January Member Spotlight
Ryan Briggs, PGA
Head Golf Professional
The Traditions Club at Texas A&M
What are five words that best describe you?
Dedicated, Passionate, Loyal, Insightful, and Hungry.
What is your favorite golf memory?
In 2018, I was selected as Co-Captain for the Levy Cup, and it was so exciting and nerve-racking to not have clubs in my hand. I was so proud of the way our team fought through tough conditions to keep the cup in Southern Texas.
If you could play a round of golf with anyone, living or dead, who would it be? Why?
I would love to play a round of golf with an extremely old golfer, such as Tom Morris. These days I feel we can begin to take golf too seriously and forget at the roots of it all, golf is just a game. It would be a pleasure to get to spend some time with a player from an era when golf was a walk in the park.
If you could give a piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
There are many things we wish we knew years ago, but were slow on the draw to understand about the Golf Business. My best piece of advice is to try and slow down to appreciate how fun every day can be. As you progress in your career, the days move faster and faster, and it is easy to forget how great of a career path we do have within the PGA of America.
What is your favorite thing about working in the golf industry?
As much as I avoid clichés, my answer here is just that. The people that we are able to meet, get to know, and build relationships with makes this industry something truly special. We get to grow friendships with people of all walks of life and career paths, and there is so much you can learn, to improve yourself, if you pay attention. As an old employer of mine used to say, “Pay attention, it's free”.
Brian McMyler, PGA
Teaching Professional
The Dominion Country Club
What are five words that best describe you?
Family first, Coach, Dependable, Generous, and Loyal.
What is your favorite golf memory?
Making a hole in one with my two daughters and my Dad.
If you could play a round of golf with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Harry Block was a friend and business associate of my dad. Harry loved golf, and he was a fun guy to be around. He saw me looking at his golf clubs in his office, and a week later he gave my dad a set of clubs for me to learn the game. I played my first 18 holes of golf with Harry and my dad at Braemar Country Club in California when I was around 10 years old. Harry pasted away 30 years ago so I would love to be able to play with Harry today to thank him for the set of clubs and the inspiration that set me on a career in the game of golf.
If you could give a piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Work on your people skills. The old saying is true: it's not always what you know but who you know. Networking will help you get ahead.
What is your favorite thing about working in the golf industry?
I have loved the game of golf for a long time. My focus has been getting junior boys and girls to learn the game. It is a thrill for me to see juniors develop from beginners, all the way to playing college golf and loving the game as much as I do.
