Golf professional Jens Gunkel: At the age of 71 in his dream job in Western Pomerania!

Golf professional Jens Gunkel: At the age of 71 in his dream job in Western Pomerania!

Golf not only inspires the athletes, but also the people who work behind the scenes. An example of this is Jens Gunkel, a 71-year-old golf professional who works at the Schloss Krugsdorf Golf Club in Western Pomerania. Gunkel has made a name for himself as a “teaching pro” over the years and reports that he loves his job because of the sun, fresh air and contact with interesting people. On a pitch everyone is equal – whether professional or beginner – and that is what makes his work so exciting.

His golf journey began later in life. Gunkel had no contact with the sport until he was 54, until he came across a golf course during a stay in Malaysia and discovered his passion. His impressive career took him from the sun-drenched Mediterranean coast to Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. He has been giving golf lessons in various clubs since 2001 and has already removed over 1,000 golf tires. Even at 71, he is still going strong and gives four to six coaching lessons every day.

A passion that never goes out

Gunkel emphasizes the joy of working with people. The interesting acquaintances and the unique situations that arise on the golf course are what motivate him to continue being active as a trainer. He plans to continue pursuing this passion for at least the next 20 to 30 years. His “office”, the well-kept golf course, offers the perfect backdrop. In his free time he also experiments with “organic culture” and grows vegetables, which also contributes to an active lifestyle.

His secret to staying fit as you age? Daily exercise in the fresh air and socializing with his young dog Hermine. Gunkel is living proof that golf is not just a sport, but also a way of life. As the golf season comes to a close, major tournaments come into play, like the BMW Championship in Baltimore County.

The BMW Championship: A magnet for the economy

The top 50 professional golfers in the world take part in these major tournaments. The BMW Championship is currently taking place at Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, and the event not only attracts the best players, but also many fans. Already in 2021, the tournament attracted approximately 100,000 visitors and generated over $23 million in local spending. This year, 120,000 fans and a remarkable $60 million in revenue are expected.

The local economy is frantically preparing for this onslaught. Chestnut Ridge Market is reporting increased customer traffic and has already prepared with additional food. Conrad’s Crabs and Seafood Market is also bringing a food truck into the game and feeling the excitement of the tournament first hand. At the same time, the Chestnut Ridge Volunteer Fire Department is providing security and selling snowballs to fans.

Golf not only inspires on the course, but also enlivens the neighborhood. Interest in the events helps to grow locally and have a positive economic impact. This shows how golf is important to both professional players and the community.

You can read more about Jens Gunkel's impressive career here and you can find information about the BMW Championship here.