Where They Are Now – Courtney Pomeranz Stiles
12/1/2016 2:05:00 PM | Women's Golf
Recently, GoPack.com had the opportunity to catch up with former women's golf member Courtney Stiles (formerly Pomeranz) about what she has been up to since she graduated from NC State.
Currently residing in Pinehurst, N.C., with her husband and two children, Stiles has served as the Executive Director of The First Tee of the Sandhills since February of 2015. A native of Sanford, N.C, she graduated in 2004 with a degree in communication with a focus in interpersonal communications. After graduation she played on the Duramed Futures Tour for two seasons, and has since chosen a line of work in the golf industry.
Since 2006 she has held multiple positions with the PGA TOUR in Florida and Georgia, and started a The First Tee chapter in Southeast Georiga prior to her move back to North Carolina.
What her job entails on a day-to-day basis:
"The nature of our non-profit organization nationwide, like many other non-profits, is that employees are expected to be high efficiency multi-taskers that wear many hats and carry a strong attention to detail. Currently, my role requires the following:
- Set and oversee the Strategic Direction and Business Plan while managing day to day operations
- Increase participation and awareness
- Increase donor-ship and stewardship
- Build the brand
- Enhance business processes and controls
- Drive risk managements
- Relationship Management with Board including oversight of Task Force(s) and Committee(s); their work process, focus and timing/outcome
- Act as Director of Development
- Act as Marketing, Events and Communication Director
"The bulk of my travel is within our six-county region (Moore, Cumberland, Hoke, Robeson, Harnett and Montgomery). My time is spent with one day a week (all day) in Cumberland County, one day a month in Robeson County and remaining time/days at our administrative office in Moore County. Eventually I will spend a day a week in every county. We also plan to expand by 2020 to the final three counties that circle Moore County (Lee, Scotland and Richmond)."
Her favorite thing about her job:
"The most satisfying thing we do is seeing young people succeed and seeing new young people introduced to The First Tee. It's very satisfying to see new programs, activities and experiences for young people begin to flourish – especially those that you kept hitting road blocks, speed bumps and stalls with. When you create an experience that excites kids to engage and participate in, where you know that not only are they opening their eyes to something new, but are doing it with a caring adult who is positively mentoring them to grow as a young person. I love the seamless approach of The First Tee because young people can have a great time during an adventure, and not realize while they are in the thick of it, that they are learning so much to support their growth down the road."
How her job gives back to and stay in tune with the game:
"Everything we do, no matter on a day of office work or out 'in the field' at a golf course, school building or playground is investing and giving back through golf. It could be helping coach at a class where golf equipment is involved or mentor at a non-golf activity. Because I've grown up around the game, and networked with many in the golf business, I've fallen into jobs that have provided the opportunity to give back – and I continue to be excited to do so!"
Playing golf on a regular basis:
"Ha! I guess regular is up for interpretation. In 2014 I tallied 2 or 3 rounds of golf, 2015 about 6 and this year I will probably finish at 8. I guess I am trending towards once a month. But, the best golf I play is when my husband and I walk out our back door for a three-hole loop on Pinehurst No. 1, not playing but caddying for our 2 children."
Updates in her personal life:
"I married Cole Stiles of Athens, Ga., on June 16, 2007 (in Pinehurst). Lucky for me the Bulldawgs are red/black/white (same color red as NCSU) so our taste in clothes, décor and sports are very similar! Our children were born January 2009 (daughter, Palmer Gracyn) and December 2012 (son, Parker Cole).
"We've unsuccessfully had a few family pets and successfully moved seven times (three cities) in 10 years! Thank goodness for grandparents to help with packing, unpacking and entertaining children! We can finally say we feel settled down and own a new house that we are making our family home."
What she misses about collegiate golf:
"College golf is so unique to all other golf experiences. You learn to support one another while still wanting to beat one another (yes, I'm ultra-competitive). You know that a teammate is not just playing for themselves, but for everyone on your team. One swing, one shot becomes even more important because others are counting on you. If you had a bad day, a teammate is there to pick you up and encourage you to 'go low' the next day.
"During collegiate golf you are offered chances to go places you have never been, play and compete in conditions that may not always be ideal – all with your team, wearing your school colors with pride. My favorite memories range from our inner team gym competitions (most miles logged a week, etc.) to our trips to ACCs and NCAAs. Beating Duke and Carolina during individual rounds was always fun and gave us 24 hours of poking at our friends and opponents on the other team. Team dinners at the Marsh home when we traveled to events nearby were always special. Receiving our NCSU stool with our last name during our senior year was very cool. In fact, I still use it in my house today!"
Her take on the growth and development of the program since she's graduated:
"The golf team looks very poised to continue a successful climb. The landscape of college golf competition has gotten stronger every year and the recruits coming in to NCSU are getting better and better. Having a home base allows the team to focus on practice and development. During my time at NCSU we would have a rotation of four to six courses that we would drive to for practice. Drive distance from campus could range from 15 to 35 minutes.
"Saving this time to quickly get to the practice facility allows the girls to have better use of their time on and off the course, positioning them for greater success in both areas. Additionally, I believe that Coach has grown as a leader. After 16 years of coaching at NCSU she has been able to adapt to the changing environment of golf as well as the changing personalities that come with the game. Having daughters in college definitely helps! I'm confident that the team will continue to be a strong competitor in the ACC and during the playoffs."
