Justin Roux – General Manager
St Francis Bay Golf Club
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stfancisbaygolfclub |
What led you to becoming a PGA Professional?
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After school I studied Law and my intertest in Law got me involved in the rules of golf. I wanted to go into Tournament Refereeing so I studied an Advanced Certificate in Golf Directorship and Club Management through Damelin. I was fortunate enough to meet Jeff Clause who offered me a position at St Francis Links and I started my PGA Apprenticeship under the mentorship of Jeff Clause and Ryan Dodds. Their passion for the game of golf and the PGA led me into Club Management and there has been no going back since then. I am extremely grateful to both of them for mentoring me and getting me into Club Management.
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How long have you been in your current position?
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18 months at St Francis Bay Golf Club
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What does your job entail?
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As General Manager I oversee the whole operation. We have a vibrant and busy Club and we are well supported by our members. All operations except our catering is in-house so I oversee and work with the shop, bar, carts, finance department and the golf course and I have recently started coaching again. I am fortunate enough to have great team of staff members who have all been in their positions for many years here at the Club as well as a dedicated committee.
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Do you have any environmental or sustainability goals that you have met and would like to share?
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With the extreme drought that the Eastern Cape is experiencing we have had to look at our water usage on the course and in the Club House and how we can minimize our usage. In the Club House we have installed water saving fittings to all taps and shower heads as well as water tanks which we are able to utilize for our showers and toilets. On the course we are encouraging the growth of Bermuda grass on the fairways and tee boxes to reduce the amount of water we have to put down. We are keeping our playing surfaces leaner as well so they require less water.
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Please give us a brief outline of the path you took to lead you to your current position | After I finished my PGA Apprenticeship at St Francis Links, I was appointed Head PGA Professional when Ryan Dodds left to go to Mauritius. I then moved to Cape Town and took up the position of Director of Golf at Steenberg Golf Club for three years. From there I did a contract at Gowrie Farm in KZN as General Manager before moving back to St Francis Bay and taking over as General Manager at St Francis Bay Golf Club in 2019.
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Why do you feel that you would be a good candidate to win this award?
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I feel I would be a good candidate as my passion is to grow the game of golf and expose people to the benefits of golf and being a member at a golf club, both young and old. COVID-19 has changed the world as we know it and golf has an opportunity to grow from it as it offers a sport that is played outdoors and is non-contact. I get great joy in showing people the fun of golf no matter your ability and the benefit of being a member at a club and the friendships that are created by being actively involved in the game.
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