MEMBER MEMBER
MATT RAJKOWSKI PGA
my family, such as going to parks, museums, shows, etc....
MATT RAJKOWSKI, PGA
Tell us something that people might be surprised to know about you.
When I was 8 years old, I broke my right arm at my local park. The break was a compound fracture that led to a bone infection. After 2 years, 9 surgeries, and numerous physical therapy appointments, I had recovered with minimal effects and mobility.
What is the best part of your game?
My driver has been the best part of my game in recent years, but prior to that was my ability to hit my irons and hit a lot of greens.
What is your best round of Golf? 69 at The Club at Nevillewood
Name two favorite golf courses that you've played, and what makes them unique to you?
Friars Head on Long Island and Aronimink in Philadelphia. Friars Head was a great experience from the moment you drive on the property to the last putt. Great views on a great piece of property. A very quiet place to play a round of golf. Aronimink was just a great test of golf. It challenges you from your tee shot to your approach shot. Even if you missed the green, you had to think about where to play your next shot. Conditions were always spectacular as well.
MATT RAJKOWSKI, PGA
If you could play a round of golf with any three people (alive or deceased), who would you play with?
Arnold Palmer, Tiger Woods, and My Dad
What initially drew you to the game of Golf, and how did you get started?
The pastor at my church, when I was 12 years old, drew me to the game as he and his son played regularly. As my family grew closer to his family, they had started taking me to Willows Driving Range in Plum a few times, and then realized that I had some natural abilities to play the game, and from there my family and I decided to take some lessons, and the rest is history. I fell in love with the game and have never turned back.
Who has had the biggest influence on your life or career, and why?
My family has the biggest influence on my life, but for my career, it was the late Ed Habjan. Without him, I wouldn't be the Golf Professional I am today. He pushed me in ways I never thought I could be. He gave me the confidence to become a better golf professional and showed me how to go about my job. He was a great teacher, even though there were times we disagreed; in the end, it made me a better person and professional.
MATT RAJKOWSKI, PGA
How long have you been a PGA member, and what made you decide to pursue a career in the PGA of America? 9 years as a PGA Member. I knew I couldn't be stuck in an office all day, every day. I always struggled in school when I would look out the window and see how nice it is and be stuck inside. That told me I needed to do something where I could be outside, then I fell in love with the game of golf and thought, why not become a golf professional where I can be around the game I love. Please provide some insight into your previous roles. I started my professional career at Philadelphia Country Club as an entry-level assistant, which then led me to Green Oaks Country Club, where I spent 4 1/2 years working under Ed Habjan. My family then took me to Virginia, where I became the 1st Assistant and later the Head Golf Professional at Dominion Valley Country Club, where I stayed for about 4 1/2 years. All of that has led me to where I am today at The Club at Nevillewood, where I have been for almost 5 years now.
What does being a PGA of America Member mean to you?
Being a PGA member means to me that I am part of an organization with a history in this game, and now I am part of that history.
MATT RAJKOWSKI, PGA
What’s your favorite part of working with your members, students, or clients?
My favorite part of working with our members is the relationships I have built with them. We all have something in common when it comes to our passion for the game of golf, and we get to talk about it. Then, as we are doing that, we get to learn a little about them personally, too, which is a great benefit.
What does “Growing the Game” mean to you?
Growing the game means that we need to get as many people involved in our game as possible. Whether that is juniors or adults who haven't played before, I think it is so important to keep the traditions of our game going and passed along for generations to come, as well as our current generation of golfers.
What advice would you give to aspiring PGA Professionals entering the industry today?
Just be who you are, don't let anyone change the person you are, and be confident in what you do.
What legacy do you hope to leave as a PGA Professional?
I have never really thought about a legacy that I would leave behind. I just want to do my part in trying to grow the game and be the best version of myself.