MIKE SVAB

Course: Norwich Golf Course

Years as a pro there: Ninth season. Previously worked at Pautipaug Country Club for 17 years.

Favorite hole: No. 7, a par 4. "That hole can be on any golf course and be a great hole. The difficulty level is high, the green is small and it's undulated."

Best part about your job: "The people who play golf every day."

Worst part about your job: "Sacrificing your personal life and not having weekends. You sign up for that. I have to be working when everyone else is playing."

Favorite course: Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon. He's played here twice. "Greatest golf experience ever. It's unbelievable."

Holes-in-one: Five. His first two came just two weeks apart with the same club — a seven iron — at Crestbrook Park in Watertown, where he grew up.

Best golf advice: "Enjoy the game. And play the game one shot at a time. That's hard for people to do."

Dream foursome: His family — wife Theresa and sons, Sean and Connor.

Fun fact: Mike never played competitive golf in high school and didn't become really interested in the sport until after graduating from Fairfield University. He discovered his love for the game in Australia of all places. "When I graduated from college, I went to Australia and played baseball for a year. Part of my contract, I got a membership to one of the local golf courses owned by the owner of the team. I played every morning with the pros there and thought it was pretty fun. When I got back from being overseas, I thought it might not be a bad career path."