The Southern California Section PGA – Desert Chapter
“Member Spotlight”
by Brady Wilson

Crystal Morse, PGA – Assistant Golf Professional at The Lakes Country Club

Crystal Morse has been an Assistant Golf Professional at the Lakes Country Club since 2003 and was elected to PGA Membership in 2009.  During her first season at the Lakes, Crystal took one summer off to return to Indiana to work for Ted Bishop at the Legends of Indiana golf facility in Franklyn, IN (“the home of golf for the state of Indiana”).  Crystal calls Greenwood, IN her hometown (were she was raised), but was actually born just west of the desert, in Yucaipa, CA.  Her dad was in the US Air Force and they moved to Indiana, early in her childhood.   Crystal started her collegiate golf career at Purdue University as a walk on, but would eventually wind up at Western Kentucky University, where she made all Sun Belt Conference as a freshman and was named the captain of the Hilltopper golf team her junior and senior year.  Crystal was married in June, 2008 to Jim Morse, who serves under Terry Beardsley as the Head Golf Professional at Eldorado Country Club.  The following is the Q and A with Crystal Morse, PGA:

(Q) Is there something or someone specific that influenced you to become a PGA golf professional?

(A) My grandfather inspired me to take up the game at a young age.  As far as getting into the business, I would say Ted Bishop guided me in the direction of the PGA, as you know, he is very involved in the organization.  But also, Mike Clifford and The Lakes CC have been very supportive and encouraging throughout my journey.

(Q) What is the single most important characteristic of a successful golf professional?

(A) Attitude.  Without a doubt.  Being able to go to work each day and maintain a good, positive attitude towards work and towards your members or customers is key to success.

(Q) What, in your opinion, is the single greatest golf shot in history?

(A) The most recent is the shot that Miguel Angel Jimenez hit on the 17th Hole at St. Andrews – hitting it against the brick wall and landing on the green was pretty incredible.  Also, the shot that Phil Mickelson hit on the 13th Hole of Augusta from the pine trees ranks right up there.

(Q) What is your favorite golf course that you have other played (can not pick your facility)?

(A) Since I grew up and played college golf in the Midwest, I’ve played many more courses in that region.  One of my favorites has to be Waynesville CC nestled in the Smoky Mountains of Waynesville, North Carolina.  I played it in October; we played in the morning, so the fog was low and they had a gentleman playing bagpipes on the first tee while we were warming up on the range.  Pretty neat experience.

(Q) What is your favorite golf course in the Coachella Valley?

(A) Private Club – The Quarry; Public Course – Mariott Shadow Ridge

(Q) What is the largest current challenge facing our industry, in your mind?

(A) At the most fundamental level, I believe that we are challenged to get new people introduced to the game.  However, I think private, semi-private and public courses all face different challenges amongst themselves.

(Q) If you could change one rule in golf, what would it be and why?

(A) There are 2 that come to mind – one being that I would make it so that a person could take relief if there ball lands in a divot in the fairway.  It should be similar to ground under repair.

The second one – I would change the severity of penalty for out-of-bounds.  If you have to re-tee because your ball is OB, you should be hitting 2, not 3.  That would be nice, huh?

(Q) Where and with whom would you like your last round of golf to take place?

(A) I would want to go play Augusta and take my grandpa, dad and husband.  That would be special.

(Q) If you could ask Tiger Woods one question, what would it be?

(A) Since your break from tournament golf, what do you feel like is holding you back from being like the Tiger you were before?

(Q) What events or items make you most proud to be a member of the PGA?

(A) The PGA does an incredible job of giving back to the community.  Whether it’s Play Golf America, free lesson month, giving to charity; there are so many programs that can benefit local communities as long as PGA Professional’s are aware and open to participating in them.

(Q) Who is your favorite player on the LPGA Tour?

(A) Suzann Pettersen – she has great fundamentals and stays pretty low key during a round.  However, I also like Morgan Pressel because she has more of a fighting attitude on the golf course and people say I look like her.

(Q) What suggestion do you have your Desert Chapter Board to help make out chapter better?

(A) I think the responsibility to make our Chapter better lies more in the hands of PGA Professional’s and Apprentices  – we all need to get involved in Chapter events and make sure that we create a solid network during uncertain times in the golf business.

About Member Spotlight

“Member Spotlight” is a new initiative from the SCPGA Desert Chapter to introduce it’s members and apprentices to other members and apprentices  in an effort to increase camaraderie within the Desert Chapter.  The Member Spotlight is written by Brady Wilson, PGA Director of Golf at the Classic Club.