Interview With Corey E. Byron President Mobile Golf Promotions, LLC

Below is an interview with Corey E. Byron, the President at Mobile Golf Promotions, LLC. 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?
Corey Byron is a class A PGA professional who has a passion for the game of golf and helping golfers of all skill levels become the player they can be. Corey was a golf professional at Orchard Lake Country Club for nine years before leaving to run his accomplished internet based business. Corey has moved on to be the creature of the Motor City Golf & Travel coming to Detroit in February and is helping to resurrect The First Tee of SE Michigan. Corey has a passion for the traditions of the game and enjoys playing the greatest courses in the world in pursuit of the perfect round.

When did you start golfing and who introduced you do the game?
My Grandfather Howard Wright introduced me to the game of golf when I was only three years old. My best memory for the game was my brother Chad Byron who is also a PGA Professional getting his first hole in one on a par 4 at the age of 13. It was amazing and a true pleasure to be a part of. My other favorite memory is my wife an I were playing Arcadia Bluffs at sunset and on the eighteenth hole she chipped in as the bagpipes were playing. Pure class and pure enjoyment.

What is your current home course?
Pine Lake Country Club in Orchard Lake, Michigan.

To date, what is your proudest golf accomplishment?
Becoming a class A PGA Professional was a very special accomplishment but I believe bringing the Motor City Golf & Travel Show to Detroit for the purpose to grow the game and to raise over $50,000 for local charities will be my best accomplishment to date.

What is your biggest golf pet peeve on or off the course?
There are two three things that drive me nuts. All patrons should take care of a golf course by fixing ball marks and replacing divots. The last thing is most people wait to read putts until its their turn and in fact a golfer should be reading the green as they approach the green.

What is your favorite club in your bag and why?
Putter and the reason is because I don't get to play that much anymore and without it I wouldn't be able to score very well. You can hit a horrible drive and save par, but without a solid putting stroke it is easy to three putt from ten feet.

What is your favorite golf destination?
Not having travel to Europe yet to play golf I would say Monterey. Bandon is close and its more of a guys trip but playing golf in Monterey is amazing. That being said I did play Pebble three weeks before the Open and the course was perfect.

What course is on your bucket list that you have not played yet?
Cypress Point! The member I knew there is no longer at the club. My wife and I were fortunate enough to get married in wine country and Cypress is the only one I didn't have to play. Mackenzie was a genius and it would be a privilege and an honor to play such a masterpiece!

If you woke up tomorrow and could play one course you played before, where would you play?
This is an extremely tough question to ask. Having had several great golf experiences in my life I would want to go to Oakmont. It is one of my favorites and I normally don't play that well there but it was one of my first great courses I played and everything about Oakmont is beyond classy. That being said Shinny and Pine Valley would also be on the list it just depends with who. Oakmont I played with my brother which always makes things more special.

If you could change one aspect, rule or thing about golf, what would it be and why?
Cargo shorts. I am not a fan. The little pocket is fine but golf was founded by gentlemen looking classy and having a great time. Don't get me wrong cargo shorts have many benefits in life but I don't feel as though they belong on the golf course. That being said we live in America and at a public facility patrons should be allowed to wear whatever looks acceptable.

Dream foursome (living)?
My wife (Regan Byron), my brother (Chad Byron), and Greg Norman. Growing up watching the shark was an honor and he handled victories as well as his defeats. The wine following the round wouldn't be so bad as well.

Dream foursome (living or dead)?
Not to repeat from above but eliminating the previously selected I would choose my grandfather (Howard Wright), Bobby Jones, and the great Alister Mackenzie

18 Rapid Fire, Off The Cuff Questions

1) Hitting Long Drive OR Sinking Long Putt? Sinking a long putt as it can destroy your opponents mojo.

2) Having Round of Life OR Hole in One?
Round of my life. A hole in one would be great but the round of your life is several hole in one's combined!

3) Golfing at the crack of dawn OR twilight? Twilight as you can be much more relaxed.

4) Hit a power fade OR power draw?
For years I played a fade but lately a draw is more beneficial as these kids hit it further and further.

5) Beverage cart OR halfway house?
Halfway house

6) Bathroom OR bushes?
Bathroom is always your first choice.

7) Hot dog OR wrap?
Depends but more than likely I would go with the wrap.

8) Around the green, being in sand OR thick rough?
Either is fine but sand is much easier.

9) Walking OR riding?
Walking

10) Do you carry traditional 3 iron OR hybrid? Both but more than likely it is a hybrid now.

11) Do you prefer long par 3 OR long par 5?
Par 5 as a driver should never be used on a par 3.

12) Pants OR Shorts?
Pants.

13) Palmer OR Nicklaus?
How about Jones or Hogan. Nicklaus would be my choice.

14) Beatles OR Elvis?
Beatles

15) Play for fun OR play for money?
Depends money if the handicaps are fair and fun but it all depends on the group you are with. When I say money I mean a nominal bet. Golf is fun we usually play for a drink following the round. More than anything we play against ourselves and for pride.

16) Bump and run OR flop shot?
Flop is more fun but you will score better with the bump and run. In Michigan the flop is more practical.

17) Lay up OR gamble?
Always gamble especially if you are at course you might not come back to.

18) 18 holes OR 36?
36 at a destination and 18 at home.