Eric Knapp – Pheasant Ridge Golf Club

This is the first in a new series in Golfer’s Lifestyle Magazine where we introduce you to one of the owners or managers of one of our featured courses. Find out how they got their start in the golf industry, special interests and general fun facts. Western PA is the home of some incredible golf courses. Nowhere else will you find the friendly ownership groups that you’ll find in our region. For a full listing of PGO member courses visit www.golfinpa.com.

How did you get your start in the golf industry?
“I was watching ESPN with a special feature on Mike Hall and he thought how cool it would be to own your own golf course. Little did I know then how little time I’d have to play golf if I owned a golf course,” said Knapp. “The second week I owned the course I accidentally cut off one of my fingers. Thirty-two days after that, I passed my playing ability test for the PGA. I holed out the last two holes from the sand to qualify by one stroke.”

In the Bag…
Driver: TaylorMade R5
Woods: TaylorMade R7
Irons: Titleist DCI’s
Wedges: Titleist Vokey
Putter: Ping Anser

Handicap: 5-6 or as many strokes someone is willing to give him in a match!

Golf Superstitions: None, however, Eric often putts with his hands behind his back and putts from between his legs. “If I put on too much weight, I can’t do it,” said Knapp. “I’ve won a lot of money playing this way. Sounds ridiculous, but I actually putt a lot better from between the legs.”
Funniest/Most Strange Golf Story: “I have a friend who I play with and knows that I’m constantly on the phone while playing golf. This is a bad habit of mine. So once while playing with him in Orlando, he shanked a shot into our golf cart and it ricocheted off of the dash and smashed my phone. Guess that is what I get for using my phone on the course!”
What Else: Eric has an awesome dog that follows him everywhere on the course.
Kids: 3 – Brittany, Eric Jr. and Christian
Hobbies: Bowling and Shooting Pool
Favorite Food: Thai
Favorite Movie: The Godfather (all of them)
Favorite PGA Players: Jack and Tiger
Fantasy Foursome: Me, my brother and my two boys!