News
Meet the Pro
Shane Gardner
A career in golf that began at age 13 leads to operating eleven golf courses .
by Ann E . Butenas , contributing writer
Midwest Section PGA member Shane Gardner , recognized as the PGA Professional of the Year in 2022 , is no longer holding his trusty 9-iron under the scorching sun every day , nor is he cruising in his electric cart across meticulously maintained fairways . Instead , he focuses the majority of his efforts strategizing on behalf of his management company , Orion Management Solutions .
A Leawood , KS-based golf management company , Orion and its partners have 30-plus years of experience as it relates to golf facility operations . Overseen by business partners Gardner and Matt Roberts , a North Texas PGA Section member , these two professionals have worked either at or with more than 29 different golf facilities across the country . Further , the company ’ s Corporate Director , Tony Bertels , brings 30-plus years of business experience working with several golf facilities . The company is further elevated with the expertise of Mary Murphy , marketing specialist . This combination of passion , talent , skills , and commitment to growth requires a recipe of enthusiasm , experience , energy , and a positive and winning mindset .
Gardner ’ s career in golf began at age 13 when he started working at various courses in and around his hometown of Omaha , NE . In fact , by age 23 , he was put in charge of a course . While he did play at the collegiate level , his interest in the sport gravitated toward the business end of the game . After completing his bachelor ’ s degree in Marketing Management and Personnel Management at the University of Nebraska – Omaha , Gardner worked towards the completion of his PGA of America credentials .
Gardner then worked in a general manager capacity for a semi-private facility that was dealing with several challenges . Throughout his five years in that role , Gardner successfully turned deficits into profits . From there , he moved to Kansas City , where he helped open four facilities , including Ironhorse , Adams Pointe , and the ( former ) Chapel Ridge Golf Course within the Kansas City area and one in St . Louis . Each position he held was a definite learning experience for him and allowed him to build a strong business foundation in the industry .
Midwest Section PGA member , Shane Gardner and the Orion Management Solutions team currently manage eleven golf courses , nine of them within the Kansas City area : Adams Pointe , Excelsior Springs , Heart of America , Hodge Park , Minor Park , Shoal Creek , Swope Memorial , Sycamore Ridge , and WinterStone .
“ I definitely made some mistakes when I was younger , but I learned from those ,” he reflected . “ Fortunately , the people for whom I worked allowed me to make those mistakes .”
The company he worked for then moved Gardner to Atlanta , where he worked as the Regional Director , covering the states of Georgia , North Carolina , and Florida during that time .
12 JULY 2023 TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE