From Valparaiso to Myrtle Beach to Indianapolis and back to Valparaiso again. The Course at Aberdeen General Manager and Head Golf Professional Chris Wellsand has brought his love of golf home.
Wellsand first started playing golf as a young boy, when his dad would take him golfing with his buddies. As Wellsand aged, he began playing in junior golf leagues.
“During the summers, my parents would drop me off at the course on their way to work, and then pick me up on their way home,” said Wellsand. “I would play golf all day, every day.”
Wellsand was a four-year member of the Valparaiso High School golf team, where he participated in the state finals twice. After high school, he faced the tough decision on which college to attend, and ultimately selected Coastal Carolina.
“They have a professional golf management program,” said Wellsand. “I visited the campus and instantly fell in love.”
The program is designed to teach the students all aspects of the golfing business, from teaching to buying merchandise to accounting. The students must also stay active during each summer break, by interning at golf course. Coincidently, Wellsand’s first internship came at Aberdeen. He also credits the program for the networking opportunities it presented.
“So many of the students I went through the program with are Head Pros now, all across the country,” said Wellsand. “If anyone ever has a question, they have so many people they can ask.”
One unique characteristic of Coastal Carolina’s professional golf management program is that the school requires those students to select a business major as well. Wellsand’s choice of finance has helped him immensely throughout his golf career.
“I would say that finance is the most important major for someone getting into the golf business,” said Wellsand.
Wellsand moved to Indianapolis for his final internship at Meridian Hills Country Club. There, he worked under the man whom he considers to be his mentor, Jack Barber. He then became the 1st Assistant at The Hawthorns Golf and Country Club, and then the Head Pro at Greensburg Country Club. When the Head Pro job opened up at White Hawk in Crown Point, Wellsand moved his family back to the area in which he grew up, and has been here ever since.
In December of 2014, Wellsand was named the General Manager and Head Golf Professional at the Course at Aberdeen in Valparaiso. His schooling and experience have paid off, and he is thriving in both roles.
“As a General Manager, I really enjoy the interaction with all the departments,” said Wellsand. “I like being part of the entire operation - from the golf shop to maintenance to food and beverage.”
He is very much appreciative of those who choose to play at Aberdeen as well.
“As a Head Pro, I really enjoy interacting with the people who are here,” said Wellsand. “They could choose to play anywhere, but they came to Aberdeen, and I really enjoy being around them.”
Wellsand has big plans for 2016, both with Aberdeen and his golf academy, The Right Approach Performance Academy, which is based at Aberdeen. The academy is open to all golfers, but has a strong focus on junior golf.
“A big part of our academy is helping kids develop the skills to play college golf,” said Wellsand. “We put an emphasis on teaching them about the recruiting process and help them to learn about how to get a scholarship.”
His students, along with all golfers playing at Aberdeen, can enjoy all he has in store for them, including new technology that allows golfers to play year round.
“We want to grow the game of golf,” said Wellsand. “We want to expose more people to the game and get people playing more than they have before. We have leagues for men, women, seniors, high school students, and middle school students. We have new simulators where people can come in during the winter and play.”
Something unique that Wellsand has brought to Aberdeen is the use of his FlightScope launch monitor, something that is very popular amongst PGA Tour players.
“A FlightScope is a launch monitor that measures how the ball and club work through your swing,” said Wellsand.
In addition, Wellsand is working on a competitive golf tour for the area, based off the success of his Aberdeen Open tournament last season. The tour championship will be held at Aberdeen, and it is a unique opportunity for any golfer looking to play competitively.
Happy to be back in his hometown – with his wife and two boys - Chris Wellsand has brought all of his golf knowledge with him, so be sure to stop in and see how he can help your game.