Thank you for visiting our website. My name is Doug Slusser and I am the Director of Golf at Basin Harbor Club. I hope to have the opportunity to meet you personally. I’m a PGA of America member and have a passion for golf, playing, teaching, administrating. If it’s about golf it’s fine with me.
 

My passion for the game began early. Growing up in Akron, Ohio I was exposed to the classic duels between Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus at the famous Firestone Country Club. My father had a single digit handicap and was general chairman of both the American Golf Classic and the World Series of Golf. I had “inside the ropes” access. And I was hooked! My career began at age twelve, exchanging golf privileges for the pleasure and experience of working at the local course.
 

Mentored by Frank Wharton I developed a keen interest in striking the golf ball. My competitive career began with junior events and progressed through professional mini- tours and PGA sectional events as well as USGA Open qualifying.
 

It’s been a privilege for me to work at all types of golf facilities, public, private and resort, in a diverse range of locations: Ohio, Florida, North Carolina and now, Vermont. Basin Harbor Club and Resort presents a combination of all these facilities, the best of all worlds.
 

Major renovations completed in the fall of 2006, two putting greens, a pitching green, two practice bunkers and a large grass practice tee, have given Basin Harbor Club and Resort a superb practice facility. Basin Harbor’s instruction programs offer instruction for all skill levels and to players of all aspirations. Using state-of-the-art computer/video technology, training aids and proven teaching and coaching techniques, I have been proud of the game-improving success our students have enjoyed.
 

The family-friendly atmosphere at Basin Harbor Club and Resort is ideal for introducing the whole family to the game of golf. Come stay with us or just stop by to play a round. Allow me the privilege of sharing with you my passion for the great game of golf in this spectacular setting.
 

As a Vergennes,Vermont native, I’m proud to say that my first experience with golf was in Basin Harbor’s  junior program when I was just seven years old.  I was hooked at an early age and played whenever and wherever I could.
 

Golf aside, I’ve always been an athlete.  In high school, I played varsity level golf, soccer and basketball and ski raced with the Middlebury College alpine ski club.  In 2002, I began working at Basin Harbor as a bag room attendant with the sole intent of playing as much golf as possible. With each passing season, I’ve moved further up the Pro Shop job ladder.
 

I graduated from Vergennes Union High School in 2005 and am a member of the University of Vermont’s 2009 graduating class.   I graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the school of Business Administration and a concentration in Human Resources and Management.  As graduation approached, I evaluated my life goals and decided I wanted to pursue a career in the golf industry.  With this goal in mind, I moved across the country to Carlsbad, CA and attended the Golf Academy of America.  This was a great experience, enabling me to play some of the best golf courses in Southern California.  These included a few rounds at Torrey Pines, Maderas Golf Club, and La Costa Resort and Spa, to name a few.  I had the opportunity to meet and shadow, Jim Flick, a member of the Golf Hall of Fame and coach to two hundred touring professionals over his illustrious career.    Thus, I was also able to gain some valuable, reputable teaching knowledge and experience.
 

My goal is to pursue my PGA membership and continue to inspire people of all ages to learn and discover everything that the sport of golf has to offer.
 

Golf has always been a huge part of my life both professionally and personally.  While growing up in New York I often played and practiced with my father, taking on his passion for the game.  During my freshman year of high school I became the only underclassman selected to compete on the varsity golf team.  That summer I worked voluntarily at Ridgeway Country Club (in White Plains, NY) in exchange for free golf.
 

After my entire family relocated to Boca Raton, Florida, I continued my golf career at Spanish River High School.  After being accepted to the University of Florida, I put golf on the back burner to focus on getting my college degree.  I graduated in 1997 with a bachelors degree in Business Administration (B.A.B.A), and soon returned home to find a 'real' job.  After working less than one year in the corporate world, I resigned to pursue other interests.  The problem is that I wasn't sure what those other interests would be.
 

I applied to work at Boca West Country Club and was immediately hired.  Boca West is one of the largest and busiest private clubs in the world, housing four championship courses which can accommodate in excess of 900 players per day.   After two years working in the pro-shop under some of the best golf professionals in south Florida, I was offered an Assistant Professional position at neighboring Woodfield Country Club.  Woodfield was my first opportunity to do some teaching as we had an extremely active junior golf program.  I also had the opportunity to meet Woodfield resident Bernhard Langer, one of the 50 greatest players of all time.  Just when things seemed settled, I received an opportunity to work at a club on Long Island seasonally.  To me, this was the best of both worlds; summers in NY and winters in FL.  I accepted and became the only Assistant Professional at North Shore CC.  This was my first real opportunity to have my hand in all facets of the operation from tournament administration to merchandising to teaching, 
 

My favorite golf memory definitely has to be playing Pebble Beach with my dad.  I have also been fortunate enough to play Bethpage Black, TPC Las Colinas (site of the Byron Nelson), Shady Canyon Golf Club (CA), Piping Rock Club (NY),  Meadowbrook Club (NY) and Atlantic Golf Club (NY).
 

This is my third year returning to Basin Harbor and I am very excited to be back.  I look forward to seeing all of you for the upcoming season.