Interview With Chris Sabala Director of Sales & Marketing The Lodge at Ventana Canyon

Below is an interview with Chris Sabala, the Director of Sales & Marketing at The Lodge at Ventana Canyon. 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?
I started taking the sport seriously a little late in the game, at age 24. I was working at a golf facility for a few years and had all access to play. After being able to play almost everyday, that is truly how I got into the sport. Following, I decided to move into the business part of the sport, still continuing to play as frequently as possible.

When did you start golfing and who introduced you to the game?
A buddy of mine told me a new golf course had opened nearby and was looking to hire. I got the job at age 24. As I stated above, I was able to have all access to the course everyday, which is how I grew to love the sport.

What is your current home course?
The Lodge at Ventana Canyon is my current home course.

To date, what is your proudest golf accomplishment?
My proudest accomplishments in the golf industry are being able to help plan and put on charity events. It is rewarding to know that an event on the course has the opportunity to have an impact for an organization.

What is your biggest golf pet peeve on or off the course?
Sunflower seeds on the greens.

What is your favorite club in your bag and why?
The wedge is my favorite club because it is so versatile.

What is your favorite golf destination?
Of course I am going to say Tucson, Arizona because I am in the business. However outside of Arizona, any course surrounded by water I love to play. Mountain ranges are a great scenery as well.

What course is on your bucket list that you have not played yet?
Pebble Beach.

If you woke up tomorrow and could play one course you played before, where would you play?
Besides The Lodge at Ventana Canyon, I would play at Stewart Creek in Kenmore, Canada.

If you could change one aspect, rule or thing about golf, what would it be and why?
The pace of play aspect would be one I would like to change. 18 holes, let alone 36 holes, is way too time consuming. From a business perspective, it is difficult to attract and encourage new golfers with the slow speed of the game.

Dream foursome (living)?
Roy Macllroy, Tom Watson, Cherize Theron and myself would be my dream foursome (living).

Dream foursome (living or dead)?
Arnold Palmer,Robert Trenton Jones Junior, Sam Sneed and myself would be my mixed, living and dead, dream foursome.

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?
Hole in because you can have a round of life at anytime.

3) Golfing at the crack of dawn OR twilight?
Twilight, I'm not a morning person. The twilight time in the desert is absolutely beautiful.

4) Hit a power fade OR power draw?
Power fade.

5) Beverage cart OR halfway house?
Beverage cart.

6) Bathroom OR bushes?
Depends on the situation.

7) Hot dog OR wrap?
Wrap.

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

9) Walking OR riding?
Walking, but we have to ride here. Walking if you have a caddy is the best way.

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

11) Do you prefer long par 3 OR long par 5?
Probably long par 5. Neither really.

12) Pants OR Shorts?
Pants, although I am typically in warm weather.

13) Palmer OR Nicklaus?
Palmer.

14) Beatles OR Elvis?
Led Zeppelin. But I do love The Beatles and Elvis.

15) Play for fun OR play for money?
Play for fun.

16) Bump and run OR flop shot?
Depends on the situation.

17) Lay up OR gamble?
Usually lay up.

18) 18 holes OR 36?
18.. I'm too old for 36.