A key factor in becoming a professional golfer is loving the game so much that you don't mind the sometimes grueling lifestyle and other sacrifices it requires, PGA golfer Rob Oppenheim told Desert Magazine.

“If you love it, you enjoy the journey,” he said.

It also helps to have a spouse,  coaches, parents and friends who will support you along the way, Oppenheim said.

“You need to surround yourself with positive people who will always push you, motivate you,” he said. “There are so many ups and downs in golf. You don’t win very often. There’s a lot of disappointment. I’ve been fortunate to have that support team.”

Oppenheim turned pro in 2002, the same year he helped his team at Rollins College win the national championship.

Since then, his life has been in constant motion traveling from one tournament to the other.

“You’re on the road a lot,” he said. “When I was younger and single, it was easy. I could be on the road eight weeks in a row and it didn’t bother me. But now I have two children, 8 and 5. It’s tough missing their sporting events and all that stuff. I always try to get on a flight and get home as soon as I can.”

After a recent tournament in Puerto Rico, Oppenheim took an 8 p.m. flight direct from San Juan to his hometown in Orlando and was able to take his two kids to school on Monday morning.

“That’s the biggest challenge for me right now, not missing out on my kid’s things,” he said.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was not possible for children to go with their parents on the tour, Oppenheim said.

“Before COVID, they used to travel a lot with me,” he said. “But things are going to slowly start getting back to normal. They are starting to open up daycare so family can travel. The tour does an amazing job. They have a daycare that travels with you week to week. It’s the same people. A lot of the same kids are traveling with you especially in the summer when school is out. It’s fun.”

He plays about 25 tournaments each year.

In his off time, he spends time with his family and works with a trainer to stay in shape. He even plays golf in his leisure time.

“I’m the kind of guy who can be on the road for six weeks in a row and come home and play golf with my buddies,” Oppenheim said. “I’m not someone who needs to put the clubs away.”

He has played many times in the Palm Springs area, including the American Express golf tournament four times. He usually goes to Palm Springs twice a year

“I go there before I go to Hawaii,” he said. ”I will spend a week there and practice and then go to Hawaii. I love it in Palm Springs. As far as  weather and golf, it doesn’t get much better than that.”