Marc Ponce, PGA
Year Turned Pro: 2006
Facility and Job Title: Head Professional. Lone Star Golf Club, El Paso, TX
Please give a summary of your Background and credentials
I started playing golf as a sophomore in high school and my first job was as a cart attendant at Cielo Vista Golf Course. I worked in the cart barn for 2 years and left the game in 2002 to attend culinary school. After realizing I was no Emiril Lagase, I left school and moved back to El Paso in 2003. Between 2003 and 2004 I was an assistant manager at a Denny’s restaurant in El Paso. I returned to the game in 2004 and began working as a cart attendant at Lone Star Golf Club. I worked in every department of the facility and in 2006 was moved in as the Assistant Golf Professional. I joined the PGM program in 2006 and finished this past April.
What was your motivation to become a PGA Professional?
Golf has been a passion of mine since I was in high school. When I lived in California, I was unsure of what to do with my life and found myself spending time at Brookside Golf Club in Pasadena. The pro there allowed me to play for free as long as I assisted them with shagging balls at night. It was a conversation with him one night, and a conversation with Mike Singleton that inspired me to turn my passion into my career. Business was always my goal in college, and golf was my passion. I came back to El Paso, went to UTEP and worked my tail off to improve my game to pass the P.A.T. Before I passed my P.A.T, a position opened at Lone Star so I decided to drop out of school and chase my goal.
What is your specialty in the golf business?
That’s a question that I think depends on who you ask. I’ve been told by many that my people skills and my customer service is my strongest suit. I feel that my knowledge of the equipment and my ability to custom fit players is my specialty.
What was your greatest moment in golf?
My greatest moment is funny but not at all exciting. In one round of golf at my home course, Lone Star Golf Club, I eagled holes 9, 10, and 11, and still managed my way to a round of -1. I really feel I’m the only person you’ll ever meet that can be 6 under on 3 holes and barely break par.
What or who has had the greatest impact on your career?
I have had the blessing of working with and for 3 great individuals. Mike Singleton has had the biggest impact on my career. Since I was a teenager Mike has always taken the time to teach and educate me about the business, swing, and game of golf. Bill Eschenbrenner also made sure to take the time to teach me about the golf business. Benjamin Vanecek, who is the current owner of Lone Star Golf Club, has had the most recent impact on my career. Through Benny, I have learned new management styles and the importance of continuing to want to grow in any business. These three gentlemen mean a lot to me and hopefully I can continue to learn from them and their experiences.
Besides golf, what else do you enjoy?
I am an avid bowler. One day I bowl a 300, I’ve bowled a 299 so I’ve almost made it. Another hobby I enjoy is guitar. I just started with the guitar but one day I will get it down.
If you could play any golf course in the world, which one would it be and who would complete your foursome?
What is your favorite golf instruction tip?
My favorite tip to give is one taught to me by Mike Singleton. I enjoy using the split grip to teach players how to release the club through the hitting area
I would love to play the Old Course at St. Andrews with my wife and my 2 kids. I’d have to wait about 13 years for my kids to be able to enjoy it, but it would be worth the wait.
If you could give lessons to anyone in the world who would it be and what advice would you give?
I would love to tell Barack Obama to take up the game of golf and enjoy a nice retirement on the links and not to worry about anything. I would convince him he could qualify for the Champions Tour by explaining how change is good.