Currently residing in Pinehurst, N.C., with her husband and two children, Stiles has served as the Executive Director of The First Tee of the Sandhills since February of 2015. A native of Sanford, N.C, she graduated in 2004 with a degree in communication with a focus in interpersonal communications. After graduation she played on the Duramed Futures Tour for two seasons, and has since chosen a line of work in the golf industry.
Since 2006 she has held multiple positions with the PGA TOUR in Florida and Georgia, and started a The First Tee chapter in Southeast Georiga prior to her move back to North Carolina.
What her job entails on a day-to-day basis:
"The nature of our non-profit organization nationwide, like many other non-profits, is that employees are expected to be high efficiency multi-taskers that wear many hats and carry a strong attention to detail. Currently, my role requires the following:
- Set and oversee the Strategic Direction and Business Plan while managing day to day operations
- Increase participation and awareness
- Increase donor-ship and stewardship
- Build the brand
- Enhance business processes and controls
- Drive risk managements
- Relationship Management with Board including oversight of Task Force(s) and Committee(s); their work process, focus and timing/outcome
- Act as Director of Development
- Act as Marketing, Events and Communication Director
"The bulk of my travel is within our six-county region (Moore, Cumberland, Hoke, Robeson, Harnett and Montgomery). My time is spent with one day a week (all day) in Cumberland County, one day a month in Robeson County and remaining time/days at our administrative office in Moore County. Eventually I will spend a day a week in every county. We also plan to expand by 2020 to the final three counties that circle Moore County (Lee, Scotland and Richmond)."
Her favorite thing about her job:
"The most satisfying thing we do is seeing young people succeed and seeing new young people introduced to The First Tee. It's very satisfying to see new programs, activities and experiences for young people begin to flourish – especially those that you kept hitting road blocks, speed bumps and stalls with. When you create an experience that excites kids to engage and participate in, where you know that not only are they opening their eyes to something new, but are doing it with a caring adult who is positively mentoring them to grow as a young person. I love the seamless approach of The First Tee because young people can have a great time during an adventure, and not realize while they are in the thick of it, that they are learning so much to support their growth down the road."
How her job gives back to and stay in tune with the game:
"Everything we do, no matter on a day of office work or out 'in the field' at a golf course, school building or playground is investing and giving back through golf. It could be helping coach at a class where golf equipment is involved or mentor at a non-golf activity. Because I've grown up around the game, and networked with many in the golf business, I've fallen into jobs that have provided the opportunity to give back – and I continue to be excited to do so!"
Playing golf on a regular basis:
"Ha! I guess regular is up for interpretation. In 2014 I tallied 2 or 3 rounds of golf, 2015 about 6 and this year I will probably finish at 8. I guess I am trending towards once a month. But, the best golf I play is when my husband and I walk out our back door for a three-hole loop on Pinehurst No. 1, not playing but caddying for our 2 children."
(Photos of Stiles at NC State)
Updates in her personal life:
"I married Cole Stiles of Athens, Ga., on June 16, 2007 (in Pinehurst). Lucky for me the Bulldawgs are red/black/white (same color red as NCSU) so our taste in clothes, décor and sports are very similar! Our children were born January 2009 (daughter, Palmer Gracyn) and December 2012 (son, Parker Cole).
"We've unsuccessfully had a few family pets and successfully moved seven times (three cities) in 10 years! Thank goodness for grandparents to help with packing, unpacking and entertaining children! We can finally say we feel settled down and own a new house that we are making our family home."
What she misses about collegiate golf:
"College golf is so unique to all other golf experiences. You learn to support one another while still wanting to beat one another (yes, I'm ultra-competitive). You know that a teammate is not just playing for themselves, but for everyone on your team. One swing, one shot becomes even more important because others are counting on you. If you had a bad day, a teammate is there to pick you up and encourage you to 'go low' the next day.
"During collegiate golf you are offered chances to go places you have never been, play and compete in conditions that may not always be ideal – all with your team, wearing your school colors with pride. My favorite memories range from our inner team gym competitions (most miles logged a week, etc.) to our trips to ACCs and NCAAs. Beating Duke and Carolina during individual rounds was always fun and gave us 24 hours of poking at our friends and opponents on the other team. Team dinners at the Marsh home when we traveled to events nearby were always special. Receiving our NCSU stool with our last name during our senior year was very cool. In fact, I still use it in my house today!"
Her take on the growth and development of the program since she's graduated:
"The golf team looks very poised to continue a successful climb. The landscape of college golf competition has gotten stronger every year and the recruits coming in to NCSU are getting better and better. Having a home base allows the team to focus on practice and development. During my time at NCSU we would have a rotation of four to six courses that we would drive to for practice. Drive distance from campus could range from 15 to 35 minutes.
"Saving this time to quickly get to the practice facility allows the girls to have better use of their time on and off the course, positioning them for greater success in both areas. Additionally, I believe that Coach has grown as a leader. After 16 years of coaching at NCSU she has been able to adapt to the changing environment of golf as well as the changing personalities that come with the game. Having daughters in college definitely helps! I'm confident that the team will continue to be a strong competitor in the ACC and during the playoffs."
Marie Madsen NCAA Regional Interview
Thursday, May 08
Coach Page Marsh Announces Her Retirement
Wednesday, January 10
Page Marsh Announces Retirement
Wednesday, January 10
WGOLF Mexico Connection Feature
Thursday, February 03