Client Spotlight Featuring Jason Blonder, Owner and Founder of Swing Plane Productions.
We sincerely love working with each and every one of our clients. Each brings a unique and powerful story that we feel lucky to capture and share with the world.
This month’s client spotlight features Jason Blonder, a Robert De Niro look-a-like and owner of Swing Plane Productions, a golf instruction school in North New Jersey.
Meet this down-to-earth Jersey fella, Jason.
When did you start playing golf?
I started at age 6! My Dad and Grandpa are obsessed … I was a natural! I was talented and won a lot events at an early age. There was always a crowd watching me because I was so little.
Here are a few details we dug up on Blonder’s early career:
- Top in New York State
- Finished 1st Metro Junior 10-17 ages
- 65th in Long Island
When did you know you wanted to teach lessons?
Funny story. I was offered a full ride to St. John’s in New York and was supposed to be the golf team Co-captain with Keegan Bradley (today, Bradley is known for the PGA 2011 Championship). However, I declined. I wanted to have a more “normal life,” so I opted for an academic path and planned to become a lawyer.
Ironically, I brought sticks, aka golf clubs, to celebrate my LSAT success with my father and I shot 72 that day.
I almost immediately made a 360 change and became a professional golf instructor instead of pursuing my law practice.
What do you like about working with people?
The relationships I build are the most important part of my success.
What’s your goal with Swing Plane Productions?
My goal is to make golf more enjoyable through the use of the latest golf instructional technology.
What is your favorite course to play on?
The home course I grew up on. It’s called Smithtown Landing in Smithtown in Long Island, NY. I shot with my mentor, Michael Hevron, who is a legend!
Tell us something interesting about you.
If you Youtube “Jason + Stephanie Proposal” you’ll see the flash mob at the Grand Hyatt in New York that I did to propose to my wife. It was to the song, Let’s Stay Together by Al Greene. It took me 14 years to propose so I had to do it big. We just moved back from San Francisco and I had the whole family there. There were thousands of people there!
Watch the video here:
If you could play 18 with one person, who would it be? Dead or alive.
Bobby Jones – he is considered the essence of golf. He has the best personality ever. Or Arnold Palmer!
Tin can or Tin Cup or Legend of Bagervans?
Tin Cup – Gotta love Kevin Costner. There is nothing better than those lines!
However, the greatest golf movie had Randy Quaid and it was made in the 80s. It was called Dead Silence Perfect. It is a favorite golf movie.
What is your favorite color?
Orange, I’m obsessed orange juice and anything orange.
What is your favorite fruit?
Orange. Obviously. 🙂
What are 3 adjectives that describe you…
My wife would say:
- Romantic
- Loving
- Supportive
My mom would say:
- Adorable
- Best son ever
What is your favorite meal to cook for people/family?
My speciality: fried pork chops with applesauce, mashed potatoes and butter!
But my wife is the one who usually cooks! She’s a great chef… I just have great knife skills in the kitchen so we cook a ton.
Do you add lemons in your cooking?
My wife always does! – Lemon herb chicken, lemon herb seasoning…. a lot of lemons when it comes to cooking with fish.
What can’t you live without?
My wife. First thing that came to my mind! We have been together 15 years!
What are some of your other hobbies that you like to do outside of work?
Snowboarding is one of my biggest passions. I also love going to the beach, cooking and get massages.
What song have you been listening to lately?
Caddyshack By Kenny Loggins
It’s a ritual for golf tournaments. I always play that song before ANY tournament!
What would your super power be?
To be able to make money grow with my hands! – Snap my fingers and poof! Money everywhere.
Who would play you in a film?
In college, people called me the “Little, Jacked Robert De Niro.” Today, some people have said I look like Patrick Dempsey.
What is the worst job you’ve done/had?
My first job! – I was a shopping bag clerk at age 15. I quit three weeks in; it was the absolute worst. On the day I quit, there was “Teen Night” next door and so I was like, “I quit” and walked over to teen night.
What did you want to be when growing up?
To be RICH. I didn’t know what I wanted to be but I was like ‘oh man rich looked good.’
Tell us a joke.
I’m only funny in conversation. I’m not the person who has jokes in my back pocket.
Would you rather have the ability to be invisible or to fly?
Fly – it sounds wild.
Who is your favorite person at Lemonlight?
Kaylee. She’s there all the time. I have to give her the most thanks because she deals with me and all of my emotions.
Why Lemonlight?
Truthfully, you guys found me. I was shocked that a Los Angeles company so easily found me.
Meeting Chad in person was phenomenal!
Then the relationships with the rest of the team deserves 5 stars all the way. You guys are so passionate about what you do and you guys are one heck of a company.