Ozarks Profile: Dan Schumacher

Tell us about the course and Millwood in general.

Millwood Golf and Racquet began with one simple goal in mind: to create a golf community of the utmost quality while maintaining the highest architectural standards and sensitivity to its surroundings, all in an atmosphere that is relaxed, casual and just plain fun. Our championship golf course has Zoysia fairways, Crenshaw creeping bentgrass greens, and fescue rough. Carved from rolling and wooded terrain, each golf hole follows the existing site contours. This magnificent 6,700-yard, par-71 layout is challenging, yet recreational and stimulating.

The golf pro shop has the latest in clothing and equipment, and offers personalized club fitting and teaching by highly trained PGA professionals.

Mikayla's Grille, an Old World open grill restaurant, features fresh seafood and prime beef daily. Mikayla's Grille is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday.

Clubhouse amenities include a member lounge area, resort pool, hot tub and cabana, tennis courts, health facility, and men's and ladies locker rooms with saunas.

What is your job?

My responsibilities include managing all areas of Millwood golf, food and beverage, tennis, swimming, club administration and the developments.

What spurred your interest in golf?

My father taught me how to play the game. I always enjoyed going out with him to play. When I hit that first golf ball, I was hooked for life.

What's your favorite part about golf?

Teaching the game to good young players has always been the best part of my career. There is not a better feeling than knowing you have helped a young player take their game to the next level. A close second, is that I love dealing with our membership and coming up with fresh ideas and programs to make our club better.

Are there challenges in generating

the interest of younger golfers?

Yes. I have two girls of my own. It is tough because kids have so much to do, and it is hard to choose between all the activities your children are exposed to today. Since the emergence of Tiger Woods on the PGA Tour, kids are starting to choose golf over other activities. Thanks to Tiger, junior golf is on a huge growth spurt.

What's the biggest challenge

you face?

Keeping all my members happy. Each group of golfers seniors, men and ladies want to feel as if the club is totally focused on them. It is my greatest challenge to make sure each group feels great about our club.

Tell us about your family.

I am very blessed to have a loving wife and two beautiful daughters. Abby is 8 and going in the third grade this fall. She loves sports, especially golf, basketball, swimming, soccer and softball. Hannah is 6, going into first grade. She also feels the competitive force and enjoys golf, soccer, basketball, swimming and softball. They both attend Wanda Gray Elementary School.

If you could choose another career, what would it be?

There is not another career that I would ever consider. I have been in the golf business so long that it's second nature to me. I enjoy what I do.