Interview With Bruce Stoller Director of Golf Arrowhead Golf Club

Below is an interview with Bruce Stoller the Director of Golf at Arrowhead Golf Club. He started playing golf with his parents and grandfather when he was only four. He started playing more seriously in high school. He took a summer job at Arrowhead when he was in college and before he knew it he was a golf professional. 28 years later he is at the same club with his dream job.

The following are a few traditional and non traditional golf centric questions that I love to ask influential people in the golf industry.

When did you start golfing and who introduced you do the game?
My parents both played so I've been dabbling in golf for as long as I can remember. My fondest memories are of Sunday afternoon rounds with my parents when I was a living in Ohio as a young teenager. No pressure, just fun followed by a great burger.

What is your current home course?
Arrowhead

To date, what is your proudest golf accomplishment?
Being a part of the transformation of Arrowhead Golf Club. It was always a fun place to be with a welcoming staff, but the golf course and clubhouse were nothing special. The upgrades to the course and facility over the past 20 years have been remarkable, and it has been a privilege to be a part of it.

What is your biggest golf pet peeve on or off the course?
People who never seem to enjoy themselves. I don't understand people who get up at 5:00 AM on their day off and then complain about thier round every week. Seems like they should find a new hobby.

What is your favorite club in your bag and why?
Putter. If it weren't so good with it I might never break 80.

What is your favorite golf destination?
Tallahassee, Florida. I can always find a good football game to go to when I'm done playing golf.

What course is on your bucket list that you have not played yet?
Augusta and St. Andrews

If you woke up tomorrow and could play one course you played before, where would you play?
Muirfield Village

If you could change one aspect, rule or thing about golf, what would it be and why?
I would love to see new golf courses open that are fun to play, not too difficult and inexpensive. We went through a very long phase where almost all of new courses were the exact opposite of that and I think it has hurt the game. We need to stop stroking the architects ego and start making golf fun.

Dream foursome (living)?
My dad, Bobby Bowden, Jack

Dream foursome (living or dead)?
My dad and my grandfathers

18 Rapid Fire, Off The Cuff Questions

1) Hitting Long Drive OR Sinking Long Putt?
Long Putt - There's nothing like the sound of the ball going in the hole

2) Having Round of Life OR Hole in One?
Round of life - it might make me money instead of costing me.

3) Golfing at the crack of dawn OR twilight?
Twilight - I'm still not a morning person

4) Hit a power fade OR power draw?
Power fade - play to your strength

5) Beverage cart OR halfway house?
Beverage cart

6) Bathroom OR bushes?
Bathroom at Arrowhead, bushes anywhere else

7) Hot dog OR wrap?
Are you serious?

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

9) Walking OR riding?
Walking. You don't get a body like mine by riding. Oh wait, yes you do

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

11) Do you prefer long par 3 OR long par 5?
Par 5

12) Pants OR Shorts?
Shorts if it's just for fun which it should always be

13) Palmer OR Nicklaus?
Nicklaus. I grew up in Columbus inthe 70's

14) Beatles OR Elvis?
Elvis. There's only one king

15) Play for fun OR play for money?
Fun

16) Bump and run OR flop shot?
Bump and run. Easy is better

17) Lay up OR gamble?
Gamble. I'm not playing for my living and you only live once

18) 18 holes OR 36?
27. I can play every hole at Arrowhead and be very content