Every now and then, a seemingly crazy decision turns out to be the right one. Just like in golf, where taking risks can yield rewarding outcomes.
In July of 2019, I made a bold move—I quit my corporate job in the States, sold almost everything I owned, and relocated from Charlotte, North Carolina to Queenstown, New Zealand. Without a concrete plan, job prospects, or knowing a soul in the area, I was stepping into the unknown.
The driving force behind this decision was my passion for golf. I believed that by immersing myself in the local golfing community, I might stumble upon my dream job. After spending 2.5 months working in restaurants, living in hostels, and eventually settling into a snug 8ft x 10ft shed halfway up the Queenstown Hill neighborhood, I began connecting with locals. I made it a point to discuss golf with anyone willing to listen, hopeful that a meaningful connection would materialize.
Finally, one day, while chatting with a resident living closest to my shed, I learned they knew someone—a teaching professional at Jack’s Point, the famous and stunning golf course about a 15-minute drive from my residence. That day, I obtained Luke Leesburg’s email address. Without hesitation, I composed an email expressing my eagerness, despite not being the greatest golfer. Luke replied promptly, and we scheduled an interview at Jack’s Point for a few days later. Without a car, I excitedly took the bus on a rainy morning, arriving about 45 minutes early. To avoid waiting awkwardly at the clubhouse, I opted to sit outside in the rain down the road from the course. Eventually, I walked in, damp but determined, and Luke welcomed me with a cup of coffee. We had a great chat, and to my disbelief, I was offered the position of an "Operations Assistant" on the spot. It felt surreal—I quit my job waiting tables in town and embraced my new role at Jack’s Point.
Over the next 5.5 months, my love for golf evolved into an obsession. If I thought I loved it before, I was mistaken—it truly became my life’s passion. When not fulfilling my duties in the pro shop, washing carts, picking the range, marshaling, or caddying, I was out playing golf and forming friendships that will endure a lifetime.
There were countless sunset missions at Jack’s Point, an awe-inspiring property with a championship-level, top-100-quality golf course. And if we weren't chasing sunsets, we were waking up before sunrise, playing ahead of the greenskeepers before our 11 am shift.
Jack’s Point wasn't the only golf course in the area. Every Wednesday, I participated in the Arrowtown Golf Club member shootout, followed by enjoyable moments over jugs of beer with the locals in the clubhouse. Or we would race over to Millbrook, engaging in friendly competitions with the now-famous Mac Boucher. Road trips to Roxburgh, an old farmland course with rocky outcroppings and an honesty box at the first tee requesting $15 NZD if unattended, were a regular occurrence.
The dream kept getting better, but then March of 2020 and COVID happened, bringing an abrupt end to it all. The friendships endured, and we continue to meet up and play golf all over the world, but nothing compares to that New Zealand summer of 2019/2020.
The moral of the story? Take the hero shot. It might take a few attempts or a few months to figure it out, but when it works out, there's no greater feeling.
Trevor
