Tell us about yourself. Where are you from and what do you about Southern Indiana?
I’ m from New Albany. Graduated in 2002 from New Albany. So, I’ m from here and don’ t plan on going anywhere else. This is home and I love it!
How old were you when you started playing golf, and what drew you to the game?
I was about 8-years-old when I picked up a club for the first time but didn’ t really get completely ate up with the game until I was about 11 or 12. It was something I could do with my brother( Shecks) and cousin( Ricky) who are about five years older than me. They didn’ t seem to mind dragging me along to play. The competition part from back then is most likely what kept me wanting to play.
Cherry Valley has greatly improved since you took over, especially the greens. What was the plan for the course when you started?
When I took over the greens were the number one focus. Number one thing people remember is the greens no matter where you play golf. I knew play was way down and that was probably the most worrisome part of taking over the course. How do we get people back down here to see what we are trying to do? It didn’ t take long with a nice long social media post about liking and sharing that I had taken over. I think we got to 500 likes on the first day. It’ s been great really since day one.
Par 3 golf courses have become harder to find. What are some advantages for playing smaller courses, especially for those just starting the game?
FEATURE Q & A
Talk about your career in the golfing industry … your previous stops before Cherry Valley.
Well, the first stop was Cherry valley back in the 90s when Willard was running the course. I had a key to the door when I was 12 and my mom would drop me off at the course on her way to work. I would do things like weed-eat, collect trash, work the check-in counter and when I was finally big enough I would change the cups. I worked at a number of courses through the years with some really great people that I learned a lot from like New Albany CC( Scott Ivey), Valley View( Tom Maled), Old Capital and Elk Run. I spent four years on the grounds crew at Chariot Run( Roger, Dave, Brad, Dale). Had the opportunity to learn the people part and the turf part of this business. All of these stops I guess have helped me to be successful back home at Cherry.
What’ s unique about Cherry Valley … what makes it special to New Albany?
It’ s a par 3 course or executive since we have two short par 4s. It’ s a place for everyone in New Albany and the surrounding communities to come play no matter the skill level.
How much work goes into maintaining a golf course?
Well, I guess I’ m lucky that it is a short course, haha. It is a full-time and then some job that is for sure.
Yeah, it’ s sad that some of the par 3s are gone. It’ s nice to be able to get out and play 9 holes in an hour to an hour and a half. It’ s going to take a little stress away from the beginner. One to two shots hopefully gets you on or around the green and keeps it fun.
What are some common mistakes people make when they first pick up golf? Too high of expectations?
They usually pull the driver out immediately. Not sure why but maybe they think the bigger the head the easier to hit, haha. People need to learn to hit the ball off the ground and into the air before ever thinking about hitting the longer clubs.
Besides Cherry Valley, what are some of your favorite courses in Southern Indiana?
Most all of them really. I don’ t want to list them all because I will forget someone, haha. It’ s a great game to enjoy with family and friends. For me that’ s all that really matters.
Who’ s your favorite golfer?
Going back to when I first started probably Davis Love, Fred Couples, Tiger, Scottie, Bryson, JT. I don’ t really have I guess one favorite golfer.
JULY / AUG 2026 NEWS AND TRIBUNE SPORTS MAGAZINE PAGE NO. 11