Friday, September 26, 2008
Even after a troublesome round of golf, visitors to Scotty Frederick, owner of Scotty’s Pro Shop at Lakeshore Country Club, know it will be difficult to leave the course without a smile.
“I've never been in there or been around him when he wasn't in a good mood – ever,” Madisonville-North Hopkins boys’ golf coach Dan Herrmann said. “It's an infectious good mood.
“Even if you come in there with a bad mood, before you leave you'll probably be in a good one. He just has that ability with people.”
Frederick is a life-long resident of Providence and has been greeting golfers for six years as pro shop owner at Lakeshore.
Before taking over there, Frederick worked the pro shop at Providence Country Club for 12 years.
“You got to be a people person to do this job,” Frederick said.
Frederick said he feels more than qualified because his most enjoyable aspect of the job is “meeting the people and associating with them.”
As Frederick interacts on a typical Tuesday afternoon with various individuals who call the pro shop and walk in and out, it’s obvious how contagious his friendly attitude can be.
Betty Adcock, who works at the course as well, delivered Frederick his daily mail and the two shared a brief laugh as just one example.
“Hello dear, how are you?,” Frederick asked as Adcock handed her a single envelope.
“Is that all I got?,” he added.
“That's all you got,” Adcock said while both laughed at the short exchange.
Later in the day, Frederick welcomed a customer wishing to take on the difficult course.
“Hello Jimbo,” Frederick said.
“How you doing Scotty?,” the customer responded.
“Good, how you doing man? Going to play a little bit?,” Frederick asked.
“Yeah, I'm going to see what I can do,” the customer replied as each man smiled.
Although Frederick may not be the course’s golf pro, he is more than qualified to give pointers to any visitor at Lakeshore. Frederick usually plays twice a week and averages between 69 and 72 for any given round.
“(Lakeshore’s) pretty challenging,” he said. “It's not that long, but you have to keep it down the middle. You can't spray it that much. It's a nice course. I would love to play it every day.”
Frederick began to golf at the age of five and honed his skills, quickly becoming one of the area’s top golfers. During his senior year at Webster County High School, Frederick qualified to play in the state tournament.
The following year, Frederick left home to play golf at the University of Kentucky on an athletics scholarship.
Now, working at Lakeshore, Frederick has established many strong relationships. As one of the best local golfers, Frederick has known many of the members for a long time, including Brandon Tucker.
Tucker is a member at Lakeshore and the duo has been golfing together for nearly 15 years, Frederick said.
Every winter, Frederick and members Dane Duncan, Marvin Hendricks and Tim Young visit the West Palm Beach (Fla.) area to relax and enjoy the weather. During the vacation, the group tries to play about five courses.
Besides the members, Frederick also has become close with many of the young golfers in Hopkins County, who frequent the course during the high-school season.
Among the promising youth golfers Frederick has watched is Megan Pendergraff, a 2003 North graduate.
“She's worked for me the last six years,” Frederick said. “She just got married recently and she's moved off. We've grown pretty close. Megan was a good golfer herself.”
Currently, Frederick has developed a special bond with North boys’ golfers Patrick Hibbs and Daniel Stewart.
“They were real little when I first met them,” Frederick said. “They loved the game just as much then as they do now. They have progressed into some good golfers.”
Hibbs and Stewart are part of a strong Maroon golf team, and both work with Frederick in the pro shop when not at school or working on their own game.
Stewart, a sophomore, said he has known Frederick since sixth grade and can easily describe his boss’ personality.
“Happy go lucky,” he said. “He's never negative about anything. If you're in a bad mood he'll ask you what's wrong and always cheer you up.”
Frederick’s solid relationship with the North golf team, however, begins with Herrmann.
Herrmann has known Frederick since his days at Providence and said he appreciates Frederick’s help with the kids.
“He's just another set of eyes and as far as managing the golf course and knowing how to play the game, he’s great at it,” Herrmann said. “Having him around to keep an eye on the kids and know what's going on, how they're playing. He always asks how we do. He has a genuine interest in the golf team.”
Herrmann and Frederick, together in the pro shop, discussed the stronger aspects of Lakeshore’s course. Both men agreed the greens are some of the best in western Kentucky, but when Frederick stopped to think some more, Herman continued.
“You can’t even blow your own horn,” Herrmann said. “This is the nicest pro shop around here.”
Frederick’s modesty continued to unravel when Herrmann was told of Scotty’s four career hole-in-ones.
“Only four?,” he asked. “That’s because he only plays once a month.”
The next day, Herrmann continued to joke about Frederick’s skills.
“He’s a heck of a golfer,” Herrmann said. “I wouldn’t want to play him for money on a regular basis. I would have to get a second job.”
Not only does Frederick know how to manage the course, he said he feels he knows what brands and products are best.
“I pretty well know what sells and what doesn't,” he said. “I like Taylor Made. Taylor Made, of course, is the number one driver and iron, I think on the tour. A lot of people out here hit Taylor Made. It's just a good company all around.”
When it comes to golf balls, “Titleist is number one by far,” Frederick added.
Throughout the day, Frederick answers calls from brand representatives and members. He also enjoys conversing with those who visit the pro shop, but during slower days he occupies himself watching TV.
“If I didn’t have that, I’d go nuts,” he said.
Members will even join Frederick to watch TV during major tournaments.
Frederick’s most memorable moment watching golf at the pro shop occurred during an impressive round by Tiger Woods in 2001.
“That putt on the Players Championship on number 17,” he said. “It was about a 60-footer downhill. It curled right then it curled left and went into the hole.”
Woods and Fred Couples rank among Frederick’s favorite golfers.
“Tiger, it’s his mental toughness,” he said. “His focus is so unreal.”
Frederick said the busiest times of the day happen after 3 p.m., and his favorite time of the day is when members come in for lunch to talk and discuss their respective golf games.
Still, other members drop in simply to catch up with Frederick.
“I have a lot of guys that come in just to chit-chat,” he said. “It feels good. It feels real good, it really does.”
No matter the reason for the visit, one thing is sure: both parties leave with a smile and feeling a little better about their days.
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