Jan Brintnall Golf School, LLC

Spring Semester 2012 Business Golf Outing Invitation

The Eli Broad College of Business is looking for business professionals that use GOLF in business to share their experiences with college juniors, seniors and grad students in a ‘semester project’ golf outing for the only class of its kind in the Big Ten:  BUS 491 Special Topics:  Using Golf in Business!

This golf outing is the student’s chance to practice their newly minted business golf skills and we need experienced business professionals to help bring the classroom to life and guide the students through their first business golf experience! 

Business professionals will be assigned to a three-some of students and every effort is made to match your profession to the student’s field of study. 

You would be a guest of the class.  There is no cost to you other than your valuable time and your willingness to share your business golf experiences.  

The 18-hole scramble includes contest holes for women and men as well as team prizes for 1^st, 2^nd and 3rd place.

Date:  FRIDAY, April 27, 2012    10:00 am shotgun     RAIN OR SHINE 

Location:  The Emerald Golf Course, 2300 W. Maple Rapids Road, St. Johns, MI  48879

Schedule:

9:00 am   Registration opens (please arrive no later than 9:00 am)

9:00 am   Range opens

9:00 am  “Meet and greet” begins in the clubhouse (coffee and donuts)

9:45 am    To carts and starting holes

10:00 am  Shotgun start

At the turn:

·        Hot dogs with chips, pop, apple and cookie

·        Healthy snacks (hand held fruit, granola bars, nuts and cheese sticks)

·        Water, Gatorade and bottled pop                 

Hot and cold hors d'oeuvre, cash bar and awards follow play (includes vegetarian options)

Students are not graded on their golf skills: this is not a physical education class.  The students possess a wide range of golf experience.  Some grew up with the game and competed on high school teams. For some this is their first scramble experience, and for others, this is their first time setting foot on a golf course!  Regardless of their history with the game, they all are terribly excited to practice their business golf skills, learn from your experience and participate in the event.    

The students are required to develop a business golf plan that includes:

·        Defining the purpose of the round

·        Identifying expectations for the round

·        Researching playing partners and developing a dossier on each

·        Listing how they can be of benefits to their playing partners

·        (based on their research) Developing a conversation strategy for each playing partner

·        Developing a list of questions for the business professional

Business professionals play a huge role in the overalll 'lesson' of the class! You will be asked to complete a short evaluation for each student your group that covers business golf image (behavior and attire), golf etiquette and business golf etiquette. The evaluation will be sent via email immediately following the event and in order to be included in the student’s final grade we ask that the evaluations be returned by 5:00 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012.

Due to the complex scheduling arrangements involved with this event, we WILL PLAY in ‘less than desirable’ weather (windy, rainy or cold) so please plan and dress accordingly! 

Weather contingency plan: if severe weather or poor course conditions prohibit play, your participation will still be needed and the lesson will continue as planned!  We will conduct an intricate networking exercise, enjoy lunch and hold an Experts Panel question and answer session.  Please come prepared with a 'life lesson' business golf story (or two) to share with the students.   

100 students are enrolled in the class this semester. Twelve business golfers have already committed to the event.  We need an additional 22 business golfers.  Foursomes are filled on a first come, first served basis. Please register as soon as you can commit! 

If you have qualified colleagues or business associates with business golf experience that you wish to invite, feel free to forward this message and direct them to the link and registration process below.               

To register for the spring semester 2012 Using Golf In Business outing:

1.  Read the business professional agreement

3.  Complete the registration form below and click 'submit'  (Please note the registration form contains 23 fields.  Use the vertical navigation bar on the right side of the form in order to complete the entire form)

Although this is a fun event, participating in the outing as a business professional carries with it some responsibilities. 

For many of these students this is their first scramble experience, and for some, it is their first attempt at playing golf.  Other students have grown up playing golf, played in high school, college or compete in state and national amateur events.

Please bear in mind that you are bringing our class discussions to life!  You are the ‘real deal’ and have practiced what we discuss in the classroom.  My hope is that you function as a supportive role model for the students.  They will soak up everything that you say, and do.  Be the business golf mentor you would want for your son or daughter. 

Due to some unfortunate incidents involving business professionals in the past, I ask you to agree to a few ‘Understandings’ in order to participate in the outing.  Some examples of past incidents that involve business professionals include:  

·        Agreeing to participate, then ‘no showing’ the day of the outing

·        Calling at midnight the night before the outing to cancel thereby leaving students without a business professional on the day of the outing

·        Arriving 30 minutes late to the outing

·        Drinking too much during (on the course) and after (the 19^th hole) the event

·        Buying alcohol for underage students

·        Being less than supportive of new golfers 

·        Making condescending and or inappropriate remarks to women students

Business Professional ‘Understandings’

·        I understand as part of the class assignment students will prepare to play golf with me, specifically, by researching my career and business organization.

·        I understand if I cannot participate in the outing, I will find a qualified business professional to take my place and play in the outing with my students.  This person does not have to hold my title or be in the same industry, but this person must be an experienced business golfer.  I will direct my substitute to complete the registration process as outlined.

·        I understand that if I initially agree to participate then choose not to participate the students assigned to me will not have the desired educational experience of playing in a business golf outing with a business professional for whom they specifically prepared and anticipated.

·        I understand I am expected to arrive on time, and in time to participate in the ‘meet and greet’ in the clubhouse with the students.

·        I understand I am to treat this outing as a ‘regular’ business golf outing and bring business cards.  A portion of the business golf assignment includes students creating their own business card.  They should offer you their business card and ask for your card in return.

·        I understand I am a role model for all students at the outing, not just the students that are assigned to me.  I am aware that the students will be observing and learning from my golf etiquette, business golf etiquette, language and alcohol consumption.

Business professionals will be asked to complete a short evaluation form for each student in their group.  This information will be considered in the evaluation process and will include: 

• Did the student exhibit proper business golf etiquette?
• Did the student exhibit good conversation skills?
• Did the student offer a business card?