Inspiring Conversations with Jill Strite of Versatile Golf

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jill Strite.

Hi Jill, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory
My father, me and a bag of old bread for feeding ducks on our home course was the combination that began my life-long golf career. Thanks to the support of my parents, I had an active junior golf career that led to my dream of playing collegiate golf for the University of Southern California. When I wasn’t competing or in a college classroom, I was an intern for the PGA of America, LPGA and Fox Sports where I learned about the business of sports. I earned a degree in Journalism-Public Relations and then immediately began testing myself in mini-tour events while I worked at the famed Riviera Country Club. I eventually learned that I would have a better chance of a longer career if I got into the golf business. My first role as an Assistant Golf Professional and Instructor was at Palos Verdes Golf Club in Los Angeles where I was mentored by a top Nicklaus/Flick instructor. I fell in love with teaching as there is nothing better than watching the smile on a student’s face once they finally connect on the sweet spot. After a couple of educational years at PVGC, I met a handsome golf professional from Monterey at PGA golf school who convinced me to try out the Central Coast of California. I happily relocated to Carmel Valley Ranch Resort in picturesque Carmel. The Ranch was my introduction to the resort/hospitality industry where I would serve as the property’s lead Nike Golf School instructor and Tournament Coordinator. As for the handsome guy, he later became my incredible husband. Troon Golf had taken over management of The Ranch and were highly supportive of my career growth.

In 2003, I received a promotion and moved to their sister property (my dream course since age 12) of The Phoenician in Scottsdale as their new Golf Sales Manager. During my time at this 5-Diamond property, I learned a greater understanding of high-level hospitality and perfected my customer service skills. I created and taught Golf 101 classes to the resort’s sales team, re-introduced The Phoenician to the local market with an annual membership program and brought in record-level revenues through outside golf events. In 2010, I moved to local gem The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, where I became the property’s first Director of Leisure Services and in-house golf professional. My responsibilities were to manage the Golf Concierge, Main Concierge, serve as liaison to the TPC Scottsdale, support Kids Club and oversee all leisure activities including the nationally renowned “Christmas at the Princess”. This position was my greatest professional challenge as I was asked daily to think further and further out of the box. The Princess also supported my number one bucket list item – earning my Class A Membership with the Ladies Professional Golf Association. However, my top accomplishment during these times was being blessed to have a healthy baby girl over Masters weekend. In my heart I knew I needed to get back to “traditional” golf and replace marble floors with shaggy green grass while still keeping my creative juices flowing. I got a crash course in entrepreneurship while working as the National Sales Manager at Golf for Cause and alongside my father as we created “Marvin the Golf Caddy Dog”. Both opportunities allowed me to develop my management style and prepare myself for the final goal of becoming a self-employed business owner. Plus, the flexibility allowed our family to add a little boy rounding out a perfect golf foursome. In 2016, my third “child”, Versatile Golf LLC, was born. We are what our name states – versatile in our abilities to manage golf tournaments, fundraisers, helicopter golf ball drops, team building events and corporate outings/clinics for organizations both inside and outside of Arizona. With a rolodex of seasoned independent contractors in our arsenal, we are able to customize the perfect management team for each event. Versatile Golf recently completed our fourth successful year and reached an incredible milestone as we surpassed more than $4,000,000 in fundraising through campaigns we managed for our non-profit clients. Even during COVID-19, we were still able to make an impact by adjusting our methods to safe alternatives. On one occasion we altered a complex annual two-day golf event into 100% virtual experience raising over $600,000 for the at-risk youth support organization Elevate Phoenix. The growth of Versatile Golf has opened doors to new opportunities and exciting experiences. Last summer I served as the on-course correspondent for a nationally televised special on FOX Sports Network: “Father’s Day Match for a Cause” alongside host Ray Adams. The one-hour event featured PGA Tour professionals Tom Lehman and Kirk Triplett paired with their sons for day of competition. The episode was so well received that more televised matches are scheduled to be filmed and aired later in 2021 with competitors to be announced soon. Additionally, I continue to brainstorm with my father as we now have a full series of beginner golfer activity books, coloring books, merchandise and recently released “Marvin’s Golf 101” that reviews the updated rules to the game. Overall, life is busy and interesting. Last year was a challenge of our spirit, but we kept our glass half-full and fortunately our doors open. We are looking forward to a fun-filled 2021 with tournaments and golf balls drops already on our calendar.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My life turned up-side-down (literally) in 2003 when I didn’t know if golf would ever be in my future again. On a family trip, I was involved in a serious car accident resulting in my car rolling over and spinning upside down across four lanes of a major LA freeway. My left hand and arm were severely injured from hitting the pavement and, according to the paramedics, an angel was watching over me as it could have been much worse. Over the next four years I would undergo multiple reconstructive surgeries, skin grafts and hundreds of physical therapy sessions. Although I could not grip or swing a club, I still felt the most comfortable around golf and stuck with the industry that had always treated me so well. I learned how to type, get dressed, drive, cook and write with my non-dominant hand. It truly was the most difficult challenge of my life, physically and mentally. I’m grateful now to be far down my path of recovery including being back out on the course.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Versatile Golf?
Golf = inspiring tool. Golf = creative business method. Golf = memories for a lifetime. Golf = FUN! When Versatile Golf is hired by a client, we immerse ourselves into their vision and become a part of their core team. We lean-in to make sure we understand their goals, messaging and what result would provide them the greatest sense of accomplishment. Then, on our own, we figure out how to surpass their expectations and do as much heavy lifting for our clients as possible. Fortunately, Versatile Golf continues to work almost entirely off of referrals from our many satisfied customers. Here are just a few of the humbling comments from our incredible clients: “Simply put, there isn’t a challenge Versatile Golf cannot manage. Whether it’s a helicopter golf ball drop, building an exciting online auction or planning a tournament packed with creativity, Jill was able to take our vision and exceed all of our expectations.” ~ Tom Lehman, PGA Champions Tour Player and Elevate Phoenix Founder “Jill has the ability to create purpose at our events ensuring each player walks away enlightened about our organization plus they had an amazing time. She knows the inner workings to a golf property and serves as the perfect liaison for us; she knows what questions to ask and when to ask them. Jill is a true golf professional.” Sienna Morgan – Outreach Director, Police Officers of Scottsdale “It was a pleasure working with Jill on our event! From working with volunteers to dealing with weather issues in a creative, flexible, organized manner, Jill made our event the success that it was. If we had questions, Jill had answers – it was so reassuring to have her expertise and experience available for each and every question and concern. Highly recommend Jill and Versatile Golf for your event!” ~ Mandy Engle-Cartie, Executive Director, Girls Inc.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Versatile Golf is an idea machine. We can create programs from scratch or reinvent your annual events giving it a fresh new feel. Our vast relationships and contacts throughout Greater Phoenix and the country provide our clients with limitless options of venue choices. The strong partnerships with countless vendors include courtesy pricing and also gives our clients an edge to offer their guests truly unique experiences. At no time do we ever “cookie cutter” our events, but rather customize each detail down to the color of the napkins. Additionally, we have fun at all times and make sure our clients always enjoy the process.

Pricing:

• Contact Versatile Golf as each event is custom.

Contact Info:

• Email: info@versatilegolf.com
• Website: www.versatilegolf.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/versatilegolf
• Other: www.thebookmann.com