When you think of golf in Minnesota, it is atypical to associate December with this incredible hobby. However, when you have a new Head Golf Professional start at your local country club in the last month of the year, there is a new leader in the clubhouse at the perfect time.

Meet Dayne Hahn – Owatonna Country Club’s newest face. As of December 2, Hahn took over the reins of Head Golf Professional after spending the last eight years as an assistant golf professional at Rochester Golf and Country Club. Before his stint at RGCC, Hahn resided in Dallas, Texas where he worked for two years with Brook Haven Country Club and Northwood Club. His time in Texas included working extensively with the junior program, which included more than 500 kids.

Hahn, an Eau Claire, Wisconsin native, started his career with a desk job before diving into the golf profession. It didn’t take him long to do some soul-searching and realize that there was something better out there for him. A PGA member since October of 2023, Hahn stated that he had been perusing head professional vacancies for roughly three years. And now, without further ado, he is beyond excited to have landed in Owatonna.

“I think this is the perfect fit,” Hahn said. “I am excited for this opportunity in a private club setting to start building relationships with the members. Owatonna has a small town feel but is also very happening at the same time.”

In addition to the excitement of flourishing in his debut role as a head golf professional, Hahn shared that he and his wife Kathleen are anxiously awaiting their first child, due in April of 2025.

With Kathleen working at Mayo Clinic in Rochester and Dayne underway at OCC, they are actively exploring a middle ground to put down anchor residentially.

When I asked Dayne what he is looking forward to most about his new opportunity as the head professional at OCC, he beamed with his contagious smile and talked about the many events that occur each year.

“I am excited to experience the events like the Keystone Cup and the Shea and for the members and guests to have the best experience possible,” he said. “The experience starts right from the moment you drive onto the property. I am also excited to start working on bringing some new brands into the pro shop on the apparel side.” Hahn is feverishly working on these new lines and will look forward to unveiling them if they come to fruition.

In my interview with Dayne, it was enjoyable to hear about his exposure to golf growing up, which included many fond memories with one of his family members – his dad.

“I always had fun golfing with my dad growing up,” Dayne said. “He was my favorite person to play with. When I was 14-15 years old, I started beating him regularly. It was a relaxing getaway.”

And now, beating his dad is commonplace – and the norm – for Dayne. The closest most of us will get in these winter months to playing golf outdoors is utilizing the multiple simulator venues recently added in Owatonna. However, you now have an excuse to stay excited for the upcoming season on the links with a great reason to stop into the OCC pro shop and meet Dayne. He bleeds passion for the game of golf with every statement uttered. I can assure you that when you meet Dayne, you will be hard pressed to avoid matching his smile and enthusiasm for the greatest game out there – golf.

Until next month, hit ‘em long and straight – and most of all have fun!