We recently connected with Christopher Martinez and have shared our conversation below.

Christopher, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

At The Golf Club of Texas, I have the opportunity as the Director of Golf Instruction to connect with individuals to bring the game of golf and demonstrate different opportunities and value of the game.   

My journey started in High School in McAllen, Texas where I was able to assist with Summer Camps and Junior Golf Programs at the local golf course, Palm View Golf Course. I found enjoyment in being able to teach and bring the connection golf can have and the addiction of the humility of the game of golf. As a result, I was able to play collegiate golf at the University of Incarnate Word where I received bachelor’s degree.  During my time at UIW I was afforded the opportunity to work at several great San Antonio Golf Courses like Brackenridge Golf Course, The Republic Golf Club (r.i.p.), and Sonterra Country Club.  

After graduating from UIW, I was employed by Fair Oaks Ranch Golf & Country Club as Assistant Golf Pro and am currently the Director of Golf Instruction at The Golf Club of Texas.  I have been in the golf industry long enough to be involved in almost all of the positions of this industry from outside service, pro shop attendant, assistant golf professional, teaching professional, to now Director of Instruction.   

There may have been ways that I could have been able to become a Director of Golf Instruction faster but I would have missed the knowledge obtained by the past experiences that could help out in future endeavors.

What I have found being at other golf course and being able to experience the private club and the public golf courses atmosphere, is how well you hit the golf ball does not necessarily correlate the love of the game. What I try to bring to everyone is what golf can bring into their lives. Many have heard the speech from me that playing 18 holes of golf is not the only thing that can make you a golfer. If you go play 9 holes, go to the local driving range, watch golf on tv, play a video game that involves golf all these things bring you into the community of golf.

I believe one of the core principles of my job, golf professionals in general, is to show all the avenues golf can bring to benefit your life.  Which leads to the programs that we have incorporated at The Golf Club of Texas. We offer a Junior Lesson Membership where we offer 1-1 private instruction. This includes a 30-minute lesson a week or 2 hours of instruction for that month. This combats other sports or activities that offer instruction for juniors. Golf has had a stigma that it was not inclusive to everyone and has been expensive for anyone to have an opportunity to try it. We hope that this gives families opportunities for their juniors to get into golf, you do not need clubs to be part of the Junior Lesson Membership. We have established a PGA Junior League which are for juniors from 6 – 17 years old and brings a team aspect to golf. This program is to get juniors ready for competitive golf and introduce juniors to other junior golfers around the area. This helps develop juniors and their athletic ability, working with others, and how to compete at a high level in golf.

In addition, we have established a PGA Hope program which is a 6-week program that helps veterans graduate into golfers. This program has brought exactly the mindset I believe most individuals should bring to the game golf.  Veterans who struggle with PTSD or lose of limbs or other injuries we show them how golf can bring a positivity in their lives. That positivity can be brought out by hitting range balls while listening to music by yourself or going out with their family and watch a local pro golf tournament, or even going to play a round of golf with friends and not play sand bunkers because you don’t want to ruin your day. We show the avenues that you golf can bring into their lives and introduce them to past alumni and other golf leagues that can participate in and find their own community.

Christopher , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

As I previously mentioned, I received my bachelor’s degree from The  University of Incarnate Word where I played collegiate golf.  I am currently enrolled at The University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley, Masters in Business Administration and will be graduating in the Spring  of 2023.  Also, I am in the process of becoming a Class Member in the Professional Golf Association (PGA) by 2023 focused in executive management.

Is there a mission driving your creative journey?

The main mission I want to bring to the golf world id that there is difference in swinging a golf club and playing golf. Most golfers get into a mindset that their golf swing needs to be a certain way for their golf ball to go to their target. If we adopted a more reactive thought process to golf, where you think where the golf ball needs to go not what my golf swing needs to be we can start unlocking a more athletic move for your golf swing. If you are past athlete, your best athletic feat was where you were probably playing the game and not thinking of that movement needed to happen.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

During the pandemic, when people were being labeled essential and non-essential I considering leaving the golf industry and look for a career that would benefit more people. I enrolled at UTRGV in the Masters Business Administration Program. Seeing that golf became an avenue to be able to socialize and maintain social distancing, I understood that we were part of the healing that was so much needed to go on. I am be graduating with my MBA in the Spring and will continue to stay in the golf industry. I believe we can bring golf to people who never had the opportunity to know and understand golf and hope that people can find this avenue as a source of enjoyment.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.golfclubtexas.com
• Instagram: gct_golf_academy
• Facebook: GCT Golf Academy
• Youtube: @Golfclubtexas