Source: Hattiesburg (Miss.) American
Former University of Southern Mississippi golfer (1984-88) Jeff Jennings became the head professional at Laurel (Miss.) Country Club last April. Laurel CC is a par-72 layout that features four sets of tees: 6,300 yards for members; 6,800 yards from the championship tees; 5,900 from the seniors and 5,700 from the ladies.
In today's question & answer format, Jennings talks about his plans for making the LCC a more visible part of the Pine Belt.
QUESTION: How did you wind up as the head pro in Laurel?
ANSWER: Some members there contacted me about the opening to see if I would be interested. They had known me since my college days because I'd played a lot of golf up there at that time. I went through the whole interview process with about eight other people. About a month later, they called to say I had the job.
Q: What other golf-related positions have you held in our area?
A: I started working at the USM golf course right after college, then I opened up the Urgent Golf Center with Russ Pitts and then I became the head professional at Pine Burr Country Club in Wiggins. I was there for about five years before coming to Laurel.
Q: Was it always a dream of yours to serve as head pro at a country club-type setting?
A: Yeah, I guess you could say that. I've worked quite a bit in the public sector and now I'm excited about the opportunities that come with this type of job. You get to play golf a little more in this situation and that's something the members here wanted. They like playing with the head pro and I try to play three-to-four times a week with different groups. You also get to teach more in this kind of setting and I love that aspect, too.
Q: What's your best score there?
A: A (7-under) 65.
Q: How would you describe the Laurel Country Club course?
A: It's an old-fashioned course, built in 1917 by a guy from Scotland named Seymour Dunn. And it's pretty much the same course today as it was back then. There's only been one green moved back and another redesigned.
Q: What are some of the distinct features of the golf course?
A: First of all, you've got to realize that you're not going to hit a bunch of greens when you play here because they are so small. You'll need to have your chipping pants on and you must miss the ball in the right spots. There's a lot more game management to this course than you see at a lot of other places.
Q: What are some of your primary goals for the golf course?
A: I'm working hard to get Laurel back on the map. For so many years it was ranked in the Top 100 courses in the nation and one of the top courses in our state until all the modern courses started popping up. One way you do that is through promotion and we're excited about co-hosting the State Four-Ball Tournament (April 22-24) with Canebrake. We're also
See JENNINGS, 3B
hosting the Mississippi PGA Championship in September. I would like to get as many high-profile tournaments as possible here to show off the golf course.
Q: Who are some other key people helping you in this endeavor?
A: My assistant pro Jason Bergeron and course superintendent Rick Peterfeso.
Q: Are you still heavily involved with junior golf in our area?
A: Yes. We'll be getting the Pine Belt Junior Tour cranked up again in May. Our numbers were down a little bit last year with about 50 kids participating. But we're going to go after them a little harder this year.
Q: How many members do you have at LCC and what are the dues?
A: Right now we're at 450 members and we'd like to max out at 500. The initiation fee is $1,500 with monthly dues of $176 (carts not included). Cart fees are $13 for 18 holes and $6.50 for nine.
Q: Can the general public play the golf course?
A: Yes, we do offer some guest play on Monday and Tuesday with prior consent from a course member or the pro shop. We also reciprocate with other courses in the area. If anybody wants more information they can call us at 649-7132, extension 5.
