Meet Peggy Roberts | Director of Golf Instruction

We had the good fortune of connecting with Peggy Roberts and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Peggy, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I am currently a golf instructor and when I give golf lessons out on the course, I find myself often talking with my students about risk. The flag might be positioned over a pond – am I willing to take the risk to go straight at the flag, or should I take a more conservative approach and hit to the center of the green on my shot? What is the potential reward for taking the risk? Might I get a hole in one? Or what is the downside? If I miss will my shot end up in the water and cost me penalty strokes? How important is the shot – will it decide the tournament for me? The decisions I make every day on the golf course mirror decisions I make in life about risk. I think many people think entrepreneurs are big risk takers and jump right in. I actually believe successful entrepreneurs take calculated risks – they measure the pros and cons and make a choice based on their evaluation. They measure their probability of success and their probability of failure before they leap. I have taken risks in my life changing careers – a few times! I have always chased my passions but did so while looking ahead before I made a change. I ensured I had the skills to be successful in my new field by taking classes and building my expertise. I made sure I had the right tools, sought out experts in the field to help me, and found out as much as I could before I took the risk and made the change. Back to our golf example, I made sure I had the right golf club and knew how to hit the shot before I hit it straight to the flag over the water!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am proud that I have turned things I am passionate about and turned them into careers. A “life-long learner” might be clique but it does apply to me. I truly believe – and tell my children often! – you can pursue your dreams and change your career as often as you want. I began my career in healthcare information technology. I decided to earn an MBA from Kellogg and started climbing the corporate ladder. One day I decided to start my own company in information technology consulting and had much success. Then I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to quit, stay at home and raise my children. When they were old enough and I was evaluating returning to the workforce, I decided to take my gardening hobby and turn it into a career. I obtained a degree in Horticulture and Landscape Design and had a landscape design firm. Then I took my other big love – golf – and became a Professional golf instructor. Careers are not always linear – some times they have twists and turns. I love what I do and I continually strive to be better. The golf industry is changing and nothing makes me happier than seeing families playing together. It makes me smile when I see a young girl or boy playing with their mom or dad and grandma and grandpa. Golf truly is a special sport that you can play for your entire life. Come find me at Bear’s Best Atlanta and let me help you learn and enjoy the game!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A visit to Atlanta would not be complete with stops at some of the classics – first stop might be The Varsity – “What’ll Ya Have, What’ll Ya Have?!” Well a slaw dog and a frosted orange please! Of course we need to visit the World of Coke and sample all the flavors from around the world. Since I am also had a career as a landscape designer, I absolutely love the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. You can experience all the local flora and I love when visitors come during the winter and we see the Garden Lights. Ponce City Market is a favorite – especially the views from the Rooftop! We would need to take in a Braves game and spend time at the Battery. For the outdoor enthusiasts, I love hiking up the Falls at Amicalola Falls state park as well as enjoying the various trails in my hometown of Milton. If they visit in the fall, we must go up to Blue Ridge for lunch at Harvest on Main and then enjoy all the fun at Mercier Orchards. Must get some hand pies! Octoberfest in Helen also cannot be missed. Favorite Atlanta restaurants are Canoe, Kyma, and Local Three – all of them spectacular. Since I live in the suburbs, visitors always enjoy time shopping and eating at Avalon, Halcyon, and downtown Alpharetta. Events are always ongoing and when the weather is cooperative, love eating outside at the restaurants.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I absolutely would not be here today without the encouragement of the golf professional who taught me the game – Christopher Marotto. Chris always made me feel I could be the best golfer I ever wanted to be – no limits existed if I was willing to put in the effort. Chris made a lasting impact on me – I got to experience first hand how a coach who believes in you can give you the support needed on your journey. He inspired me become a teaching professional and coach others. I entered the LPGA Professional’s program, earned my Class A certification, and began teaching golfers of all ages and abilities.

Website: https://www.invitedclubs.com/clubs/bear-s-best-atlanta