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When someone quits a job at a golf course, it's usually no big deal. Happens all the time. But there are exceptions. Kerry Hopps, co-general manager and head professional at Woodland Hills Country Club, is leaving next month after 29 years of service. And as a member at the second oldest club in the San Fernando Valley, I can tell you she will be missed. Hopps played many junior golf events on the oak-lined fairways of Woodland Hills. Dan Desmond, the head pro at the time, couldn't help but notice the teenager with the sweet swing and quick smile. One day during her senior year of high school, Desmond asked Hopps what she was going to do after graduation. "Come to work for you," she shot back. Desmond liked her energy and gave her a job as a shop assistant. He also encouraged her to continue her education, which she did at Cal State Northridge. Then, with support from the Woodland Hills membership, Hopps entered the PGA Apprentice Program and five years later became the head professional. Being a woman in a male-dominated field was no easy task. "It was tough for her for a number of years with the old-guard men around here," said Tom Klarin, a former club president. "But she smiled, worked very hard and persevered, gaining the membership's total respect, which she certainly always deserved." The club threw a big party for her 20th anniversary as the club's head professional, but she was thrown for a loop two years later when she was named co-general manager. "It's a combination of things," said Hopps, 47, when asked why she was leaving a place where she rose from shop assistant to practically running the place in a relatively short period of time. "Mostly, I'm following my heart." Hopps and her boyfriend are moving to La Quinta, where she hopes to find another job in the industry. "I've worked steadily since I was 15 years old, so it's not likely I will sit still very long," Hopps said. "I'm just taking a break - and looking forward to reintroducing myself to my golf clubs. I think I've played twice here in the last two years." Woodland Hills' loss is the desert's gain. "What am I going to do without her?" asked club historian Betty Ann Bowler. "She really spoiled us. Kerry always had a smile on her face - and it's that smile I will miss most." Added board member Mark Hubbard: "Kerry has been the heart, soul and personality of this club for many years. As a club, we'll move on. But people join WHCC because of the friendly, family mood that she helped establish. That will be her real legacy." PRIVATE MATTERS: If you've wanted to play the TPC at Valencia, do it quickly. General manager Ron Horton said the club is going private in November. Lost Canyons in Simi Valley also wants to turn its Shadow Course into a private facility. General manager Jay Colliate said things "are sitting on hold" as city officials debate the plan. A private club in the area could do very well. The road that goes by Lost Canyons is now open from Tapo Canyon to Erringer in west Simi Valley. Upscale homes are going up faster than Nick Price's swing. GOLD STANDARD: Scott Heyn has been hired as the golf professional at Black Gold Golf Club in Yorba Linda. The course also hired Hide Yoshinaga as its tournament director. Heyn (Loyola), Yoshinaga (Pepperdine) and general manager Eric Lohman (UCLA) all played college golf at about the same time. NEW JOB: Former Eagle Glen Golf Club general manager Phil Lopez gave up his duties at the Corona course to concentrate on similar duties at The Retreat in Corona, a Nicklaus-designed private club that opened a few months ago. n Eric Tracy can be reached at eric@themulliganman.com. |
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