Interview With T.J. Orban Director of Golf Los Caballeros Golf Club

Below is an interview with T.J. Orban, the Director of Golf at Los Caballeros Golf Club. 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 my golf career at 18 in Pennsylvania as a Golf Shop Clerk and Cart Attendant. After a few years, I moved on to a few different clubs, moving to Associate Golf Professional, 2nd Assistant, then 1st Assistant. In 2012, I moved to Spokane, WA and worked as the 1st Assistant at The Coeur d'Alene Resort. In 2015, I moved to the island of Lanai in Hawaii to become the 1st Assistant at the Four Seasons Resort Manele Golf Course. After a few years, I moved to Oahu (working at Ko Olina Golf club and Kapolei Golf Club) as the 1st assistant at each property. In August, I accepted the Head Professional position here at Los Cab, and was elevated to Director of Golf on January 1. I love to teach, interact with people, and just be around golf in general.

When did you start golfing and who introduced you to the game?
I started playing when I was 11. My uncle played quite a bit, and my cousin and I asked to go along one day in the summer. I immediately fell in love with the game, and got my first junior set that Christmas. My mom would drop my cousin and I off at a local Par 3/Executive course at 6 or 7AM, and we'd play all day until she picked us up on her way home from work around 6PM or so. That time cemented my addiction to the game, and there's been no turning back since.

What is your current home course?
Los Caballeros Golf Club in Wickenburg, AZ.

To date, what is your proudest golf accomplishment?
On the course, I've got a few. I have given a lesson to Jimmy Buffett, played a round with Pierce Brosnan, and shot 1-under while playing with Andrew Cheurng, the CEO of Panda Express. In the industry, my proudest moments were earning my election to PGA membership, and being promoted to Director of Golf here at Los Cab.

What is your biggest golf pet peeve on or off the course?
On the golf course, slow play! Off the golf course, slow drivers! Pardon me, my East Coast upbringing is showing...

What is your favorite club in your bag and why?
60-degree wedge. I love the versatility, and I feel like I can put it close or make it whenever I have it in my hand.

What is your favorite golf destination?
Hawaii! Big Island, specifically. There are so many amazing clubs that I've been so fortunate to play...Nanea, Kohana'iki, Mauna Kea, both courses at Hualalai...I'd go back in a heartbeat.

What course is on your bucket list that you have not played yet?
Toss up between The Old Course at St. Andrews and, of course, Augusta National.

If you woke up tomorrow and could play one course you played before, where would you play?
Breaking the rules, I'd play two. the first one is Little Creek Golf Course in Spring Grove, PA. This is the short-course I grew up on, where I fell in love with the game. The front-9 is gone now, but the back is still there! The other one would be Gozzer Ranch on Lake Coeur d'Alene in Idaho. Special place.

If you could change one aspect, rule or thing about golf, what would it be and why?
Limiting the ball/equipment for Tour Pros. The prodigious distance they hit the ball makes a lot of amateurs swing too hard, try to hard, and hit it out of play, instead of focusing on keeping it in front of them.

Dream foursome (living)?
Me, my dad, Tiger, John Daly.

Dream foursome (living or dead)?
Me, my dad, Tiger, Arnie.

Favorite 19th hole drink?
Whatever is local and on-tap!

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 One! Never had one.

3) Golfing at the crack of dawn OR twilight?
Twilight! I'm a night owl.

4) Hit a power fade OR power draw?
DRAW BABY!

5) Beverage cart OR halfway house?
Beverage Cart

6) Bathroom OR bushes?
Bathroom

7) Hot dog OR wrap?
Gimme that grease missile!

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

9) Walking OR riding?
Riding

10) Do you carry traditional 3 iron OR hybrid?
5-wood!

11) Do you prefer long par 3 OR long par 5?
Long par 5.

12) Pants OR Shorts?
Let them wear shorts!

13) Palmer OR Nicklaus?
Love them both, but Arnie's my guy. Western PA connection.

14) Beatles OR Elvis?
Beatles

15) Play for fun OR play for money?
Fun! I can't take myself seriously.

16) Bump and run OR flop shot?
Flop all day.

17) Lay up OR gamble?
What is laying up? Is that French?

18) 18 holes OR 36?
18! If only I had the time for 36...