Friday, March 5, 2021
“Initially, the main thing that kept me going back was that every Saturday there was the guarantee of free pastries at the South Ocean Golf Course. So, I’m sure that 50 percent of my early time at golf was spent lurking around the bakery, eating the pastries, it seemed, no one else knew were free. That kept me in the game until I began to appreciate and love it.” Georgette has been teaching golf since 2005 through volunteer efforts as a collegiate golfer with a youth and golf development organisation called The First Tee. It was there that she realised she really had a true passion for the game, but also that she enjoyed being around kids and watching them learn. In 2008, she took on a different role with The First Tee in Houston, Texas. She worked mainly as a curriculum developer for the programme, but also oversaw a lot of the tournament operations and daily operations for the private junior golf facility. She gained further experience as one of the leaders of the Fourteen Clubs Golf Academy in Nassau. “I got into the golf business because I love the game, and I loved being able to develop programmes and teaching models that could help its evolution. I stayed in it because I love the opportunity to come to work in a great atmosphere and a soothing environment. These elements range from the beauty you see on the course, to the constantly changing atmosphere, and to the people that play every day and also find the beauty in it,” she said. “It’s a shared love for the game that I enjoy with the (resort) guests and the industry on the whole. During the years of pursuing my Master of Science degree, I began to realise that I GEORGETTE teeing off in the qualifying round of the Pure Silk-Bahamas simply like research and figuring out LPGA Classic in 2016 the next best thing. When I got into golf (BIS Photo: Kemuel Stubbs) operations and deeper into teaching, I realised that there was no limit to developing my own philosophies. I began to fully dive into the golf operations world with the intent of simply learning as much as I could andseeing where it would take me.” So how does it feel being the new head golf professional at Baha Mar? For Georgette, she believes any success is gradual and has to do with the individual being disciplined and dedicated to their craft. When her opportunity came, she was prepared for it. “Golf has been a male-dominated sport, but there has always been room for growth. Women have been in every other profession, working hard to achieve the GEORGETTE Rolle at Pure Silk-Bahamas in 2018. ultimate success in what they do. (Photo: Terrel W Carey) So, with that, I feel that I am exposing
The Tribune | Weekend | 05 the fact there are many avenues for growth for women. We just have to be focused and dedicated to see it through. I am just one of the female professional golfers in the Bahamas who are pursuing excellence in the industry. I, along with Raquel Riley, Alena Hutcheson and Jameica Duncombe, have been steering the wheel and representing female professional leaders in golf,” she said. “I look at the young women we are mentoring in the game. Through our success, they can see golf not only as a means of education, but as a means for business or a career. For the longest time for a female golfer, the only opportunity was to make it to the LPGA tour, and so few athletes have made it to that level. With our success, hopefully they will look at taking on golf as a career instead of only a hobby. “The whole development of a person starts with dedication within yourself. I have a love and desire for developing the sport, so whether you are a woman or a man, you can transform the lives of people that you touch.” Georgette’s husband, David, has also had a great influence on her golf career. She actually describes him as “the true golfer” in her family. He always encouraged her to practice harder, think smarter when on the course, and continue to do more for the Bahamian youth through golf. Her advice for the little girls aspiring to be professional golfers, is to continue to keep working at the craft in any way possible. And if they feel like they have done everything they can in one area, tackle the next one. “I think a lot of young people only look at expanding upwards, but if they look laterally, they would see a whole new world. I would encourage them to say yes to every opportunity that is legitimate and use it as a learning experience. You can never have too much practice at being a leader. Always push yourself as hard as you can,” said Georgette. Aside from her day-to-day duties, which include managing staff and the workplace, coordinating group events or tournaments, Georgette’s new responsibilities at the Royal Blue Golf Course encompass being able to foresee and prepare for changes in the industry. This includes developing a team that aspires to more than just being able to perform the basic duties of the job. It also includes understanding the various personalities of the on- and off-property guests of Baha Mar. At the end of the day, it’s her job is to ensure that all guests, whether local or visiting, have a world-class experience on the course.
