Interview With Eric Smith PGA Head Golf Professional Big Cedar Lodge - Top of the Rock

Below is an interview with Eric Smith, the PGA Head Golf Professional at Big Cedar Lodge - Top of the Rock. The following are a few traditional and non traditional golf centric questions that I love to ask influential people in the golf industry.

Can you provide our readers a brief biography?
Started playing golf at the age of 15. Was hooked immediately and have been playing and working in golf ever since.

When did you start golfing and who introduced you to the game?
I was 14 when I first hit a golf ball on a family reunion in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. A bunch of the guys decided to go play a little par 3 course and I just wanted to tag along.

What is your current home course?
Top of the Rock in Ridgedale, MO

To date, what is your proudest golf accomplishment?
I recently made my first hole in one so that is up there. But I would say all the people I have met through golf is just incredible! I have so many people that are friends now because of golf.

What is your biggest golf pet peeve on or off the course?
When people get really upset and throw a tantrum, your playing golf, you could be doing something worse!

What is your favorite club in your bag and why?
52* wedge that needs to be replaced but I can't part with it.

What is your favorite golf destination?
Top of the Rock - Buffalo Ridge at Big Cedar Lodge of course!!!

What course is on your bucket list that you have not played yet?
Augusta National

If you woke up tomorrow and could play one course you played before, where would you play?
That is tough, it would be a course I don't have the opportunity to play often, Kalamazoo Country Club. It is an old private course where my first job in golf was at, I was a caddie.

If you could change one aspect, rule or thing about golf, what would it be and why?
If you hit it in the fairway and are in a divot you get ground under repair relief.

Dream foursome (living)?
My dad Greg, brother Matt, and one of my school teachers Frank Sipes

Dream foursome (living or dead)?
Same as above

18 Rapid Fire, Off The Cuff Questions

1) Hitting Long Drive OR Sinking Long Putt?
Long Putt

2) Having Round of Life OR Hole in One?
Round of Life

3) Golfing at the crack of dawn OR twilight?
Crack of Dawn

4) Hit a power fade OR power draw?
Draw

5) Beverage cart OR halfway house?
Neither

6) Bathroom OR bushes?
Bathroom

7) Hot dog OR wrap?
Hot Dog

8) Around the green, being in sand OR thick rough?
Sand

9) Walking OR riding?
Depends on the course, if it is walkable, Walking

10) Do you carry traditional 3 iron OR hybrid?
Hybrid

11) Do you prefer long par 3 OR long par 5?
Long Par 5, better chance for birdie

12) Pants OR Shorts?
Pants unless its really Hot

13) Palmer OR Nicklaus?
Flip a coin

14) Beatles OR Elvis?
Neither

15) Play for fun OR play for money?
Money

16) Bump and run OR flop shot?
Flop

17) Lay up OR gamble?
Depends on the situation, probably layup and use my wedge

18) 18 holes OR 36?
18