Shawn Campbell, General Manager/Head Golf Pro at Groton Country Club
I recently met with Shawn Campbell, the new PGA Golf professional at the Groton Country Club. He shared his intention for Groton and what he hopes to bring to what the locals refer to as "The Green Jewel."
Shawn Campbell comes to Groton with 25 years of experience as a Class A PGA Golf Professional, the last 15 years as the Director of Golf for Potowomut Golf Club, an 18 hole private golf course in Warwick, RI. Prior to his relationship with Potowomut, Campbell was the assistant golf professional at the Pine Brook Country Club in Weston, as well as the Thunderbird Country Club in Rancho Mirage, CA.
At Potowomut Golf Club, Campbell was the Director of Golf and Clubhouse Operations and introduced many programs including Developing a Pace of Play program, golf improvement program, golf instruction using state of the art video and launch monitor systems.
He designed and constructed an indoor learning center offering members year round game improvement, provided member's leagues, golf club fittings, demo days and club repair, managed the Summer Junior Golf Program with an average of 25 juniors per program and worked closely with the Ladies Golf Committee.
Campbell owned and administered the Golf Shop which generated $200,000+ in annual sales and managed more than 20 annual corporate events generating revenues of $300,000 and managed a 35 person staff.
For Campbell, who has been in the golf business for 25 years and accomplished much of what he had hoped, there was the desire to be a general manager. When the Groton GM position became available, 40 candidates applied but with an attractive interview and the recommendation of PGA professional Don Lyons, he was hired. "Campbell was extremely well prepared and was by far, the best candidate we interviewed," were the comments from the screening committee.
Campbell lives in Rumford, RI with his wife Holly and son Connor. He commutes the 70 miles daily but is "planning on moving to Groton sooner than later."
Campbell related, "I did not play golf until high school and the only golf experience my brother and I had was caddying for our Dad. During my junior year in high school, my brother and I decided to go out for the golf team. We were terrible and I must have carded 130 for 18 holes. My brother did not play well either and needless to say, neither of us made the team."
For the first time in their young athletic careers, the two athletic Campbell boys did not make a team. They decided to respond and took jobs that summer at a local golf course. When we told the pro what happened, he commented that he would help if we were interested.
Making long story short, with informal lessons, practice each night, golf on weekends, the handicaps improved dramatically. In the fall they had progressed, made the team and played all the matches.
Campbell has a business background having worked in a bank as a teller, then in the accounting department while taking classes in the evening.
His first official day at the club was March 15. Since his arrival there has been construction at the club every day. The area behind the Tavern has been cleared and the hill reinforced with concrete block. Water damage from winter storms caused some interior damage to walls within the clubhouse but construction crews have made repairs to the property.
"As general manager, I am responsible for golf and swimming operations, including the pool. It's all on me."
At Groton, the golf shop has been changed, with new recessed lighting, the ceiling patched and new paint. Poles for the driving range have been installed and the netting will be hung the week of April 6. If finances allow, a golf ball dispensing machine will be purchased and set next to the driving range.
Locker rooms are being completely renovated with new lighting, new stalls, new sinks, new vanity, new electric hand dryers, new family bathroom stall/baby changing station, new high powered exhaust fans and new paint on all repaired walls.
Swim coach Carol Wright has big plans for the upcoming season which already boasts an outstanding swim program. Over 100 new chairs are on order for spring delivery for the pool area. New lifeguard stands have been purchased for lifeguards to have a safer and improved view of the pool.
Groton Country Club is excited to re-launch the membership program to include:
-Unlimited range ball plan ($100 Value)
-10% discount on all merchandise in the Golf Shop
-Free half hour swing evaluation with PGA Professional Shawn Campbell ($40 Value)
-One free family swim passes to invite another family to the pool for the day
-10% discount on room rentals in the clubhouse
-Availability to purchase golf cart passes: 10 nine hole carts for $60 (Retails for $80, 25% off).
Groton Country Club is family oriented, affordable, convenient and gives the community an opportunity to use one of the finest recreational facilities in the area. The senior group that plays most mornings is the stable life-blood of the GCC. All the leagues and good things that happen seem to flow from that group.
Reopening of the golf course, originally scheduled for April 11, has been moved to Saturday, April 18. If weather cooperates, the course will open sooner and you will be posted via E-Mail, Facebook & Twitter.
Town manager Mark Haddad has everything set up for success and is enthusiastic about getting the GCC profitable.
"I would like to thank the Town of Groton and those who served on the selection committee for giving me the opportunity to provide the Town of Groton a first class recreational facility at the Groton Country Club."
