Ryan Cloud, shown here in front of the 18th green at Eagle Bend Golf Course, recently earned his PGA Professional status, completing a seven-year journey that began while Cloud, 35, was still in college at the University of Kansas.

From the first time he heard he had a nice swing to the time he saw Tiger Woods’ epic chip fall softly into the cup at the 2005 Masters, Ryan Cloud knew he wanted to work in golf.

Today, he’s doing it at the highest level possible and enjoying every second.

Earlier this summer, Cloud, 35, officially received his PGA Professional status after completing the final steps in a seven-year journey that led to what he considers to be the ultimate validation of his service to the game.

“There are two gold standards in the golf business,” Cloud explained. “The PGA and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. And, in my opinion, you have to be a member of one of those organizations to be taking seriously in this game.”

Now that he is, the Iola native is still having a hard time allowing his new reality to fully sink in.

What began with Cloud picking range balls by hand on a volunteer basis 12 years ago at Eagle Bend Golf Course has traversed highs and lows, countless hours of studying, playing and preparing for every test — mental and physical — the PGA certification process could throw at him, all while finishing school, starting a family and growing his career.

“His character, his personality and his makeup are all phenomenal,” said fellow Eagle Bend PGA pro Greg Dannevik. “That’s why I knew he wouldn’t have any problem doing it. He’s going to be perfect for this line of work. I mean, he already is. He’s seasoned now.”

It wasn’t always that way. After learning a little more about the business with each passing year at Eagle Bend, Cloud began to zero in on making a career out of golf.

“I just always knew I wanted to do something I have a passion for,” Cloud said. “And if you really want something, you just have to start working from the ground up and work your butt off to get it.”

That’s exactly what he did.

The road to joining the PGA’s teaching professional fraternity, which boasts nearly 30,000 members nationwide, included written tests, playing tests and dozens of evaluations.

“It covers everything,” Cloud said. “Instruction, food and beverage, equipment, the game. They basically train you to take over a multi-million business when you’re done. It’s kind of surreal still that I did it.”

Said Dannevik of the PGA’s membership: “I know that sounds like a lot of people, but when you think about it, with how many states we have and how many golf courses are in each state, it’s a pretty significant achievement because not many people do it.”

Cloud said he owes much of his success to the sacrifice of his family members, who have supported the long days and endless hours toward the pursuit of his dream.

And he credits Dannevik for the confidence, knowledge and drive needed to achieve his goal.

“Greg’s probably had the biggest influence on my career,” Cloud said. “He’s a PGA professional himself and I think he saw some talent in me and he’s groomed me every step of the way, both with my game and in the business.”

The beauty of their partnership is the similarity of their paths. Like Cloud, Dannevik was 35 years old when he achieved his Class A PGA pro certification while working at Mission Hills Country Club in 1998.

And after 13 years as a teaching pro at Eagle Bend, Dannevik has a pretty clear picture of his future and Cloud’s, as well.

“Ideally, when I retire, he’ll just step right in and we won’t miss a beat out here,” Dannevik said. “The golf course will be lucky, very lucky, if that happens.”

Until that point, Cloud is happy to continue to work with Dannevik and the rest of the gang at Eagle Bend.

He also plans to eventually add to his education, as well, through a PGA specialization program that focuses on executive management.

For now, Cloud, whose career best round is a 67 at Eagle Bend, is more than happy to enjoy the rewards that come with his recent achievement in the exact place he wants to be.

“It’s definitely been a huge weight lifted off my shoulders,” he said. “I love this community. I love the city of Lawrence. I love working for Parks and Rec. I love KU. And I definitely want to stick around here as long as I can.”