one course you played before, where would you play?
Honestly, Glade Springs has three EXTREMELY good courses so I wouldn't have to drive very far...HA! But I like playing the courses I have worked at in the past. I have been very fortunate to have worked at some neat places including Sentry World in Stevens Point, WV - Town & Country Club in St. Paul, MN - MacGregor Downs CC in Cary, NC - Tiburon GC in Naples, FL, and Gulf Harbour Golf & CC in Fort Myers, FL.

If you could change one aspect, rule or thing about golf, what would it be and why?
I don't like the fact that you can absolutely whiff a golf shot and be hitting two from the same place while you can hit a 300 yard drive down the middle of the fairway, hit a sprinkler head, and kick out of bounds and be hitting three from the same place. Stroke and distance can be very penal and slows down play.

I also hate when you see players coming down the stretch in a tournament and their ball lands in a divot in the middle of the fairway. Not saying I would change anything...but it still stinks!

Dream foursome (living)?
Not very interesting for those who do not know these guys but here they are...
Bary Gray - Member at Gulf Harbour (too much fun!!!)
Greg Darby - Member at Glade Springs (WAY too much fun!!!)
Keith Honaker - Director of Grounds at Glade Springs (we play for lunch and I always win!)

Dream foursome (living or dead)?
Ok, now I will go conventional...
Ben Hogan (would enjoy seeing him get around a golf course)
Arnold Palmer
Jack Nicklaus

18 Rapid Fire, Off The Cuff Questions

1) Hitting Long Drive OR Sinking Long Putt?
Hitting it long...now 40, my days of hitting it long are behind me!

2) Having Round of Life OR Hole in One?
Definitely round of life. Have seen people make hole-in-one's who have no business on the golf course (Luck)!

3) Golfing at the crack of dawn OR twilight?
Dawn

4) Hit a power fade OR power draw?
Power draw

5) Beverage cart OR halfway house?
Half way house...you always know where it is!!!

6) Bathroom OR bushes?
Bathroom. Would love for more people to plan ahead!

7) Hot dog OR wrap?
Wrap - healthy

8) Around the green, being in sand OR thick rough?
Around the green - my bunker game needs work!

9) Walking OR riding?
Definitely walking with caddies preferred

10) Do you carry traditional 3 iron OR hybrid?
Hybrids rule!

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

12) Pants OR Shorts?
Pants - never wear shorts on the course

13) Palmer OR Nicklaus?
Palmer

14) Beatles OR Elvis?
Elvis rocks!

15) Play for fun OR play for money?
Fun - however like playing for lunch. Even though the money is the same many times, it doesn't feel as bad.

16) Bump and run OR flop shot?
Flop it!

17) Lay up OR gamble?
High percentage shots usually work much better for me...LAY UP!

18) 18 holes OR 36?
18 now a days