As temperatures increase in the coming weeks, so, too, will the number
of people set on challenging the manicured acreage of Hickory Stick Golf
Club.
Reminded of this, Amber Pasel, who in October was promoted to head
golf professional at the Center Grove area course, exudes the same quiet
confidence that’s made her one of Indiana’s elite women’s amateur
golfers.
“Ever since I was about 12, this is what I’ve wanted to do. I’m not
fearful at all. It’s kind of a healthy nervousness I have. I feel
ready,” said Pasel, who at 26 goes against the grain of traditional
industry thinking both in terms of age and gender. “The biggest
challenge has been organization. I feel like I’m very organized, but
this is a whole new level.”
Pasel previously served as assistant pro at Hickory Stick since
January 2010. She succeeds Keith Clark, now head professional at
Harrison Lake Country Club in Columbus, Ind.
Hickory Stick, along with Heartland Crossing Golf Links in Camby, is
owned and operated by the father-son team of Don and Chip Essig at Essig
Golf Management.
Neither hesitated turning to Pasel when the Hickory Stick job opened up.
“Amber obviously is mature beyond her years, and I think that’s
because she’s a good leader,” Chip Essig told the Daily Journal
(http://bit.ly/ZGgYBG ). “I have to give Keith Clark a lot of credit,
too, because he would delegate what got done within his staff and give
Amber more and more responsibility. She wanted to learn, and that was a
blessing for our facility. She was in place, is well-liked and can do
the job.”
The former Amber Lindgren literally grew up with the sport. An only
child raised outside of Kokomo, she is the daughter of longtime
Northwestern High School girls and boys golf coach Randy Lindgren and
his wife, Cherryl.
“I learned to play golf when I was about 4. My option was to go to
daycare or learn to play golf, and I wanted to hang out with my dad,”
remembered Pasel. “Being an only child, golf was a sport I could play by
myself. It teaches you good morals and discipline, and you control
everything.”
Following a high school career during which she helped lead Western
to a state title in 2001 and runner-up finishes in 2002 and 2004, Pasel
played at Indiana University where she captained the Hoosiers as a
senior.
Pasel, after graduating from IU, worked as an instructor at Wood Wind
Golf Course in Westfield and served as assistant coach for the IUPUI
men’s and women’s golf programs.
Every stop made, every person met, has better prepared Pasel for the challenges ahead.
“Keith Clark was great with marketing and just customer service
overall. He’s immaculate at that, which has really helped me,” said
Pasel, whose assistant pro, Michael Powell, 24, is someone she’s been
friends with since she was 12.
“I also get a lot of encouragement from Don and Chip Essig, Jack
Barber at Meridian Hills (Country Club) and Jim Humphrey at Chippendale
(Golf Course in Kokomo). Jack is a big proponent that family is a high
priority and Chip wants you to keep playing golf because it makes you a
better teacher.”
Golf instruction is only a portion of Pasel’s job description. Like
every other aspect of being a golf professional, it’s one she takes
seriously.
Like she said, she’s been preparing for this for more than half her life.
Story Credit: Mike Beas, Daily Journal