John Pielemeier is a native of Indianapolis and has spent most of his life north of the Mason-Dixon line, but he is excited about trying the Southern lifestyle.
He moved to Greenwood a month ago to become the new golf professional at Greenwood Country Club. During that time, he has enjoyed some playful banter with members about his Yankee background.
“There has been a little tongue-and-cheek teasing. I even poke fun at myself sometimes,” said Pielemeier, 57, who has been in the golf business for nearly 35 years.
This is his first time in Mississippi, but it’s not his first in the South. He went to McMurray College in Abilene, Texas, and worked in Florida early in his career.
Pielemeier already feels at home in Greenwood.
“I am glad to make this my new home. I love the small-town atmosphere,” he said. “The people in this community and this club are very hospitable.”
Pielemeier has plans to boost the number of golfers at Greenwood Country Club, starting with a junior golf program this summer and trying to get more women out on the links.
“I want to reach out to people by targeting families because this club is a great place for a family to spend time together,” he said. “I am also working with the Pillow (Academy) golf team and getting it rebuilt. It’s so important to grow the game of golf with the young ones. That is the future of our sport.”
One of the more interesting stops during his career was as an assistant pro at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Indiana, where he worked when ninth alternate John Daly came out of nowhere in 1991 to stun the golfing world by winning the PGA Championship — the first of two major titles.
Pielemeier also got to know famed golf course designer Pete Dye while at Crooked Stick, the first well-known course designed by Dye.
Pielemeier was introduced to the game of golf at an early age, playing and caddying. He went on to play golf at the junior-high and high-school level and a little at the college level.
He felt making a career out of golf was a natural fit for him since he loved the game and loved working with people.
“I am blessed to do something I really like for a living,” he said. “Golf has led me to meet a lot of good people, and that’s happening all over again here in Greenwood.”
After the youngest of his three daughters, Danielle, finishes her school year in Indiana, she and her mother, Sharon, will join the GCC golf pro in Greenwood.
• Contact Bill Burrus at 581-7237 or bburrus@gwcommonwealth.com.
