A passion for the game

With 35 years of experience in the golf business, with stops from the Canary Islands to Britain to Florida, Colin Moffat has developed a vast knowledge of the game.

His love and passion for the sport is obvious when he talks about how much it means to him and how glad - after a two-year absence - he is to be back in the pro shop at Sebring Lakeside Golf Resort.

"I'm very excited about being back in golf," said Moffat. "I don't look at this as a job because I love working with people and helping them to improve and enjoy the sport.

"When I look at this as a job, that's the day I quit."

Moffat has been in the Heartland since 1998 and was the head professional at Pinecrest Golf Club for four years, and then worked under Bob Forward at River Greens Golf Course.

After Forward moved to take the job at Lake Wales Country Club, Moffat became the head professional at Golf Hammock Country Club in 2004, a position he kept until 2008.

"I really enjoyed working at Golf Hammock and I was happy there," Moffat said. "I wasn't looking for another job, but I had an offer to be the head pro at Indian Lakes Estates. I took that job, but things didn't work out between me and the general manager."

That's why Moffat, who is from Scotland and went through the PGA training program in Britain, is so elated to be back working in the game he loves as the head pro at Sebring Lakeside Golf Resort.

"I love meeting people and teaching the game," said Moffat. "It's a popular sport and it's important to learn the game the right way. I give lessons to groups and I also give private lessons and golf is a great sport because you can enjoy it at any age."

The Sebring Lakeside Golf Resort is a nine-hole executive course that's in excellent shape, and it offers golfers of all levels a chance to learn the game or hone their skills in a more laid-back setting.

"This is a good course that offers golfers a chance to practice and work on their games," said Moffat. "The only club you won't use is a driver, but this is perfect to practice your irons and short game. Most golfers don't practice enough from 100 yards and closer to the green and on their chipping, which is where you can really save yourself some shots during a round.

"We've got small greens, and if you can hit these greens with your irons, then you'll be in great shape when you go to the bigger courses."

Moffat grew up in Scotland, learned the game from his father, turned pro at 17 and started his journey in the game by traveling around the world.

"I've been able to see a lot of the world by working in golf," said Moffat. "I came to the United States in 1989 and have been working in this country since then."

Sebring Lakeside Golf Resort is hosting the Winter Series, which is a number of golf tournaments during the next two months.

The next tournament is set for Feb. 13, with the format being a four-person, nine-hole scramble.

The tournament will begin at 11 a.m. with a shotgun start and the cost is $15 per person, which includes golf and lunch after the tournament.

This is the second Winter Series event and the proceeds go to Parkway Food Ministries, which helps to provide food to needy people in our community

"The Winter Series events are fun days and the last tournament raised $300 for the Parkway Food Ministries," the 51-year-old Moffat said. "You make your own teams up and we'll provide lunch after the round. We encourage as many people as possible to come and play and if you haven't seen the course in a while, you'll be amazed at how good of shape it's in."

Moffat is holding free clinics on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 2:15 p.m. for people interested in learning more about the game.

"The clinics are for beginners or people that are just learning the sport," said Moffat. "We want everyone to come out and see what we're all about. We have social events as well as golf and we want to make sure you have an enjoyable time when you come to the Sebring Lakeside Golf Resort."

For more information on the events at Sebring Lakeside Golf Resort, contact Moffat at 863-385-7113.