MONTELLO —Like a meteorologist peering outside to gauge the weather, Baraboo native Nathan Young steps out onto his second-story deck and has a good idea of what’s in store for the day ahead.

Rain or shine, Young finishes his morning cup of coffee and reports to duty — downstairs at Sharenberg’s White Lake Golf Course in Montello.

Young, a 2004 graduate of Baraboo High School and four-year player for the UW-Parkside Rangers in Kenosha, took on the job of Golf Professional at Scharenberg’s in January and is in the middle of his first full season.

A golfer since the age of 10, Young is right at home living above the clubhouse on the 200-plus acre spread.

"I love looking out the window at the course and seeing that it’s going to be a good day," the 23 year-old said.

Young’s apartment vista offers a window into his working world — a direct view of the putting green below and the No. 10 hole of the Par 72, 18-hole course.

"It’s nice to step out with my morning coffee and know that we’re going to have just a few players because it’s rainy, or it’s going to be sunny and a busy day.

"The best part is going down to the clubhouse and seeing that the tee sheet is packed full and that I’ve got a busy day ahead of me."

Young is undoubtedly passionate about his occupation.

Most days are hurried for the former T-Birds golfer, and one-time state qualifier. It’s not uncommon for him to put in a handful of 12-hour shifts throughout the week.

"I’m here all day, every day," he said. "There’s not too many days off on the

course."

Greg Befera, golf pro at the Baraboo Country Club, knows that much is true.

Befera also knows Young, having employed him for six years in the bag room and pro shop at the BCC. Befera also mentored him as a youngster in the still-running junior golf program.

"As good of a golfer as he is, it’s no surprise that he wanted to pursue golf as a career," Befera said.

Following his time at the BCC, Young moved on to Trappers Turn in Wisconsin Dells as a worker in the bag room, before climbing the ladder to assistant golf professional there for the past two years.

The ascension in golf’s hierarchy proved integral to Young’s decision to continue with the game after his collegiate career wrapped up.

"I always thought it’d be nice to manage a course and take care of day-to-day operations," he said. "But when I was at Trappers Turn I really realized I wanted to take it further as a career."

Young took the required PGA Professional Golf Management Program’s Player Ability Test last year and was one of only three out of 40 aspiring golf pros that day to pass. Young shot a 150, six strokes in front of the cutoff of 156.

"I was a little worried about the test," he said. "Some people I know have tried it 10 times and still haven’t passed."

With his PGA certification locked up, and one semester remaining before graduating from Parkside with a finance degree, Young is taking advantage of his situation at White Lake. He plans on sticking around Scharenberg’s to continue building his 110-member base, while taking in valuable management experience.

"I pretty much intend to hang around here and improve the course and its revenue," he said. "Once I get more experience under my belt, I plan to move on to bigger and better things."

Though establishing customer relations, giving golf lessons, directing a staff 16, and keeping on top of day-to-day business doesn’t leave much room for the 23 year-old to break out his own clubs, he wouldn’t have things any other way right now.

"Despite the fact that it’s hard for me to find time to keep my game together, waking up and just being out around the course everyday, it really doesn’t get any better than that," Young said.

Notes:

Two other former BHS golfers are currently working in management of area golf courses. Clint Hutchens is the Assistant Golf Professional at WildRock in Wisconsin Dells. Pat Steffes is general manager at Trappers Turn.