He’s at Tedesco Country Club six days a week and begins his shifts at 6 a.m., but Ryan Train wouldn’t have it any other way.
The head professional at the Marblehead club has been named Merchandiser of the Year by the Massachusetts Chapter of the New England PGA.
“I love working here and I love going to work every day with my team,” said Train, who turned 40 in April and is in his sixth year with the club. “The management team we have here is exceptional, and the membership we have makes it easy to come to work every day.”
Train, a Connecticut native who attended Springfield College, received a call from Casey Litwack, Director of Tournament Operations with New England PGA.
“He let me know I had won the award and was voted on unanimously by the Mass. chapter board,” Train said. “We had been holding it for two months – give or take – until they did their press release (in February).”
As for his emotions at that moment, it “meant a lot” as the club had been nominated for a few years.
“I don’t want to say we singled it out, but it’s one that I definitely had my sights on,” said Train, who lives in Swampscott with his fiance, Alyssa Kendall. “We take a lot of pride in the golf shop.”
But through merchandise rotation, selection, paperwork, and vendor meetings, Train doesn’t do it alone.
“This isn’t something I do by myself. I couldn’t do this without my assistant golf professional team,” said Train, who typically works seven days a week during the season. “They’re incredibly influential in how the golf shop looks and how it presents itself.”
There will be an awards banquet at the end of the year in which sectional winners will be announced. Train was automatically nominated for sectionals after winning the chapter award.
On a non-tournament day, Train and company oversee anywhere from 150-225 rounds. It’s also “very rare” the club doesn’t have something going on, according to Train.
But, once again, he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I absolutely love it here and I definitely see myself here long-term,” Train said. “I’ve joked with members already that this is where I want to retire.”
