Michael Byrd

About Michael Byrd

I am a lucky guy that wakes up every day knowing that I get to go to the golf course and call it my job. I enjoy the diversity of the job, the challenge of the business, keeping current and ahead of the competition, meeting new people and helping in creating memoriable experiences. Ultimately, it is the growth of the game that drives me on a daily basis. My 11 years as the General Manager / Head Professional of the Gauntlet Golf Club has been an amazing experience as I have been able to position myself into the community as the leader in Player Development, specializing in youth golf. In my 28 years of teaching golf I have been blessed with the opportunity to introduce golf into peoples lives. I have seen so many positive effects to their lives as a result of my introduction. I believe the players body is the most important piece of equipment you have, therefore all my students are shown ways to enhance body motion through exercise, stretching or weight lifting. I also take what I preach very seriously, by training for marathons and spend 2 to 3 days weight training myself. Game Of Life & Family.

Experience

1. President

   New Direction Golf Academy

   Nov 2017 — Present · Fredericksburg, VA, US

   NEW DIRECTION GOLF MANAGEMENT (NDGM).might be a new venture, but more than a decade of planning, dedicated efforts to stay ahead of the curve and a touch of good ole\' fashioned outside-the-box thinking has turned Mike Byrd\'s dream into a reality. Byrd - who has managed the Gauntlet in Stafford County for the last 12 years - is thrilled to bring a new and innovative approach to golf course management.According to the National Golf Foundation, 2.5 million people tried golf for the very first time in 2016, more than any year in the history of the game including Tiger Woods\' peak in when popularity was at an all time high.The mission of NDGM is simple. The main goal will always be to grow the game of golf within the community by specifically designing programs and initiatives to create, develop and sustain interest in the sport.Byrd - who carefully learned from mentors who were ahead of the rest of the pack, maintaining successful courses while so many others plummeted - believes in going against the norm in order to not only preserve, but help propel the game to new, and very attainable heights.\"It forces operators like myself to really become outside-the-box thinkers,\" Byrd said of using new & innovative ways to sustain golf interest and development.\"People have busy lives jam packed with soccer games for the kids, mowing the lawn and just balancing the hustle & bustle of everyday life. We have to do thing to help them, to excite them, to make it fun. That\'s the essence of player development. You have to grow the game and create golfers, while always thinking, how can I sustain their interest?\"Byrd won\'t have to go far for his first official venture under the NDGM brand - with plans in place to purchase the Gauntlet Golf Club and implement a major overhaul. There will be plenty of exciting upgrades and changes to suit the new golfer, while maintaining the core traditions that make the Gauntlet one of the most exciting courses in Virginia.

Education

• Golf Academy of America-Carlsbad

  Associate's degree, Complex Golf Operations

  1990 — 1992

Skills

• Public Speaking
• Food
• Golf Course Management
• Sports Coaching
• Sports Management
• Customer Service
• Country Clubs
• Golf Management
• Golf Instruction
• Food & Beverage
• Sales
• Budgets
• Purchasing
• Golf Clubs
• Public Relations
• Sports
• Coaching
• Club
• Marketing Strategy
• Hospitality
• Resorts
• Sports Marketing
• Marketing
• Golf
• Hospitality Industry
• Event Planning
• Budgeting
• Event Management
• Sponsorship
• Management
• Golf Club Repair
• Program Management
• Golf Courses
• Player Development
• Tournaments