Interview With Matt Reams PGA Director of Golf Operations Tapatio Springs Resort

Below is an interview with Matt Reams, the PGA Director of Golf Operations at Tapatio Springs Resort. The following are a few traditional and non traditional golf centric questions that I love to ask influential people in the golf industry.

Can you provide our readers a brief biography?
A native Texan at heart, Matt Reams brings a wide range of private club and resort experience from around the country, with over 23 years of PGA Class A membership. Mentored by some of the best PGA Professionals in the business, his professional tenure includes Northwood Club (TX), Congressional Country Club (MD), Carmel Valley Ranch (CA), Sweetwater Country Club (TX), Cougar Canyon Golf Links (CO) and Grants Pass Golf Club (OR). An experienced teacher, player, merchandiser and tournament presenter, Matt also oversees the care and presentation of our course with a specific emphasis on expert conditioning and an exceptional player experience.

When did you start golfing and who introduced you to the game?
I started play on the course at age 10. My dad brought me into the game and for my 10th birthday got my first set of golf clubs. I spent many weekend pushing my dads cart bag around the golf course until I could play. Once I got my own clubs I was off and running.

What is your current home course?
Tapatio Springs Resort

To date, what is your proudest golf accomplishment?
I've yet to become quite the player I think I can be so I will stick to industry experience and accomplishments. While working in Colorado I had the privilege of working with a great team to bring a new course to market. Through the end of construction and grow in to the first rounds of golf we received numerous national awards and recognition for the great course and presentation it was. This had some similarities to coming to Tapatio Springs almost 2 years ago. Although not a new construction, the golf course at Tapatio was very distressed and in need of real help. It has been very rewarding to work with so many talented people to benefit Tapatio Springs Resort. We have accomplished so much in the last 16 months and we are so pleased with the reaction and support from our customers.

What is your biggest golf pet peeve on or off the course?
Slow Play $#@^&%$?!!!

What is your favorite club in your bag and why?
Sand Wedge (58 degree Vokey) - I love bunker shots!

What is your favorite golf destination?
Scotland & Ireland - Can't wait to go there again!

What course is on your bucket list that you have not played yet?
Augusta for sure. I've played a lot of the great ones including Cypress Point, Oakmont, etc... so I have been fortunate with my great golf experiences but I think Augusta would top them all.

If you woke up tomorrow and could play one course you played before, where would you play?
Pebble Beach - 18 Great holes of golf that play different almost every day.

If you could change one aspect, rule or thing about golf, what would it be and why?
It would have to be valid handicapping

Dream foursome (living)?
Golf is competitive and social. When you are competitive you are in to your own game so I don't think who you play with matters so much. I would tend to make my dream foursome with best friends over the years (Randy Smith, Andy Cude and Garrett Schrepfer).

Dream foursome (living or dead)?
My dad has always been my best friend and since he passed I really miss the time we spent on the golf course. Not sure who the others would be but I would probably ask them to play through to enjoy time with my dad.

Favorite 19th hole drink?
Depends on the day but always ice cold and tall.

18 Rapid Fire, Off The Cuff Questions

1) Hitting Long Drive OR Sinking Long Putt?
Long Putt

2) Having Round of Life OR Hole in One?
Round of Life, Hole-In-One's cost too much!

3) Golfing at the crack of dawn OR twilight?
Dawn

4) Hit a power fade OR power draw?
Draw

5) Beverage cart OR halfway house?
Halfway House

6) Bathroom OR bushes?
Bathroom

7) Hot dog OR wrap?
Wrap - (Do you know what they put in hot dogs?)

8) Around the green, being in sand OR thick rough?
In the Sand

9) Walking OR riding?
Love to walk but not here in the summer heat

10) Do you carry traditional 3 iron OR hybrid?
Hybrid

11) Do you prefer long par 3 OR long par 5? Neither - Long par 5

12) Pants OR Shorts?
I'm old school. Event when I can wear shorts playing golf I naturally wear pants.

13) Palmer OR Nicklaus?
Both great but Palmer has a personality that captures me (and everyone).

14) Beatles OR Elvis?
Beatles

15) Play for fun OR play for money?
Both, but I prefer to throw in a couple bucks.

16) Bump and run OR flop shot?
Both, but I enjoy the challenge of a bump and run.

17) Lay up OR gamble?
Given any chance I tend to gamble.

18) 18 holes OR 36?
36 whenever possible.