Interview With Richard N. Bartley, Jr. - Hawks Landing Golf Club

Below is an interview with Richard N. Bartley, Jr. PGA Head Professional Hawks Landing Golf Club. His golf career began after college at University Ridge. In 1999, he moved to Portland, Oregon and spent three years as an Assistant Professional at Riverside Golf & Country Club. After moving back to Madison, he spent six plus seasons at Nakoma Golf Club. Since 2009, he has been the Head Professional at Hawks Landing Golf 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?
My Father introduced me to golf when I was 11 years old. I still remember playing with my mother's light blue gripped clubs on a small nine hole golf course that many would never remember by the name of Pagoda outside Nekoosa, WI. I shot 70 the first time I played 9 holes and I remember my Dad telling me I was a natural. I didn't really think much of the sport at the time because I shot 73 the next time out and was fairly upset that I didn't improve. It was two years later before I really started to gain the interest and passion. After Pagoda closed, it was an 18 mile round trip bike ride to Homestead GC in order to play, so I knew I began to fall in love.

What is your current home course?
My current home course is my facility, Hawks Landing Golf Club in Verona, WI.

To date, what is your proudest golf accomplishment?
I would probably say interviewing and gaining my very first job that I applied for and earned by becoming the Head Professional at Hawks Landing. It's pretty tough to prepare yourself mentally for the questions that are asked during this process. The thing I could probably tell all young Pro's is to just stay relaxed and be yourself. If you're a good honest person with high integrity people tend to recognize.

What is your biggest golf pet peeve on or off the course?
Probably pace of play. Time seems to be most people's most valuable commodity these days.

What is your favorite club in your bag and why?
I would tend to say my nine iron. It's scoring club, but it's also very versatile, especially at Hawks. We have many tightly mowed collection areas and I tend not to hit as many greens as I did when I was playing more golf. I find myself hitting a lot of bump and run shots.

What is your favorite golf destination?
I haven't traveled too much, but I would say my favorite places I've played where I've traveled are Bandon Dunes and Pinehurst.

What course is on your bucket list that you have not played yet?
There are too many to name, but Pine Valley Golf Club would be a good start.

If you woke up tomorrow and could play one course you played before, where would you play?
I'd go to Oregon and play Portland Golf Club.

If you could change one aspect, rule or thing about golf, what would it be and why?
I would need time to think more about this one.

Dream foursome (living)?
My Father
Steve Stricker
Tom Watson

Dream foursome (living or dead)?
My Father
Steve Stricker
Tom Watson

18 Rapid Fire, Off The Cuff Questions

1) Hitting Long Drive OR Sinking Long Putt?
Depends what your definition of long is.....

2) Having Round of Life OR Hole in One?
Round of Life in competition, otherwise Hole in One

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

4) Hit a power fade OR power draw?
Power fade....I've got the draw down

5) Beverage cart OR halfway house?
Neither, unless I have time off.

6) Bathroom OR bushes?
??......nice question. Bathroom

7) Hot dog OR wrap?
Again depends......all beef, then I'd say Hot Dog

8) Around the green, being in sand OR thick rough?
Neither, but I'd probably say sand unless it was plugged

9) Walking OR riding?
Walking before I became strapped for time.....now it's riding or I'd never have time to play.

10) Do you carry traditional 3 iron OR hybrid?
Hybrid.

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

12) Pants OR Shorts?
Pants

13) Palmer OR Nicklaus?
Nicklaus

14) Beatles OR Elvis?
This might be the best question yet.......Beatles by a nose

15) Play for fun OR play for money?
Fun. you have to have money in order to play for it.

16) Bump and run OR flop shot?
Bump and run

17) Lay up OR gamble?
Depends upon the situation....always gamble when you're playing for fun.

18) 18 holes OR 36?
18. don't know if my back, currently shoulder, could make it 36 holes