How to Job Search at Golf Courses in Europe
By Peter Stevens
The global economic downturn has impacted the golf industry, but if you're a course manager, greenskeeper or other golf-course professional seeking job opportunities at European golf courses, positions do exist. To land one, you'll need both research and tenacity.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Make sure your resume is completely up to date and highlights your golf-course background and achievements.
Since you're applying to European golf courses, list any foreign languages--French, Spanish, Italian or others--that you speak. Highlight them in both your resume and cover letter.
Obtain solid references from at least three golf-course professionals attesting to your background and qualifications.
Make sure you have wireless Internet access and Blackberry or cell-phone access, as you are seeking jobs in time zones five, six and seven hours ahead of Eastern Time. Factor in additional time differences if you are on Central, Mountain or Pacific Time.
Check your passport to make sure it's up to date. You will need it if asked to interview at a European golf course.
Research the European Golf Course Owners Association, whose members include hundreds of course and contact lists for course, country by country.
Research the Golfing Union of Ireland if you are interested in openings that do not require languages other than English.
Tailor your cover letter to specific skills that a European course is seeking. For example, some clubs look for on-site people to plan junkets to courses across the continent.
Open a LinkedIn online account and create a detailed profile that will attract interest from European golf clubs. You will be able to contact hundreds of clubs if you can access the European Golf Course Owners Association (EGCOA) LinkedIn Group.
Tips & Warnings
According to European Golf Course Owners Association Executive Director Lodewijk Klootwijk, you are better off to seek positions in European Union nations. Your chances are better in Spain, Italy, Portugal and other Mediterranean countries, rather than England and Northern Europe. Ireland also offers possibilities for American golf-course professionals.
About The Author
Peter F. Stevens is an award-winning author and journalist whose 10 books include "The Voyage of the Catalpa." For more than 25 years, he has contributed to a wide array of publications including "American Heritage," "American History," "Yankee," "VFW," "Golf," and "Golf News." The "New York Times" frequently syndicates his work.
