Interview With Matthew Boesch PGA Head Professional Hawk's View Golf Club

Below is an interview with Matthew Boesch, the PGA Head Professional at Hawk's View 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.

Can you provide our readers a brief biography?
I began working in the golf industry at age 15 as a bag room attendant at a small private club in Michigan. While an entry level position, this sparked my love for the business. My family moved to Manitowoc, Wisconsin when I was 17, and I worked in the pro shop at a small public course there. The head pro at this course encouraged me to make the golf business a career by attending a university with Professional Golf Management program. I chose Ferris State in Michigan, and graduated in 2006. While attending Ferris State, I had the opportunity for three internships. I fell in love with the facility of my second internship - Hawk's View Golf Club. I came back to Hawk's View for my third internship in the summer of 2005, and after graduation in May, 2006, came aboard as the full time assistant golf professional at Hawk's View. In 2011, I was promoted to the head golf professional position when the former head pro relocated. Currently at age 32, I plan on being at Hawk's View for a long time.

When did you start golfing and who introduced you to the game?
I was introduced to golf at age 14 by my grandfather, who was an avid player. While age 14 is a later start compared to most of my peers, I had a knack for the game right away and was able to post scores in the low to mid 80s by age 16. A memory that will always stay with me was the day I played with my grandfather and he shot his age - 76. I told myself, "I'm going to do that someday."

What is your current home course?
I work, play, and sometimes sleep at Hawk's View. Usually don't have the time to play elsewhere.

To date, what is your proudest golf accomplishment?
The day I passed my Player's Ability Test was one of the greatest golf days of my life. With a target score of 155 for 36 holes, I put myself behind the 8-ball by shooting a morning round of 80. However, I fought back, battling temperatures in the mid-90s with high humidity and posted an afternoon score of 70. With five shots to give on the last hole, which was a short but tight par-5, I left the driver in the bag and hit three 6-iron shots, followed by two putts. The only thing in my head was 'don't pull a Tin Cup!'

Another fun moment was the day of my only hole-in-one so far. It was October 21, 2005 on the 11th hole on Hawk's View's Como Crossings course. On a chilly fall day, I pulled out a 3-iron from 205 yards and hit a low draw to keep it under the cool east breeze in my face. The ball checked on the front of the green, and released right into the forward hole location. What was exceptionally exciting was that was the cap of a three-hole stretch where I eagled #9, birdied #10, and aced #11. Yes, I have a witness (three to be exact). However, I won't mention how the other 15 holes went that day...

What is your biggest golf pet peeve on or off the course?
Slow play, especially when players aren't ready when it's their turn. It also drives me nuts when players take forever looking for a ball in the hazard. First off, it's not going to help your score even if you do find it. Second, if you can't afford to lose a ball you're playing, you probably shouldn't be playing that ball.

What is your favorite club in your bag and why?
The driver. Being smaller in stature, I'm not crazy long, but I can pound it pretty well. More importantly though is that it is almost always in play. I finally found a shaft about three years ago that I love. While I upgrade to the most current driver head every year, I do not change the shaft.

What is your favorite golf destination?
In my short golfing career, I haven't hadn't the chance to travel as much I'd like to yet. However, so far my favorite is the Kohler properties in Wisconsin. I've had the opportunity to play both Blackwolf Run courses, both Whistling Straits courses, and stay overnight in their accommodations. Everything is done right - I'd recommend it to anyone.

What course is on your bucket list that you have not played yet?
My unrealistic dream is Augusta National.

My realistic bucket list destination is Iceland at the end of June during the summer solstice time. There's something about teeing off at 2am that seems really cool to me.

If you woke up tomorrow and could play one course you played before, where would you play?
Whistling Straits

If you could change one aspect, rule or thing about golf, what would it be and why?
Just the overall stuffy perception that potential golfers have about this great game. I think it's needs to be communicated that it's OK to play by your own rules as long as you're having fun and not making players behind you wait. Also, I think relaxing the dress code would go a long way in converting potential golfers. Everyone doesn't have comfortable dress clothes, nor do they want to invest hundreds of dollars in "dorky" looking clothes just to get onto a golf course.

Dream foursome (living)?
Me, Michael Jordan, Bill Murray, and Tiger Woods.

I was a huge basketball and MJ fan as a kid. I think Bill Murray would be an absolute riot to play with. And I'd love to hear the truth from Tiger Woods about all of his shenanigans.

Dream foursome (living or dead)?
Same as above.

18 Rapid Fire, Off The Cuff Questions

1) Hitting Long Drive OR Sinking Long Putt?
Sinking a long putt - drive for show, putt for dough.

2) Having Round of Life OR Hole in One?
Round of life. I already have a HIO, and there's plenty of time for more.

3) Golfing at the crack of dawn OR twilight?
Twilight - nothing better than a few adult beverages on the course after a long day at work.

4) Hit a power fade OR power draw?
Power draw. I'm little, so I need every inch of distance I can get.

5) Beverage cart OR halfway house?
Beverage cart. Seeing someone 6+ times in a round is better than just once.

6) Bathroom OR bushes?
Bushes - see my answer above.

7) Hot dog OR wrap?
Hot dog. This is America.

8) Around the green, being in sand OR thick rough?
Thick rough. My sand game was horrible last year.

9) Walking OR riding?
Riding. I like to play quickly, and you need somewhere to put your beverage.

10) Do you carry traditional 3 iron OR hybrid?
3 iron, but a 2 hybrid.

11) Do you prefer long par 3 OR long par 5?
Long Par 3. I'm a good long iron/hybrid player, so I have an advantage on these holes.

12) Pants OR Shorts?
Pants - look good, play good.

13) Palmer OR Nicklaus?
Palmer. Such a genuine individual.

14) Beatles OR Elvis?
Beatles

15) Play for fun OR play for money?
Mostly fun, but a small wager to keep things interesting is fun.

16) Bump and run OR flop shot?
Bump and run. Much safer.

17) Lay up OR gamble?
Lay up. Usually can't hit the ball long enough to justify a gamble.

18) 18 holes OR 36?
18. I like to enjoy other things life has to offer on a day off.