I love everything about golf! I even formed a golf team because my college did not have one. I had a career in the Professional Golf Association that I loved for years, but the travel began to wear on me. I never felt settled and wanted to grow my family. A new passion was born...
I’m not sure how it happened exactly. All I know is that at the age of 20, I became addicted to golf. I was ravenous for it; playing five days a week, 36 holes a day, walking golf courses, reading about every technique that I could find a book on.
I was working night shifts helping my dad with his construction company. This left me with perfect, sunny Arizona days and a need for a hobby. My friends and I would spend the entire day at a small course smacking golf balls. What started as a hobby became a passion - and then the focus and discipline kicked in.
When I went back to college, I searched for information on the school’s golf team. Not only was there no information, but there was also no team! My disappointment quickly transformed into motivation. Since there wasn't a pre-existing team, I decided I’d create one! How hard could it be?
Well, harder than I thought, but I’m always up for a challenge. The first year was a tad underwhelming. Our “team” only consisted of three members, so we weren’t eligible to compete as a team. We all had to compete individually.
The next year we gained some notoriety. We cobbled a proper team together, growing from a team of three to eight, plus a coach in just one year. My second year on the golf team, I finished 3rd in the National Championship. Not only was it a huge improvement and massive accomplishment, I was also leaving a bit of a legacy behind at the school in the form of a golf team.
I was lucky enough to transform my passion for golf into a career, joining the PGA. I was able to do some coaching, as well as manage courses and clubs. The work was wonderful, but the traveling lifestyle was less than glamorous. Although Arizona was home, I never felt settled because travel was always just around the corner. It was especially difficult to be away from my wife, Vanessa. She and I wanted to start a family, but knew the travel would be a hardship.
Just as I happened upon golf, discovered it was a passion, built a team, and a career, I have been blessed to do it all again as a REALTOR. Although I have only been licensed since 2016, my focused dedication has led to 100s of happy clients that are now like family and my own Real Estate Group – The Collaborative Realty Group, with a team of 60+ agents. The same competitive edge I had to be successful in golf translates to each and every client transaction – prepare the most, work the hardest, negotiate the best deal for my clients, and never stop pushing myself to grow and improve.
My wife, Vanessa, and I love raising our daughter, Elizabeth, and son, William, in our Ahwatukee home. It’s an honor to help my clients and future friends, because it’s more than a Real Estate transaction – it’s the purchase of the home they’ll build their life, raise their kids, and create memories in. I hope I have the opportunity to do the same for you!
When I got into real estate, I had preconceived notions of what it would be like. I guess I watched too many shows on HGTV. But I quickly learned that there was a lot more to it than that, including just how invaluable my role as your REALTOR is. I grew up with a civil engineer for a father, surrounded by construction. I often found myself with a shovel in hand, pitching in, and I always loved open houses. But the business side is all about the details. I found that working collaboratively with a team was the best way to train and believed it so strongly, that I began a team – CRG, with two colleagues/friends. That seems to be a recurring theme!
My clients are like my family, and I treat their transactions as I would treat my own. I devise long-term plans, decode legal terminology, negotiate expertly, and am available day and night to communicate with them. I can hardly wait to begin working with you.
Sincerely,
Clark Hoppel III
REALTOR®