Tee Times introduced a new column last year where we try to provide readers with an insightful look into the thinking and personality of the people in golf industry leadership roles. They often have unique, inside perspectives and some surprising opinions about the state of golf. This month we feature Ben Rosaasen, Director of Golf at the Meadows at Mystic Lake. Ben’s passion for the game and focus on charitable events serves the game, its players and its sponsors well. He fielded fourteen questions giving readers insight into his game and how he sees the industry. We hope you enjoy it.

1. How long have you been in the golf business and how did you get your start? I’ve been in the golf business since 2001 after completing my enlistment in the United States Air Force. During my last year in the military, my wife bought me a set of golf clubs and I started playing golf again. I had played a lot when I was younger, but had stopped when I joined the military.
2. Was there an ‘aha moment’ when you realized this is a good gig? I started playing golf league while stationed at Hill Air Force Base in northern Utah, and it was there that I met one of the golf assistants and started asking him questions about the golf industry.
3. How would you describe your golf game? My strengths are putting and chipping. The weakest part of my game is staying focused through the entire round.
4. Is there a pet peeve about the game you would like to get off your chest? People who don’t fix their ball marks on the green. I once had a customer ask me what a divot tool was used for. I asked him how many years he had been playing golf. He said 20 years – I guess he never fixed a divot on the green in all those years (or he never hit a green). Also, I wish people would play the right tees for their skill level. When you play the wrong tees, it slows down the course and makes the game harder than it has to be. People will ask you what you shot at a golf course – no one ever asks what tees you played from.
5. Do you have any heroes in the game? Notah Begay III. Over the years I’ve gotten to know him and played a few rounds of golf with him. He founded a charity called the Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation, which helps reduce Native American childhood obesity and Type 2 Diabetes. When he and Tiger Woods start talking about when they first met each other in junior golf and when they played at Stanford University, you get to see how the game helped to create a lifelong friendship.
6. Thinking back what is the most memorable moment in recent PGA history? When the U.S. won the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine. The U.S hadn’t won since 2008 and I was there to see it happen.
7. Is there a trend or pattern in the game of golf you would like to see changed? Yes, the constant lengthening of golf courses. I don’t think that a golf course needs to be over 7,000 yards – there are other ways to make a golf course more difficult, if that is what you’re looking for.
8. What is your opinion about the health of the state-of-the-game? Tiger is back playing golf – people are excited about that. I think we will see an influx of more people starting to play the game again.
9. What is the strangest player mishap or misstep to take place at your course? We once had someone who got lost driving around late one night – somehow they ended up on the golf course and got their car stuck between two rocks. Not sure what the person was thinking.
10. What makes you most happy when considering the customers who play your course? When a customer tells me that the course is in great shape and how much fun they had playing the course.
11. Do you consider yourself a golf purist or wide-open to new rules and regulations? I’m open to the new rules – from what I understand, it will be easier on players by giving them a break on specific rule violations.
12. Who do you consider the greatest golfer of all-time and why? I’m a big fan of Arnold Palmer – both as a player and for his charitable foundation. A few years ago, a friend of mine was killed in action in Afghanistan. Arnold’s charity sent a few items for the first memorial scholarship golf tournament. The next year, I went with my friend’s father to the 3M Championship in Blaine, Minnesota, and Arnold was playing. We were able to thank him for the donation in person and he spent a few minutes talking with us.
13. Do you have a course in Minnesota or Wisconsin you consider highly underrated? One of my favorite golf courses is Dakota Ridge, in Morton, Minnesota. It’s a links-style course, wide open. Sometimes the wind can blow a bit, which tests all aspects of your game.
14. The single best reason for spending 4+ hours chasing a little white ball? Getting to be out in nature and trying to beat my last score. Also getting to play with friends. Can’t get much better than that!