Greetings Golfers,

I’ve got too many things to talk about for a short blog … but, I think they’re all related … so here we go.

Last week, Ted Potter Jr. held off a group of golf superstars to win the PGA Tour event at Pebble Beach. Potter held them off while he held control of his emotions – very impressive.

Potter’s agent is Chris Kosiba. Chris plays in the Deer Run Mens League. Should you and all of us connected with Deer Run take credit for Ted Potter’s victory? Probably.

I recently read an article about Doug Pederson – the Head Coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. The article is about “Leading with Emotional Intelligence” … something that Coach Pederson excels at. Here are some of his EQs:

• Be Visible – “It’s the only way you can build relationships”
• Have Empathy – “I know when it’s time to give players a break.”
• Never allow adversity to get you or your team down – change the narrative to see challenges as opportunities.
• Provide a purpose higher than self. Give your team the opportunity to align with something mission-driven.

This is great stuff. Inspirational instead of motivating out of fear. Emotional Intelligence. Coaches are important people, and they don’t have an easy job. Did you read the article the other day about the Brainerd Hockey coach? He’s resigning because the parents are crazy. This is an ex-cop who’s coached for 22 years and had a lot of success. Not some kid who’s in over his head. Parents have to learn Emotional Intelligence too. Parents are coaches to their kids.

Sports are games … not life or death. And, 99.9% of kids are not going to be professional athletes. When one of my sons played high school baseball, I sat on a folding chair and watched from along the outfield fence. The parents in the stands behind home-plate were crazy … and not in a fun way.

We all need to work on our Emotional Intelligence. If coaches can lead the way – all the better. Coaches more than most roles are in a gold-fish-bowl and micromanaged at an incredible level. So, maybe their success with Emotional Intelligence will be more noticeable than it would be with other leaders.

And don’t underestimate how much it matters in golf … in your success on the scorecard … and your success as being a desirable playing companion.

Cheers,

Tom Abts

GM/Head Golf Professional